Patent ID: 8123148
Filing Date: 2012-02-28
Classification: B05B,B60S

Abstract:
1. A method of providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface comprising: a) mounting a heater element to a heat exchanger and placing the heat exchanger into a fluid reservoir; b) routing fluid into the fluid reservoir through an inlet port in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir; b) coupling the fluid reservoir to an outlet port in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir for dispensing an amount of heated fluid; d) heating fluid that passes from the inlet to the outlet port through said fluid reservoir by energizing the heater element with a voltage source to heat both the heater element and the heat exchanger as fluid contacts an outer surface of the heat exchanger; and e) mounting a thermal sensor to the heat exchanger and sensing the temperature in proximity to the heater element when voltage is applied to the heater element by monitoring an output from the thermal sensor and de-energizing the heater element if a sensed temperature is too high to prevent thermal runaway of the heater element.