HK1117788B - Parts washer heater pump module - Google Patents

Description

Heater pump assembly of part cleaning machine

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to improvements to an apparatus for washing parts, commonly referred to as a "parts washer," which employs a washing fluid and includes: a magnet for collecting metallic particles suspended in the cleaning fluid to protect the pump; two liquid level sensors; an evaporation control plate; a handle or molded edge for protecting the command controls of the control module; an improved pump system having a pulsating flow for warning of low liquid levels; a protective housing; and a vertically oriented pump with a vertical inlet, or a horizontal pump with a plenum (plenum) defined in a protective housing.

Background

In many industries where parts are produced, used and after-market, such as the automotive, machining or other industries, parts removed from various machines and mechanisms often accumulate or build up dirt during use. These parts may be covered with industrial products such as grease, paint, rust, or other compositions that may require cleaning before they can be reused or discarded. When industrial products are washed in running water or in a sink connected to a sewer, it results in the discharge of industrial waste, causing environmental problems. These industrial wastes must be frequently collected and reused. Running water also has very limited utility as a cleaning fluid. Industrial solvents or other cleaning fluids are known, such as Safty Kleen 105Recycled Solvent, Premium Gold Solvent, and cleaning fluids such as AQUAWORKSAnd ARMAKLEENAnd the like alcohol-based cleaning agents, when used in parts washers, for improved cleaning of parts. These solvents or cleaning agents are very similar to industrial waste and must be collected often.

Early versions of parts washers are described in U.S. patent nos.3,522,814, 4,049,551, 4,261,378, 5,598,861, 5,720,308 and 7,040,161, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. These patents generally describe parts washers in which a sink is provided at the top of or inside a tub-shaped storage container and a submersible pump is inserted therein. The pump circulates cleaning fluid from the reservoir to the interior of the sink, where the operator carries the parts for cleaning and scrubbing. The sink is typically equipped with a lamp for better illumination and inspection of the parts being cleaned, and a drain with a large mesh filter to prevent large objects from falling from the sink into the storage container.

When an operator performs a wash, the wash fluid is pumped from the reservoir and continuously drains back into the reservoir from the opening in the bottom of the sink. Conventional cleaning tools such as brushes, wipes, and other instruments may be mounted to the end of the tube that dispenses cleaning fluid and can be used by the operator during the part cleaning operation. For many years, the most successful parts washers have been those that can be easily and economically serviced. One such parts washer is portable and can be assembled manually at any location. A bucket or storage vessel is moved to a location, the frame of the device is mounted to the back of the storage vessel, and the sink is placed on the upper edge of the storage vessel.

This type of device can be easily and economically serviced. The operation comprises the following steps: the cleaning fluid is replaced by replacing the reservoir with a new tank, the filter, if any, is replaced, and the usual mechanical cleaning is performed by circulating the cleaning fluid through the apparatus using a pump, or by manually cleaning different parts of the parts washer. During use, waste matter covering the parts being cleaned accumulates within the cleaning fluid. As waste accumulates in the cleaning fluid, the cleaning capacity of the cleaning fluid becomes less. Over time, the level of cleaning fluid in the reservoir also decreases due to splashing and/or evaporation.

Most cleaning fluids, when they are maintained at elevated temperatures, have better cleaning properties, such as grease removal properties. The heated cleaning fluid also has a lower viscosity and is more suitable for dissolving the components during the cleaning process. Parts washers may include a heating element in the reservoir to maintain the cleaning fluid at a selected operating temperature. The heating element may also be used to compensate for ambient temperature if used outdoors or in buildings without climate control. The temperature of the cleaning fluid in the reservoir is monitored and the heater is controlled using a temperature sensor. The maintenance operation includes: the heater, pump, control module, or any of their components are replaced once they are no longer operating properly or have been damaged during operation.

