초록 ▼

Systems according to embodiments of the present invention include an antifreeze manifold carrying pressurized antifreeze liquid, the pressurized antifreeze liquid having a foam surfactant, an air manifold carrying pressurized air, a junction of the antifreeze manifold and the air manifold, the junct

Systems according to embodiments of the present invention include an antifreeze manifold carrying pressurized antifreeze liquid, the pressurized antifreeze liquid having a foam surfactant, an air manifold carrying pressurized air, a junction of the antifreeze manifold and the air manifold, the junction configured to combine the pressurized antifreeze liquid and the pressurized air to form antifreeze foam, a foam generator configured to enhance bubble formation, and an outlet conduit to receive the foam. Methods according to embodiments of the present invention include storing an antifreeze liquid having a foam surfactant, pressurizing the antifreeze liquid to a first pressure, pressurizing a gas to a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is different from the first pressure, combining the antifreeze liquid at the first pressure with the gas at the second pressure to form an antifreeze foam, and injecting the antifreeze foam into a conduit to displace freezable fluid in the conduit.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A system for antifreeze foam injection into a carwash bay conduit between uses of the conduit to dispense a freezable fluid in a carwash process, the system comprising: a container, the container containing a first mixture of antifreeze liquid and a foam surfactant; an air compressor co

I claim: 1. A system for antifreeze foam injection into a carwash bay conduit between uses of the conduit to dispense a freezable fluid in a carwash process, the system comprising: a container, the container containing a first mixture of antifreeze liquid and a foam surfactant; an air compressor configured to create pressurized air; a pump operable to pump the first mixture from the container; an antifreeze manifold carrying the first mixture; an air manifold carrying the pressurized air; a junction of the antifreeze manifold and the air manifold, the junction configured to combine the first mixture and the pressurized air to form a second mixture, wherein the second mixture comprises antifreeze foam; and an outlet conduit configured to receive the second mixture, the outlet conduit including an outlet configured to vent the freezable fluid as the freezable fluid is at least partially displaced from the outlet conduit by the second mixture. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a foam generator in fluid communication with the junction, the foam generator configured to enhance bubble formation of the second mixture. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the foam generator comprises: a plastic pipe; and a Teflon® mesh formed within the plastic pipe. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the pump is a diaphragm pump actuated by the pressurized air of the air compressor, the system further comprising: a first air pressure regulator upstream of the diaphragm pump, the first regulator configured to regulate the first mixture to a first pressure; and a second air pressure regulator downstream from the air compressor, the second air pressure regulator configured to regulate the pressurized air to a second pressure. 5. The system of claim 4, further comprising: a first solenoid valve configured to control flow of the first mixture to the antifreeze manifold; and a second solenoid valve configured to control flow of the pressurized air to the air manifold. 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the first pressure is larger than the second pressure. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the outlet is a low pressure outlet, and wherein the outlet conduit further comprises a high pressure outlet. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the low pressure outlet is a solenoid dump valve. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the outlet conduit comprises a dump gun having a trigger, wherein activation of the trigger dispenses fluid through the high pressure outlet, and wherein non-activation of the trigger opens the low pressure outlet to facilitate antifreeze foam injection through the conduit. 10. A method for antifreeze foam injection into a carwash bay conduit between uses of the conduit to dispense a freezable fluid in a carwash process, the method comprising: storing a first mixture of an antifreeze liquid and a foam surfactant; pressurizing the first mixture to a first pressure; pressurizing a gas to a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is different from the first pressure; combining the first mixture at the first pressure with the gas at the second pressure to form a second mixture, the second mixture comprising an antifreeze foam; monitoring whether the conduit is being used to dispense the freezable fluid; and initiating injection of the second mixture into the conduit to displace the freezable fluid in the conduit when the conduit is no longer being used to dispense the freezable fluid. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second pressure is less than the first pressure. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the gas is air, wherein the first pressure is approximately fifty pounds per square inch, and wherein the second pressure is approximately forty pounds per square inch. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein combining the first mixture with the gas comprises directing the first mixture and the gas through a foam generator to enhance bubble production. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the first mixture is approximately six hundred forty parts water, one hundred twenty-eight parts methanol, and one part foam surfactant. 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising: monitoring an ambient temperature near the conduit; and initiating injection of the second mixture into the conduit when the ambient temperature reaches a temperature at which the freezable fluid in the conduit freezes. 16. A method for antifreeze foam injection into a conduit used to transmit freezable fluid during a vehicle wash in an automatic or self-service car wash bay, the method comprising: storing a first mixture comprising an antifreeze liquid and a foam surfactant; pressurizing the first mixture to a first pressure; pressurizing air to a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is smaller than the first pressure; combining the first mixture at the first pressure with the air at the second pressure to form an antifreeze foam mixture; directing the antifreeze foam mixture through a foam generator to enhance bubble production; opening a low pressure outlet in the conduit; and injecting the antifreeze foam mixture into the conduit to at least partially displace the freezable fluid. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein injecting the antifreeze foam mixture into the conduit comprises completely displacing freezable fluid in the conduit with the antifreeze foam mixture. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the carwash bay conduit terminates at a dump gun, and wherein opening the low pressure outlet comprises releasing a trigger of the dump gun. 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the carwash bay conduit terminates at an automatic carwash panel, and wherein opening the low pressure outlet comprises opening a dump solenoid valve.