Abstract:
A vehicle wash system having a series of spray assemblies for use in cleaning vehicles such as a highway salt truck. As the vehicle is driven through the vehicle wash system, sensors alert the control system as to the location of the vehicle. While using a single pump, the control system then activates and deactivates valves to selectively open and close high pressure flow paths to various spray assemblies as the vehicle moves through the vehicle wash system. The nozzles in the spray assemblies receive full pressure water when the corresponding valve is opened and are oriented to clean specific portions of the vehicle in a predetermined sequence.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of Invention 
   The present invention relates to vehicle wash systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle wash system for salt trucks, such as salt trucks used by governmental transportation departments for dispensing salt onto roadways. 
   1. Description of the Prior Art 
   Salt trucks, as used by various state and local departments of transportation, are particularly susceptible to corrosion as a result of the vehicles carrying and dispersing salt. For this reason, the average service life of a highway salt truck is two to three years. If properly washed after each use, the service life of these quarter million dollar vehicles can be extended to approximately seven to eight years. 
   Because of the nature and shape of salt trucks, proper cleaning has in the past been costly in terms of time, man power, and water use. Various areas of the truck require specific cleaning to remove the salt. These areas include, but are not limited to, the front or leading side of the bed, the back of the cab, the inside of the bed, the underside of the bed, the chassis beneath the bed, the back of the bed and the salt spreader. 
   There are many types of vehicle wash systems currently known in the art. The tunnel-type car wash system which uses brushes or strips of material to rub against the vehicle would be impractical because of the unique shape of the salt truck. A typical brushless system has jets arrayed on a frame that spray the vehicle passing through it. These systems use a great deal of water and do not reach all necessary portions of the salt truck to clean the truck and prevent corrosion. One type of brushless system uses a number of nozzles directed towards the vehicle. However, all the nozzles are activated at the same time, which requires multiple high pressure pumps, adding significant cost to the system, to give adequate pressure to all the nozzles to properly clean the vehicle. Another type of brushless system uses a gantry-type washing apparatus adapted to move linearly along the length of a vehicle. The entire line of nozzles moves together and cannot be moved independently. This system, however, must be placed in position around the vehicle and the vehicle stopped while cleaning, thus increasing the time necessary to clean the vehicle. Additionally, the nozzle arrangement does not allow for the cleaning of all the necessary portions of a salt truck. The moving nozzles are a mechanical complication that will require additional parts and service above that of a fixed nozzle system. Since automated systems inadequately clean salt trucks, the only known method that is adequate involves manual cleaning. Manual cleaning, however, is time consuming and highly labor intensive. 
   Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to create a truck wash system that uses a minimum amount of water while still delivering full pressure spray through the nozzles. It is a further object of the present invention to create a truck wash system where the location of the vehicle in the system determines which nozzles are activated so specific areas of the truck will be washed at a time until the entire vehicle is cleaned. It is a further object of the invention to create a truck wash system that may be used to thoroughly clean salt trucks and other vehicle types. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the above mentioned drawbacks and other limitations of the prior art, it is seen that a need exists for an automatic vehicle wash system capable of thoroughly cleaning a salt truck. 
   In meeting this need, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle wash system that is specifically adapted to wash salt trucks with the goal of extending the service life of the trucks. The above is achieved using a unique spray assembly arrangement and sequencing. The spray assemblies include this series of arches that each contain nozzles that are set to spray in a pre-arranged orientation. One high pressure pump is used to send the water through the spray assemblies. The spray assemblies are turned on and off in a predetermined sequence as the salt truck moves through the wash system. As mentioned above, the nozzles on the spray assemblies are fixed and specifically directed at vulnerable areas of the salt truck which are washed until clean. The specific sequence of the wash allows full pressure water to be directed through selected nozzles to achieve thorough cleaning in a short period of time, while using less water than if the truck was indiscriminately washed all over. 
   Water reclamation, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,550 issued to Kaipainen, may be used to further reduce the overall water usage. In addition to washing salt trucks, the vehicle wash system is also capable of washing other types of vehicles with the addition of a spray assembly having spinner-type nozzles, such as those described U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,556 issued to Lamminen. 
   Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description and the claims when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle wash system embodying the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the vehicle wash system seen in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the vehicle wash system seen if  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view generally along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is and end view, with portions cut away, of the truck wash system of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an illustration of a salt truck, typifying those with which the present invention would be utilized; 
       FIG. 7  is a rear quarter view of the salt truck seen in  FIG. 6 ; and 
       FIG. 8  is a close-up view detailing the rear cab area of the salt truck seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, as seen in  FIG. 1 , the present invention is a vehicle wash system  5  specifically adapted to wash salt trucks  8 , such as the truck  8  seen in  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 . The wash system  5  includes, as its principle components, a series of arched spray assemblies  10 ,  12 ,  14  and  18 , a high pressure pump  20 , a set of valves  22 ,  24  and  26  (controlling the spray assemblies  10 ,  12 ,  14  and  18 ) and sensors  28 ,  30  and  32  (providing signals to a controller  36 ). In addition to the above, the overall system  5  may include other components commonly found in existing truck wash systems, such as chemical or soap arches  70  and  72 , chemical tanks  61 , a chassis wash  74 , additional high pressure pumps  80  and  82 , spinner assemblies  41 , guide rails  76  and  78 , a water heater  63  and a water softener  65 . The latter components, their construction and operation, are not discussed in significant detail herein because persons skilled in this technology will readily appreciate the details thereof. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , use of the vehicle wash system  5  begins with a salt truck entering the system  5  in the direction of arrow  7  and with its bed preferably partially lifted (as seen in  FIG. 6 ,  7  and  8 ). The guide rails  76  and  78  assist in centering the truck  8  as it progresses through the system  5 . Upon the truck  8  triggering a photo-eye or other sensor  29 , soap or other chemicals are dispensed via soap and chemical arches  70  and  72  and the truck  8  is coated with a detergent/chemical solution (alkaline or other) from the tanks  61 . The truck  8  is then moved slowly forward via its own power or a conventional conveyor system (not shown) towards the spray assemblies  10 ,  12 ,  14  and  18 . When the rear of the truck  8  clears the beam photo-eye  29 , the chemical arches  70  and  72  stop dispensing their solutions. 
   As the rear of the truck  8  passes photo-eye  31  and as photo-eye  28  senses the front of the truck  8  starting to pass underneath the first of the spray assemblies  10 , high pressure pump  82  is turned on and the chassis wash  74  is activated both by the controller  36 , to clean the under side of the truck in a conventional manner. 
   With the turning on of the chassis wash  74 , either simultaneously therewith or after a delay from the turning on thereof, the controller  36  signals high pressure pump  20  to operate and valve  22  to open. Water from the water tank  130  is drawn out by the high pressure pump  20 . High pressure water is directed through the open valve  22  to spray assemblies  10  and  14 , simultaneously. The nozzles  42  on the spray assembly  10  are fixed at a forward oblique angle (as indicated by arrow  45  in  FIG. 2 ). The particular angle at which the nozzles  42  are directed is not critical to the present invention so long as water therefrom will reach at least the mid-line of the back of the cab of the truck  8  before being turned off or obstructed by another portion of the truck  8 . Directed in this manner, water from the first spray assembly  10  cleans the back  101  of the cab  99  of the truck  8  with high pressure water as truck  8  passes by. 
   Nozzles  46  mounted on spray assembly  14  are directed at a rearward oblique angle (as indicated by arrow  43  in  FIG. 2 ). The particular angle at which these nozzles  43  are set is also not critical to the present invention. However, this angle should also be such that water from the nozzles  43  will be directed to reach to at least the mid-line of the truck  8 , and specifically the mid-line of the forward face  107  of the front wall  105  of the bed  103  so as to clean that portion of the truck  8 . 
   As the truck  8  continues to move forward through the vehicle wash system  5 , another sensor  30 , which may be also a photo-eye, is activated by the passing of the truck  8  and valve  22  is closed by controller  36 , shutting off spray assemblies  10  and  14 . At this time, valve  24  opened by the controller  36  and high pressure water from pump  20  is sent to spray assembly  12 . Nozzles  44  on spray assembly  12  are fixed and directed generally downward. Additionally, these nozzles  44  may be directed slightly rearwardly. The timing of the turning on of this spray assembly  12  is such that high pressure water delivered through nozzles  44  is directed to clean the inside of the bed  103  of the truck  8 . To reduce the overall length of the wash system  5 , spray assembly  12  is located physically between spray assemblies  10  and  14  mentioned above. 
