US3803656A

US3803656A - Automatic window washer

Info

Publication number: US3803656A
Application number: US00256609A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Fannon
Original assignee: Harsco Corp
Current assignee: Enviri Corp
Priority date: 1971-01-20
Filing date: 1972-05-24
Publication date: 1974-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-16
Also published as: BE778283A; DE2202713C3; DE2202713B2; GB1382642A; DE2202713A1; AU3764972A; FR2122452A1; AU457984B2; SE7415265L; SE383253B; US3715774A; GB1382641A; FR2122452B1

Abstract

An automatic window washer has a module riding in tracks on the face of the building and is controlled from a unit mounted on the roof of the building. As the module moves down the face of the building the presence of areas to be washed is automatically sensed and the washing operations then automatically begun and terminated by equipment in the module. The module or modules may be mounted in a span frame for lateral movement therein for washing more than one vertical column of windows when the tracks on the face of the building are spaced apart by a plurality of columns of windows. The washing equipment in the module may take various forms for washing windows of curtain front buildings and for washing recessed windows.

Description

United States Patent [191 Fannon, Jr.

[54] AUTOMATIC WINDOW WASHER Robert D. Fannon, Jr., Columbus, Ohio [73] Assignee: Harsco Corporation, Harsisburg, Pa.

[22] Filed: May 24, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 256,609

Related U.S. Application Data [75] Inventor:

[62] Division of Ser. No, 107,957, Jan. 20, 1971, Pat. No.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATIONS 1,165,082 9/1969 Great Britain 15/302 Primary Examiner-Harvey C. Hornsby Assistant Examiner-C. K. Moore 5 7] ABSTRACT An automatic window washer has a module riding in tracks on the face of the building and is controlled from a unit mounted on the roof of thebuilding. As the module moves down the face of the building the presence of areas to be washed is automatically sensed and the washing operations then automatically begun and terminated by equipment in the module. The module or modules may be mounted in a span frame for lateral movement therein for washing more than one vertical column of windows when the tracks on the face of the building are spaced apart by a plurality of columns of windows. The washing equipment in the module may take various forms for washing windows of curtain front buildings and for washing recessed Windows.

2 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEQAPR 16 1914 sum s of 6 FILFII l l AUTOMATIC WINDOW WASHER This is a Division, of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 107,957, filed Jan. 20, 1971 now U.S. Pat. -No. 3,715,774.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore automatic window washers have been proposed for cleaning the exterior of fixed windows of multistory buildings where the use of window washing personnel on scaffolds was impractical for reasons of height, poor weather or economy. Such a washer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,298,052 granted to M. G. Wolfe on Jan. 17, 1967 for Automatic Window Washer and Dryer for Modern Skyscrapers.

In this patent a module suspended from the roof of the building rides in tracks on each side of a vertical column of windows and has a washing brush, a drying roller and a squeegee in washing engagement with a curtain wall and windows. A sensor actuates the squeegee at appropriate time and the brush and roller may be moved into and out of engagement with the windows.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,497,902 also relates to this same subject matter.

Various prior art patents such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,691,164; 1,982,345; and 2,293,115 show hand tools for window washing including a squeegee and vacuum means for removing moisture collected by and on the squeegee.

The present invention may be classified as a machine for brushing, scrubbing and general cleaning with suction and with liquid cleaning material application to work and includes a roof unit running on tracks which may support a span frame moving in tracks on the face of the building with a cleaning module mounted for lateral movement in the span frame. The cleaning module contains nozzles for spraying the surfaces to be cleaned with a cleaning fluid supplied from a reservoir in the module or in the span frame; a squeegee moved into and out of engagement with the surface to be cleaned; a vacuum head adjacent the squeegee removingcollected residue to a sump in the module; means in the module for pressurizing the cleaning fluid; means in the module for supplying avacuum to the head; means in the module for moving the squeegee into and out of operative position; and electric, pnuematic and hydraulic systems for sensing and for sequential operation of pneumatic cleaning cycle. Motor means are provided for moving the module in the span frame and various electrically actuated safety features are provided in and from the roof unit. The roof unit, the span frame and the module are so arranged that they may be stored as a unit in any suitable storage area on the building roof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an automatic window washer controlled from a movable roof unit in which the washing cycle for each window in a vertical series of windows is automatically started and stopped for each window as a cleaning module descends in tracks disposed at the sides of the windows which may include a span frame for the module or modules engaging the tracks when the tracks are spaced by a plurality of columns of windows, the washing cycle for each window first spraying the window with a cleaning solution which is then removed from the window by a squeegee, residue collected by the squeegee being removed by a vacuum to a sump, it being understood that all surfaces of the building including windows may be cleaned by the washer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the present invention, which may selectively employ twoconstructions for actuating the squeegee, is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts, and in which FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the roof unit, span frame and cleaning module in position to engage the tracks in the face of the building at the beginning of a cleaning run;

