Frequently Asked Questions:

DISCUSSION OF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CURRENT KLEARVIEW PROTOTYPE AND FINAL, PLANNED PRODUCTION MODEL

The inventors have developed the current KlearvieW prototype with one thing in mind, to prove the concept of the KlearvieW System to the US Patent and Trademark Office, as well as future investors. It was never the intent of the concept prototype to be retrofitted to numerous types / styles of windows. The prototype is not the final version.  The final production model will be ready to install/retrofitted to any window type or mullion style.

The inventors have designed the final production model via solid modeling and CAD design software.  This is where the inventors need to connect with an investor that has the innovative vision and the financial wherewithal to complete the real world development and testing of this final production model.  This will ultimately be the final KlearvieW System production model that will be easily adaptable to practically all fixed picture windows, skylights and solar panels.

Adaptability of the KlearvieW System to multiple different window, skylight and solar panel designs is absolutely achievable with the final production model.  To explain further, the inventors offer the following:

The concept prototype brush bar was constructed from aluminum and is one of a kind.

• The final production model will be built from the most advanced UV and weather resistant plastics.  Allowing the brush bar to be extruded in lengths, allowing each window to be individually measured and fitted perfectly.

The concept proto-type tracks have been constructed from aluminum and were machined out individually, to fit one specific window size.

• The final production model track will be an extruded shape built from the same highly durable, UV and weather resistant plastics.  Allowing each window to be measured and perfectly fitted.

• The KlearvieW System uses a patented track design that allows for a continuous path of motion while completely containing drive sprocket. Each track will be fitted with end caps that will be field fitted to each window.

• Intermediate fittings will be used to allow the system to transverse any type of mullion system.  To understand how this is possible, you must first realize the KlearvieW System turns 180-degrees in 0.090” every time it reaches the top and bottom of the track system, allowing a continuous, uninterrupted path of motion.

The concept proto-type drive shaft has been constructed from aluminum tubing to specifically fit one window, only.

• The final production model will again utilize highly durable and weather resistant plastics allowing each drive shaft to be field measured and cut to the perfect length.

• Each drive shaft will be constructed using a slip joint to allow for thermal expansion and contraction.  Spring detent coupled with complete drive sprocket containment guarantees the system will always remain attached to the track. 

Turbine that powers the concept proto-type was carved by hand with use of a power dermal tool out of a piece of solid billet aluminum and it is one of a kind.

• Next generation turbine will be constructed from a highly durable, light-weight plastic allowing for ease of mass production.

• Next generation turbine has been solid modeled and engineered to use the least amount of water possible.    Final production model hydraulic calculations indicate 1/8th of a gallon of water to fully clean (1) 4’x5’ fixed picture window.

Gear reduction drive used in concept proto-type was built from gears that were readily available to the inventors.

• Final production model will use a worm drive system, not only will this worm drive supply an abundance of additional power it will also reduce the size of the motor casing dramatically.

• Eliminating the stacked metallic reduction gear system of the current concept proto-type and utilizing a worm gear built from high grade deirin plastics will dramatically reduce the overall weight of the KlearvieW System.

Immune to Freezing Conditions

• The KlearvieW system is a self draining system.  Each time the system comes to rest the system drains.  If water is trapped at a low point in the supply tubing there is no chance of rupture since the system is not a closed system.  System always remains open at the cleaning unit allowing water to expand and contract without any harm to supply tubing.

Nonabrasive: Water Intrusion and Scratched Glass

• KlearvieW doesn't use pressure spraying or abrasive brushes that could cause water intrusion or damage to the glass. The system uses a brush bar that cradles the water next to the glass through the full cleaning cycle. The thin nylon brush allows grit and grime to pass freely while maintaining its cradle of water. The brush and water are the only things in contact with the glass during the up mode cleaning cycle. When the system reaches the top of the glass it effortlessly applies the wiper blade to the glass as the system travels down the window. The brush maintains its cradle of water and the wiper blade wipes the window clean.

Operational Control

• Control will ultimately be obtained using a low-voltage wire that will be bonded to the supply tubing.  It will be fully encased in highly durable rubber sleeve. 

