Cleaning apparatus having a functional generator,and method for producing electrochemically activated cleaning liquid

CLEANING APPARATUS HAVING A FUNCTIONAL GENERATOR,AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING ELECTROCHEMICALLY ACTIVATED CLEANING LIQUID

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to cleaning and/or sterilization systems, and more particularly, but not limited to, systems for producing working fluids with cleaning and/or acid bactericidal properties.

Today, a wide variety of systems are used to clean or disinfect residential areas, factories, shopping malls, hospitals, food processing facilities, and restaurant facilities such as surfaces and other substrates, and to clean or disinfect various items such as food or other items. .

For cleaning the floors of factories and commercial buildings, for example, hard floor surface cleaners are widely used. These scrubbers range in size from small models controlled by an operator working behind the scrubber to large models controlled by an operator riding on the scrubber. Typically such machines are wheeled vehicles that are suitably operationally controlled. The body of these machines includes the power and drive parts, a solution tank for holding the cleaning liquid, and a recovery tank for holding the contaminated solution withdrawn from the wiped floor. A scrub head comprising one or more cleaning brushes and associated driving components is attached to the vehicle and may be placed under the rear or in front of the vehicle. The solution distribution system distributes the cleaning solution from the solution tank to the floor near the brush.

The soft cleaning machine may be implemented as a truck mounted system with a cleaning wand connected to a truck or may be implemented as a small mobile machine handled by an operator. The truck carries a scrubbing solution tank, a waste water recovery tank and a powerful adsorber.

Typical cleaning solutions used in hard and soft floor cleaning systems include water and chemical detergents. Detergents typically include a solvent, a wash enhancer, and a surfactant. Although these detergents increase cleaning efficiency for a variety of different types of soiling, such as grime and oil, they also tend to leave unwanted residues on the cleaning surface. Such residues adversely affect the appearance of the surface, recontaminate the surface, and, depending on the detergent, can potentially adversely affect health or the environment. Similar disadvantages may apply to systems for cleaning other types of surfaces and articles.

There is a need for an improved cleaning system for reducing residues remaining on surfaces after cleaning and/or reducing the use of conventional detergents while maintaining desirable cleaning and/or disinfecting characteristics.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a mobile surface cleaner comprising a mobile body configured to move over a surface, a liquid source, a liquid distributor, and a flow path from the liquid source to the liquid distributor. A hydrous generator connected to the flow path, the hydrous generator comprising an anode chamber and a cathode chamber separated by an ion exchange membrane to electrochemically activate liquid from a liquid source passing through the hydrous generator.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to an apparatus comprising an apparatus comprising a liquid source, a liquid distributor, and a flow path from the liquid source to the liquid distributor. A hydrous generator is in fluid communication with the flow path and converts the liquid into electrochemically activated (EA) anolyte EA fluid and catholyte EA fluid. The anolyte EA fluid and catholyte EA fluid are combined on the device to form a combination of anolyte EA fluid and catholyte EA fluid.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a surface cleaner comprising a liquid source and a movable body configured to move over a surface. The electrolyzer converts the liquid into electrochemically activated anolyte and catholyte EA fluid, and the liquid distributor distributes the anolyte EA fluid and catholyte EA fluid.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a removable surface cleaner comprising a movable body configured to move over a surface, a surface cleaning device carried by the movable body, and an anode EA liquid source tank and a cathode EA source tank. A liquid distributor is in fluid communication with the anode and cathode EA liquid source tanks and distributes liquid received from the respective tanks.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: a) moving a mobile floor cleaning device along the floor; b) electrochemically activating a liquid on said mobile floor cleaning device; c) dispensing an electrochemically activated liquid from the mobile floor cleaning device.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method comprising the steps of: a) on an apparatus, converting water into electrochemically activated anolyte EV fluid and catholyte EV fluid; b) on the device, combining the positive and negative EV liquids to form a combined positive and negative EV liquid; c) dispensing the combined anolyte EV fluid and catholyte EV fluid from the device.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of converting a liquid into an electrochemically activated anode EV fluid and a cathodic EV fluid; b) combining the positive and negative EV liquids to form a combined positive and negative EV liquid; c) cleaning the surface with the combined anolyte EV fluid and catholyte EV fluid.

1 shows an example of a function generator that may be used to electrochemically activate a liquid to be treated for cleaning applications, such as water, onboard or offboard hard and/or soft floor cleaners, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. is,

2 is a view showing a function generator according to another embodiment of the present invention,

3 is a view showing a device with a spreading device located downstream of the function generator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a view showing a device with a spreading device located upstream of the function generator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a view showing a device equipped with an electrolysis cell type spreading device located upstream of the function generator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a view showing a device with a spreading device located upstream and downstream of the function generator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a view showing an electrolysis cell-type spraying device according to an embodiment of the present invention,

8a and 8b are both views showing a housing including a spraying device and a function generator according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the spraying device shown in Figure 8b,

10A is a side view of a removable hard floor surface cleaner in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

10B is a perspective view of the removable hard floor surface cleaner shown in FIG. 10A with the lid closed;

10C is a perspective view of the removable hard floor surface cleaner shown in FIG. 10A with the lid open;

11 is a block diagram illustrating in detail a liquid distribution flow path of the cleaner shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C according to an embodiment of the present invention;

12 is a block diagram of a floor cleaner comprising multiple types of scrubbing coolers and extractors using the same overall cleaner but with different scrubbing operations;

13 is a block diagram illustrating the cleaner shown in FIG. 12 in soft floor cleaning mode, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

14 is a block diagram illustrating the cleaner shown in FIG. 12 in a soft floor deep cleaning mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

15 is a block diagram illustrating the cleaner shown in FIG. 5 in a hard floor cleaning mode, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

16 is a perspective view of a soft floor cleaner (eg, a carpet extractor) according to an embodiment of the present invention;

17 is a perspective view of all surface cleaners according to an embodiment of the present invention;

18 is a block diagram illustrating a truck mounting system according to another embodiment of the present invention;

19 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a cleaner comprising an EA water distribution system with a fragrance compound source in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

20 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a cleaning solution generator mounted on a platform according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 21 is a block diagram of a system including an indicator indicating the operating state of the function generator;

In one embodiment of the present invention, a sparging solution, an electrochemically activated (EA) anolyte ( Methods and apparatus are provided using an anolyte liquid and/or catholyte liquid, and using both a sparging solution and an electrochemically activated anolyte and/or catholyte solution.

One. Surfactants used in conventional cleaning solutions

Conventional cleaning solutions generally include water and a chemical surfactant. As used herein, the term "surfactant" refers to a bipolar compound that not only promotes adsorption at a surface or interface, but also promotes agglomeration at any concentration and temperature. Chemically formulated surfactants are bound into special molecular structures. A molecule consists of at least two components, one of which is water-soluble (hydrophilic) and one that is insoluble (hydrophobic). In oils, the components are lipophilic and oleophobic components, respectively. The two components are balanced to achieve the desired properties for the surfactant.

For cleaning devices that include mechanical cleaners, such as mobile hard floor cleaners, for example, one advantage of including surfactants is that they effectively bubble-aerate the liquid to be used for cleaning and apply the foaming cleaning liquid to the hard floor surface. , the foaming cleaning solution can be operated with a laundry brush, and the cleaning solution can be substantially degassed prior to recovery of the soiling solution. In operation, degassing of the foaming cleaning solution is achieved rapidly through contact with the brush. As a result, only a fairly small amount of air bubbles is transferred to the recovery tank.

There are basically four types of surfactants. For example, (1) anionic surfactants that decompose into negatively charged ions (anions) and positively charged ions (cations) under an aqueous environment and anions become carriers with surface active properties, (2) also decompose into anions and cations and cations Cationic surfactants that become carriers with surface-active properties, (3) nonionic surfactants that are surface-active substances that do not decompose into ions in an aqueous environment, and (4) positive and negative charges in the same surfactant molecule when present in an aqueous environment It is divided into zwitterionic surfactants, which may have cationic or anionic properties, depending on conditions and compositions such as pH value of the aqueous environment.

In general, the two main functions of surfactants for cleaning are (1) the function of reducing the surface tension of water to have wetting properties to separate the contaminants from the surface, and (2) the function of dispersing the contaminant particles and the dye. There are a number of variables to consider in preparing surfactants and detergents with effective cleaning ability. In general, important variables are time, temperature, air injection or degassing system, concentration, contaminants and mechanical treatment.

2. EA liquid and spray

Electrochemically activated (EA) water and other EA liquids are used in conventional cleaning systems to clean surfaces such as hard and/or soft floors instead of, or in addition to, chemical surfactant-based liquids. come. In the following description, EA "water" is used as an example of the main cleaning liquid. However, other suitable EA liquids or solutions may be used in other embodiments.

As used herein, the terms "electrochemically activated liquid" or "EA liquid" refer to each formed after exposure to electrochemical energy in the form of a substantial voltage potential or current, for example, under non-equilibrium conditions. water with enhanced reactivity comprising reactive species, and/or metastable (activated) ions and free radicals. The term "activated" refers to an electrochemical or electrophysical state or condition having an excess of internal potential energy, eg, obtained after exposure to a thermodynamically non-equilibrium state for a period of time. Metastable ions and free radicals relax in time by undergoing a gradual transition from a metastable state to a thermodynamic equilibrium state.

As used herein, the term "electrochemical activation" refers to electrochemical exposure to liquid-containing ions and molecules of a decomposed material in a region of a specific charge close to the electrode surface, e.g., under non-equilibrium charge transfer conditions. It refers to the process by which substances in a metastable state are produced during

In the case of the manufacture of EA water, the initial liquid source used to form the EA water may be, for example, (1) commonly available normal raw tap water or other water plus pure water to which one or more electrolytes have been added, (3) ) chemically treated tap water, and (4) other aqueous solutions containing suitable concentrations of electrolyte. In one embodiment, one or more electrolytes are added to pure water (or other aqueous solution) to obtain an electrolyte concentration greater than zero and not exceeding 0.1 moles per liter. In another embodiment, the concentration of the electrolyte solution is greater than zero and does not exceed 1.0 moles per liter. Other concentrations outside of these ranges may also be used in other embodiments. Examples of suitable electrolytes include chloride salts, nitride salts, carbonates or any other salt soluble in water (or other electrochemically activated liquid). Chloride salts include, for example, sodium chloride (such as pure NaCl), potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and the like. The term "electrolyte" means any substance that, when dissolved in water, decomposes into two or more ions, or that induces an electric current upon dissolution.

EA water has improved cleaning and sanitation properties when compared to non-EA water. EA water also differs from normal or untreated water in number of molecules and electrons.

A sprinkling device may be used to add fine air bubbles to the EA water (or other liquid to be sprung) to create a cleaning solution that is cleaned or dispensed to a surface or article to be used in a cleaning process. The liquid may be sparged before or after the liquid is electrochemically activated into, for example, anolyte and catholyte. The resulting cleaning solution promotes effective wetting of the floor surface. If a reactive gas such as oxygen is used, it may have a reactivity that further improves the wetting properties of the liquid by reducing the surface tension of the liquid due to the oxygen bubbles and further improves the cleaning and/or hygiene properties of the liquid.

If the liquid to be treated for use in cleaning is applied prior to being electrochemically activated, for example by mechanical and/or electrical methods, the increased oxygen levels produced by the sparging may result in improved cleaning or sanitation capabilities. It can aid in the electrochemical activation process to produce peroxidized EA liquid. Peroxidized EA water contains high levels of oxygen and is electrochemically activated due to the presence of various metastable ions and reactive free radicals. The end result is an electrochemically activated blowing agent, froth or reactive gas with improved cleaning and/or hygiene performance.

3. Function generator for making EA liquid

1 shows an example of a hydrous generator 10 (reactor) that may be used to produce an EA liquid. The terms "hydration generator" and "reactor" are interchangeable terms in the present invention. Hydration generator 10 includes one or more electrochemical activation (EA) receiving feed water (or other liquid to be treated for use in cleaning) from liquid source 14 via feed lines 16 , 17 , 18 . cell 12 . Liquid source 14 may include a tank or other solution reservoir or may include other inlets or fittings for receiving liquid from an external source. In one embodiment, the feedwater comprises an aqueous composition, such as normal tap water, containing no greater than 1.0 moles per liter of salt. In another embodiment, the water-soluble composition contains no greater than 0.1 moles per liter of salt. Water-soluble compositions containing greater than 1.0 moles per liter of salt may also be used in other embodiments.

As used herein, the term "tap water" means any water commonly available for domestic or commercial use from public utilities, reservoirs, wells, and the like. Normal tap water typically contains salt in a concentration of less than 0.1 moles per liter. Water or deionized water with negligible ionic content is less preferred because the ions aid in the electrochemical activation of the water. As noted above, liquid compositions other than or added to normal tap water may be treated for cleaning and/or sanitation purposes and may be electrochemically activated for improved cleaning and/or sanitation capabilities.

Each EA cell 12 produces EA water in the form of an acidic anolyte composition 20 and a basic catholyte composition 22 by electrochemically activating the feedwater, at least in part, by electrolysis using electrolysis. The terms "acidic anolyte", "EA anolyte", "EA oxidation number" and "anolyte composition" are used interchangeably in the description. Similarly, "basic catholyte", "EA catholyte", "EA reduced water", and "caholyte composition" are used interchangeably in the description.

