Parts washer

A recirculating parts washer which uses a water-based detergent cleaning solution for cleaning and degreasing a workpiece, the parts washer comprising:

• tank means for storing a cleaning solution;
• enclosure means, coupled to said tank means, for providing a wash area for the workpiece;
• jet wash means, disposed within said enclosure means, for directing a plurality of streams of cleaning solution onto the workpiece;
• brush wash means having a hose and a brush head, said brush wash means being adapted to receive a flow of cleaning solution through said hose and to deliver said flow of cleaning solution to said brush head for manually cleaning the workpiece disposed within said wash region;
• and
• pump means for drawing cleaning solution from said tank means and for selectively delivering a flow of cleaning solution to said jet wash means and/or said brush wash means, said pump means comprising a pump and a valve, said valve being operable to alternatively supply a flow of the cleaning solution to either the jet wash means or the brush wash means, said valve including a bleed means for diverting a portion of said flow from said brush wash means to said tank means.

A parts washer comprising:

• an enclosed washer housing having a tank region for storing a cleaning solution, a wash region disposed adjacent said tank region, an opening in said housing to allow a user access to said wash region, and a lid adapted to cover said opening;
• support means for supporting a workpiece within said wash region;
• first spray means, disposed in said wash region, for receiving a flow of cleaning solution and for directing said flow of cleaning solution toward the workpiece from a first direction;
• second spray means, disposed in said wash region, for receiving a flow of cleaning solution and for directing said flow of cleaning solution toward the workpiece from a second direction, wherein said second direction is at least ninety degrees (90.degree.) displaced from said first direction;
• brush means, including a hose and a brush head, for receiving a flow of cleaning solution through said hose and for delivering said flow of cleaning solution to said brush head for manual cleaning of the workpiece;
• and
• pump means, coupled to said washer housing, for drawing cleaning solution from said tank region and for delivering a flow of cleaning solution to said spray means and/or said brush means, said pump means comprising a first pump adapted to supply the cleaning solution to said first and second spray means, a second pump adapted to supply the cleaning solution to said brush means, and an election means for alternately enabling either said first pump or said second pump.

A parts washer comprising:

• an enclosed washer housing having a tank region for storing a cleaning solution, a wash region disposed adjacent said tank region, an opening in said housing to allow a user access to said wash region, and a lid adapted to cover said opening;
• support means for supporting a workpiece within said wash region;
• first spray means, disposed in said wash region, for receiving a flow of cleaning solution and for directing said flow of cleaning solution toward the workpiece from a first direction;
• second spray means, disposed in said wash region, for receiving a flow of cleaning solution and for directing said flow of cleaning solution toward the workpiece from a second direction, wherein said second direction is at least ninety degrees (90.degree.) displaced from said first direction;
• brush means, including a hose and a brush head, for receiving a flow of cleaning solution through said hose and for delivering said flow of cleaning solution to said brush head for manual cleaning of the workpiece;
• and
• pump means, coupled to said washer housing, for drawing cleaning solution from said tank region and for delivering a flow of cleaning solution to said spray means and/or said brush means, said pump means comprising a pump and a valve, said valve being operable to alternatively supply a flow of the cleaning solution to either the first and second spray means or the brush means, said valve including a bleed means for diverting a portion of said flow from said brush means to said tank region.

A recirculating parts washer which uses a water-based detergent cleaning solution for cleaning and degreasing automotive parts and the like, the parts washer comprising:

• an enclosed washer housing having a lower tank region for storing a cleaning solution, an upper wash region, an opening to allow a user access to said wash region, and a lid adapted to cover said opening, said housing being enclosed at the bottom by said tank and at the top by said lid;
• a shelf, disposed within said washer housing above said tank region, to support a workpiece;
• a first spray manifold, disposed in said wash region below said shelf, to receive a flow of cleaning solution and direct said flow of cleaning solution upwards toward the workpiece;
• a second spray manifold, disposed in said washer housing in said lid, to receive a flow of cleaning solution and direct said flow of cleaning solution downwards toward the workpiece;
• a brush assembly having a hose and a brush head, said brush assembly being adapted to receive a flow of cleaning solution through said hose and to deliver said flow of cleaning solution to said brush head for manual cleaning of the workpiece;
• a first pump, coupled to said washer housing, to draw cleaning solution from said tank region and deliver a flow of cleaning solution to said first and second spray manifolds;
• a second pump, coupled to said washer housing, to draw cleaning solution from said tank region and deliver a flow of cleaning solution to said brush assembly;
• a switch to selectively enable only one of said first and second pumps to be operated at any one time;
• and
• an interlock to prevent said first pump from operating when said lid is in an open position.