The present disclosure relates to the discovery that known parts washers, while successful, have certain drawbacks that can be further improved upon. Some cleaning fluids become volatile at high operating temperatures. The volatility of the cleaning fluid due to evaporation also affects the liquid level in the reservoir. It would be preferable to use these cleaning fluids in a controlled environment to protect the operator from inhalation of smoke. Most known sink designs have a square geometry and most storage containers, such as buckets, have an upper rim with a cylindrical geometry. Other storage containers, which are rectangular in shape, into which the sink can be partially inserted. An opening may be formed at the interface of the wash tank and the reservoir to allow the cleaning fluid to evaporate. There is a need for a parts washer that can control evaporation at the interface between the sink and the reservoir.

Parts washers are also used in industrial settings or other environments where collisions and impacts are expected, for example, where a control module is placed behind a sink to protect control elements and switches from impacts when loading or unloading mechanical parts to be cleaned. However, because the control module is still accessible, impacts to the delicate components of the control module are likely to occur. During maintenance, if the device is mishandled or dropped, an impact is likely to occur. Such as a field worker who inadvertently strikes or strikes the parts washer with a wooden block, may permanently damage the control module and/or damage a series of control buttons on the surface of the control module. There is a need for a system designed to provide sophisticated element protection from impact.

Another important feature of parts washers is the level of cleaning fluid in the reservoir. Once the liquid level drops below a certain threshold, not only is the pump unable to pump the washing fluid, but also, in the working area inside the washing tank, the time between two successive cycles of using the washing fluid is shortened. When the reservoir is full, the cleaning fluid may be circulated into the sink only once per hour, for example, depending on the rate and amount of cleaning fluid pumped from the reservoir. However, if the liquid level is low, the same cleaning fluid may be circulated every few minutes, increasing the rate at which the cleaning fluid becomes dirty. Current parts washers use a single level detector to monitor the level of cleaning fluid in the reservoir. Detection and measurement of the cleaning fluid used before it must be renewed is inherently difficult and unreliable. There is a need for an improved device for accurately measuring the liquid level in a storage container.

Parts washers also rely on a pump system to circulate cleaning fluid from a reservoir to a sink. The pump must deliver cleaning fluid that is progressively contaminated with dust, oil or other waste suspended in the fluid. Much like the parts being cleaned, the internal parts of the pump system, such as valves and filters, can accumulate debris, which can result in the need to replace the pump and its major components. Foreign objects and other deposits often settle in a continuous layer into the storage container. Current parts washers are equipped with a horizontal pump, part of the inlet of which draws from the bottom of the storage vessel at a horizontal angle in an area where the expected debris concentration is relatively high. Such pumps are also susceptible to impact during maintenance, storage and handling when the parts washer is removed from the storage container. There is a need for a parts washer with an improved pump system that can utilize the layered nature of the washer fluid to filter out the suspended debris fraction before it reaches the internal piping of the pump to protect the pump and collect debris of a size sufficient to damage the pump, and to enable the washer fluid to pass through the pump.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus for cleaning parts with a cleaning fluid, commonly referred to as a "parts washer," comprising: employing a magnet located proximate to the inlet of the pump to collect the metallic particles suspended in the cleaning fluid; a housing for protecting the pump mechanism from impact during handling and serving as a pumping chamber (plenum); a pump oriented horizontally or in a vertical configuration with a horizontal inlet in the pumping chamber to take advantage of the sedimentation of waste in the cleaning fluid in successive vertical layers; two level sensors for measuring the level of the cleaning fluid in the reservoir; an evaporation control plate located at an interface between the storage container and the sink for defining a vapor portion of the cleaning fluid; a protective handle or molded edge in the control module housing proximate the controls of the control module for protecting the device from impact; and a pump that, during operation, alerts an operator of a low liquid level using a pulsating flow.