In one embodiment, each cell 12 has one or more anode chambers 24 and one or more cathode chambers 26 (only one shown) separated by an ion exchange membrane 27, such as a cation or anion exchange membrane. ) has One or more anodes 30 and cathodes 32 (only one of each electrode shown) are respectively arranged in a respective anode chamber 24 and a respective cathode chamber 26 . Anode 30 and cathode 32 may be made of any suitable material, such as titanium coated with a noble metal such as titanium or platinum, or any other suitable electrode material. The electrodes and respective chambers may have any suitable shape and configuration. The electrode may be, for example, a flat electrode, a coaxial electrode, a rod, or a combination thereof. Each electrode may have one or more configurations, such as, for example, a closed configuration or a metal mesh. Also, multiple cells 12 may be combined with other cells, for example in series or parallel.

Electrodes 30 and 32 are electrically connected to opposite terminals of a conventional power supply (not shown). An ion exchange membrane 27 is positioned between the electrodes 30 and 32 . The power supply may supply a constant DC output voltage, a pulsed or other modulated DC output voltage, or a pulsed or other modulated AC output voltage to the positive and negative poles. The power supply may have any suitable output voltage value, current value, duty cycle or waveform.

For example, in one embodiment the power supply applies the supplied voltage to the plate in a relatively stable state. The power supply includes a DC/AC converter that uses pulse-width modulation (PWM) control to control the voltage and current output. A DC/AC converter uses approximately 15 kHz pulses to generate a voltage across the anode and cathode in the range of 5V to 25V, such as 15V, for a power of up to about 120-150 watts. The duty cycle depends on the desired voltage and current output. For example, the duty cycle of a DC/AC converter may be 90%. As will be described in more detail below, the power supply may be configured to alternate between a voltage that is relatively stable for 5 seconds in one polarity and a voltage that is relatively stable for 5 seconds in the opposite polarity, if desired.

Other types of power supplies may also be used, which may be pulsed or non-pulsed and may have different voltages and power ranges. Variables vary from case to case.

Feed water is fed from the liquid source 14 to the anode chamber 24 and the cathode via a feed water supply line 16 which may branch into the anode supply line or manifold 17 and the cathode supply line or manifold 18 . It is supplied to the chamber 26 . The anode supply line 17 supplies feed water to each anode chamber 24 , and the cathode feed line 18 supplies feed water to each cathode chamber.

In the case of a cation exchange membrane, upon application of a DC voltage across the anode 30 and cathode 32 , such as in the range of about 5 volts to about 25 volts, the cations inherently present in the anode chamber 24 move toward the cathode 32 toward the ion exchange membrane. While moving through 27 , negative ions in the anode chamber 24 move toward the anode 30 . Similarly, positive ions present in the cathode chamber 26 migrate towards the cathode 32 . However, anions existing in the cathode chamber 26 do not pass through the cation exchange membrane, and thus are confined in the cathode chamber 26 .

In addition, water molecules in contact with the anode 30 are oxygen (O) in the anode chamber 24.<sb>2</sb>) and hydrogen ions (H<sp>+</sp>), while water molecules in contact with the cathode 32 are oxidized to hydrogen gas (H) in the cathode chamber 26.<sb>2</sb>) and hydroxide ions (OH<sp>-</sp>) is electrochemically reduced to Hydrogen ions in the anode chamber 24 may pass through the cation exchange membrane 27 to move into the cathode chamber 26 where the hydrogen ions are reduced to hydrogen gas, while oxygen gas in the anode chamber 24 is supplied with water. is oxidized to form the anolyte 20 . In addition, since normal tap water typically contains sodium chloride and/or other chlorides, the anode 30 oxidizes the chlorides present to form chlorine gas. As a result, significant amounts of chlorine are produced and the pH of the anolyte composition 20 rapidly acidifies over time.

As is well known, the water molecules in contact with the cathode 32 are hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions (OH).<sp>-</sp>), while the positive ions in the anode chamber 24 pass through the cation exchange membrane 27 to the cathode 32 when a voltage potential is applied. These cations can be used to ionically bond with the hydroxide ions generated at the cathode 32 , while the hydrogen gas typically bubbles up to the surface and escapes the cathode chamber 26 as indicated by arrow 34 . As a result, a significant amount of hydroxide ions accumulates over time in the cathode chamber 26 and reacts with the cations to form basic hydroxide. Also, hydroxide is trapped within the cathode chamber 26 because the cation exchange membrane does not allow negatively charged hydroxide ions to pass through the cation exchange membrane. As a result, a significant amount of hydroxide is produced in the cathode chamber 26 , causing the pH of the catholyte composition 22 to become rapidly alkaline over time.

Because the hydrogen gas 34 can easily escape from the cathode chamber 26, the electrochemical reaction of the hydration generator 10 never reaches equilibrium. As a result, the non-equilibrium state during the electrolysis process in the hydration generator 10 allows the formation of metastable ions and radicals and the enrichment of reactive species in the anode chamber 24 and cathode chamber 26 .

Electrochemical activation processes typically involve electron emission [at anode 30] or electron bonding [at cathode 32] resulting in changes in the physicochemical properties (including structural, energetic and catalytic properties) of the feedwater. caused by It is believed that the feed water (anolyte or catholyte) is activated in the region closest to the electrode surface where the electric field strength reaches very high values. This region is referred to as an electrical double layer (EDL).

Alternatively, deionized water and an aqueous composition containing 0.1 moles of a salt per liter, such as 0.1 moles of sodium chloride per liter, may be introduced into the anode chamber 24 and the cathode chamber 26 . Sodium chloride is a positively charged sodium ion (Na<sp>+</sp>) and negatively charged chlorine ions (Cl<sp>-</sp>) is completely dissolved. Sodium and chlorine ions are hydrated by water molecules. Positively charged sodium ions in the water move toward the cathode 32 while negatively charged chlorine ions move toward the anode 30 .

Water is oxidized to oxygen gas and hydrogen ions at the anode 30 and reduced to hydroxyl ions and hydrogen gas at the cathode 32 . Therefore, sodium ions located on or near the surface of the negative electrode 32 are able to ionically combine with negatively charged hydroxyl ions to form sodium hydroxide. As a result, the cathode chamber 26 contains hydroxide and water, which causes the pH to rise, and the water rapidly alkalizes over time.

Similarly, chloride ions present in the anode chamber 24 are electrochemically oxidized to chlorine gas. Hydrogen ions or other cations present in the anode chamber 32 move through the cation exchange membrane 27 . As a result, the anode chamber 24 will contain oxygen gas and chlorine which decrease the pH over time.

As described above, the electrochemical reaction does not reach an equilibrium state because the hydrogen gas easily escapes from the aqueous composition. As a result, the non-equilibrium state of the electrolysis process in the hydration generator 10 continues to allow the formation of metastable ions and radicals and enrichment of reactive species in the anode chamber 24 and cathode chamber 26 .

In other embodiments, one or both electrodes 30,32 may be coated with silver. Alternatively, additional electrodes may be added to chamber 12, for example coated with or impregnated in silver. The silver dissolves slowly during use, releasing silver ions, such as silver nano-ions, into the anolyte and/or catholyte. The silver ions help to improve the hygiene properties of the resulting EA liquid.

4. ion exchange membrane

As described above, the ion exchange membrane 27 may include a cation exchange membrane or an anion exchange membrane. In the case of a cation exchange membrane, the cation exchange membrane may be in the form of a single layer membrane derived from, for example, one perfluoroionomer resin. Alternatively, the cation exchange membrane 27 may be, for example, in the form of a two-layer membrane derived from the same or two different perfluoroionomer resins. Other materials with multiple layers may also be used. In addition, the membranes may generally be reinforced with a porous structure or body formed of, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to provide sufficient mechanical strength.

The cation exchange membrane is covalently bonded to the polymer backbone structure, for example, an anion exchange group (-SO<sb>3</sb><sp>-</sp> or -COO<sp>-</sp>) is included. During action, ionic salts decompose into cations and anions in water. The cation is referred to as the counter ion of the cation exchange membrane, while the anion is referred to as the co-ion.

Na binding to water molecules under an electric potential gradient present in an electrochemical cell<sp>+</sp>and H<sp>+ </sp>The ions move through the ion exchange membrane towards the negatively charged cathode and cavitation ions (Cl<sp>-</sp>and OH<sp>-</sp>) is shifted towards the positively charged anode.

The cation exchange membrane is selectively<sp>+</sp>, move other cations and water molecules, but Cl<sp>-</sp> and OH<sp>-</sp>Although the diffusion of ions is suppressed, some hydroxyl anions can still migrate through the cation exchange membrane. The main collection result is Cl in the anode chamber (24).<sp>- </sp>Na in the ion and cathode chamber (26)<sp>+</sp>(and H to a lesser extent<sp>+</sp>) enrichment of ions, and Cl from the anolyte 20 to the catholyte 22<sp>- </sp>Anions and OH from the anolyte 20 to the catholyte 20<sp>- </sp>Very low diffusion of anions. In one embodiment, the side of the perfluorosulfonic acid film in contact with the catholyte 22 in order to restrict or prevent the movement of hydroxyl ions may be covered with a perfluorocarbohylyc acid polymer layer. have.

The charge of bound ions in the cation exchange membrane is H<sp>+</sp>, Li<sp>+</sp>, Na<sp>+</sp>, K<sp>+</sp>It is balanced by the equivalent charge of counter ions of the form , , and so on. Cation exchange membranes usually work when sufficiently hydrated. When a polymer is placed in water, it expands and becomes flexible, allowing ions to move freely under the action of a voltage potential or by diffusion. As a result, it is believed that the cation exchange membrane behaves like an ion conductor in an electric field and can pass positive ions with high selectivity.

In addition, hydrogen (R-SO<sb>3</sb>H) and sodium (R-SO<sb>3</sb>Na) form is mostly soluble and exchangeable Na<sp>+</sp>and H<sp>+</sp>is readily available for exchange over the entire pH range. Therefore, the exchange capacity and hence the process efficiency is not dependent on the pH. However, the weak carboxylic acid hydrogen (R-SO<sb>3</sb>H) and sodium (R-SO<sb>3</sb>The dissolution of the Na) form does not perform highly and is very pH dependent. Consequently, the exchange capacity of weak carboxylic acids is as highly pH dependent as the process efficiency when such membranes are used.

The action of a cation exchange membrane is determined by (1) the ionic conductivity or total transport capacity of cations through the membrane, (2) ion current density, (3) the number or current of ions transported by a particular ion relative to the total current applied, (4) ) the molecular weight of the backbone polymer, (5) the porosity of the membrane, (6) the amount or equivalent amount of dry polymer in grams containing 1 mole of the sulfonic acid group, and (7) the amount of polymer resin to be exchanged per unit volume or unit weight. The total number of chemical equivalents or ion exchange capacity of the sulfonic acid group that can

Examples of suitable cation exchange membranes that can be used in the hydrous generator 10 include Nafion membranes manufactured by DuPont, USA, Flemion membranes manufactured by Asahi Glass Corporation, Japan, and those of Japan. Aciplex membrane manufactured by Asahi Chemical Industries Corporation, and Dow membrane manufactured by Dow Chemical, USA. An example of a suitable function generator is available from Amco Tech Corporation Ltd, Juyeop-dong, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea, and includes the Amco-Tech "JP102" cell, which can be found in the JP2000 ALKABLE LX. This particular cell has a DC voltage of 27 volts, a pH in the range of about 10 to about 5.0, a cell size of 62 mm x 109 mm x 0.5 mm, and five electrode plates. Other types of function generators that may have many different specifications may also be used.

5. Characteristics of Manufactured EA Water

Electrochemical activation in the water generator 10 produces EA water that can be used for cleaning and/or sanitation. EA water is produced in the form of an acidic anolyte 20 and a basic catholyte 22 by the respective outputs from the anode chamber 24 and the cathode chamber 26 .

A. Anolyte

The anolyte 20 is acidic in nature and, for example, active chlorine (Cl<sb>2</sb>) in the form of very strong oxidizing agents. In one embodiment, the anolyte 20 has a pH of about 2.0 to about 4.0, but in other embodiments it may have a pH outside of the above range, such as in the range of about 2.5 to 6. In one embodiment, the anolyte 20 has an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in the range of about +600 mmV to about +1200 mmV, for example, +100 mmV to +1200 mmV, +400 mmV to +900 mmV. , or other ranges such as the range of +400 mmV to 700 mmV. Other embodiments may have other pH values, oxidation-reduction potentials and chlorine concentrations. The intensity of the oxidation-reduction reaction depends on the electron activity in the aqueous solution, which is characterized by the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) value. The higher the ORP value, the more acidic the medium and the more molecules in that acidic medium can be oxidized. The lower the ORP value, the higher the reducing and antioxidant capacity. As a result of electrochemical exposure of water near the anode, the oxidation-reduction potential increases and requires oxidant properties.

The anolyte 20 may be used where disinfection or sterilization is required. The anolyte 20 can be used to kill bacteria, because water having an oxidation-reduction potential in the above-mentioned range provides an environment in which microorganisms, viruses, bacteria and other organisms thrive and accept electrons from those environments and microorganisms. because it changes As a result, the environment and microorganisms are oxidized. Thus, EA anode water may be used as a disinfectant and disinfectant during operation of a surface cleaner in one or more embodiments. However, caution is required for use on surfaces with corrosion potentials.