• This control wire will attach to a solenoid valve system which will be conveniently located in the home owner’s garage or inside of a commercial mechanical room.
• Computerized control box will be used in conjunction with the manifold housing the solenoid valves.  This control box will be exactly like those used for irrigation systems.
• Low voltage contacts will be used to ensure the system stops at the lowest point on the track, allowing the system to drain.  Additional, since the water source is turned on and off at the solenoid valve of which is housed inside of the residential / commercial structure there is no chance of the system breaking from expansion of trapped water.
• System will be programmable allowing the end user the ability to fit whatever cleaning schedule best fits their needs.  The system will also have a manual / in-hand switch or remote to allow individual windows to be cleaned or a series of windows to be cleaned at the push of a button

Skylights

• Skylights will utilize a step track design as shown below to completely remove all debris that accumulates on top of your skylights, inhibiting your view and darkening your home from impeded sunlight

KlearvieW’s stepped track approach allows debris to be completely swept off of the sky light and

solar panel glasss

The bullet points listed above explain the distinction between the prototype and the final production model.  The current prototype is intended solely to prove the principal of the mechanics comprising the KlearvieW system.

ADDITIONAL POINTS OF DISCUSSION TO HIGHLIGHT THE ADVANTAGES OF THE KLEARVIEW SYSTEM

‘GREEN FEATURES’

Green building definition

The practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings use resources — energy, water, and materials — While reducing building impacts on human health and the environment during the building's lifecycle, through better sitting, design, construction, operation and maintenance.

• Water - KlearvieW’s self-sustaining approach to cleaning windows is unlike anything the world has ever seen.  We capture rain water that would otherwise be unused; flowing directly into our oceans, rivers and streams. This capture rain water is stored in an underground storage tank, ultimately to be used to clean the exterior windows on your home or business.
• Energy - We combine the captured rain water resource with solar power.  By placing a small, inexpensive photovoltaic panel on your roof we are able to continually charge the 12-volt battery that powers the submersible pump inside of the rain water capture storage tank.  The combination of ‘Captured Rain Water and Solar Power’ makes the KlearvieW System a completely “Green, Self sustaining System”.
• Materials - KlearvieW takes it a step further by utilizing 75% recycled plastics during initial construction of this window cleaning system.  Additionally, all the scrap pieces that are cut in the field from extrusions of standard lengths are gathered up and recycled directly back into the plastic extrusion process, furthering our effort to help lessen the impacts on the environment.
• Maintenance – The KlearvieW System’s impact on overall maintenance costs are immense.  The labor dollars saved with implementation of the KlearvieW System will be placed directly back into the pockets of the building owners, allowing this money to be invested somewhere else or realized as a pure value engineering cost savings to the building owner.

Water Usage – We Think Green!

• The next generation KlearvieW System will use 1/8th of a gallon of water to clean a single 4’x5’ window.  Or one gallon of water to wash (8) 4’x5’ windows once.
• In today’s world it is extremely important to take our environment into consideration.  That is why the KlearvieW System inventors have developed a completely self-sustaining “Green” window cleaning system.
• This system is designed to utilize captured rain water as its power source.  Even in a very arid climate of 12” of water per year KlearvieW’s rain water capture system will collect ample water from the roof of a single family home to clean (10) 4’x5’ windows, once daily, 365 days per year.  This is accomplished is by installing an underground storage tank that is connected to your roof gutter system.  Rain water that flows through your gutter is conveyed to the underground tank (approximate size 250 gallons).  Inside of the tank is  a line pump that can deliver up to 80psi and is powered via a 12-volt battery pack. This battery pack is charged utilizing a photovoltaic – Solar panel system to keep the battery energized at all times.  You can now clean your windows without any worries of wasting potable water or power plant generated power, a completely GREEN self-sustaining system. (See preface page xii for illustration)

Solar Panel – From the beginning KlearvieW Systems has always been a green company.  KlearvieW Systems has targeted solar panels as being a key component of the green future.  KlearvieW is the perfect fit for the solar panel industry.

• Solar panel utilization / implementation are not without challenges.  As a solar panel collects dust, leaves and bird droppings they become dramatically less efficient. 
• The KlearvieW system is adaptable to numerous different applications, with quick and easy change of brushes and squeegee blades to perfectly fit the end-users needs.
• Utilizing the Green self sustaining system shown on page xii. The KlearvieW Systems uses the captured rain water that sheets off of the solar panel surface into a gutter system conveying the captured rain water into a storage tank.  Inside of the storage tank is a simple line pump powered directly from the solar panels themselves.

• KlearvieW takes this one step further by recycling; utilizing the initial captured rain water as the power source to drive the mechanism.  Once expelled from the unit we capture the water and recycle so it can be used again to drive the mechanism.  It is safe to say, you can’t get any greener than that!
• Solar panels will sustain maximum efficiency with the KlearvieW System in place.
• Return on investment will take place within the first year the KlearvieW System is installed and placed into operation on a solar panel array.
• Dust buildup on Solar Panels can cause up to a 15% reduction in sun light conversion. With a typical 2000 kilowatt solar electric generating system the dust and dirt would cost: 15% x 2000 = 300 watt reduction per month. 300 watts x .15 cents utility cost equals a loss of $45 a month ($540.00 per year) due to DUST and DIRT.
  