FIG. 2 is a view from the building of the span frame and cleaning module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view from above of the frame and cleaning module of FIG. 1 in washing position;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the structure of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the cleaning module and span frame showing certain of the components of the module; I

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a suitable electric central circuit for the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a suitable fluidic control system for the cleaning cycle;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a suitable pneumatic control system used in association with the control system of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view with the housing of the module partly removed of a double rotatable squeegee suitable for use in the present invention for recessed windows; and

FIG I0 is a side view of the modification of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, a building 10 has roof 1 l supporting spaced tracks 12 for a wheel roof unit 13 driven along track 12 by electric motor 14. Roof unit 13 is of known type and includes a suitably and electrically driven cable .drum 15; a boom arm 16 and a driven screw 17 and nut 18 for raising and lowering the boom through link 19. Boom 16 has end sheeve 20 rotatably mounted thereon over which cable 21 passes to drum 15. A rack 13' may be provided on unit 13 to receive and support the cleaning module when not in use.

Parallel links

22 and 23 are pivoted at 24 and 25, respectively, to upright 26 of roof unit 13 and at their outer ends are pivoted at 27 and 28, respectively to track extensions 29 for span frame 30. Track extensions 29 have removable stops 31 at the top thereof and cable 21 passes through guide 32 on span frame 30 and is secured to span frame 30 at compression spring 33.

Span frame 30 carries cleaning module 34. One or more such modules may be used. When span frame 30 and module 34 are in the raised position shown in FIG. 1, stops 31 stop further upward movement of the span frame and track extentions 29 then lift on

links

22 and 23 and roof unit 13 may then be moved to the next column of windows and tracks or the entire unit may be supported on rack 13' and moved to storage as in roof garage 35.

'37 spaced horizontally by a plurality of columns of windows and extending vertically up the face of the build ing, shown in these figures as a curtain front building.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, span frame 30 has parallel spaced hollow horizontal members 38 and 3) closed at their'ends and connected by spaced hollow vertical frame members, the hollow span frame or portion thereof thus formed being ideally suited as a reservoir for the cleaning fluid supplied to module 34 through hose 34".

Tubular extensions

42, 43, 44 and 45 extend inwardly toward the building, respectively, from each corner of the span frame 30 and each ends in a clamp 46. An extension 47 is slidably mounted in each of extensions 42-45 and is held in desired position by clamp 46. Each tube 47 ends in hollow T extension slidably receiving support tube 49 which is adjustably mounted therein by through bolts 50. A wheel frame 51 is clamped at 52 to support tube 49. Frame 51 mounts opposed

rollers

53 and 54 oppositely engaging the

adjacent track

36 or 37. Span frame 30 is therefore mounted at each of its corners on rollers engaging the tracks on the face'of the building with adjustments provided to compensate for various horizontal spacings of the tracks and to provided suitable spacing of the span frame from the face of the building.

A track 55 is secured beneath and extends the length of member 38 and track 56 is secured above and extends the length of member 39. Cleaning module 34 has oppositely disposed and horizontally spaced pairs of

rollers

57 and 58 engaging track 55 and has horizontally spaced

wheels

59 and 60 engaging track 56 to support module 34 for horizontal movement in span frame 30. An electric motor 61 drives wheel 59 through belt or chain 62 to provide this movement. Thus, cleaning module 34 may be moved in span frame 30 to clean adjacent vertically disposed columns of windows when the span frame spans a plurality of such columns of windows,

adjacent windows

63 and 64 being seen in FIG. 3. It is to be understood that any other building surfaces may be cleaned and reference to windows herein is to be construed as including such other surfaces.