Drawings

The features of the present disclosure, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The disclosure may best be understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Similar elements are denoted by similar reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an improved parts washer constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the improved parts washer assembly shown in FIG. 1, with a pump having a horizontal inlet and a vertical outlet adjacent the plenum, according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the improved parts washer assembly shown in FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an improved parts washer according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, equipped with a pump with a horizontal outlet and a vertical inlet.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the improved parts washer assembly shown in FIG. 4 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an improved parts washer having a rectangular storage container constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The improved parts washer of the present disclosure is primarily useful in parts washing operations in commercial and industrial applications. The present disclosure relates generally to apparatus for cleaning parts with a cleaning fluid, such apparatus commonly referred to as "parts washers. While the improvements suggested below constitute substantial improvements over the prior art, they are not to be construed in any way, form or manner as limiting any novel and inventive subject matter previously disclosed and herein incorporated by reference. The new and novel and inventive features described below are non-obvious improvements over these references and should not be reviewed in a posteriori manner. Since previous patents relating to parts washers are hereby incorporated by reference, conflicting or additional disclosure relating to component parts herein must be interpreted as relevant and additional disclosure where possible. In the case of conflicting disclosures, these disclosures will be given specific meanings and, where possible, the incorporated disclosures shall be given general meanings.

The present disclosure relates generally to improvements in apparatus for cleaning parts with cleaning fluids, including but not limited to: a magnet located near the inlet of the pump for collecting metallic particles suspended in the cleaning fluid, in a preferred embodiment, the magnet is located outside the housing; a housing for protecting the pump mechanism from impact during handling and forming a plenum between the pump and the housing; a horizontal orientation of the pump and/or pump inlet to take advantage of sedimentation of debris within the cleaning fluid; measuring the level of the cleaning fluid in the reservoir using two level sensors; an evaporation control panel located at an interface between the reservoir and the receptacle for confining a vapor portion of the cleaning solution within the reservoir; two protective handles near the controls of the control module or a molded rim inside the control module housing to protect the device from impact; a pulsating flow pump to alert a user that the liquid level in the reservoir is too low.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an improved parts washer 100 constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Parts washer 100 is used to wash mechanical parts and may include: a reservoir 1, said reservoir 1 being connected to a reservoir 2 for containing a cleaning fluid 3; a drain port (not shown) defined in the sump 1 for fluid communication between the sump 1 and the storage container 2; and an improved parts washer assembly 200 as a whole. In one possible configuration, a user (not shown) may carry or transport the receptacle 1, reservoir 2, and parts washer assembly 200 by a mechanical device to a work site where parts are to be washed by parts washer 100. The parts washer 100 is connected to an electrical outlet (not shown) by a cable 17. The use of a power source as a power source after the power plug 18 is inserted into a power outlet (not shown) is well known. It is also known to use transformers and power distribution within the parts washer to provide power to each of the components that require power, such as, but not limited to, the heating element 15, the pump 10, the control module 14, the lights 8, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, parts washer assembly 200 may include: control module 14, handle 12, frame 13, pump 10, heating element 15, and the mechanical, functional, and electrical connections associated therewith as will be described later. In other embodiments, the parts washer module 200 may also include a level detector 16, a first sensor 19, a second sensor 20, a shield 21 for the pump 10 or the magnet 22 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The receptacle 1 shown in fig. 1 may be a commercial sink made of stainless steel, plastic or other sturdy material. The sump 1 may include a plurality of preferably sloped side walls 5, an upper peripheral edge 6, an enlarged width trailing edge 7, to which trailing edge 7 the rear wall 4 may be mounted. A lamp 8 may be used to assist an operator (not shown) during the parts cleaning process. Although a reservoir 1 having a rectangular geometry with a flat bottom is shown in fig. 1, it is contemplated that the reservoir 1 may be designed in any geometry useful for holding a cleaning fluid in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an improved parts washer having a rectangular storage container constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The figure also shows the use of a lamp 8 and a rear wall 4 mounted to the sump 1 for converting the sump area to a work area where an operator (not shown) can clean parts with improved adhesion. In a preferred embodiment, the rear wall 4 is attached to the receptacle 1 by a hinge, however, it is contemplated that the rear wall 4 may be mounted by other types of fastening means including, but not limited to: clips, welds, slides, bolts, etc. It is also contemplated that the devices or systems used in the work area may be of any type, including but not limited to work areas with various components for holding and storing tools and documents, storing or using secondary cleaning products, communication devices, and control terminals for operation of the parts washer or for work piece management performed at the work area.