The anolyte 20 also contains many reactive free radical molecules and metastable ions generated at the anode 30 during the electrochemical activation of water. These molecules are<sb>3</sb>,O<sb>2</sb>, H<sb>2</sb>O<sb>2</sb>, Cl<sb>2</sb>, ClO<sb>2</sb>, HClO, HCl, HClO<sb>3</sb>, O<sb>2</sb>, H<sb>2</sb>O<sb>2</sb>, O<sb>3</sb>, H<sp>+</sp>, H<sb>3</sb>O<sp>+</sp>, OH<sp>-</sp>, ClO<sp>-</sp>, HO<sp>dot</sp>, H<sb>2</sb>O<sp>dot</sp>, O<sb>2</sb><sp>dot</sp>,O<sp>dot</sp>, ClO<sp>dot</sp>, and Cl<sp>dot</sp> Contains free radicals and other excited molecules.

Molecular chlorine is produced by hypochlorous acid and OCl<sp>-</sp> It may also react to form other ions that are ions. These OCls<sp>-</sp> The ions are further oxidized to chlorate ions (ClO<sb>3</sb><sp>-</sp>) and perchlorate ions (HClO<sb>4</sb><sp>-</sp>) becomes Chlorine dioxide can also be obtained by oxidation of sodium chloride and hydrochloric acid. In addition, a number of other pH-dependent reactions produce chlorine, including a wide variety of highly metastable and/or reactive molecules, ions and free radicals. In addition to the sanitary properties, chlorine ions in the weakly acidic anolyte 20 can react with the metal oxides in the deposits on the surface to be cleaned to aid in the removal of these deposits.

B. Catholyte

As a result of electrochemical exposure of water near the cathode, the oxidation-reduction potential is reduced, which requires antioxidant properties. The catholyte 22 is strongly basic and the pH of the catholyte solution ranges from about 8 to 12, or 9 to 12 in one or more embodiments. However, the catholyte may have pH values outside this range in other embodiments. In one embodiment, catholyte 22 has an ORP ranging from about -600 mmV to about -1000 mmV, or the ORP is from -150 mmV to -1000 mmV, -150 mmV to -700 mmV, or -300 mmV to It may be in other ranges, such as -700 mmV. The catholyte 22 may be used for agglomeration, coagulation, washing and extraction of heavy metals. Also, catholyte 22 can be used where it is necessary to disinfect the wound site (instead of using iodine) and increase the pH value of the water. Catholyte 22 is also reactive hydrogen peroxide (H<sb>2</sb>O<sb>2</sb>), sodium and other hydroxides, metastable ions, and/or free radicals.

A cluster of water molecules is typically clustered, for example, of 12 to 14 molecules per cluster around an ion. This is sometimes known as "surface tension". Normal tap water contains a group of icosahedral water clusters. These large water bodies are too thick to pass easily through different organic and inorganic materials and organisms, which can be a time and energy consuming process. The degradation of large clusters into smaller ones makes water more active and useful in practical applications. When the hydrous generator electrochemically activates water, the covalent bond of hydrogen between hydrogen and oxygen is broken and H<sb>2</sb>O clusters are reduced to less than 10 molecules per cluster, such as 5 to 6 molecules per cluster. Therefore, the resulting EA water has a water cluster distribution with a greater number of small clusters. Therefore, EA water becomes much wetter and has greater wetting capacity, greater permeability, and greater solubility. Because EA water becomes wetter and has a much greater wetting capacity than conventional water, it can hydrate (for example) 6 to 10 times faster than non-EA water and a transport mechanism for lifting and separating debris from the surface. , making it much easier to clean than non-EA water.

In particular, EA water in the form of a basic catholyte composition has similar capabilities to cationic, anionic, nonionic and amphoteric surfactants. Catholyte 22 has a similar surfactant effect because catholyte 22 has a high pH and is associated with a very large amount of negative ions after electrochemical activation. In one embodiment, catholyte 22 has a pH of 9 or higher, for example in the range of about 10 to about 12, although in other embodiments it may have a pH other than that range. Clusters of water molecules typically surround ions when in solution. During electrochemical activation, electrons and ions move violently within a cluster of approximately water molecules and collide with each other until the clusters of water molecules become very small. As a result, these smaller clusters of water molecules can penetrate into the cracks and crevices between the soil and the object, transporting the soil more effectively than normal non-EA water.

Catholyte 22 may improve dispersion in a manner similar to that observed when using commonly known surfactants. This effect is observed because the catholyte 22 contains negative ions that wrap around arbitrary molecules of objects and dirt. By enclosing or enclosing the object and dirt molecules with a negative charge, the object and dirt molecules repel each other, creating a negative potential that keeps them separated.

These features also improve dissolution and removal of greases, acid soils, and carbonaceous oils. This is because the catholyte 22 surrounds the grease molecules with negative charges so that they can be lifted and separated after being surrounded by negative ions. Also, enclosing the grease molecules with a negative charge helps to reduce the overall size of the grease molecules, making them smaller.

Also, enclosing the grease molecules with a negative charge effectively sensitizes the grease molecules, helping to emulsify or stabilize the hydrophobic grease molecules in the water. When substances such as fat or grease are surrounded by a negative charge from the catholyte 22, the catholyte turns the grease into a synthetic liquid soapy water. As a result, oil or grease contaminants are dissolved and can be removed by catholyte 22 without the addition of surfactant/detergent chemicals as some cleaning solution. However, surfactants/detergents may be added to the liquid to be treated for cleaning use before or after activation, if desired in other embodiments.

Therefore, the catholyte 22 has a strong cleaning ability. The catholyte 22 can be used as a cleaning solution with high cleaning power, safety and not polluting the environment. The catholyte 22 is safe for the environment because the reducing water reduces and does not oxidize the materials. Oxidation causes some materials to rust, deteriorate and become dirty. Catholyte 22 prevents rusting, deterioration, permanent aging and contamination.

Therefore, the EA water (cathode and anolyte) generated from the water generator 10 has a cleaning power and a bactericidal power. As a result, cleaning devices, such as mobile or non-removable hard and/or soft floor cleaners, may use EA water to clean, for example, floors and non-floor surfaces of industrial, commercial and domestic buildings. Cleaners allow the use of EA water without the addition of surfactants or surface active ingredients such as detergents to help clean hard and/or soft surfaces.

In addition, the EA water produced by the hydrous generator 10 has a very effective solvating power for forcing the change of oil into a solution that can be extracted from the surface. In contrast to detergents, which tend to keep the oils in suspension, EA water loses its activating properties and, when neutralized, recombines the oils after extraction. When used in a cleaning device with a contaminated liquid recovery function, this characteristic of EA water allows the oils to be extracted and separated from the contaminated water more effectively. This can reduce the costs associated with the disposal of contaminated wastewater recovered from the surface or article to be cleaned.

As will be described in more detail below, the anolyte and catholyte may be extracted from the article or surface to be cleaned and applied separately, applied together or applied sequentially as a mixture. The anolyte and catholyte may be applied through separate distribution systems or may be distributed through the same distribution system. In one embodiment, if either the anolyte or catholyte has not been used, it may be moved from the output side of the hydrous generator to a buffer or storage tank for after-use, or may be moved to a waste tank or recovery tank. The terms tank, buffer and reservoir are interchangeable terms.

C. Mixed anolyte and catholyte

It has been found that the anolyte and catholyte can be mixed with each other on the article or surface to be cleaned and/or within the dispensing system of the cleaning apparatus while still retaining effective cleaning and hygiene properties. The mixed EA water composition may also be formed by mixing various proportions of anolyte 20 and catholyte 22 against each other. Upon mixing, the mixed EA water is in a non-equilibrium state with an anolyte species having, for example, an ORP in the range of -150 mmV to -700 mmV and a pH of about 2.5 to 6, for example, about +400 mmV to about 900 catholyte species having an ORP in the mmV range and a pH of about 8 to 12. Small clusters of water are believed to prevent the reactive species in the anolyte and catholyte from instantaneously recombine and neutralize. Even when the anolyte and catholyte are mixed, they are not in their original equilibrium and thus temporarily retain improved cleaning and hygiene properties.

Also for conventional mobile surface cleaners or extractor type cleaners, the residence time of the liquid on the surface to be cleaned prior to extraction is quite short, such as in the range of 2-3 for conventional mobile surface cleaners. This means that the effective cleaning/sanitary properties other than the oxidation-reduction potential of the mixed EA water are substantially different from the oxidation-reduction potential of the mixed EA water during or after the residence time prior to being substantially neutralized in the recovery tank of the cleaner. to be maintained as

6. Various concentrations and volumes of anolyte and catholyte

The anolyte and catholyte may be produced or applied at different ratios from each other through changes in the structure of the hydrous generator 10, the flow rate through the hydrous generator and/or the distribution system.

For example, the hydrous generator may be configured to produce a larger volume of catholyte than the anolyte if the primary function of the EA water is cleaning. Alternatively, the hydrous generator may be configured to produce a larger volume of anolyte than the catholyte if, for example, the primary function of the EA water is hygiene. Also, the concentration of each reactive species can be varied.

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a function generator 40 according to an embodiment in which the ratio of the negative plate 41 to the positive plate 42 is 3:2 to produce a larger volume of catholyte than the anolyte. Each negative plate 41 is separated from the positive plate 42 by a respective ion exchange membrane 43 . Thus, there are three cathode chambers for two anode chambers. This configuration produces approximately 60% catholyte through output 44 and 40% anolyte through output 45. In another embodiment, each cell includes three cathode chambers and one anode chamber, each separated by a respective membrane, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 . Other ratios may also be used.

For multiple anode and cathode chambers, the ratios can be further modified by electrically enabling or disabling selected electrode plates. Enabling and disabling can be achieved by appropriately switching the power line to the electrodes, which can be controlled manually by an operator or automatically by a control circuit, or by a combination of the two methods. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, a 1:1 ratio can be achieved by disabling one of the cathodes 41 and cutting off flow to that chamber. A 2:3 ratio of the negative plate to the positive plate can be achieved in the above embodiment by simply reversing the polarity of the electrical potential applied to the plates 41 and 42 . As such, each plate 41 becomes a positive plate, while each plate 42 becomes a negative plate. The polarity of the applied voltage can also be reversed periodically or at different times to self-clean the positive and negative plates, thereby extending their lifetime. Therefore, as used in the specification and claims, the terms "anolyte" and "cathode" and the terms "anolyte" and "cathode" respectively may be used interchangeably.

Alternatively or additionally, flow to the selected chamber may be mechanically enabled, disabled or reduced via flow restricting devices 46 that may be located at the input and output ends of the function generator 40 . The flow restriction device may include any arbitrary device adapted to restrict flow, such as a valve or pump.

Changes in the concentration of each species, the pH or reduction potential in each chamber can be adjusted by adjusting the flow through that chamber. When the flow rate of a particular chamber is high, the feed water has a shorter residence time in the chamber and thus a shorter time to generate reactive species or change the pH or reduction potential.

The function generator 40 may also have multiple cells connected in parallel with each other, which may be selectively enabled and disabled as desired.

In other embodiments, one or more negative electrode plates may have a different surface area relative to each negative plate to vary the concentration of activated water generated in one chamber relative to each other.

In another embodiment of the present invention, catholyte output 44 and anolyte output 45 are combined in a flow path at the output of function generator 40 .

7. sparge

As mentioned above, the cleaning or sanitary properties of the resulting liquid can be improved by sparging the liquid to be treated for use in cleaning downstream or upstream of the hydrous generator. Alternatively, the spreading device may be used on its own without a function generator, for example in any device not limited to that described herein. In one embodiment, the term "sparging" means dispersing a gas in a liquid or dispersing a liquid in a gas by any suitable method understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The terms "sparged EA liquid" and "sparged EA water" refer to sparged EA liquid or EA water upstream and/or downstream of a function generator that electrochemically activates the liquid or water. 3 shows a device with a sprinkling device 50 located downstream of the function generator 10 . The sparging device 50 sparges or injects gas into the anolyte EA liquid 20 and the catholyte EA liquid 22 to form the sparged anolyte EA liquid 51 and the sparged catholyte EA liquid 52 . . A single sparging device, a combined sparging device or separate sparging devices may be used to sparge each flow stream. Alternatively, the sparging device 50 is connected to sparge one or the other of, for example, the anolyte EA liquid 20 and the catholyte EA liquid 22 . In other embodiments, for example, the flow streams 20 and 22 are combined into a single stream prior to being sparged by the apparatus 50 . In addition, multiple spreading devices can be connected, for example, in parallel or in series with each other.

In one embodiment, the sparging device 50 disperses fine gas bubbles in the EA liquid to form bubbles that are dispensed to the surface or object to be cleaned. Suitable gases may include air, oxygen, nitrogen, ammonia, carbon dioxide and other gases. In the case of air and oxygen, the resulting sparged EA liquid is highly oxygenated. This increase in oxygen dosage promotes effective wetting of the surface or object to be cleaned and may improve chemical reactions that promote cleaning or hygiene.

The sparging device 50 may include a variety of bubbling devices including, but not limited to, devices based on mechanical action, devices based on electrochemical action such as electrolysis, devices based on chemical action, or combinations thereof. have. A mechanical sparging device may be adapted to disperse a gas into a liquid or to disperse a liquid into a gas. Examples include pressurized or non-pressurized gas distribution systems, pressurized or non-pressurized liquid distribution systems, stirring systems, sprayers, and bubblers. In one embodiment, pressurized gas is introduced into the flow path of the liquid to be treated for use in cleaning and thereafter applied to a suitable mixing element such as a diffusion medium capable of creating bubbles by means of shear, gas entrainment or a combination thereof. dispersed in the liquid. In other embodiments, for example, a Venturi tube may be used to introduce gas into the liquid flow path.

