Diagnostic Fluid Flow De-Restrictor Apparatus and Method

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward apparatuses for cleaning or cooling a vehicle component and methods of installing and operating such apparatuses on vehicle components, such as radiators of newly manufactured vehicles or radiators of used vehicles, vehicle air filters, oil filters or other suitable components.

1 . An apparatus for clearing a fluid passage and for detecting when additional assistance for clearing the fluid passage is needed, comprising:
 a cleaning device configured to remove debris from a fluid passage;   a sensor associated with the cleaning device, the sensor configured and located to detect a condition associated with a need for additional assistance to remove debris from the fluid passage, and the sensor further configured to generate a signal in response to detecting a condition associated with a need for additional assistance to remove debris from the fluid passage; and   a processor communicating with the sensor, the processor configured to alert an operator that additional assistance is needed for clearing the fluid passage based on receiving the signal from the sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 configuration of the cleaning device includes structure for moving the cleaning device across or through the fluid passage; and   a condition associated with a need for additional assistance to remove debris from the fluid passage includes detecting interference with moving the cleaning device across or through the fluid passage.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 configuration of the cleaning device includes directing relatively high velocity fluid through the fluid passage; and   a condition associated with a need for additional assistance to remove debris from the fluid passage includes detecting, during operation of the cleaning device, a fluid velocity that is below a predetermined velocity.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to de-rate a vehicle component in response to detecting a condition associated with a need for additional assistance to remove debris from the fluid passage. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to send an alert via a telematics system in response to receiving the signal from the sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to stop the cleaning device in response to receiving the signal from the sensor. 
     
     
         7 . A vehicle comprising:
 a drive tire;   an engine connected to the drive tire for rotating the drive tire;   a device having a fluid passage; and   an apparatus for cleaning the fluid passage and for detecting when additional assistance for clearing the fluid passage is needed, the apparatus comprising;   a cleaning device configured to remove debris from a fluid passage;   a sensor associated with the cleaning device, the sensor configured and located to detect a condition associated with a need for additional assistance to remove debris from the fluid passage, and the sensor further configured to generate a signal in response to detecting a condition associated with a need for additional assistance to remove debris from the fluid passage; and   a processor communicating with the sensor, the processor configured to alert an operator that additional assistance is needed for clearing the fluid passage based on receiving the signal from the sensor.   
     
     
         8 . A vehicle according to  claim 7 , wherein the vehicle comprises a forklift truck. 
     
     
         9 . A vehicle according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the device comprises a radiator connected to the engine for cooling an engine fluid, the radiator having an engine coolant passage for the engine coolant and an air passage configured to pass air over exterior portions of the engine coolant passage; and wherein   the apparatus for cleaning the fluid passage is configured to clean the air passage.   
     
     
         10 . A vehicle according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 configuration of the cleaning device includes structure for moving the cleaning device across a face of the air passage; and   a condition associated with a need for additional assistance to remove debris from the fluid passage includes detecting interference with moving the cleaning device across the face of the air passage.   
     
     
         11 . A vehicle according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 configuration of the cleaning device includes directing relatively high velocity air through the air passage; and   a condition associated with a need for additional assistance to remove debris from the fluid passage includes detecting, during operation of the cleaning device, an air velocity that is below a predetermined velocity.   
     
     
         12 . A vehicle according to  claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to de-rate the engine in response to detecting a condition associated with a need for additional assistance to remove debris from the fluid passage. 
     
     
         13 . A vehicle according to  claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to send an alert via a telematics system in response to receiving the signal from the sensor. 
     
     
         14 . A vehicle according to  claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to stop the cleaning device in response to receiving the signal from the sensor. 
     
     
         15 . A vehicle comprising:
 a drive tire;   an engine connected to the drive tire for rotating the drive tire;   a device having a fluid passage; and   a fluid passage cleaning means for clearing the fluid passage and for detecting when additional assistance for clearing the fluid passage is needed; and   a processor communicating with the fluid passage cleaning means, the processor configured to alert an operator that additional assistance is needed for clearing the fluid passage based on receiving a signal from the fluid passage cleaning means.   
     
     
         16 . A vehicle according to  claim 15 , further comprising means for moving the fluid passage cleaning means.