# US 2023/0053712 A1 · Surface cleaning apparatus having a fluid distributor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0053712 A1 - Document ID: US20230053712A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/977,583 - Filed: 2022-10-31 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Earliest claimed: 2019-01-07 - Assignees: BISSELL Inc. - Applicants: BISSELL Inc. - Inventors: YunMing Huang; JianPing Ran; JingShan Wang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230053712A1 ## CPC - A47L 11/4088: {Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits} - A47L 7/0009: {with means mounted on the nozzle; nozzles specially adapted for the recovery of liquid} - A47L 7/0028: {Security means, e.g. float valves or level switches for preventing overflow} - A47L 11/201: {with supply of cleaning agents} - A47L 11/302: {having rotary tools} - A47L 11/34: Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam - A47L 11/4002: {Installations of electric equipment} - A47L 11/4013: {Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like} - A47L 11/4016: {specially adapted for collecting fluids} - A47L 11/4041: {Roll shaped surface treating tools} - A47L 11/4069: {Driving or transmission means for the cleaning tools} - A47L 11/4083: {Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices} - A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08) ## Abstract A fluid delivery system for a surface cleaning apparatus includes a fluid container configured for storing a fluid, a fluid distributor configured for delivering the fluid to a surface to be cleaned, and a flow controller configured for controlling a flow of the fluid from the fluid container to the fluid distributor. The flow controller includes an adjustable valve and is configured for operating in a first mode of operation that supplies the fluid to the fluid distributor at a first volumetric flow rate; a second mode of operation that supplies the fluid to the fluid distributor at a second volumetric flow rate that is lower than the first volumetric flow rate; and a third mode of operation that supplies the fluid to the fluid distributor at a third volumetric flow rate that is lower than the second volumetric flow rate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fluid delivery system for a surface cleaning apparatus, the fluid delivery system comprising: a fluid container configured for storing a fluid; a fluid distributor configured for delivering the fluid to a surface to be cleaned; and a flow controller configured for controlling a flow of the fluid from the fluid container to the fluid distributor, wherein the flow controller includes an adjustable valve and is configured for operating in: a first mode of operation that supplies the fluid to the fluid distributor at a first volumetric flow rate; a second mode of operation that supplies the fluid to the fluid distributor at a second volumetric flow rate that is lower than the first volumetric flow rate; and a third mode of operation that supplies the fluid to the fluid distributor at a third volumetric flow rate that is lower than the second volumetric flow rate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the adjustable valve has a valve body that includes an inlet, a first outlet spaced apart from the inlet and having a first diameter, a second outlet spaced apart from the first outlet and having a second diameter, and a valve piston slidably mounted within the second outlet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The fluid delivery system of claim 2, wherein the valve piston further includes a third outlet having a third diameter that is greater than the first diameter and less than the second diameter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The fluid delivery system of claim 3, wherein the valve piston is moveable within the second outlet between a first closed position, a second partially-open position, and a third fully-open, unrestricted position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The fluid delivery system of claim 4, wherein when the valve piston is disposed in the first closed position and the flow controller operates in the third mode of operation, the fluid flows through the inlet and exits the flow controller through the first outlet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The fluid delivery system of claim 4, wherein when the valve piston is disposed in the second partially-open position and the flow controller operates in the second mode of operation, the fluid flows through the first outlet and the third outlet and the third outlet blocks the second outlet. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The fluid delivery system of claim 4, wherein when the valve piston is disposed in the third fully-open, unrestricted position and the flow controller operates in the first mode of operation, the fluid flows through the first outlet and the second outlet such that the second outlet is unrestricted. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The fluid delivery system of claim 2, wherein the fluid container has a container outlet, the fluid distributor includes a spray bar having a plurality of spray bar outlets configured for dispensing the fluid to the surface to be cleaned, and the fluid delivery system further includes: a flow control valve disposed between the container outlet and the flow controller; and a Y-connector that couples the flow control valve and the flow controller to the spray bar. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The fluid delivery system of claim 8, wherein the Y-connector includes an outlet, a high-flow arm fluidly coupled to the outlet and to the second outlet of the flow controller, and a low-flow arm fluidly coupled to the outlet and to the first outlet of the flow controller. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The fluid delivery system of claim 9, wherein when the flow controller operates in the first mode of operation, the fluid enters the Y-connector through the high-flow arm and the low-flow arm such that a first volume of the fluid flowing from the second outlet of the flow controller through the Y-connector to the spray bar is maximized. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The fluid delivery system of claim 10, wherein the valve piston defines an opening having a first size that is less than the second diameter of the second outlet, and further wherein when the flow controller operates in the second mode of operation, the fluid enters the Y-connector though the high-flow arm and the low-flow arm such that a second volume of the fluid flowing from the second outlet of the flow controller through the opening of the valve piston and through the Y-connector to the spray bar is less than the first volume. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The fluid delivery system of claim 11, wherein when the flow controller operates in the third mode of operation, the fluid enters the Y-connector through the low-flow arm and is stopped by the valve piston from entering the high-flow arm such that a third volume of the fluid flowing from the second outlet of the flow controller through the Y-connector to the spray bar is less than the second volume. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The fluid delivery system of claim 12, further including a seal disposed on the valve piston within the second outlet and configured to prevent the fluid from passing through the valve piston so that the third volume is comparatively smaller than the second volume. ### Claim 14 A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a fluid delivery system configured for storing a fluid and delivering the fluid to a surface to be cleaned; and a fluid recovery system configured for removing spent fluid and debris from the surface and storing the spent fluid and debris, wherein the fluid delivery system includes: a fluid container configured for storing the fluid; a fluid distributor configured for delivering the fluid to the surface to be cleaned; and a flow controller configured for controlling a flow of the fluid from the fluid container to the fluid distributor, wherein the flow controller includes an adjustable valve and is configured for operating in: a first mode of operation that supplies the fluid to the fluid distributor at a first volumetric flow rate; a second mode of operation that supplies the fluid to the fluid distributor at a second volumetric flow rate that is lower than the first volumetric flow rate; and a third mode of operation that supplies the fluid to the fluid distributor at a third volumetric flow rate that is lower than the second volumetric flow rate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein the fluid container has a container outlet and the fluid delivery system includes a flow control valve disposed between the container outlet and the flow controller; and further including an actuator configured for actuating the fluid delivery system and dispensing the fluid to the fluid distributor, wherein the actuator is operably coupled to the flow control valve such that pressing the actuator opens the flow control valve. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein the fluid distributor further includes a spray bar having a plurality of spray bar outlets configured for dispensing the fluid to the surface to be cleaned. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein the surface cleaning apparatus is configured for generating steam for delivery to the surface to be cleaned. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein the adjustable valve has a valve body that includes an inlet, a first outlet spaced apart from the inlet and having a first diameter, a second outlet spaced apart from the first outlet and having a second diameter, and a valve piston slidably mounted within the second outlet; and wherein the valve piston further includes a third outlet having a third diameter that is greater than the first diameter and less than the second diameter. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 18, wherein the valve piston is moveable within the second outlet between a first closed position, a second partially-open position, and a third fully-open, unrestricted position such that: when the valve piston is disposed in the first closed position and the flow controller operates in the third mode of operation, the fluid flows through the inlet and exits the flow controller through the first outlet; when the valve piston is disposed in the second partially-open position and the flow controller operates in the second mode of operation, the fluid flows through the first outlet and the third outlet and the third outlet blocks the second outlet; and when the valve piston is disposed in the third fully-open, unrestricted position and the flow controller operates in the first mode of operation, the fluid flows through the first outlet and the second outlet such that the second outlet is unrestricted. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein the fluid recovery system further includes a suction nozzle, a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and configured for generating a working airstream, and a recovery container configured for separating and collecting the spent fluid and debris from the working airstream.