A drain (not shown) between the sump 1 and the reservoir 2 is contained within the confines of the sump 1 or wash tank. It is contemplated that any type of drain port (not shown) including a plug or other drain port restriction device or drain filter device may be employed. It is also contemplated to control the use of the cleaning fluid 3 in the reservoir 1 by means of a holder, filter, retainer and arc made in the reservoir 1. By way of non-limiting example, it is also possible to envisage using, as drain, a transverse slit formed at a certain height inside the tank 1, in order to maintain a volume of washing fluid at the bottom of the tank 1 capable of impregnating the parts. It is also contemplated to use any system having the following actions: in the system, cleaning fluid is drawn from the reservoir by a pump 10 or other means to move the cleaning fluid 3 from the reservoir 2 to the sump area and eventually drains back into the reservoir 2 by gravity through a drain (not shown) in the sump 1 after passing through a short controlled path in the sump 1.

The cleaning fluid 3 is lifted by the pump 10 from the reservoir 2 to the sump area and finally to the parts (not shown) to be cleaned by the operator. Once the cleaning fluid 3 is released to the sump area, the parts are cleaned with the cleaning fluid and then flow by gravity down through the drain back to the reservoir 2. Fig. 2 of U.S. patent No.7,040,161 (incorporated herein by reference) shows a possible example relating to a method of controlling the flow of cleaning fluid from a storage vessel 2 to a sump 1. This figure shows a device that employs a user selectable valve in conjunction with a hose connector and brush. Figure 1 of the present disclosure illustrates a configuration where the connection between the ends 11 of the output hose 9 of the pump 10 is not connected to any user controlled valve. While one possible embodiment shows that the end 11 of the output hose 9 must be mounted to a flow control device such as a nozzle, a user selectable valve, a hose, or any type of connector, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any configuration in which the pump 10 moves cleaning fluid into the output hose 9 may be used.

The parts washer module 200 shown in fig. 1 is mounted at the interface between the reservoir 2 and the receptacle 1. It should be appreciated that parts washer assembly 200 includes handle 12, and that handle 12 is used to carry, hold, lift, and secure parts washer assembly 200 in place. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the parts washer assembly 200 is counter-balanced to the storage container 2. As shown in fig. 2, a first portion of the frame 13 of the parts washer assembly 200, equipped with the pump 10, the heating element 15 and the level detector 16, is located inside the reservoir 2 and is in contact with the cleaning fluid 3. Without a counterweight, the frame 13 would be movable within the storage container 2. In order to stabilize the frame 13, the control module 14 is mounted to a second part of the frame located outside the storage container 2. Any displacement of the inner or outer part of the frame 13 must correspond to the displacement associated with the other counterweight part. For example, if the command assembly is lifted at its bottom from the interface between the reservoir 2 and the receptacle 1, the pump is blocked internally by the reservoir 2. Although one method of securing and stabilizing the frame 13 is indicated, any method of securing the frame 13 or the various components of the parts washer assembly 200 may be used within the scope of the present disclosure, including but not limited to: vertical support, radial support, mechanical fastening means, or the use of storage containers with fastening openings, magnets, clips, etc.

