US 5,470,477 A · Parts washer

Abstract

The basin of a parts washer includes a spigot for showering parts to be washed with a solvent and a drain for draining contaminant entrained solvent. The drain conveys the contaminant entrained solvent into a removable tank containing a filtering fluid, such as water, of a higher density than the solvent. The solvent percolates upwardly through the filtering fluid into an upper tank. During percolation, the contaminants are segregated from the solvent and migrate to the bottom of the tank. In a variant parts washer, the solvent floats upon the filtering fluid in a common tank and the contaminants, in the form of a sludge, are segregated from freestanding filtering fluid and are collected as a moist, but not wet, sludge in a removable tank for disposal. When a water based solvent is used with any of the parts washers, only a single fluid is present; nevertheless heavy particulates and insoluble contaminants and debris will settle and migrate into the respective removable tank.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A parts washer having a washing fluid for washing parts and a filtering fluid of greater density than the washing fluid for filtering contaminants and debris from the washing fluid as the washing fluid percolates upwardly through the filtering fluid, said parts washer comprising in combination:

a) a basin for washing the parts with the washing fluid;
b) a drain extending downwardly from said basin for conveying the washing fluid and any entrained contaminants and debris washed from the parts, said drain including an outlet;
c) a first tank disposed below said basin and in fluid communication with said outlet to receive the washing fluid and any entrained contaminants and debris and for housing the filtering fluid to filter the washing fluid with the filtering fluid and to guide any contaminants and debris filtered and segregated from the washing fluid into a conduit;
d) a second tank disposed below said first tank and in fluid communication with said first tank through the conduit for receiving and containing the segregated contaminants and debris and some of the filtering fluid;
e) a pump for pumping the washing fluid from said first tank to said basin;
f) a disconnect for disconnecting said conduit between said first tank and said second tank;
and
g) a detachment device for removing said second tank containing the contaminants and the debris and any filtering fluid for subsequent disposal of the contaminants, debris and filtering fluid.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Parts washer

Life of this patent

Parts washer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23