If a sparging device 50 is placed upstream of the water generator 10 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the gas may aid in the electrochemical activation process to improve the cleaning or sanitation of the resulting EA liquid. . The sparged liquid 53 from the sparging device may be supplied to the anode chamber, the cathode chamber, or both of the hydrous generator 10, while normal tap water (or other liquid) may be fed into any chamber not containing sparging liquid. can be supplied.

If the sparged gas contains air or oxygen, the elevated oxygen levels during electrochemical activation can form excessively oxygenated EA water. Increasing the oxygen level increases the efficiency of the electrochemical activation process. Also, during the electrochemical activation process, the sprayed water may have a distribution of small but large water clusters with a small number of water molecules per cluster. These smaller clusters will increase the efficiency of separation and migration through the ion exchange membrane of the hydrous generator. The over-oxygenated EA water is electrochemically activated, resulting in an electrochemically activated foaming, bubble-containing and/or reactive gas with improved cleaning or hygiene properties.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , the sparging device 50 comprises one or more electrolysis cells based on an electrochemical actuation to achieve sparging. The electrolysis cell may be located upstream or downstream of the function generator 10 . In FIG. 5 , the electrolysis cell 50 is upstream of the function generator 10 . The electrolysis cell has one or more anodes and one or more cathodes similar to the function generator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . However, in one embodiment the electrolysis cell does not have an ion exchange membrane.

The sprinkling device 50 also provides a flow path inside or from a liquid source 14 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ), such as inside a source tank carried by a mobile floor surface cleaner. can be located along.

Normal tap water typically contains between 8 and 40 mg/L of oxygen. Oxygen levels can be increased by electrolysis. Oxygen gas and hydrogen peroxide can be introduced into the water by electrolysis of feed water from a water source (or EA water from hydrous generator 10). As well as oxygen and other gas bubbles further improving the wetting properties of water by reducing the surface tension of the water, these gas bubbles can react to further improve the cleaning and/or sanitary properties of the water. The oxygen-infused water 54 produced by electrolysis also contains hydrogen peroxide, a strong oxidizing agent, which further increases the sanitary properties of the water.

Sprinkling results in the influx of "micro-bubbles" or "nano-bubbles". Microbubbles and nanobubbles are usually too small to destroy the surface tension of the liquid. As a result, these bubbles remain approximately suspended in the liquid. The approximate hanging state of the bubbles increases the concentration of the bubbles, which in turn allows for supersaturation of the water by the gas bubbles.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 5 , but downstream of the hydrous generator 10 for further electrolysis and oxygen production to produce reactive bubbles with good cleaning or sanitation performance. It further includes a decomposition cell 50 (or other device involving sparging). In one embodiment, the overoxygenated anolyte and catholyte outputs from the hydrous generator 10, indicated by arrows 51 and 52, are mixed separately or together through two separation chambers to a second electrolysis cell 50 pass through In another embodiment, one of the outputs, such as the over-oxygenated anolyte output, passes through the second cell 50 , while the other output, such as the over-oxygenated catholyte output, is as indicated by arrow 55 . Similarly, the second cell 50 is bypassed. By electrochemically activating the water prior to electrolysis by an additional cell 50, a lower electrical resistance can be experienced during the electrolysis process used to sparge the liquid. In addition, more efficient retention of nano-bubbles within the final reactive bubble can also be achieved.

In a further embodiment, the tank is filled with EA liquid from a pre-sealed container or is "almost stationary" or "mobile" which electrochemically activates the liquid and then transports the water generator for filling the tank via a hose or temporary attachment to a cleaner. filling station". After filling the EA water, the EA water is dispensed into the sprinkling device prior to dispensing to the surface or object to be cleaned or sanitized.

In another embodiment, the tank is filled with or sprinkling liquid from a pre-sealed container, and then a substantially stationary or mobile "filling station" which transports the sprinkling device for filling the tank via a hose or temporary attachment to a cleaner. can be filled from After filling the sprayed liquid, the liquid is dispensed into a hydrous generator for electrochemical activation before being dispensed to a surface or object to be cleaned or sanitized. In one embodiment, the sparged liquid may be contained in a container having a suitable liquid pressure to maintain the sparged state of the liquid until dispensed or used. The container may be configured to be emptied into the tank conveyed by the cleaning device and/or to be connected directly to the inside of the device flow path upstream or downstream of the hydrous generator.

8. electrolysis cell

7 is a block diagram of an electrolysis cell 50 that may be used as a sparging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Cell 50 includes a reaction chamber 56 , an anode 57 and a cathode 58 . Chamber 56 may be defined, for example, by the walls of cell 50 , the walls of a conduit or container into which electrodes 57 , 58 lie, or the electrode itself. Anode 57 and cathode 58 may be made of any suitable material or combination of materials, such as titanium coated with a noble metal such as titanium or platinum. Anode 57 and cathode 58 are connected to a conventional power supply (not shown). In one embodiment, the electrolysis cell 50 contains its container defining a chamber 56 and is located within the flow path of the liquid to be treated in the cleaning apparatus. In another embodiment, the electrolysis cell 50 includes an anode 57 and a cathode 58 but without a container. In these embodiments, reaction chamber 56 may be defined by a container or conduit portion into which an electrode is placed.

In another embodiment, the positive electrode and the negative electrode may be placed in the liquid tank 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

In other embodiments, the anode and cathode electrodes may be positioned along or inside a portion of a conduit positioned along the liquid flow path of the cleaning apparatus.

The electrolysis cell 50 and its electrodes may have any physical shape and configuration. For example, the electrode may be a flat plate, a coaxial plate, a rod, or a combination thereof. Each electrode may have one or more perforations, such as a solid configuration or a metal mesh.

During operation, liquid is supplied by a source and/or hydrous generator 10 , such as tank 14 of FIGS. 1 and 2 , and introduced into the electrolysis chamber 56 of the electrolysis cell 50 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 , the electrolysis cell 50 does not include an ion exchange membrane that separates the reactants at the anode 57 from the reactants at the cathode 58 . In the embodiment in which tap water is used as the liquid to be treated for use in cleaning, after introducing water into chamber 56 and applying a voltage potential between anode 57 and cathode 58, anode 57 Water molecules near or in contact with the anode are oxygen (O<sb>2</sb>) and hydrogen ions (H<sp>+</sp>), while water molecules near or in contact with the cathode 58 are hydrogen gas (H<sb>2</sb>) and hydroxyl ions (OH<sp>-</sp>) is electrochemically reduced to The reaction products from both electrodes can be mixed to form an oxygenated fluid 59 having a neutral pH and an ORP in the range of about 500 mV to about 800 mV because there is no physical barrier separating the reaction products from each other. am. Hydrogen gas 60 typically provides air bubbles on the surface of the fluid surrounding cathode 58 and, since oxygen gas is much denser than hydrogen gas, is returned to the atmosphere while oxygen gas remains suspended in water for extended periods of time. will depart As a result, the fluid 59 is supersaturated with oxygen and has a strong ORP. When the electrolysis cell 50 is placed upstream of the hydrous generator, a fluid that is heavily oxygenated and has strong ORP and reduced cluster size characteristics can greatly aid the electrochemical activation process within the hydrous generator.

Alternatively, for example, the anode 57 may be separated from the cathode 58 by using a dielectric barrier such as an impermeable film (not shown) arranged between the anode and the cathode.

9. Improved spraying of mixed anolyte and catholyte EA water

It has been found that sparging upstream and/or downstream of the hydrous generator helps to improve and maintain the cleaning and/or sanitary properties of the water when the anolyte EA water is mixed with the catholyte EA water.

A simple experiment was performed in which various types of EA water were placed in an open container and oil droplets were placed on the water surface to measure the oil dispersion properties of each EA water. The non-sprayed anolyte EA water had no oil dispersing properties. Non-sprayed and sparged catholyte EA water exhibited 100% oil dispersion properties, where the oil was 100% dispersed on the water surface. When non-sprayed anolyte and catholyte EA water were combined, they exhibited 100% oil dispersion properties. The sprayed anolyte EA water exhibited 50% oil dispersion properties, where the oil was dispersed at 50% of the water surface compared to 0% of the non-sprayed anolyte EA water. When the sprayed anolyte and catholyte EA water were combined, 100% oil dispersion properties were exhibited.

The improvement of 50% oil dispersing properties for the sprayed anolyte improves the oil dispersing ability of the mixed EA water, which improves the cleaning/hygienic properties and prevents the mixed EA water from being neutralized due to the increased activity in water. It has been shown to prolong the previous time. Alternatively, for example, a liquid may pass through the hydrous generator more rapidly while maintaining substantially the same cleaning/sanitation power.

10. Exemplary housing for a combinatorial function generator and sprinkling device, mixing outputs

8A and 8B are both formed by clamshell halves 62A and 62B which together form a generally hermetic housing containing control electronics 64 , function generator 10 and sparging device 50 . The housing is shown. The housing 62 provides a convenient and convenient housing for the function generator 10 and the spreading device 50 and their associated control electronics 64 . However, these devices may be mounted separately in other embodiments.

Control electronics 64 include a function generator 10 and a printed circuit board containing electronics for powering and controlling the sprinkling device 50 . Housing half 62A provides access ports 65 that provide access to one or more electrical test points, and one or more pumps, external to housing 62 , that provide power to electronic components 64 for control. or cables 66 to provide wire connections for controlling additional components such as valves. The housing half 62A also includes a cover plate 67 to provide a heat sink for the control component 64 . The cover plate 67 also includes a plurality of fins to provide additional cooling and may be modified to support a cooling fan, if desired. In other embodiments, the cooling fan may be provided at or near some other location of the housing 62 .

In one embodiment, the control circuit 64 comprises a power supply having an output coupled in parallel to a function generator 10 and a sparging device 50 , the power supply being, for example, 150 watts for both devices. limit the power distributed to The control circuit 64 is also capable of selectively reversing the polarity of the voltage applied to the function generator 10 and the sparging device 50 according to the control signal generated by the control circuit H-bridge (H-bridge) includes For example, the control circuit 64 may be configured to change polarity in a predetermined pattern, such as every 5 seconds. Frequent switching of polarity provides a self-cleaning function for the electrode, which can extend electrode life by reducing scaling or build-up of deposits on the electrode surface.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8b similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , a sparging device 50 is connected upstream of the function generator 10 . The arrow in FIG. 8b shows the liquid flow path from the inlet 70 to the outlet 71 . The sparging device 50 and the function generator 10 are interconnected between the inlet 70 and the outlet 71 at various parts of the piping 72 .

Fig. 8b is an example of a function generator 10 which is a variant embodiment of a commercially available cell, namely a JP 102 cell from Amco Tech Corporation. The function generator 10 has an electrode plate (eg, as shown in FIG. 2 ), two inlets 73 and two outlets 74 and 75 . One or two inlets 73 may be connected to the sparging device 50 . If one inlet is not in use, that inlet can be capped and closed. The output liquid produced by the anode chamber and cathode chamber in the function generator 10 is supplied to the chamber 76 through separate ports. The valve mechanism supplied to the JP102 cell (and connecting the anolyte and catholyte to separate outlets 74 and 75 respectively) is removed from the chamber 76, and the chamber 76 is positioned against the cover plate 77. Sealed to form a mixing chamber in which chamber 76 receives anolyte from the anode chamber and catholyte from the cathode chamber. The anolyte and catholyte are mixed with each other within chamber 76 to form a mixed anolyte and catholyte EA ANFDMF directed from chamber 76 through outlet 74 to outlet 71 . The outlet 75 is closed by a cap. In other embodiments, the catholyte and anolyte outputs may be mixed downstream of the hydrous generator 10 or may remain as separate streams passing through outlets 44 and 45, for example.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8b , the spreading device 50 has a tubular shape. 9A is a detailed view of a sprinkling device 50 according to one embodiment, wherein portions of the device 50 have been cut away for illustration purposes. In this embodiment, the sparging device 50 is an electrolysis cell having a tubular outer electrode 80 and a tubular inner electrode 82, which are separated by a suitable gap, such as 0.020 inches. Other gaps may also be used. In one embodiment, the outer electrode 80 has a central plate configuration, the inner electrode 82 has a wire mesh configuration, and the two electrodes are separated by a tubular dielectric mesh 84 . For example, the outer electrode 80 may include a titanium plate sputtered with platinum and the inner electrode 82 may include a mesh of #304 stainless steel with a 1/16-inch grid. Other materials, electrode shapes and dimensions may be used. In this embodiment, the mesh configuration of components 82 and 84 improves liquid flow into the gap between the two electrodes. This liquid flow is conductive and completes the electrical circuit between the two electrodes. The electrolysis cell 50 may have any suitable dimensions. In one embodiment, the cell 50 may have a length of about 4 inches and an outer diameter of about 3/4 inches. The length and dimensions can be selected to control the amount of nanobubbles or microbubbles produced per unit volume of liquid and the processing time. Alternatively, for example, the two electrodes may be a tubular mesh if the cell is housed in an outer lumen containing liquid. In another embodiment, the inner electrode comprises an bare wire coaxial with the outer electrode. A number of variations may be used.