   In order to best achieve the cleaning desired by the above construction, it is noted that the nozzles  42  and  43  on spray assemblies  10  and  14 , respectively, are generally located on the upright side portions of those assemblies  10  and  14 . On spray assembly  12 , the nozzles  45  are located on the top or crossbar portion of the spray assembly  12 . Alternate locations for these nozzles  42 ,  43 , and  45  are possible. 
   As the truck  8  continues it next encounters sensor  32  (also similar to sensor  28 ). When activated, controller  36  causes valve  24  to closed. The location of sensor  32  is such that the front of the truck  8 , or other indicia, activates the sensor  32  when the end of the bed of the truck  8  has progressed beyond spray assembly  12 . 
   With the closing of valve  24 , valve  26  is opened by controller  36  and high pressure water from pump  20  is sent through nozzles  50 , which are mounted on the forwardmost arched spray assembly  18 . Nozzles  50  are fixed in position on the upright side portions of the spray assembly  18  and aimed generally rearward obliquely so the water flowing through them is directed along arrows  49 . Directed in this manner, the nozzles  50  operate to clean or rinse the sides  109  of the cab  99  of the truck  8  and to clean the underside  111  of the raised bed  103  of the truck  8 , as well as the top and sides of the chassis  113  of truck  8 . 
   When the truck  8  exits the vehicle wash system  5 , sensor  33  (similar to sensor  28 ) is activated and valve  26  is closed. 
   Alternatively, with the opening of valve  26 , spray assembly  16 , located between spray assemblies  14  and  18 , may be pressurized by water from another high pressure pump  82  activated by the controller  36 . Spray assembly  16  includes rotating spinner nozzles  41  on side portions of the assembly  16 . These spinner nozzles may be used to clean the truck  8  generally in combination with the other spray assemblies  10 ,  12 ,  14  and  18 , or may be individually used to clean other types of vehicles. 
   Coupled to spray assembly  16 , and located rearward thereof, are upright spray arms  19 . The spray arms  19  are equipped with fixed nozzles  21 . When the truck  8  is moved though the vehicle wash system  5 , high pressure water provided through the fixed nozzles  21  is directed in a forward oblique direction (see arrow  47  in  FIG. 2 ) so as to clean the lower side details of the truck  8 , as well as the rear of the truck  8 , particularly, including the salt spreader mechanism of the truck  8 . The vehicle wash is then complete. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a schematic layout for the vehicle wash system  5  is shown. Chemical pumps  142  pump chemicals from chemical tanks  61 . Valves  144  are opened by the controller  36  via a chemical wall module  144  and send chemicals, along with heated and softened water, to soap arches  70  and  72 . High pressure pump  80  couples the water tank  130  with the chassis wash  74  for washing the under carriage of the truck  8 . High pressure pump  20  also couples the water tank  130  to arched spray assemblies  10 ,  12 ,  14  and  18  through the valve module  86  controlled by controller  36  and which may itself be pneumatically operated via an air compressor  151  in conjunction with the controller  36 . When valve  22  is opened, arched spray assemblies  10  and  14  receive high pressure water from high pressure pump  20 . When valve  24  is opened, spray assembly  12  receives high pressure water from high pressure pump  20 . When valve  26  is opened, arched spray assembly  18  receives high pressure water from high pressure pump  20 . Because these valves  22 ,  24  and  26  are opened only one at a time, only one high pressure pump is required for this aspect of the vehicle wash system. Another high pressure pump  80  is connected directly to spray assembly  16  for when spinner assemblies  41  or spray arms  19  are desired to be used. 
     FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8  show side, rear quarter and close-up views of the salt truck  8 . From this it can be seen that there are many intricacies of the vehicle and understood the difficulty in thorough cleaning such vehicles. 
   While the above description constitutes the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope and fair meaning of the accompanying claims.