Patent ID: 6049993
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
A system for adapting a dry cleaner machine to the use of hydrocarbon (HC)-based cleaning fluids, the improvement comprising:means for purging a dry cleaner machine and articles to be cleaned in a cleaning compartment therein with a controlled purging gas flow of an inert gas prior to introduction of HC-based cleaning fluids into said compartment;means for maintaining an inert gas flow through an aspirating device which is in communication with said machine and continuously aspirates gas samples therefrom, said inert gas flow maintained at least during a cleaning cycle and during a drying cycle of said machine;means of sensing an oxygen level in said gas samples;means for monitoring said oxygen level;means for controlling said maintained inert gas flow through said aspirating device such that said oxygen level in said gas samples is maintained below a limit value;means for circulating said controlled maintained inert gas flow and said gas samples through said dry cleaner machine; andmeans for exhausting a portion of said purging gas flow and a portion of that maintained gas flow from two locations within the dry cleaner machine.