Importance

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Abstract

A forced-air drying apparatus (20, 120) for an automated car wash includes at least four stages of nozzles (58a, 58b, 58c, 58d) and blowers (68a, 68b, 68c, 68d) spaced apart along the direction of vehicle travel through the apparatus, each stage having its nozzles oriented to direct air at high velocity generally downward and toward the vehicle (50). The vehicle is supported on a foraminous floor or grate (52) which is vertically spaced above a sloping foundation surface (34) such that a space (92) exists below the floor. Water which is stripped from the vehicle surfaces (75, 80) is carried downward by the downwardly moving air streams through the openings in the floor into the space below, where it is drained away by the sloping foundation surface. The apparatus further includes an insulated drying tunnel (38) which contains the nozzles and surrounds the vehicle, and at least one furnace (86) which is connected to receive air from the space below the floor, heat the air, and deliver the heated air to the blowers, thus continuously recirculating the air in a closed loop.

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First Claim