Cleaning module 34 has, extending therefrom toward the window, a spray hood 65 and a squeegee assembly 66 including an extensible vacuum duct 67 and a squeegee 68. Squeegee assembly 66 and spray hood 65 with its nozzles may be of desired length to suit the widths of the windows being cleaned. Cleaning hood 66 is readily removable from the unit at clamp nut 66 for replacement with a head of suitable size.

Referring now to FIG. 5, vacuum duct 67 is connected to sump 69 which receives the residue from squeegee 68. Sump 69 has a removable cover 70 and is drained through valve 71. Vacuum is supplied to duct 67 by blower 72 as will be described more fully hereinafter in connection with the several control systems.

The horizontal position of squeegee 68 is'adljusted by cylinder 73 and piston 74 and has emergency return piston 76 and cylinder 77. The operation of these cylinders and pistons will be further discussed hereinafter.

A plurality of spaced nozzles 78 are disposed at the bottom of spray hood and extend across module 34 to cover the width of the window with cleaning fluid when actuated. Cleaning fluid is supplied to nozzles 78 under suitable pressure from a reservoir either carried in module 34 or formed by the hollow members of span frame 30 by air pressure supplied by the high pressure compressor 102 to be describer hereinafter. In the structure discussed above, squeegee 68 is capableof limited ajusting movements necessary for the cleaning of windows of a curtain wall building.

When recessed windows are to be cleaned a rotary squeegee has been found to be more efficient as constructed and as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In these figures module 34 supports bearings and 80 mounting hollow shaft 81 for rotation. Two identical

parallel support arms

131 and 132 support squeegee heads 84 at the outer ends thereof and heads 84 carry squeegee 68 as in the first embodiment, squeegees 68 may be removable for insertion of squeegees of desired length. Vacuum is supplied to heads 84 beneath squeegees 68 through

extensible ducts

82 and 83 by blower 85 driven by motor 86 and connected to sump 87 for the used residue. Sump 87 is connected by pipe 88 through rotary joint 79 to hollow shaft 81 and thus to heads 84.

Shaft 81 is suitably rotated in counter-clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 10 when the presence of a window is sensed by the control system and squeegee 68 engages the upper edge 'of the window beneath the overhang and travels downwardly over the window with the downward movement of the module removing the residue from the windows. Cleaning fluid supplied by nozzle 89 is supplied from tank 90 by air pressure supplied by high pressure compressor 91. When squeegee 68 reaches the lower edge of the window the control system causes rotation of shaft 81 through 90 in counterclockwise direction lifting the squeegee off the window and bringing the opposed squeegee assembly into position for subsequent 90 rotation into cleaning position for the next lower window. Module 34 of FIGS. 9 and 10 need not be mounted in a span frame and may have suitable means 34' to engage

tracks

36 and 37. I 7

As noted above, the automatic operation of the components of module 34 for window cleaning is controlled by three systems, electric, fluidic and pneumatic. The control of the electric system is from the roof unit 13 through suitable electric cables, which may be incorporated in cable 21, to the module to energize the various motors and circuitry there as indicated in FIG. 6. Low pressure air from a compressor in the module energizes the fluidic control system of FIG. 7 for sensing the position of the module and then sequentially operating valves in the pneumatic control system of FIG. 8 for energizing in proper sequence the cleaning components in the module.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the electfical control system is energized through the roof unit master key switch 92 which provides electric current to automatic or manual switch 93, usually set in position for automatic operation. The cleaningcycle is then started by moving a rotary switch 94 to ready position until the module circuit breaker 95 holds. Safety circuit 96 controls the holding of circuit breaker 95. When all conditions imposed by circuit 96 are met such as no overload; proper air pressures; satisfactory vacuum; clean fluid in spray system;

and the remaining conditions 16 identified by the schematic of circuit 96, rotary switch 94 is moved to down position and the window cleaning cycle is started. Conventional up and down

limit switches

97 and 98 associated with cable 21 limit the travel of module 34 in each direction and a control 99 is provided for any portion of the building facade not to be cleaned, here assumed to be the 16th floor where louvres and panels are present. A safety switch is provided in the roof unit circuitry to stop operations in the event of slack in cables 21. An overload switch may be mounted in conjunction with compression springs 33. In the event of overload during upward travel the springs compress abnormally activating the overload switch.

