Apparatus and method for delivering a fluid to a diesel particulate filter

Abstract

A conduit may be used to deliver a pressurized fluid to a cell of a diesel particulate filter to clean the cell. The pressurized fluid may remove particulate matter from the cell. The conduit may be moved within the cell to dislodge particulate matter within the cell. The conduit may be manually or automatically inserted into the cell.

1 . An apparatus for delivering pressurized fluid from a pressurized fluid source to a cell of a wall-flow particulate filter, the apparatus comprising:
 a fluid delivery tube configured to be inserted into the cell and to deliver the pressurized fluid to the cell to dislodge particulate matter within the cell; and   a connector body for fluidly connecting the fluid delivery tube with the pressurized fluid source.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fluid delivery tube is sized so as to permit the dislodged particulate matter to exit the cell. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fluid delivery tube includes a surface feature configured to dislodge particulate matter within the cell. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the surface feature comprises a knurling. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fluid delivery tube includes an end configured to dislodge particulate matter within the cell. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the end comprises a beveled end. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fluid delivery tube is rigid. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fluid delivery tube is flexible. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the connector body comprises a manifold. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fluid delivery tube includes a side wall having a surface defining an opening to deliver the pressurized fluid to the cell. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for cleaning a diesel particulate filter having a plurality of cells with a pressurized fluid, the apparatus comprising:
 a conduit configured to be received by at least one of the plurality of cells, the conduit including a surface defining an opening to deliver the pressurized fluid to the at least one of the plurality of cells to remove particulate matter within the at least one of the plurality of cells.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the conduit is further configured to dislodge particulate matter within the at least one of the plurality of cells. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the conduit includes a knurled surface to dislodge particulate matter within the at least one of the plurality of cells. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the conduit includes a beveled end to dislodge particulate matter within the at least one of the plurality of cells. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the conduit includes a blunt end to dislodge particulate matter within the at least one of the plurality of cells. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the conduit comprises a tube. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the conduit has a side wall and wherein the opening is in the side wall. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the conduit has an end and wherein the opening is in the end. 
   
   
       19 . A method for delivering pressurized fluid from a pressurized fluid source to a cell of a wall-flow particulate filter, the method comprising:
 inserting a fluid delivery tube into the cell;   delivering the pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid source to the cell via the fluid delivery tube to dislodge particulate matter within the cell; and   removing the fluid delivery tube from the cell.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising moving the fluid delivery tube to dislodge the particulate matter within the cell. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising moving the wall-flow particulate filter to dislodge the particulate matter within the cell. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the pressurized fluid comprises a liquid. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the pressurized fluid comprises a gas. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising installing a pressure plate on an end of the wall-flow particulate filter, applying a vacuum to another end of the wall-flow particulate filter and measuring a pressure drop across the wall-flow particulate filter. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising capturing at least a portion of the dislodged particulate matter. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 19  wherein at least one of (i) inserting a fluid delivery tube into the cell, (ii) delivering the pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid source to the cell via the fluid delivery tube to dislodge particulate matter within the cell and (iii) removing the fluid delivery tube from the cell is performed automatically.