Cell 50 may be connected at a suitable location along the liquid flow path to allow liquid to pass through the cell in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 8B , for example at a location dividing the cell between two conduits. Any other method with attached means such as a plastic quick connect fitting 86 may be used.

Figure 9b shows a spreading device 50 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 9B , the sparging apparatus 50 includes a commercially available oxygenator 90 mounted in a container having an inlet 92 and an outlet 93 . For example, the oxygenator 90 includes the Oxygenator Bait Keeper available from Aqua Innovations, Inc., Bloomington, Minn., described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 6,689,262 to Senkib. The oxygen supply 90 has a pair of outwardly exposed electrodes 94 formed by flat circular plates parallel to each other and a flat circular wire mesh separated by a small gap to form a reaction chamber. Container 91 may be placed at any suitable location along the liquid flow path.

11. Examples of hard and/or soft floor cleaner systems

The various function generators and sprinkling devices described above may be implemented in a variety of different types of cleaning or sanitation systems. They are, for example, on-board (or off-board) removable, such as, for example, a removable soft floor surface cleaner, or a removable surface cleaner, or a removable hard floor surface cleaner configured to clean hard and soft floors or other surfaces. (or antifreeze) surface cleaner.

10A-10C illustrate a removable hard floor surface cleaner 100 in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 10A is a side view of the cleaner 100 . 10B is a perspective view of the cleaner 100 with a lid in a closed position, and FIG. 10C is a perspective view of the cleaner 100 with a lid in an open position.

In one embodiment, the cleaner 100 is described in, for example, the September 9, 2006 T5 Actuator Manual Rev. 02 and 11/11/2006 T5 Parts Manual Rev. 02, which is substantially similar to the tenant T5 scrubber-dryer described and shown in 02, which is modified to include a sparging device and a function generator and is shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b or among other embodiments shown and described herein. It is not limited to any one and/or combination thereof.

In this embodiment, the cleaner 100 is a walk behind cleaner used to clean hard floor surfaces such as concrete, tile vinyl, and the like. Alternatively, for example, cleaner 100 may be configured as a ride-on, attachable, or towed behind cleaner for performing cleaning operations as described herein. In other embodiments, the cleaner 100 may be used to clean soft floors, such as carpets, or in other embodiments, it may be used to clean both hard and soft floors. The cleaner 100 may include an electric motor that is powered through an electrical cord or through an on-board power source such as a battery. Alternatively, the internal combustion engine may be used alone or in combination with an electric motor.

The cleaner 100 generally includes a base 102 and a lid 104 attached along one side of the base 102 by a hinge (not shown) so that the lid 104 moves into the interior of the base 102 . It can be pivoted to allow access. The base 102 includes a tank 106 containing a liquid (such as normal tap water) or primary cleaning and/or sanitary liquid components to be applied and treated to the floor surface during cleaning/sanitation operations. Alternatively, for example, the liquid may be treated in the on-board or off-board cleaner 100 before being received in the tank 106 . The tank 106 may have any suitable shape acceptable within the base 102 and may have a bulkhead that at least partially encloses other components transported by the base 102 .

The base 102 carries a motorized cleaning head 110 that includes one or more cleaning members 112 , a shroud 114 , and a cleaning member driver 116 . The cleaning member 112 may include one or more brushes, such as a laundry brush, pad scrubber, microfiber, or other hard (or soft) floor surface cleaning member. The drive 116 includes one or more motors for rotating the cleaning member 112 . The cleaning member 112 may include a disk-shaped cleaning brush that rotates about an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the floor surface, as shown in FIGS. 10A-10C . Alternatively, for example, the cleaning member 112 may include one or more cylindrical cleaning brushes that rotate about a generally horizontal axis of rotation relative to the hard floor surface. The drive 116 may vibrate the cleaning member 112 . The cleaning head 110 may be attached to the cleaner 100 so that the cleaning head 110 may be moved between the lowered cleaning position and the raised movement position. Alternatively, for example, the cleaner 100 may not include the cleaning head 110 or the cleaning brush.

The base 102 also includes a mechanical frame 117 that supports the source tank 106 on wheels 118 and castors 119 . The wheel 118 is driven by a motor and a transaxle shown at 120 . The rear of the frame supports the interlocking device 121 to which the fluid recovery device 122 is attached. 10A-10C , the fluid recovery device 122 includes a vacuum squeegee 124 in vacuum connection with the inlet chamber in the recovery tank 108 via a hose 126 . The bottom of the source tank 106 includes a drain 130 that is connected to a drain hose 132 for emptying the source tank 106 . Similarly, the bottom of the recovery tank 108 includes a drain 133 connected to a drain hose 134 for emptying the recovery tank 108 . Alternatively, for example, one or both of the source tank and the recovery tank and the associated system may be housed in or supported by separate devices.

In another embodiment, the fluid recovery device includes a non-vacuum mechanical device for lifting the contaminated solution away from the floor surface and transferring the contaminated solution to a collection tank or reservoir. The non-vacuum mechanical device may include a plurality of wiping media, such as, for example, a flexible material member that rotates in contact with the floor surface to engage and lift contaminated solutions from the floor surface.

In other embodiments, the cleaner 100 may not have a cleaning head that dispenses liquid to the floor 125 for cleaning or sanitizing without a cleaning action. Accordingly, the fluid recovery device 122 recovers the last portion of the liquid dispensed from the floor.

In other embodiments, the cleaner 100 may include a wand spray and extractor or other attachment mechanism (not shown) that may be used to clean the exterior surface of the floor.

The cleaner 100 may also include a battery compartment 140 with a battery 142 placed therein. Battery 142 provides power to drive motor 116 , vacuum fan or pump 144 , and other electrical components of cleaner 100 . The control unit 146 mounted on the rear of the body of the cleaner 100 includes a control handle 148 and a gauge for the operation control and the cleaner 100 .

The liquid tank 106 is filled with the liquid to be treated for cleaning and/or sanitation purposes, such as normal tap water. In one embodiment, the liquid does not include any surfactants, detergents or cleaning chemicals. The cleaner 100 also includes an output fluid flow path 160 that includes a pump 164 , a cleaning device 161 and a function generator 162 . The tank 106 , the sparging device 161 , the function generator 162 and the pump 162 can be located anywhere on the cleaner 100 . In one embodiment, the spreading device 161 and the function generator 162 are mounted in a housing 150 similar to that shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B and supported within the base 102 . A pump 164 is mounted below the source tank 106 and from the tank 106 along the flow path 160 through the sparging device 161 and the hydrous generator 162 to the vicinity of the cleaning head 110 and ultimately Water is pumped to the bottom 125 , where a recovery device 122 recovers the contaminated liquid and returns it to the recovery tank 108 . The arrows in FIG. 10A indicate the direction of liquid flow from the tank 106 through the flow path 160 to the bottom 125 and from the recovery device 122 to the recovery tank 128 . Alternatively, for example a second spreading device 163 (shown in FIG. 11 ) may be located downstream of the function generator 162 . Similarly, the pump 164 may be located downstream or upstream of any component along the flow path 140 . Alternatively, for example, the pump 164 may be removed and the flow path 160 may be configured to allow water to pass along the flow path 160 by the action of gravity. Any suitable type or model of pump may be used. For example, pump 164 comprises a SHURflo SLV10-AB41 diaphragm pump (available from SHURflo, Cypress, CA) having an open flow capability of 1.0 gallons/minute (gpm). In such an embodiment, a pump with less open flow capability may be used, since in this embodiment the flow path 160 has little or no backpressure. If possible, pump 164 may be controlled to pump at any suitable rate, such as any rate greater than 0 gpm and less than 1.0 gpm. For example, the ratio may be set to a predetermined ratio or an adjustable ratio within 0.1 gpm to 1.0 gpm, or 0.15 gpm to 0.75 gpm.

In one embodiment of the invention, the control unit 146 is configured to operate the pump 164 , the sprinkling device 161 and the function generator 162 in a "command" manner. When the cleaner 100 is stopped and not moving relative to the floor to be cleaned, the pump 164 is in the "off" state and no energy is supplied to the spreading device 161 and the function generator 162 . When the cleaner 100 moves in a forward direction relative to the floor as indicated by arrow 165 , the control unit 146 switches the pump 164 to the "on" state and the spreader 161 and function generator. Supply energy to (162). In the "on" state, pump 164 pumps water from tank 106 through flow path 160 to the vicinity of cleaning head 110 . Accordingly, the sparging device 161 and the function generator 162 generate and dispense EA water according to the "command".

As water passes along the flow path 160, the spraying device 161 and the water generator 162 inject nanobubbles into the water to inject oxygen at a high rate, electrochemically activate the water, and release the activated water. The water is temporarily reconstituted by separating it into a catholyte output stream and an anolyte output stream. The hydrous generator changes the redox potential (ORP) of the catholyte and anolyte output streams. As mentioned above, normal tap water is formed into large clusters of unstructured water molecules that are too large to migrate efficiently without surfactants to break the surface tension of the water. The catholyte output stream consists of clusters of smaller water molecules that, for example, become strongly alkaline at about pH 11 and penetrate at a much faster rate when used for cleaning purposes. Alkaline water is rich in electrons and is referred to as reduced water. Such alkaline water has the ability to clean the surface by penetrating contaminant molecules, so it can replace surfactant-based cleaning solutions. The anolyte output stream is strongly acidic, eg, about pH 3. The resulting acidic water lacks electrons and is referred to as an oxidized water. As such, acidic water has the ability to reduce bacteria and other harmful organisms by taking electrons away from them.

In one embodiment, the catholyte and anolyte output streams are recombined at the output of the function generator 162, as described with respect to FIGS. 8A and 8B, and the flow path 160 provides the resulting mixed catholyte and anolyte output streams. Dispense the EA water to the cleaning head 110 or directly to the floor to be cleaned.

Alternatively, for example, one or more tanks 106 are filled with sparged water, non-sparged EA water (cathode and/or anolyte), or sparged EA water, which is dispensed by cleaner 100 . do. For example, the tank 106 may be filled from EA water in a previously sealed container or function to electrochemically decompose the water and then load the tank 106 via a hose or other temporary attachment to the cleaner 100 . It can be filled from near a stationary or mobile "charging station" that supports the generator. If desired, additives may be added to the previously electrochemically activated water to maintain the electrochemically activated state. In the case where the tank 106 is filled with sparged non-EA water, the cleaner 100 may include a function generator to electrochemically activate the water prior to dispensing the water. In case the tank 106 is filled with non-sparged EA water, the cleaner 100 will dispense the non-sprayed EA water without further treatment or include a sprinkling device for dispensing the water prior to dispensing the water. can Once the tank 106 is filled with sparged EA water, the cleaner 100 can dispense the liquid with or without further treatment by the onboard function generator and/or the onboard sprinkling device. Alternatively, for example, a further sparging device may be implemented with an onboard cleaner for sprinkling EA water prior to dispensing.

As will be described in greater detail below, flow path 160 may include a single combined output flow path for mixed catholyte and anolyte EA water produced at the output of function generator 162 or flow path 160 . ) may include separate flow paths that may be combined anywhere along or at a distributor, or may remain separate along the entire flow path 160 . The separate flow stream may have a common fluid distributor near the cleaning head 110 or may be returned to a separate liquid distributor. Pump 164 may represent a single pump or multiple pumps for multiple flow paths.

In embodiments where the cleaner 100 is configured to selectively dispense one or both of the anolyte or catholyte EA water output, the cleaner 100 may also include the housing 150 to recover the tank 108 or a separate wastewater tank. ) may include one or more wastewater flow paths from the hydrous generator 162 to return the reused catholyte or anolyte EA water from . A flow path may be provided to return the reused catholyte or anolyte to a buffer or reservoir (not shown in FIGS. 10A-10C ) for subsequent use by the cleaner 100 . For example, if the cleaner 100 is operated only in cleaning mode, the anolyte EA water produced by the hydrous generator 162 is not needed and the recovery tank 108 or buffer or buffer for later use, such as in the sterilization mode of operation. It can be returned to a separate storage tank.

When the cleaner 100 is operated only in the sterilization mode, the catholyte EA water produced by the hydrous generator is not needed and returned to the recovery tank 108 or buffer or separate storage tank for later use, such as in the cleaning mode of operation. can be In the cleaning and disinfection mode of operation, both the catholyte EA water and the anolyte EA water are returned to the bottom simultaneously or sequentially along the flow path 160 to be applied. After the catholyte EA water is applied to the floor surface for cleaning of the floor surface, it is removed before applying the anolyte EA water to the same floor surface for disinfection purposes. Catholyte and anolyte EA water may also be added in reverse order. Alternatively, for example, the cleaner 100 may be configured to intermittently provide catholyte EA water for a short period of time after the provision of anolyte EA water. A number of operating modes controlling which of the catholyte and/or anolyte to provide at which time, concentration, flow rate and characteristics (such as those described with reference to FIG. 2 ) are provided to the operator via control unit 146 . can be controlled by

In a further embodiment, the cleaner 100 may be modified to include two separate cleaning heads, one for dispensing and recovering the anode EA water and the other for dispensing the catholyte EA water. and to recover. For example, each head may include its own liquid dispenser, cleaning head and squeegee. One head may follow the other head along the movement path of the cleaner. For example, the front head can be used for cleaning while the rear head can be used for sanitizing.

However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, two output streams may be combined at the output of the function generator 162 without separate control for each output stream.

