Patent ID: 7641131
Filing Date: 2010-01-05
Classification: B05B,B60S,F24H

Abstract:
1. A method for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface comprising: a) positioning a heating element in contact with cleaning fluid within a container for the cleaning fluid; b) providing a voltage source for heating the heating element; c) routing a cleaning fluid into the container and dividing the fluid into different flow paths such that the fluid moving along the different flow paths flows into contact with the heating element and is heated and then routed to an outlet port of the container; d) responding to a user input by monitoring a temperature of the heating element with a temperature sensor in thermal communication with the heating element; e) if the sensed temperature of the heating element is below a predetermined temperature, selectively activating the voltage source to heat the heating element based on an input from the temperature sensor to transfer heat to the fluid while maintaining a cleaning fluid temperature below a boiling point of the cleaning fluid; and f) after the temperature sensor senses a desired heating element temperature, pumping the fluid from the outlet port to a nozzle for dispensing heated fluid against said vehicle surface.