When circuit breaker 95 is energized, current is supplied to

motors

101 or 86 powering

blowers

72 or 85, respectively, to provide vacuum to

squeegee head

66 or 84 through

duct

67 or 82, driving a high

pressure air compressor

101 or 91 in the module supplying the pneumatic system of FIG. 8. Electric current is also supplied to transformer 103 and reduced voltage is then supplied through circuit breaker 104 to compressor and motor 105 supplying low pressure air to the fluidic control system of FIG. 7. Current from transformer 103 is also used for driving motor 61 for indexing module 34 in span frame 30 and to actuate solenoid valve 106 which controls the fluidic signal from the start sensor 107.

There are numerous ways to sense when and/or where cleaning operations are to be started and stopped. In one system involving the curtain wall module and span frame, the start sensor 1070f FIG. 7 is of the opposed jet type and is located on the lower wheel frame 51 and on the same side as the similar stop sensor 108 is located on the upper wheel frame 51.

The start and stop

sensors

107 and 108 of FIG. 2 are of the opposed jet type and are located on the wheel frame of span frame 30. A counting or travel wheel 109 is driven over the face of the building as the module descends and actuates counter 110 to which start and stop

sensors

107 and 108 are connected. Compressor 105 is connected to and supplies low pressure air to counter 110 and the other fluidic components. Wheel 109 measures movement in one-quarter inch or other desired intervals and furnishes impulses to counter 110 for start sequence counter, stop sequence counter and emergency reset. As the cleaning mechanism starts its operation, start sensor 107 will determine the beginning of a window and will indicate when the cleaning operation is to start, as by sensing a mullion slot, by sending an impulse to the start sequence of counter 110. Counting wheel 109 is also providing specific counts to sequence counter 110 but before cleaning can start surface discriminator 111 must also provide an impulse through a suitable delay 112 to prevent operation from false indications such as a crack in the building face. Discriminator 111 is an air operated fluidic ear type sensor located beneath the spray nozzles 78 to sense a continuous smooth surface such as a window. If the sensor indicates no window then counter 110 automatically resets or will not start counting.

When a window is present, counter 110 then provides a signal properly setting the 113/119 flip-flop circuit to furnish low pressure air through line A to pressure booster 114 in the pneumatic control system of FIG. 8 to open valve 115 and to supply cleaning fluid under pressure to nozzle 78. Nozzles 78 then cover the Counter continues to count and at present time supplies a signal to properly set 116/120 flip-flop circuit to furnish low pressure air through line C and booster 117 (FIG. 8) opens cleaning head valve and energizes cylinder 73 to move squeegee 68 into window cleaning and engaging position just beneath the upper window seal, vacuum in head 67 removing residue collected by the squeegee.

Counter 110 stops counting'and cleaning continues. When stop sensor 108 detects the starting mullion slot counting again begins and at a present time provides a signal to reset the 113/119 flip-flop circuit thereby withdrawing the signal to spray booster 114 allowing the spring-loaded valve to close stopping the spray. Also at a later preset time the counter provides a signal to reset the 116L120 fligflop CirCllit thereby stopping the low pressure air to the cleaning head booster 117 allowing the spring-loaded valve 118 to return to its off position which furnishes high pressure air to the opposite side of piston 74 in cylinder 73 which retracts the cleaning head 66. Resetting of the l lfijlZQflip-flopgircuit automatically activates the reset circuit 121 which resets the counter 110 for cleaning of the next window.

All boosters are provided with high pressure air from compressor 102 as shown at left center of FIG. 8.