When two liquid streams containing anolyte EA water and catholyte EA water are simultaneously applied to the surface to be cleaned, either through a combined output stream or separate output streams, even if they are combined or mixed at the surface, the two liquids are normally mixed at the surface. retain their respective improved cleaning and hygiene properties during residence time. For example, because the cleaner 100 advances at a typical rate across the surface to be cleaned, the residence time on the surface between dispensing to the surface and then retrieving it by the vacuum squash 124 may be equal to about 3 seconds. very short In one embodiment, the anolyte EA water and the catholyte EA water retain their unique electrochemically activated properties even when the two liquids are mixed with each other, eg, for at least 30 seconds. During this time, the electrochemically activated unique properties of both types of liquid are not neutralized until after the liquid is recovered from the surface. This allows the advantages of each liquid to be used during a common cleaning operation.

After recovery, the nanobubbles begin to disappear and the alkali and acidic liquids begin to neutralize. Once neutralized, the electrochemical properties, including the pH value of the recovered and mixed liquid, are converted to those of normal tap water.

The sparging device 161 and the function generator 162 are powered by the battery 142 or are supplied with power separately from the battery 142, and one or more of which provide predetermined voltage and current values to the electrodes in predetermined waveforms. Powered by a separate power supply. In one embodiment, the sparging device 161 and the function generator 162 are electrically connected to each other in parallel and powered by the battery 142 through a control circuit such as that shown in FIG. 8A that intermittently changes the polarity applied to the device. are supplied with

The liquid distribution passageway of the cleaner 100 also includes one or more filters, if necessary, for removing selected components or chemicals from the generated EA water or feedwater to reduce residues remaining on the surface to be cleaned. . The passage may also include an ultraviolet radiation generator for ultraviolet (UV) treatment of the liquid to reduce viruses and bacteria in the liquid.

11 is a block diagram illustrating in more detail the liquid distribution flow path 160 of the cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For simplicity, the other components of the cleaner 100 and the wastewater flow path to the recovery tank 108 are not shown in FIG. 11 . Components within flow path 160 may be rearranged upstream or downstream of each other in other embodiments. Also, the characteristic components along the flow path 160 may vary significantly from one embodiment to another depending on the particular application and platform being practiced. Some components may be removed, while some components may be added. For example, in one embodiment the spreading device 161 may be removed, but in another embodiment the function generator 162 may be removed. Components shown with dotted lines are not included in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10A to 10C , but may be included in other embodiments. The embodiment shown in Fig. 11 is merely exemplary.

Liquid or feedwater in tank 106 is connected to the input side of the function generator via conduit sections 170 , 171 , pump 164 and sparging device 161 . Pump 164 may include any suitable pump, such as a diaphragm pump.

As described above, an additive such as an electrolyte (eg, sodium chloride) or a boosting compound may be added to the feed water at any suitable location along the flow path upstream of the hydrous generator 162 and at any desired concentration. can For example, the additive may be added to the water in the tank 106 . In other embodiments, the additive flow path 173 may be connected on-line to a flow path, such as downstream (or upstream) of the pump 164 for inserting the additive into the feedwater. However, such additives do not require as many cleaning applications and types of liquids as normal tap water. In some applications, the additive may be used to further boost the respective pH of the anolyte and catholyte output sides of the hydrous generator, if desired, farther away from the neutral pH.

The sparging device 161 may be located at any location along the flow path between the liquid source 106 and the moisture generator 162 or any location downstream of the moisture generator 162 . In one embodiment, the sparging device comprises an electrolysis cell as shown in FIG. 9A or FIG. 9B for sparging a liquid by electrolysis. However, other types of spreading devices as described above may also be used.

In applications where additional detergent is desired, the cleaner 100 is modified to further include a source of detergent 180 that is supplied to the input side of the function generator via conduit portions 181 and 182 and a pump 183 (both shown in dashed lines). it might be Alternatively, for example, the pump 183 may supply cleaning agent to, for example, one or more flow paths 160 of the function generator 162 , or to a flow path upstream of the pump 164 . The mixing element 184 mixes the supplied cleaning agent with the supply water from the liquid source 106 .

The flow of cleaning agent occurs substantially independent of the cleaning agent capacity in the source 180 . A check valve (not shown) may be installed in a straight line with the conduit portion 170 to prevent backflow of the primary cleaning liquid component and cleaning agent into the tank 183 when the fluid mixing member 184 is upstream of the pump 183 . have. Pump 183 may include any suitable pump, such as a solenoid pump. An example of a suitable solenoid valve is the pump element ET200BRHP manufactured by CEME and marketed through Huamington Engineering of Madison, Connecticut, USA. One suitable pump is the SV 653 metering pump manufactured by Balco Scientific. Other types of pumps may also be used.

A controller 186 (shown in dashed lines) controls the operation of the pump 183 via a control signal 187 . One suitable controller is the part number QRS2211C (or 24V at 36V) sold by Infitec, Inc. or Cyracus, New York, USA. According to one embodiment, signal 187 is a pulsed signal that provides power with respect to ground (not shown) and controls how long the pump drives the cleaning agent through conduit 182 . For example, the control signal 187 may turn the pump 183 on for 0.1 seconds and the pump off for 2.75 seconds to produce a low volume output flow of the thickened cleaning agent. Other on/off times may also be used. Also, pumps 164 and 183 may be removed and liquid and detergent may be supplied by other mechanisms such as gravity. 10A-10C , cleaner 100 does not include components 183 , 184 , 186 as no additional cleaning agent is used.

The function generator 162 has a catholyte EA water output 190 and an anolyte EA water output 192 , which are combined in a common flow path 160 (shown in solid lines) and fed to a fluid distributor 194 . do. In another embodiment of the present invention, flow path 160 includes separate flow paths 160A, 160B for respective outputs 190 and 192 . Relative flow through individual or combined flow paths may be controlled via one or more valves or other flow control devices 195 lying along the flow paths.

A buffer or reservoir 196 may be placed along the flow paths 160 , 160A, and/or 160B to collect any catholyte or anolyte produced by the function generator 162 , but dispensed directly to the fluid distributor 194 . it might be For example, the reservoir 196 includes a burp valve that allows the reservoir to be filled and, once filled, to be emptied into the respective flow path for use. Other types of reservoirs and valve or baffle systems may also be used. The two reservoirs 196 may be controlled to open or empty alternately, simultaneously, or at some other interval or control signal. If either catholyte or anolyte is not used for a particular cleaning or sanitation operation, excess unused liquid may be supplied to recovery tank 108 via valve 195 . Alternatively, for example, the liquid may be supplied to a separate storage tank for later use. Separate storage tanks may also be used, for example, in embodiments where the output flow rate of the distributor exceeds the rate at which one or more components in the flow path efficiently process the liquid to be dispensed.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, one or more flow restricting members 198 may be placed in line with the flow passages 160, 160A, and 160B to regulate the flow of liquid, if desired or necessary for a particular configuration. For example, a pressure drop across the flow restricting member may restrict the flow of fluid to provide a flow rate of a predetermined volume. For example, the flow restricting member 198 may include a metering orifice or orifice plate that provides a desired output flow, eg, 0.2 GPM, when the output pressure of the pump 164 is approximately 40 psi. Other flow rates greater or less than 0.2 GPM may be used.

If a detergent source is used, the capacity flow rate of the detergent may be limited by the pump 183 to, for example, approximately 10 cubic centimeters per minute or less. Examples are detailed in US Pat. No. 7,051,399. However, these components and methods are not required in one or more embodiments of the present invention.

In addition to, or instead of, the sparging device 161 , the cleaner 100 may be disposed either along the combined flow path 160 downstream of the function generator 162 or along one or both of the separate flow paths 160A, 160B. Or it may further include a spraying device 163 or more. The sparging device 163 may be located anywhere along the flow path 160 , 160A, 160B between the function generator 162 and the fluid distributor 194 . In one embodiment, the sparging device 163 comprises an electrolysis cell as shown in FIG. 9A or FIG. 9B for sparging a liquid by electrolysis. However, other types of spreading devices may also be used.

Flow paths 160 , 160A and/or 160B may further include pressure relief valves 202 and check valves 204 which may be positioned at any suitable location along any flow path within cleaner 100 . Check valve 204 can help limit leakage of liquid when cleaner 100 is not in use.

Fluid dispenser 194 may include any suitable dispensing element for a particular application when cleaner 100 is used. For example, in one embodiment the fluid distributor 194 directs fluid to a hard floor surface or other component of the cleaner 100, such as a cleaning head. Where the cleaning head has multiple brushes, the fluid distributor 194 may include, for example, a T-coupling and, if desired, may be used to supply a separate output stream to each brush. The liquid may be dispensed by any suitable method, such as spraying or dripping.

In an embodiment in which the anolyte and the catholyte are applied separately from each other, the fluid distributor 194 may have separate outputs having one output for each type of liquid. Alternatively, for example, a fluid distributor may have a single output in which the flow from each flow path is controlled by, for example, a valve, switch or baffle. In other embodiments, fluid distributor 194 includes a flow control device that selectively passes only anolyte, only catholyte, or a mixture of anolyte and catholyte. The terms fluid distributor and liquid distributor may include, for example, a single dispensing element or multiple dispensing elements, whether or not these components are connected to each other.

Fine gas bubbles, such as nanobubbles, produced by either of the sparging devices 161 and 163 can further delay the neutralization of the anolyte EA water and the catholyte EA water when the two liquids are simultaneously applied to the surface to be cleaned and mixed with each other. found out that This benefit is that the liquid is distributed in separate or combined flow paths and the sparging device is installed upstream of the moisture generator 162, downstream of the moisture generator 162, in either or both of the flow paths 160A, 160B. , depending on the location of the combination flow path 160 or any combination of these locations.

When two liquid streams comprising anolyte EA water and catholyte EA water are simultaneously applied to a surface to be cleaned, either through a combined output stream or separate output streams, the two liquids, even if mixed on the surface, form a typical residual on the surface. retain their respective improved cleaning and hygiene properties over time. For example, as the cleaner 100 advances at its usual rate across the surface to be cleaned, the residence time at the surface between distribution to the surface and subsequent recovery by the squeegee 124 (shown in FIG. 10A ). is very short, such as about 2-3 seconds. During this time, the unique electrochemical activation properties for both types of liquid are not neutralized until after the liquid is recovered from the surface. This allows the good properties of each liquid to be utilized during a common cleaning operation.

After recovery, the nanobubbles begin to disappear and the alkali and acidic liquids also begin to neutralize. Once neutralized, the electrochemical properties, including pH, of the recovered and mixed liquid return to those of normal tap water. This allows these properties to be substantially maintained in the recovery tank or the oxidation-reduction potential and other advantageous cleaning/sanitary properties of the mixed EA water during the residence time prior to disposal thereafter substantially.

It was also found that the oxidation-reduction potential and other electrochemically activated properties of the mixed EA water (or other EA liquid) were neutralized very quickly in the recovery tank after recovery. This makes it possible to dispose of the recovered liquid almost immediately after the cleaning operation is complete without the need to delay or store the recovered liquid in a temporary disposal tank until the liquid is neutralized.

Cleaner 100 is one simple embodiment of a surface cleaner, which may be used in one or more embodiments. Other types of cleaners having a variety of different configurations and components may also be used in other embodiments of the present invention as described below.

In another embodiment, the liquid may be converted into an anolyte EA liquid and a catholyte EA liquid off-board cleaner 100 . In such an embodiment, the cleaner 100 may be modified to include an anolyte source tank and a catholyte source tank for containing the anolyte EA liquid and the catholyte EA liquid generated by the off-board function generator. Therefore, the function generator 162 can be removed from the cleaner 100 . The outputs from the anolyte tank and catholyte tank may be combined or maintained as separate output flows as described above. Cleaner 100 may include one or more sprinkling devices such as those shown in FIG. 11 if necessary to sparge combined or separate output flows.

12. Rapid neutralization of anolyte and catholyte outputs

Another aspect of the present invention is that a liquid such as water having a very neutral pH ranging from pH 6 to pH 8, such as pH 7, and a very neutral ORP ranging from ±50 mV, such as 0 mV, produces an anolyte EA output and a catholyte EA It's about how to pass a function generator to produce an output. The anolyte and catholyte EA outputs have a pH outside the pH 6 to pH 8 range and an ORP outside the ±50 mV range. For example, the anolyte EA output has a pH of about 2.5 to 6 and an ORP ranging from +100 mV to +1200 mV, +400 mV to +900 mV, or +400 mV to 700 mV. The catholyte EA output has, for example, a pH of about 8 to 12 and an ORP in the range of about -150 mV to -1000 mV, -150 mV to -700 mV, or -300 mV to -700 mV.

The anolyte and catholyte EA outputs are applied to the surface for a residence time, after which they are withdrawn from the surface and placed in a recovery tank. In one embodiment, the anolyte and catholyte EA outputs are applied to the surface within a 5 second time that the liquid is produced by the function generator, and may be applied to the surface in a shorter time span, such as within 3 seconds for production. In one embodiment, the residence time on the surface is greater than 0 seconds and less than 5 seconds, such as in the range of 1 to 5 seconds, or 2 to 3 seconds.

The anolyte and catholyte EA outputs may be applied to the surface, mixed at the surface or mixed prior to mixing in the recovery tank. For example, the anolyte and catholyte EA outputs may be applied to a surface simultaneously as a single mixed liquid or as separate liquids, or sequentially applied and withdrawn superimposed or non-superimposing to the surface.