In Summary: The purpose of this system is four fold

• To make cleaning of exterior windows, skylights and solar panels convenient for all.
• To reduce the labor costs associated with exterior window, skylight and solar panel cleaning.
• To dramatically reduce the inherent risk of cleaning exterior windows, skylights and solar panels by hand.
• To greatly lessen the impacts manual window skylight and solar panel cleaning has on our environment through the use of self-sustaining “Green” Technologies.

What About Maintenance?

Utilizing durable plastics for construction allows the  KlearvieW System to withstand diverse environmental conditions. Our working prototype has run over 3000 cycles, maintenance free. If that same system we’re on a customer’s window and used once per week, the equivalent would be fifty seven years of maintenance free service! Once final development is complete,

a guaranteed warrantee will be published, assuring first-rate service and a very reasonable repair and/or part replacement price for the consumer, in the infrequent event that it's needed.

Different installations?

The KlearvieW System will easily retrofit to the window frame for existing windows under three stories and can conveniently become an integral part of the frame for new construction applications during manufacturing of the window itself. The different installations and integrations are described in detail below.

Fixed Picture System: The core technology of a fixed picture system would consist of a cleaning mechanism with a brush, squeegee and an onboard hydro-mechanical motor (almost exactly the size of a fifty cent piece) that provides the motive force for moving the cleaning mechanism relative to the window. The cleaning mechanism has first and second drive wheels that engage first and second upright tracks, respectively mounted on opposite sides of the window. The motor receives pressurized water from a water source (e.g., a water line of the building) and outputs mechanical power for rotating the drive wheels, which move along the tracks, thereby moving the brush and the wiper blade across the window surface. Advantageously, the cleaning mechanism does not require electricity to operate, which significantly saves energy and greatly simplifies installation since electrical wiring to the cleaning mechanism is not needed. While an electrically actuated control valve is desirably used to control the flow of pressurized water to the motor, such a valve can be installed at any convenient location inside of the building or home. Another advantage is that water discharged from the motor is wetting the window surface, which further simplifies installation and construction of the device since a separate mechanism for wetting the window surface is not required. Another advantage of the apparatus is that it does not utilize bulky or unsightly devices mounted to the sides of the window, as in conventional devices. The tracks can be mounted directly to the casing of the window and do not have any moving parts, which further simplifies installation. The casing below the window can be formed with a small recess to receive and hide the cleaning mechanism from view when the apparatus is not in use, or the mechanism can be color coordinated with the bottom frame, Camouflaging it from view when offline. In certain embodiments, each track is formed with a generally elliptical recessed portion extending lengthwise of the track and a plurality of lugs disposed in the recessed portion and spaced lengthwise of the track. The drive wheels therefore move in an endless, continuous path around the lugs of the tracks to alternately move the cleaning mechanism upwardly from the bottom to the top of the window, and then downwardly from the top to the bottom of the window. This system will easily retrofit to any window lower than three stories or the frame will be manufactured with recesses ready to receive the KlearvieW Tracks, from there the cleaning mechanism fits directly into the tracks. Once the water source is installed the system is fully operational (the window is now permanently self maintaining with the touch of a button!) The system will be manufactured using durable plastics, (all but the drive shaft and sprockets) Protecting it from harsh climactic conditions, resulting in very infrequent maintenance.

Building Cleaning Ecosystem:   Most of the previous principles apply to our conceptual ideas of commercial integration as well (relative to scale.) An automatic building cleaning system will be specified and engineered in the schematic design phase of the project so it can integrate directly into the high rise like any other common convenience. The Patent Holder's have conceptual ideas for one unit (or more, depending on Bldg. size) cleaning the entire side of a flat facade structure as if it were one giant window. This particular application could use existing water pressure (or rainwater if reservoir were installed on roof) to rinse and scrub the glass with a wiper drying directly behind the brush, starting from the top, while existing air power (I.E. air compressor) would power the Brush Bar back up from the bottom (as well as blowing any excess water out of the brush bar, which would be recycled.) We’ve discovered that rinsing the glass from bottom to top could likely cause water spotting on the lower portion of the structure since the time required of a cycle on a flat façade using water both ways would result in the water drying (below) before the system could complete it’s cycle. Utilizing air pressure will also cut the water consumption of a cycle in half. Any excess water from rinsing will be captured and reused as landscape irrigation for the structures surrounding vegetation. This way, absolutely no water is wasted, and the KlearvieW System is serving as a self sustaining eco-system by using one resource to concurrently serve three functions: 1) water powers the system, 2) rinses the glass, 3) irrigates. This is our way of capitalizing on the demand for sustainable, green building products.