Fig. 1-3 show one possible type of pump 10 for moving the cleaning fluid 3 from the reservoir 2 to the receptacle 1 at a flow rate. Fig. 4-5 illustrate a second possible embodiment in which the pump 110 is designed to move the cleaning fluid 3 from the reservoir 2 to the receptacle 1 at a flow rate. Although two different types of pumps 10, 110 are shown, it is contemplated that any type of pump may be utilized to move the cleaning fluid 3 from the reservoir 2 to the sump 1. Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the pump 10 with the pump outlet 23 located above the pump 10 and the electrical connection 24 located on the back of the pump 10 as shown from the front in fig. 3. The front of the pump is defined as the face with the fluid inlet closed in the plenum defined by the protective cover 21 and the pump 10. Fig. 5 is an exploded view of pump 110 with pump outlet 123 located at the front of pump 110 and electrical connection 124 located at the top of pump 110. In a preferred embodiment, both types of pumps 10, 110 may be fitted with a protective cover 21, 121, said protective cover 21, 121 being represented by a C-shaped metal casing having a front wall 25, 125, a rear wall 26, 126 and a fixed wall 27, 127. Pump 10 in fig. 3 is retained by lower plate 28, while pump 110 in fig. 5 is retained by intermediate plate 128. Both plates 28, 128 serve to hold the pump 10, 110 while allowing the cleaning fluid 3 to enter the pump inlet (not shown). A filter 130 is shown in fig. 5 for protecting the pump inlet from large debris and other particles suspended in the cleaning fluid 3. In the plenum area at the inlet in front of the pump 10, an indirect filter is created by the volume contained within the protective cover 21 and lower plate 28. The pump 10 is oriented horizontally with a vertical outlet 23 and a horizontal inlet (not shown). The pump 110 is oriented vertically with a vertical inlet and a horizontal outlet 123.

As shown in fig. 3 and 5, one difference between the pumps is the configuration of the magnetized components 22, 122 located outside the protective cover 21, 121, depending only on the respective geometries of the pumps 10, 110 as opposed to the protective cover 21, 121. The figure shows only one possible embodiment, and it is also possible to arrange the magnetizing units 22, 122 outside the protective caps 21, 121 in the path of the washing fluid 3 close to the pump inlet (not shown). Using the magnetizing units 22, 122, magnetized particles or materials having magnetism, such as metal fragments, suspended in the cleaning fluid 3 can be collected. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetized blocks are secured by screws as shown in fig. 3 and 5, however, any securing method may be used, including but not limited to: sliding rails, clips, magnetized surfaces, adhesives, welding, bolts, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the protective cover 21 is also equipped with a lower plate 28 with sliding rails, used in combination with fixing screws 31, also called fixing knobs. The system allows the pump 10 to be displaced within the protective cover 21 to create a pressurized area where the pumped cleaning fluid can flow without debris. The intermediate plate 128 of the pump 110 shown in fig. 5 includes openings to allow the bottom of the pump and the filter 130 to pass freely.

Fig. 3 also shows a level detector 16 disposed within the reservoir 2, the level detector 16 generating a first signal, typically an electrical signal, with the first sensor 19 when the cleaning fluid shown in fig. 1 is at least at a predetermined level, typically associated with the position of the first sensor 19 on the level detector 16. In one embodiment, the first sensor 19 is located at the middle junction and the second sensor 20 is located at the lower end of the level detector 16. In one embodiment, the second signal is generated when the cleaning fluid 3 is below a first predetermined level below the level. The control module 14 is connected to the pump 10, 110 and to the level detector 16 for receiving one of the first and second signals from the sensor 19, 20. The control module 14 enables the pump 10. 110 operate in a pulsed manner and upon reaching the first and second sensors 19, 20 on the level detector 16, a pulsed flow of cleaning fluid 3 is generated within the reservoir 1. Both the first and second sensors 19, 20 are also able to monitor the level of the cleaning fluid 3 within the reservoir so as to shut off the heating element if the cleaning fluid 3 reaches a low level where the heating element 15 cannot be submerged enough to suffer damage. In a preferred embodiment, the pump 10, 110 is pulsed to produce artificial flow rate variability. In another preferred embodiment, the liquid level detector is a commercial thermistor. In another preferred embodiment, the level detector 16 comprises a pair of thermistors oriented along intersecting axes on a T-head.