If, during a window washing cycle, the low pressure air for the fluidic control system fails, low pressure responsive device of safety circuit 96 energizes emergency stop 123 and outward movement of cleaning head 66 is stopped. Pneumatic electric switch 124 is also actuated and through suitable electric cables either separate or incorporated in cables 21, line 15 opens circuit breaker 95. If the high pressure air for the pneumatic control system fails this failure is determined by pressure responsive device 125 which acts through emergency stop 123 to prevent outward movement of the cleaning head and through switch 124 to open circuit breaker 95.

A lever or cam actuated window over travel valve 126 may also be provided in case cleaning head 66 is not withdrawn at appropriate time from the window. Valve 126 then supplies low pressure air to valve 127 and through line G and booster 128 (FIG. 8) to emergency retract valve 129 which actuates cleaning head emergency retract cylinder 77 to retract cleaning head 66.

' Suitable pressure regulators and air filters may be provided in the systems of FIGS. 7 and 8 as required.

The components per se of the systems of FIGS. 6-8 are standard items known to the art but the interrelationship of the electric, fluidic and pneumatic control systems for accurate and automatic cleaning of spraying cleaning fluid on the windows, means in said module for supplying cleaning fluid under pressure to said nozzles, a squeegee in said module above said nozzles, means in said module for moving said squeegee into and out of engagement with a window being cleaned, vacuum means in said module cooperating with said squeegee for removing residue therefrom, means in said module for supplying high and low pressure air, means on said module engaging vertical tracks on the building disposed adjacent the windows to be washed, electric control means energized from the roof unit for energizing said means for supplying cleaning fluid, said vacuum means and for energizing said means for supplying high and low pressure air, fluidic control means mounted in said module energized by said means for supplying low pressure air, a start fluidic sensor in said module for said fluidic control means for sensing the top of a window to be cleaned, a stop fluidic sensor in said module for said fluidic control means for sensing the bottom of a cleaned window, pneumatic control means energized by said means for supplying high pressure air sequentially actuated by said fluidic control means for first connecting said means for supplying cleaning fluid to said nozzles and then for actuating said means for moving said squeegee, said start sensor starting window cleaning and said stop sensor stopping window cleaning, said means for moving said squeegee into and out of engagement with a recessed window rotating said squeegee about an axis in said module parallel to said squeegee in an upward direction with respect to the window.

2. An automatic window washer for buildings having a mobile supporting unit on the roof of the building, a cleaning module, nozzles in said module for spraying the window.

Claims

1. An automatic window washer for buildings having a mobile supporting unit on the roof of the building, at least one cleaning module, nozzles in said module for spraying cleaning fluid on the windows, means in said module for supplying cleaning fluid under pressure to said nozzles, a squeegee in said module above said nozzles, means in said module for moving said squeegee into and out of engagement with a window being cleaned, vacuum means in said module cooperating with said squeegee for removing residue therefrom, means in said module for supplying high and low pressure air, means on said module engaging vertical tracks on the building disposed adjacent the windows to be washed, electric control means energized from the roof unit for energizing said means for supplying cleaning fluid, said vacuum means and for energizing said means for supplying high and low pressure air, fluidic control means mounted in said module energized by said means for supplying low pressure air, a start fluidic sensor in said module for said fluidic control means for sensing the top of a window to be cleaned, a stop fluidic sensor in said module for said fluidic control means for sensing the bottom of a cleaned window, pneumatic control means energized by said means for supplying high pressure air sequentially actuated by said fluidic control means for first connecting said means for supplying cleaning fluid to said nozzles and then for actuating said means for moving said squeegee, said start sensor starting window cleaning and said stop sensor stopping window cleaning, said means for moving said squeegee into and out of engagement with a recessed window rotating said squeegee about an axis in said module parallel to said squeegee in an upward direction with respect to the window.

2. An automatic window washer for buildings having a mobile supporting unit on the roof of the building, a cleaning module, nozzles in said module for spraying cleaning fluid on the windows, a squeegee in said module above said nozzles, means in said module for moving said squeegee into and out of engagement with a window being cleaned, vacuum means in said module cooperating with said squeegee for removing residue therefrom, means on said module engaging vertical tracks on the building disposed adjacent the windows to be washed, said means for moving said squeegee into and out of engagement with a recessed window rotating said squeegee about an axis in said module parallel to said squeegee in an upward direction with respect to the window.