Steam-heated fluid pressure washer system

A fluid heating system for heating and dispensing fluid in a primary fluid flow path, the fluid heating system comprising:

• a reservoir defining an interior for holding a quantity of a fluid, the interior of the reservoir being in fluid communication with the primary fluid flow path such that the quantity of fluid in the interior is able to flow into the primary fluid flow path;
• a primary pump configured to pump fluid in the primary fluid flow path, the primary pump being in fluid communication with the primary fluid flow path;
• a fluid dispensing device configured to selectively dispense fluid from the primary fluid flow path;
• and
• a steam injection apparatus in communication with the interior of the reservoir device to inject steam into the interior to heat fluid located in the interior of the reservoir;
• wherein the fluid dispensing device comprises a spray gun;
• wherein the reservoir has a fluid inlet for receiving fluid from a fluid supply source, a float valve being configured to control fluid flow into the interior from the fluid inlet, the reservoir having a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the primary fluid flow path;
• wherein the steam injection apparatus comprises:
• a steam inlet for communication with a steam source;
• a steam injector device in communication with the steam inlet and positioned in the reservoir;
• and
• a steam modulating valve controlling supply of steam to the steam injector device;
• a major bypass loop configured to permit fluid on the primary fluid flow path after the primary pump to flow to the primary fluid flow path before the primary pump;
• a pressure regulator configured to permit fluid flow from the primary fluid flow path to the major bypass loop in a manner responsive to the pressure of fluid in the primary fluid flow path;
• a feed pump configured to pump fluid in the primary fluid flow path, the feed pump being in fluid communication with the primary fluid flow path to provide fluid flow to the primary pump;
• a minor bypass loop configured to return fluid from the primary fluid flow path to the reservoir, the minor bypass loop being in fluid communication with the primary fluid flow path between the feed pump and the primary pump;
• a bypass orifice in communication with the primary fluid flow path and the minor bypass loop to control fluid movement from the primary fluid flow path to the minor bypass loop when pressure of the fluid in the primary fluid flow path exceeds a first predetermined pressure level;
• a sensor assembly configured to sense parameters of the system, the sensor assembly comprising:
• a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the fluid in the reservoir and generate a temperature signal corresponding to the temperature of the fluid;
• and
• a fluid level sensor configured to sense a level of fluid in the reservoir and to generate a fluid level signal corresponding to the level of the fluid in the reservoir with respect to a reference fluid level;
• a flow sensor in fluid communication with the fluid dispensing device and configured to sense flow of fluid through the fluid dispensing device and generate a flow signal corresponding to a magnitude of fluid flow through the fluid dispensing device;
• a control apparatus configured to control operation, the control apparatus being in communication with the temperature sensor to receive the temperature signal, the control apparatus being in communication with the fluid level sensor to receive the fluid level signal, and the control apparatus being in communication with the flow sensor to receive the flow signal;
• wherein the control apparatus is in electrical communication with a motor operating the primary pump to control operation of the primary pump;
• wherein the control apparatus is in electrical communication with the feed pump to control operation of the feed pump;
• and
• wherein the control apparatus is in electrical communication with the steam modulating device to control supply of steam from the steam inlet to the steam injector device.