GB2299770A

GB2299770A - Liquid distribution device

Info

Publication number: GB2299770A
Application number: GB9507497A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Desmond Frank Cockerill
Original assignee: Systems AG
Current assignee: Systems AG
Priority date: 1995-04-11
Filing date: 1995-04-11
Publication date: 1996-10-16
Also published as: GB9507497D0

Abstract

A liquid distribution device comprises a framework 11, a main conduit 13 extending around at least part of the periphery of the framework and outwardly directed nozzles 14 connected to the conduit for distributing liquid from the conduit outwards from the framework. When moved along the interior of a box shaped vehicle body, it can be used to wash out that body. Control devices 21 can be included to affect the operation if an obstruction is encountered as the framework moves along the body.

Description

LIQUID DISTRIBUTION DEVICE When the exterior of bodies, such as vehicles, are washed, liquid is sprayed over the exterior of the bodies.

It is usual for the vehicle to be moved past stationary liquid distribution devices. The present invention is concerned with liquid distribution devices which are particularly suitable for cleaning the inside of a hollow body, such as that of the vehicle. Since the load compartment of the vehicle almost invariably has a closed end, it is impractical to move the vehicle past a stationary distribution device. The present invention therefore provides a liquid distribution device which can be moved longitudinally within a hollow body. According to the invention there is provided a liquid distribution device comprising a framework, a main conduit extending around at least part of the periphery of the framework and outwardly directed nozzles connected to the conduit for distributing from the conduit outwards from the framework.

The device may also comprise nozzles directed normally to the extent of the main conduit. The conduit preferably comprises a continuous channel extending around the whole periphery of the framework and may follow a rectangular shape. There is preferably a plurality of nozzles along each side of said rectangular shape. An inlet port is provided for the distribution channel and this is preferably directed at right-angles to the extent of the main conduit.

The distribution device is preferably mounted on a boom so that it can be moved along the length of the hollow body and in this case the inlet port is preferably directed along the length of the boom. If the boom is extendible, then means is preferably provided to support from the boom a flexible conduit leading to the inlet port arranged to accommodate the change of length of the boom.

The framework may be provided with sensing means to sense an obstruction in the path of travel of the framework and connected to the means for controlling the extension or movement of the boom to prevent further movement if an obstruction is sensed. The sensing means may also be arranged to control the distribution of liquid in response to obstructions sensed.

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front view and Figure 2 a side view of a liquid distribution device and Figure 3 illustrates how the device might be arranged to distribute liquid to the interior of a lorry.

In Figure 1 a framework comprises a single vertical member 11 adapted to be mounted on the end of a telescopic boom 12 which can be extended horizontally, at right-angles to the plane of the Figure 1.

A rectangular continuous distribution conduit 13 is mounted on the framework at its top and bottom points and each side of the rectangle the conduit is provided with a plurality of nozzles 14 directed outwardly in the plane of the figure, to right and left and up and down. There is a plurality of nozzles on each side and their number and spacing is controlled by the desired application. For example, if the floor of a hollow body requires greater washing than the side walls and the ceiling of the hollow body requires less washing, then the density of the nozzles would be a maximum along the bottom and a minimum along the top. There is a further plurality of nozzles 16 directed forwardly from the two side pieces of the rectangle (the boom 12 extending rearwardly therefrom), but less in number than those 14 directed sideways.There are three nozzles 16 and 10 nozzles 14 in one embodiment (not illustrated) and six nozzles 14 and two nozzles 16 in the illustrated embodiment.

At at least one point on the rear of the distribution conduit there is an inlet port 15 adapted for connection to a supply of liquid under pressure. The port may be connected to the supply through a conduit (not shown) mounted on the telescopic boom which conduit is flexible and arranged so as to accommodate the extension and retraction of the boom.

The framework could be extended in order to provide greater support to the distribution conduit, for example by the provision of two or more horizontal members (not shown) secured at their midpoints to the vertical member and supporting the side pieces of the distribution conduit at their ends.

The telescopic boom 12 is secured to the framework 11 behind the device of Figure 1 and to the right of the device in Figure 2. Sensing bars 21 are mounted along the top and bottom of the device, on the side of the framework remote from the boom, to sense any obstruction which might be encountered by the device as the boom is extended. On sensing of an obstruction, an electrical switch (not shown) is arranged to activate control circuits 22 controlling the extension of the boom and possibly the supply of liquid to the inlet port.

The boom may be mounted on a support carriage 23 in order that the device can be aligned with the entry to a vehicle loading compartment. As can be seen in Figure 3, the telescopic boom device has a carriage 23 mounted on rails 24 at right-angles to the length of the vehicle to be washed so that the boom can be run along a loading bay for alignment with individual vehicles parked along the bay.

The extendible end of the boom is provided with a supporting carriage 25 for supporting the extended end of the boom firstly from the loading bay floor 26 and then from the floor 26 of the compartment to be washed as the boom is extended. The framework and distribution channel are mounted on the end of the telescopic boom and moved progressively into the compartment as various liquids are distributed from the nozzles. In the normal washing process, a detergent is first distributed, to be followed by rinsing liquid. The different liquids can be distributed through the same device in successive scans of the body, or a double set of distribution channels could be provided so that each point in the body to be washed is first scanned by the first liquid and then by the second liquid as the boom is extended in a single scan through the body to be washed. The supply of liquid to the nozzles 14 and 16 can be separately controlled, if desired.

The road area 28 beside the loading bay is provided with guide tracks 29 for guiding the wheels of the vehicle to the correct position for washing and a buffer 31 is provided to stop the vehicle at the correct distance relative to the loading bay. A hump 32 may be provided in the roadway to support the wheels 33 at the front of the vehicle at a higher level than those at the back in order to create a drainage slope in the floor of the body being washed so that used liquid drains from the open end of the vehicle body. The extension direction of the telescopic boom may be arranged to accommodate the slight deviation from the horizontal of its scan required by this difference in level of the support at the front and back of the vehicle body.

Claims

1. A liquid distribution device comprising a framework, a main conduit extending around at least part of the periphery of the framework and outwardly directed nozzles connected to the conduit for distributing liquid from the conduit outwards from the framework.

2. A liquid distribution device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the conduit comprises a continuous channel extending around the whole periphery of the framework.

3. A liquid distribution device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the conduit comprises a continuous channel extending around the whole periphery of the framework and follows a rectangular shape.

4. A liquid distribution device as claimed in claim 3 comprising a plurality of said nozzles along each side of said rectangular shape.

5. A liquid distribution device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising an inlet port for the distribution channel.

6. A liquid distribution device as claimed in claim 5 whereon the inlet port is directed at right-angles to the extent of the main conduit.

7. A liquid distribution device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the distribution device is mounted on a boom so that it can be moved along the length of the hollow body.

8. A liquid distribution device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the inlet port is directed along the length of the boom.

9. A liquid distribution device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the boom is extendible and the apparatus comprises means to support from the boom a flexible conduit leading to the inlet port arranged to accommodate the change of length of the boom.

10. A liquid distribution device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising sensing means to sense an obstruction in the path of travel of the framework and connected to the means for controlling movement of the boom to prevent further movement if an obstruction is sensed.

11. A liquid distribution device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the sensing means is also arranged to control the distribution of liquid in response to obstructions sensed.

12. A liquid distribution device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.