Patent ID: 7657965
Filing Date: 2010-02-09
Classification: A47L

Abstract:
1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a housing; a fluid delivery system mounted to the housing and including a fluid supply tank for holding a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid dispenser for applying cleaning fluid from the fluid supply chamber to the surface to be cleaned, and a fluid conduit between the fluid supply tank and the fluid dispenser; a fluid recovery system mounted to the housing and comprising a suction nozzle and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle to draw fluid from the surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle; and a dispensing valve in the fluid conduit for controlling the flow of the cleaning fluid from the fluid supply tank to the fluid dispenser; an actuator that includes a shape memory alloy part is coupled to the dispensing valve to control the flow of fluid from the fluid supply tank to the fluid dispenser; and an electrical circuit that includes the shape memory alloy part and a switch that controls the flow of current through the electrical circuit for selectively actuating the dispensing valve.