Patent ID: 6898820
Filing Date: 2005-05-31
Classification: A47L,B01F,C11D,F16K,H05B

Abstract:
1. A unitary portable surface cleaning apparatus, comprising: a fluid dispensing system including at least one fluid supply tank, a fluid distributor connected to the fluid supply tank through a fluid supply conduit for applying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned at a predetermined rate; a fluid recovery tank for holding recovered fluid; a suction nozzle; a working air conduit extending between the recovery tank and the suction nozzle; and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery tank for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and to the recovery tank to thereby recover fluid from the surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle and working air conduit and into the recovery tank; a heater exchanger, including a heater element, associated with the fluid supply conduit for heating the cleaning fluid in the fluid supply conduit to be applied to the surface to be cleaned; the improvement which comprises: the heat exchanger includes a heat storage body for storing heat energy from the heater element, and wherein the heater element and the heat storage body are designed to heat the cleaning fluid in the fluid supply conduit to a predetermined temperature range to the extent that the cleaning fluid flows intermittently through the fluid supply conduit but not to the extent that the cleaning fluid flows continuously through the fluid supply conduit at the predetermined rate; whereby the heater exchanger is designed to store heat energy during dry cycles so that there is sufficient heat energy to heat the cleaning fluid to a temperature in the range of about 130 to 180° F. during a wet cycle when the cleaning fluid is flowing at the predetermined rate.