Once recovered, the mixed anolyte and catholyte EV output in the recovery tank is rapidly neutralized to substantially the original pH and ORP of the source liquid (eg, normal tap water pH and ORP). In one embodiment, the mixed anolyte and catholyte EV output in the recovery tank is substantially reduced within a time of less than 1 minute (such as within 30 seconds) from the time the anolyte and catholyte EV output is generated by the function generator. It is rapidly neutralized with an ORP in the range of ±50 mV with a pH between pH 6 and 8.

Thereafter, the recovered liquid may be disposed of in any suitable manner. Similarly, in embodiments where no liquid is withdrawn from the surface to be cleaned, the mixed anolyte and catholyte EA output is rapidly neutralized on the surface to substantially the original pH and ORP of the source liquid. This method may be performed with any arbitrary apparatus or cleaner 100 such as, but not limited to, those described above.

13. Examples of combined hard and soft floor cleaners

12 is a block diagram of a floor cleaner 300 that may be comprised of several types of cleaning tools and extractors to perform different cleaning operations while using the same cleaner.

The cleaner 300 has a contaminant transfer cleaning mode for performing a contaminant transfer cleaning operation on a soft floor surface, a deep extraction mode for performing a deep extraction cleaning operation, and a hard floor cleaning mode for cleaning a hard floor surface. can be configured. In each of these modes, the cleaner 300 moves liquid waste and debris to the fluid recovery system. However, not all such components are required in all embodiments of FIG. 12 . The particular choice of such components is merely exemplary.

The cleaner 300 is a tow-behind cleaner configured for convenience of use by an operator following or riding after the cleaner 300, attached to another device, held by a hand, or carried by a person, etc. can be configured as The cleaner 300 may be powered through an on-board power source such as a battery or an internal combustion engine, or may be powered through an electric cord.

The floor cleaner 300 generally includes a movable body 306 , a motorized cleaning head 308 , a liquid dispenser 310 , one or more vacuum devices 312 , at least one vacuum extractor tool 314 , a vacuum squeegee 316 and a waste recovery tank 317 .

A movable body 306 is supported on a drive wheel 318 and a caster wheel 320 for movement over a surface. In one embodiment, the drive wheel is driven by a motor 322 .

Cleaner 300 has a liquid distribution passage similar to one or more embodiments described with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9 . Liquid distributor 310 may be configured, for example, from one or more sparging devices 325 and hydrous generator 324, anolyte EA water, catholyte EA water, anolyte, as described above with respect to FIG. Holds liquids such as anolyte and catholyte or mixed anolyte and catholyte EA water. Alternatively, for example, the cleaner 300 may include a function generator 324 without a sprinkling device or may include a sprinkling device without a sprinkling device. Dispenser 310 dispenses liquid directly to floor 302 or to components of cleaning head 308 through one or more nozzles or openings.

The cleaning head 308 includes a cleaning tool 328 and one or more motors 330 for rotationally driving the cleaning tool 328 , for example, about an axis parallel or perpendicular to the surface 302 . The rotating cleaning tool 328 engages the surface 302 to perform a hard or soft floor cleaning operation, as indicated by arrow 331 . The cleaning tool 328 may include one or more brushes, such as a bristle brush, a pad scrubber, microfiber, or other hard or soft floor surface cleaning element.

According to one embodiment, the cleaner 300 includes a cleaning head lift that raises the cleaning head when not in use, such as when the cleaner 300 is in motion, and lowers the cleaning head 308 for a floor cleaning operation.

One embodiment of the cleaning head 308 is configured for use with various types of cleaning tools 328 , for example, to perform different cleaning operations while using the same motor 330 . As such, the cleaning head 308 may be equipped with a soft floor cleaning tool 328 or a hard floor cleaning tool 328 . Alternatively, for example, the cleaner 300 may be configured with separate soft and hard floor cleaning heads 308 .

In other embodiments, the cleaner 300 may include a cleaning wand (not shown) in addition to, or in place of, the cleaning head 308 . The cleaning wand may include a second hose connected to a vacuum device 312 for extracting the contaminated EA water from the surface 302 and a first hose connected to a distributor 310 for dispensing the EA water.

12 , one or more vacuum devices 312 provide at least one vacuum to remove liquids and contaminants (ie, contaminated cleaning solutions) from cleaning tool 328 and/or surface 302 . Used in combination with the extractor tool 314 . One vacuum 312 also works with the squeegee 316 to remove waste from the surface 102 . Waste may be deposited in one or more waste recovery tanks 317 or other locations. In one embodiment, a single vacuum device 312 is selectively coupled to the squeegee 316 and the extractor tool 314 using a furnace selector 332 . In another embodiment, the cleaner 300 includes a vacuum squeegee 316 and a separate vacuum device 312 for the extractor tool 314 . One or more lifts may be provided to raise and lower each tool 314 by actuation.

In one embodiment, the extractor tool 314 is used to remove liquid and solid debris from a soft surface, while the squeegee 316 is used to remove liquid and solid debris from a hard surface. Other types of liquid and debris recovery tools and methods may also be used for hard surfaces, soft floor surfaces, or both.

13 is a diagram illustrating the cleaning tool 328 in more detail. 13 , the cleaning tool 328 includes one or more soil transfer rolls 340 for cleaning the soft floor, and the extractor tool 314 includes a roll extractor tool 342 . . The roll is rotated by the operation of one or more motors 330 ( FIG. 12 ) and sweeps down the surface 302 to move contaminants on the surface onto the contaminant transfer roll 340 . Rotation of the roll 340 in the direction indicated by the arrow causes portions of the contaminant transfer roll to be wetted with the cleaning solution, extracted by the extractor 340 and again sweeping the surface 302 . For example, as roll 340 is rotated, the rolls engage the soft floor 302 (eg, carpet fiber) causing contaminants to move from the carpet fiber to the roll 340 . The roll 340 rotates further to spray the cleaning liquid again by the nozzle 346 . Subsequently, the surface of the roll 340 is vacuum extracted to remove the contaminated cleaning liquid from the roll transferred to the inside of the recovery tank 317 . Another embodiment of the extractor tool 314 is in the form of a surface extractor tool configured to remove liquids and contaminating waste from the surface 302 .

14 shows cleaning tool 328 in a deep extraction cleaning mode of operation in which cleaner 300 functions similarly to known carpet extractors, except that the cleaning liquid includes EA water and/or sparged water as described above. shows If necessary, the contaminant transfer roll 340 is replaced with an extractor brush 350 , the cleaning head 308 and surface extractor 344 are moved into their mode of operation, and the vacuum squeegee 316 is moved to the raised position. Liquid distributor 310 uses nozzle 354 to either discharge cleaning liquid to surface 302 through nozzle 352 or direct liquid onto surface 302 and an earlier extractor brush 350 . The extractor brush 350 is driven via a motor 330 to engage the floor surface 302 . As the cleaner 300 advances across the floor surface 302 , the surface extractor 344 engages the wetted portions of the surface to remove the contaminated liquid from the surface. Roll extractor tool 342 also removes contaminated liquid and debris from brush 350 .

15 shows the cleaning tool 328 in a hard floor cleaning mode of operation. Initially, a hard floor cleaning brush 360 is installed within an exchangeable cleaning head 308 , or a separate hard floor cleaning head 308 having a cleaning brush 360 is attached to the movable body 306 ( FIG. 12 ). . Further, the cleaning head 308 and vacuum squeegee 316 are moved to their operating positions and the surface extractor tool 344 is moved to the raised position. Liquid distributor 310 then wets surface 302 with liquid by ejecting liquid through nozzle 352 and discharges liquid 320 through tubing 362 inside or outside cleaning brush 360 . By doing so, the surface and the cleaning brush 360 are wetted. Motor 330 rotates cleaning brush 360 while engaging wet surface 302 . As the cleaner 300 moves in the forward direction, the contaminated liquid is collected by the squeegee 316 and directed toward the waste recovery tank 317 .

In another embodiment, the cleaner 300 is constructed similarly to a multi-mode cleaner commercially available from Tennant Company of Minneapolis, Minn. and are modified to replace them with a spreading device and/or function generator similar to one or more embodiments of the present invention. One embodiment of a Lady Space(R) cleaner is described in detail in US Pat. No. 6,735,812.

14. Example of a carpet extractor system

16 is a perspective view of a carpet extractor 370 having a vacuum pickup head 371 used to extract at least a portion of a contaminated liquid from carpets and other soft floors. The extractor 370 further includes a pair of wheels 372 and a control handle 373 . During operation, when the operator pulls the extractor 370 rearward in the direction of arrow 373 , the extractor dispenses liquid to the floor to be cleaned and/or one or more motor driven cleaning tools 375 . The cleaning tool 375 may include any known soft floor cleaning tool, such as a brush, roller, bristle, or the like. Additional details of extractor 370 are described in US Pat. Nos. 7,059,013 and 4,956,891. For example, any vacuum pickup head described herein may be used for extractor 370 . In an exemplary embodiment, the extractor 370 may exclude the cleaning tool 375 and merely dispense the liquid to the floor and then extract the contaminated liquid from the floor.

Extractor 370 is modified to include a liquid dispensing system with a sparging device and/or function generator, such as but not limited to that described in FIG. 11 or any other embodiment described herein. The extractor 370 is configured to remove one or more of the following liquids from the bottom to and from the bottom to be cleaned, eg, anolyte EA water, catholyte EA water, sparged anolyte EA water, sparged catholyte EA water, mixed and dispensing and extracting the anolyte and catholyte EA water and the mixed and sparged anolyte and catholyte EA water, and the sparged water. Liquids other than water or in addition to water may also be used.

15. Example of a full surface (eg bathroom) cleaner

17 is a perspective view of an all-surface cleaning assembly 380 described in greater detail in US Pat. No. 6,425,958. The cleaning assembly 380 may be equipped with one or more sprinkling devices and/or one or more function generators such as, but not limited to, those shown in FIG. 11 , or any other embodiment of the present invention. It is modified to include a liquid distribution path.

The cleaning assembly 380 can be used for the following liquids from and to the floor to be cleaned: anolyte EA water, catholyte EA water, sprayed anolyte EA water, sprayed catholyte EA water, mixed anolyte and catholyte EA water and one or more of the mixed and sparged anolyte and catholyte EA water, and sparged water, and selectively recover. Liquids other than water or in addition to water may also be used.

The cleaning assembly 380 may be used, for example, to clean a hard surface or any other room having at least one hard surface. Cleaning assembly 380 includes a cleaning apparatus and associated components used with the cleaning apparatus to clean surfaces, as described in US Pat. No. 6,425,958. The cleaning assembly 380 includes a housing 381 , a handle 382 , a wheel 383 , a drain hose 384 , and other related components. Related parts include a floor brush with collapsible and extendable handle 386, first and second parts 387A and 387B of the double bend wand, and vacuum hose, suction hose, spray hose, suction hose nozzle, spray 17 including a gun, a squeegee floor tool attachment, a gulper tool, and a tank fill hose (which may be connected to a port on assembly 380). The assembly has a tank or movable liquid container and a housing supporting the recovery tank or movable recovery liquid container. The cleaning assembly 380 is used to clean surfaces by spraying a cleaning liquid onto the surface through a spray hose. A suction hose is used to dry the surface and blow liquid onto the surface in a predetermined direction. A vacuum hose is used to clean the surface by drawing fluid from the surface and supplying it to a recovery tank in the cleaning device 380 . Vacuum hoses, suction hoses, spray hoses, and other related components used in the cleaning assembly 380 may be transported with the cleaning device 380 for easy transport.

In some embodiments, the output flow can be very high, such as in a spray. If the output flow of a particular tool or device exceeds the rate at which the function generator or sprinkling device can efficiently treat the liquid to be dispensed, the device may contain the generated anolyte and catholyte (either separately or in combination) until required. It may be configured to include one or more output reservoirs for Once the output liquid is ready, the output reservoir is provided with a buffer capable of supplying a higher output flow rate.

16. Example of a cleaning system mounted on a truck

18 is a diagram illustrating a truck mounted cleaning system 400 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. A cleaning system having one or more components according to an embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 11 is mounted within a truck 402 . The truck 402 using the reference numerals shown in FIG. 11 includes a source tank 106 for containing a liquid such as normal tap water, an onboard function generator 162 and one for electrochemically activating and dispensing the water. or more supporting the spreading device 161 , and/or 163 . Alternatively, for example, the spreading device and/or the function generator can be eliminated. The liquid dispensing system passes electrochemically activated water (eg, sparged anolyte EA water and/or sparged catholyte EA water) to a cleaning wand 406 and dispenses the water onto the surface to be cleaned. One or more hoses 404 are included. The cleaning wand 406 further includes an extractor carried by a truck 402 and connected to the vacuum source by a hose 408 . As the operator passes the cleaning end of the wand 406 over the surface to be cleaned, the wand dispenses the EA water onto the surface, while the extractor recovers the contaminated water and debris from the surface.

In further embodiments, a wand similar to wand 406 may be implemented in any cleaner described and shown with reference to any figure of the present invention, with or without additional cleaning or extraction tools or recovery systems. .

17. odorant

19 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a mobile or non-floating cleaner 500 having an EA water distribution system in accordance with a further embodiment and practiced in any of the embodiments described herein. In one embodiment, the dispensing system includes a liquid source 502 , a sprinkling device 503 , a function generator 504 , a sprinkling device 505 and a fluid dispenser 506 . The cleaning system 500 also includes a source of odorant compounds that can be drawn into the liquid flow path by a dispensing pump 510 upstream or downstream of the hydrous generator 504 . Other devices and methods may also be used to disperse the odorant compound in a liquid. For example, the odorant compound can be formed into the shape of an elongated, permanent puck that can be placed in a flow path and dissolved slowly. Also, one or more of the sprinkling device 503 , the function generator 504 or the sprinkling device 505 may be eliminated in other embodiments.