The use of a vertically oriented pump 110 as shown in fig. 4-5 allows for preferential pumping of a top layer of cleaning fluid 3 that is less affected by suspended dirt or other particles. When pump 10 is drawing horizontally from a pumping chamber using lower plate 28, pump 10 draws only the top layer of cleaning fluid 3, or the upper layer that would flow from the rear of pump 10 to the front of pump 10.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 3 and 5, respectively, an interface plate 37 is connected to the interface between the reservoir 2 and the receptacle 1, respectively, in order to prevent evaporation of the cleaning fluid 3 located within the reservoir 2. The interface plate 37 may be snapped or locked into place at the parts washing assembly 200 or at the interface between the reservoir 2 and the receptacle 1. Fig. 3 and 5 show the use of a locking arm 38, which locking arm 38 allows the interface plate 37 to be inserted and locked into place. A portion of the exterior of the interface plate 37 is shown removed for access in the preferred embodiment of the heating element 15 and the liquid level detector 16. In the preferred embodiment, the interface plate 37 is arcuate in shape, however, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the shape of the interface plate 37 is based on the interstitial open space formed at the junction of the reservoir 2 and receptacle 1. Where there is a further clearance opening between the reservoir 2 and the receptacle 1, it is also envisaged to employ interface plates disposed in other orientations around the receptacle. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, with the aid of the method of the present disclosure, that it is conceivable to employ an interface plate in order to prevent evaporation of the cleaning fluid 3 from the storage container 2. In another embodiment, a marking, such as the word "top" may be used to distinguish between the upper surface of the interface plate and the lower surface of the interface plate. However, it should be understood that any language of marking, including symbols, pictograms, etc., and any recognizable marking, may be used.

In another embodiment, the frame 13 includes: a pump 10, the pump 10 being disposed within the reservoir 2 and connected to the frame 13 for moving the cleaning fluid 3 from the reservoir 2 into the sump 1 at a flow rate; a heating element 15, said heating element 15 being arranged inside the reservoir 2 and being connected to the frame 13 in fluid contact with the cleaning fluid 3 inside the reservoir 2 for heating the cleaning fluid; and a control module 14, said control module 14 comprising, in one embodiment, as shown in fig. 2 and 4, a pair of handles 60 and a series of controls 61 for activating the light 8, the heating element 15, and the pump 10, wherein the handles 60 are disposed adjacent the series of controls 61 so as to protect the series of controls 61 from impact. In another embodiment, control module 14 includes a handle 60 that functions as a roll bar and is also used to carry parts washer 100 or parts washer assembly 200. The handle 60 may also be molded into the housing of the control module 14. In another embodiment, it is contemplated that a molded rim fabricated within the housing of the control module 14 may be used in place of the handle 60 to protect the series of controls 61. While one possible embodiment is shown and described above, it is contemplated that any device, either internal or in addition, capable of protecting the series of controls 61 from impact may be used.

Fig. 1 also shows a heating element 15 for heating the washing fluid 3 in the reservoir 2, which heating element 15 is formed by a single-turn heater connected to the control module 14 and is bent in order to provide better local heating at the input (not shown) of the pump 10.

Such modifications include, but are not limited to: the use of a magnet close to the pump inlet to collect the metallic particles suspended in the cleaning fluid, which could damage the interior of the pump during the circulation; a housing for protecting the pump mechanism from impact during handling and for creating a pressurized area; horizontally oriented pumps to separate the cleaning fluid in successive vertical layers or vertically oriented pumps which act in conjunction with a pressurized zone to separate the cleaning fluid in successive vertical layers; using two level sensors in order to measure the level of the cleaning fluid in the reservoir and finally to control the heating element; an evaporation control plate located at an upper edge of the storage container so as to restrict a vapor portion of the cleaning solution; a protective handle disposed proximate to a controller of the control module, or a molded edge within a protective housing of the control module, to protect the device from impact; and a segmented pump motor controller for generating a pulsating flow to alert a user of a low level of cleaning fluid in the reservoir.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while these elements and steps correspond to elements required to practice the disclosed invention, it is possible to resort to additional auxiliary elements for performing these improvements, without affecting the effectiveness and completeness of the disclosure of the present general disclosure. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while the techniques of the present disclosure have been described in conjunction with certain embodiments, there is no intent to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intention of this application is to cover all modifications and embodiments falling within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

