Multipurpose aqueous parts washer
View Patent ↗A multipurpose parts washer may include an automatic cleaning portion, having a first cleaning chamber for spraying parts and a second cleaning chamber for soaking and agitating parts, and a manual cleaning portion. The first cleaning chamber may include spray bars that are selectively rotatably adjustable and each bar may have an orifice to discharge cleaning solution that is stationary during operation. Cleaning solution may be disposed in a reservoir of the first cleaning chamber at a reservoir level and in the second cleaning chamber at an agitation level that is above the reservoir level. The manual cleaning portion may be configured as a sink that is movably connected to the automatic cleaning portion to provide selective access thereto.
1. An apparatus for washing parts comprising:
an automatic cleaning portion defined by a first cleaning chamber and a second cleaning chamber, the first cleaning chamber including a spray portion disposed above a reservoir portion, wherein the reservoir portion is disposed at a bottom of the first cleaning chamber and is configured to store and collect a cleaning solution at a reservoir level and the spray portion includes a parts support disposed above the reservoir level and a spray bar system including a distribution bar having a bottom portion including a first spray bar and a top portion including a second spray bar disposed above the part support, wherein the bottom portion is pivotally connected to the distribution bar so that the first spray bar is movable from an operating position disposed below the part support to an access position disposed approximately normal to the operating position such that a distal end of the first spray bar is disposed adjacent the second spray bar when the part support is removed, wherein the first and second spray bars each include a longitudinal axis and an orifice oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal axis for distributing the cleaning solution onto the parts wherein each orifice is defined in the first and second spray bars that are stationary in the operating position, the second cleaning chamber including an agitation tank that is disposed adjacent a top surface of the automatic cleaning portion and entirely above the parts support, the agitation tank including the cleaning solution disposed therein at an agitation level, wherein the agitation level is disposed above the reservoir level; and
a manual cleaning portion movably connected to the automatic cleaning portion defined by a basin having a work area including a drain and a fluid distribution device, wherein the manual cleaning portion pivots between a closed operative position for operation of the first cleaning chamber and an open non-operative position for accessing a non-operative first cleaning chamber, wherein the fluid distribution device discharges the cleaning solution into the basin for washing parts and for collection through the drain into the first cleaning chamber, and wherein at least one of the first spray bar and the second spray bar is connected to the distribution bar as selectively rotatably adjustable when the manual cleaning portion is disposed in the open non-operative position so as to rotate the orifice about the longitudinal axis of the respective first spray bar or second spray bar.
2. The apparatus for washing parts of claim 1 , wherein the first spray bar is rotatably connected to the distribution bar by an elbow union.
3. The apparatus for washing parts of claim 1 , wherein the second spray bar is rotatably connected to the distribution bar by an elbow union.
4. The apparatus for washing parts of claim 1 , wherein the first or the second spray bar is rotatably connected to the distribution bar by a flexible collar.
5. The apparatus for washing parts of claim 1 , wherein the manual cleaning portion further includes a pivotally connected safety lid having an open configuration for access to the work area and a closed configuration for restricting access to the work area.
6. The apparatus for washing parts of claim 1 , wherein the first spray bar is configured in a U shape.
7. The apparatus for washing parts of claim 1 , further comprising a thermal energy source disposed in the reservoir portion contiguous with the cleaning solution for controlling a temperature of the cleaning solution; and
a pump disposed in the reservoir portion in fluid communication with the spray bar, the agitation tank, and the fluid distribution device for circulating the cleaning solution from the reservoir portion to at least one of the agitation tank, the fluid distribution device, or the spray bar;
wherein the agitation tank is configured to store and collect a portion of the cleaning solution and includes an agitation bar connected to the pump with at least one orifice for distributing the cleaning solution dynamically within the agitation tank.
8. The apparatus for washing parts of claim 7 , wherein a valve connected inline between the agitation bar and the pump controls the flow of cleaning solution through the agitation bar and into the agitation tank.
9. The apparatus for washing parts of claim 1 , further comprising an ultrasonic device associated with the second cleaning chamber for generating ultrasonic waves in the agitation tank.