Odor-agent compounds add, affect, or stimulate a fragrance or odor to a liquid, or are perceived by the user's sense of smell. For example, such a fragrance may include an easily selectable odor that may be perceived by a user to indicate whether the surface has been cleaned. The smell may be, for example, a "fresh", "sensible" or "citrus" scent. Other odors can also be used to match other effects, such as aromatherapy, or the condition of the treated floor or surface. For example, an ordered smell can be used to match an ordered decoration. The user of the cleaner can choose an appropriate scent for the situation.

However, one or more of the cleaning devices described herein can already produce a natural "clean" odor without the use of excessive odorant compound 508 due to metastable reactive species that may be generated by hydrous generators such as chlorine. to provide.

18. cleaning solution generator

20 is a simplified block diagram of a cleaning solution generator 600 mounted to a platform 601 according to an exemplary embodiment. Platform 601 may be mounted or placed within a fixture, wall, branch or other surface on a floor, held by hand, carried by an operator or vehicle, attached to another device, held by hand, or by a person, etc. It may be configured to be transported. For example, the platform 601 may be transported by a cleaning or maintenance trolley or mop bucket. The platform 601 includes an inlet 602 for receiving a liquid, such as tap water, from a source. Alternatively, for example, platform 601 may include a tank for holding a liquid source to be treated. The platform 601 further comprises a spreading device 603 , a function generator 604 and a further spreading device 605 . In one embodiment, the platform 601 includes only one of the spreading devices 603 , 605 . In another embodiment, the two sparging devices 603,605 are eliminated. An output of the sparging device 605 (or function generator 604 ) is connected to an output 606 . Platform 601 may include, but is not limited to, any other devices or components as described herein.

The flow path from the output of the function generator 604 may be configured to dispense only anolyte EA liquid, only catholyte EA liquid, both anolyte EA liquid and catholyte EA liquid, or mixed anolyte and catholyte EA liquid. have. Unused anolyte or catholyte may be directed to, for example, a waste tank or drain outlet on a platform. In embodiments in which both anolyte and catholyte EA are dispensed through outlet 606, the outlet may be a separate port for dispensing a mixed catholyte and anolyte mixture, for example as described with reference to FIG. It can have a combined port. Additionally, any embodiment of the present invention may include a storage tank for receiving liquid produced at the output of the dispenser. Also, one of the sprinkling device 603 , the function generator 604 or the sprinkling device 605 may be eliminated in other embodiments.

In another embodiment, the platform comprises a finger controlled spray in which a spray bottle contains a liquid to be dispensed onto a surface and a function generator converts the liquid into an anolyte EA liquid and a catholyte EA liquid prior to dispensing the diverted liquid as an output spray. It can be combined with a spray bottle such as a bottle. The anolyte and catholyte EA liquids can be dispensed as a combined mixture or as separate spray outputs. Where a small and intermittent output flow rate is provided by the spray bottle, the function generator may have a small package and may be powered by, for example, a battery carried by that package or the spray bottle.

19. Oxidation-reduction potential indicator

Another aspect of the invention is a method and apparatus for providing a user with a human sensible indication of the oxidation-reduction potential of an EA liquid, such as, but not limited to, an EA liquid used in or produced in any embodiment of the invention. is about For example, the mobile hard and/or soft floor cleaner described in connection with FIGS. 10-17 may be modified to include an onboard function generator and a visual or audible indicator of the redox potential of the output liquid. Similarly, any device described and shown with reference to any other figures may be modified to include such an indicator.

The indicator may include an analog or digital scale, an indicator light, a dial or a measuring instrument with a sound output, or it may include a change in a perceptible property of the liquid, such as color. For example, a dye may be injected into the inside of the liquid based on the output of the measuring instrument, or the color change may be adjusted by the chemical response of an additive inside the liquid to the oxidation-reduction potential of the liquid. For example, certain metal ions can change the color of water depending on its oxidation-reduction potential.

In another embodiment, the indicator provides a machine-readable analog or digital output depending on the redox potential. The device provides a respective output signal in any form, monitors the oxidation-reduction potential, and stores a history of the oxidation-reduction potential and any other desirable indicators affecting the operating state or condition of the device. It may include electrical hardware and software. In one embodiment, the device monitors the amount of EA water to be used, the condition of the device, and the oxidation-reduction potential of the output liquid. If the oxidation-reduction potential is not within a predetermined range or another error condition occurs in the device, this condition is logged in the device and reported to the machine user or transmitted to local or remote maintenance personnel via suitable output and transmission media. For example, the near-field monitoring system receives the transmission data and sends a response report to the maintenance crew via e-mail message. Other maintenance statuses are also logged and reported to advance to the automatic maintenance phase.

In addition, EA liquid usage is automatically logged on the device for billing purposes and sent to a local or remote monitoring system.

In a further embodiment, the device may monitor, log and/or report the status and functional status of the spreading device via any of the methods described above. The device may measure log and report times for the purpose of scheduling any maintenance procedures at scheduled intervals. For example, in embodiments where one or more electrodes in a function generator or sprinkling device emit ions, such as silver ions, a measurement of the total time of use since the electrode is installed may determine a replacement plan prior to the expiration of the useful life of the electrode. It can be used to stand up or notify the user via an indicator.

20. Visual indicator of function generator operation

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a user with a human sensible indication of the electrical actuation of a function generator or spreader. The value of the power consumed by the function generator (and/or spreader) is determined to ensure that the function generator is operating correctly, so that the liquid produced by the function generator (EA anolyte and/or EA catholyte) is electrochemically activated to a sufficient level. It can be used to determine whether Power consumption below reasonable values leads to several potential problems, such as the use of feedwater that is too pure or that generally has a low electrolyte content (eg, low sodium/mineral content) so that the water is not sufficient in the hydrous generator. The current value cannot be induced. Therefore, the current consumption may indicate, for example, a high or low value of the oxidation-reduction potential.

For example, the removable hard and/or soft floor surface cleaner described with reference to FIGS. 10-17 may be modified to include an onboard function generator and a visual, audible or tactile indicator indicating the power consumed by the function generator. have. Similarly, any devices described or shown with reference to any other figures may be modified to include such an indicator.

21 is a block diagram of a system 700 with an indicator in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, for example, which may be combined with any of the embodiments of the present invention. System 700 includes power supply 702 , function generator (and/or sparger: 704 ), control electronics 706 , cooling fan 708 , current sensor 710 , logic circuit 712 , and indicator 714 . ) is included. For simplicity, the liquid input and output of function generator 704 are not shown in FIG. 21 . All components of system 700 are powered by, for example, the same power source 702 or two or more separate power sources. The electronic device for controlling 706 determines the operating state of the function generator 704 based on a user control input such as received from the control unit 146 of the cleaner 100 shown in FIGS. 10A-10C and the current operating mode of the system. coupled to control The control electronic device 706 may correspond to, for example, the control electronic device 64 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8A . A cooling fan 708 may be provided to cool the control electronics 706 and may be attached, for example, to a housing containing the function generator 704 and the control electronics 706 .

The power consumed by the function generator 710 may be monitored via a current sensor 710 that may be electrically connected in series with the function generator 704 and a power supply 702 . Current sensor 710 provides an analog or digital output 716 representative of the current flowing through the function generator. Logic circuit 712 compares output 716 to a predetermined threshold current value or range and then operates indicator 714 according to the comparison. The threshold current value or range may be selected, for example, to represent a predetermined power consumption value.

Indicator 714 may include indicator light, dial, audio output, tactile output, measuring instrument with analog or digital scale, or any other perceptible output. In one embodiment, the fan 708, described in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 22, is an optical fan comprising one or more colored lights electrically connected in parallel with a fan motor, such as the beam shown in FIG. For example, LEDs). When actuated by the logic circuit 712 via the switch 718 , the light functions as an indicator light indicating the operating state of the function generator 704 . However, the indicator light may be actuated by the logic circuit 712 independent of the fan motor in other embodiments.

In one exemplary embodiment, logic circuit 712 activates indicator light 714 according to a current value sensed by current sensor 710 . For example, logic circuit 712 may turn off (or otherwise turn on) an indicator light depending on whether the sensed current value is above or below a threshold. In one embodiment, the logic circuit 712 activates the indicator light to a steady "on" state when the sensed current value is above a threshold, and to indicate a problem when the sensed current value is below the threshold. Cycles the indicator light between "on" and "off" states at the selected frequency. Multiple thresholds and frequencies may also be used in other embodiments. Indicators 714 may also include a plurality of separately controlled indicators, such as a plurality of lights, each indicating an operating state within a predetermined range. Alternatively or additionally, the logic circuit may be configured to, for example, change an illumination value of one or more indicator lights according to a sensed current for one or more threshold values or ranges.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10C , the upper portion of the housing 150 includes a cooling fan 708 for cooling the electronics for controlling the function generator and spreader. In this embodiment, the cooling fan is a Mad Dog MD-80MM-4LED that contains four blue LED lights to illuminate the fan assembly when the fan is powered and the fan blades rotate at approximately 2000 RPM. -F type 80 mm color fan included. Fans of this type are typically used in gaming computer systems for cooling and lighting clean computer cases that house computer hardware. Other types of optical fans may be used in other embodiments.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10c, the fan motor and the LED are electrically connected to each other in parallel as shown in Fig. 21 . Therefore, the fan motor and the LED are turned on or off with each other under the control of the logic circuit 712 . However, the fan motor and LED can be controlled independently of the above. The optical fan provides a simple means of visually indicating the operating state of the function generator. For the user, the constant emission of the indicator light provides confidence that the water applied to the surface to be cleaned has actually been electrochemically activated.

FIG. 10B shows the cleaner 100 with the cleaner's lid 104 closed on top of the base 102 . With the function generator placed near the gap between the lid 104 and the base 102, the constant light emission of the cooling fan LED, indicated by arrow 720, is visible along the side of the cleaner during normal operation. However, the light of the indicator may be placed at the fan motor or some other location away from the fan motor.

In other embodiments, the indicator 714 may be placed anywhere on the device to which the system 700 is coupled. For example, the indicator 714 may include one or more light emitting diodes attached to the user control panel of the cleaner shown in FIGS. 10A-10C . Alternatively, for example, indicator 714 may be located in or on the housing of cleaner 100 .

In another embodiment, the logic circuit 712 may store a history of current values or power consumed, and a history of some other predetermined indicator that reflects the operating state or condition of the device. In one embodiment, if the consumed power is not within a predetermined range or another error condition occurs on the device, this condition is logged on the device and reported to the machine user or via suitable output and transmission medium to local or remote maintenance personnel. is sent to For example, the near-field monitoring system receives the transmission data and sends a response report to the maintenance crew via e-mail message. Other maintenance statuses are also logged and reported to advance to the automatic maintenance phase.

In another embodiment, the indicator includes a tactile indicator, such as a vibrator, that vibrates the components of the cleaner when the power consumed by the function generator is outside a predetermined range or below some threshold. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10A-10C , the tactile indicator may vibrate the control handle 148 or wheels 118 , 119 . In embodiments that include an operator seat, the tactile indicator may selectively vibrate the seat in an error condition.

21. output liquid

In an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a sparged reaction product produced at least in part from water to be contacted with an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode and cathode allow unidirectional transport across the membrane of the cathode or selected ions produced by the anode. separated by a membrane.

For example, the reaction product may consist essentially of water or may include tap water. Other fluids may also be used. The reaction product comprises a combination of anolyte and catholyte as described above. Catholytes are characterized by, for example, a stoichiometric excess of hydroxide ions.

In another embodiment, a membrane comprising a reaction product resulting from water in contact with an anode and water in contact with a cathode, wherein the anode and cathode are capable of unidirectional transport across the membrane for selective ions produced by the cathode and anode separated by

For example, the membrane allows one-way transport of hydroxide ions towards the cathode, the hydroxide ions are generated by the anode, and the membrane allows the ions generated by the cathode to be transported through the membrane towards the anode. Reaction products include, for example, catholyte produced by the cathode and anolyte produced by the anode, wherein the catholyte is characterized by a stoichiometric excess of hydroxide ions.

In another embodiment, a combined electrochemically activated liquid anolyte and catholyte is provided. For example, the liquid may include or consist essentially of tap water. Other fluids may also be used.

22. conclusion

One or more embodiments, without additional surfactants or detergents, are purely non-chemical and provide effective cleaning and/or sanitary properties while at the same time being capable of using electrochemically activated tap water as the main or sole liquid. provides However, surfactants or detergents may also be added if desired. Further, additional sparging upstream or downstream of the water generator can further improve the cleaning or sanitary properties of the output liquid and the efficiency of the product. Therefore, the system can provide an effective and environmental solution for cleaning household, industrial, commercial, hospital, food processing and restaurant facilities and the like. The cleaning system may be mobile or stationary.

Also, when used in cleaning and/or sanitizing systems, when tap water is electrochemically activated as the only cleaning liquid, a de-foaming chamber is not required for hard or soft floor cleaning machines.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the foregoing description. Also, terms used in the description and claims may include direct relevance or relevance through one or more intervening elements.