Claims (23)

1. A parts washer comprising:

a reservoir for holding a cleaning fluid;

a receptacle connected to the storage container;

a drain defined on the sump for fluid communication between the sump and the reservoir;

a liquid level detector having: an upper end, a lower end, and an intermediate junction disposed at the upper end within the storage container, having a first sensor connected to the lower end, and a second sensor connected to the intermediate junction;

a pump disposed within the reservoir for moving the cleaning fluid from the reservoir to the sump at a flow rate; and

a control module coupled to the first sensor for receiving a first signal generated by the first sensor at a first fluid level and coupled to the second sensor for receiving a second signal generated by the second sensor at a second fluid level;

wherein the control module determines a level based on the first level and the second level.

2. The parts washer according to claim 1, wherein said liquid level is between said lower end and said intermediate junction.

3. The parts washer as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second sensors are thermistors.

4. The parts washer as defined in claim 1, wherein said liquid level detector has a T-head, said lower and intermediate junctions being located at adjacent ends of said T-head.

5. The parts washer as defined in claim 1,

the liquid level detector is arranged in the storage container and used for generating a signal when the cleaning fluid is at least at a preset liquid level;

said control module further connected to said pump and said level detector for receiving signals therefrom;

wherein the control module alternately activates and deactivates the pump to indicate that the cleaning fluid is at a low level in response to the signal from the level detector.

6. The parts washer according to claim 5, wherein said pump comprises a motor, a fluid inlet, a housing, and a protective cover.

7. The parts washer according to claim 5, wherein the pump is activated and deactivated in a pulsed mode.

8. The parts washer according to claim 6, wherein said pump and said fluid inlet are oriented vertically.

9. The parts washer as defined in claim 6, further comprising a particulate filter with a plurality of openings for cleaning fluid to contact said fluid inlet of said pump.

10. The parts washer as defined in claim 6, wherein any metallic particles suspended in the cleaning fluid are filtered by the magnetized element.

11. The parts washer according to claim 10, wherein the magnetized element is located on the protective cover.

12. The parts washer according to claim 6, wherein the protective enclosure comprises two side walls and a rear wall, and wherein one of the two side walls is attached to the frame.

13. The parts washer according to claim 6, wherein the protective cover is made of stainless steel.

14. The parts washer according to claim 12, wherein the pump and the protective cover define a pressurized volume designed as a holding and filtering area.

15. The parts washer as defined in claim 1,

the receptacle connected to the storage container defining an interface at the connection;

the level detector disposed within the reservoir vessel in fluid contact with a cleaning fluid;

the control module is also connected to the liquid level detector and is used for receiving a signal from the liquid level detector and receiving a second signal from the pump; and

the parts washer also includes an interface plate coupled to an interface between the reservoir and the sump for preventing evaporation of a cleaning fluid located within the reservoir.

16. The parts washer according to claim 15, wherein the interface plate is snap locked to the interface between the reservoir and the receptacle.

17. The parts washer according to claim 15, wherein said interface plate is arcuate in shape.

18. The parts washer according to claim 15, wherein the indicia zone is used to demarcate an upper surface of the interface plate and a lower surface of the interface plate.

19. The parts washer as defined in claim 11, further comprising:

a frame connected to the storage container;

wherein the pump disposed within the storage container is connected to the frame;

a heating element disposed within the storage container and connected to the frame in fluid contact with a cleaning fluid within the storage container for heating the cleaning fluid;

said control module comprising at least one protector and a series of controls for controlling said flow rate,

wherein at least one protector is arranged in the vicinity of the series of controllers for protecting the series of controllers from impacts.

20. The parts washer according to claim 19, wherein the at least one protector is two handles.

21. The parts washer according to claim 19, wherein the at least one protector is an outer edge on the housing of the control module.

22. The parts washer as defined in claim 20, wherein the two handles function as a roll bar for protecting said series of controls.

23. The parts washer according to claim 19, wherein at least one protector is used to handle said parts washer.