Fuel supply component cleaning system

Abstract

A method is provided for operating a regeneration assembly to regenerate a filter assembly during a regeneration cycle, and for supplying fuel to at least one fuel injector unit associated with the regeneration assembly during the regeneration cycle. The method includes dispensing a cleaning substance into a fluid flow path associated with the regeneration assembly during a cleaning cycle. The method further includes directing the cleaning substance through the at least one fuel injector unit during the cleaning cycle.

1 . A method, comprising:
 operating a regeneration assembly to regenerate a filter assembly during a regeneration cycle;   supplying fuel to at least one fuel injector unit associated with the regeneration assembly during the regeneration cycle;   dispensing a cleaning substance into a fluid flow path associated with the regeneration assembly during a cleaning cycle; and   directing the cleaning substance through the at least one fuel injector unit during the cleaning cycle.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further including:
 dispensing the cleaning substance through a port in the fluid flow path with a service tool.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further including:
 prior to introducing the cleaning substance, pumping air through the fluid flow path and through the at least one fuel injector unit.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further including:
 subsequent to introducing the cleaning substance, pumping air through the fluid flow path and through the at least one fuel injector unit.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein pumping air through the fluid flow path and through the at least one fuel injector unit occurs for approximately 15 seconds prior to dispensing the cleaning substance, and for approximately 15 seconds subsequent to dispensing the cleaning substance. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further including:
 activating an air pump via a controller to pump air trough the fluid flow path for a measured time period before and/or after dispensing the cleaning substance.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further including:
 measuring pressure within the fluid flow path; and   dispensing the cleaning substance when the measured pressure is substantially zero.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , including dispensing the cleaning substance from a pressure container through a metering valve. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , including activating the metering valve via a controller to dispense a measured amount of cleaning substance. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further including:
 monitoring at least one parameter indicative of whether fuel injection unit performance may benefit from dispensing a cleaning substance; and   dispensing the cleaning substance responsive to the monitored parameter indicating fuel injector unit performance may benefit from dispensing the cleaning substance.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , further including:
 dispensing and directing the cleaning substance at programmed intervals.   
   
   
       12 . A system, comprising:
 a regeneration assembly configured to regenerate a filter assembly during a regeneration cycle;   a combustion chamber associated with the regeneration assembly;   a fuel injector unit for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber during the regeneration cycle;   a gas flow path configured to communicate with the fuel injector unit;   a gas source for selectively supplying gas through the gas flow path to the fuel injector unit; and   an assembly for dispensing a cleaning substance into the gas flow path for cleaning the fuel injector unit during a cleaning cycle.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the assembly includes a port associated with the gas flow path, and a service tool providing a supply of cleaning substance and selectively connectible to the port. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the gas source includes an air pump and the gas is air, and further including a filter for filtering air supplied by the air pump. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the assembly includes a metering valve for metering a measured quantity of cleaning substance into the gas flow path, and a supply container connectible to the metering valve to provide a supply of cleaning substance. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , further including:
 a controller configured to activate the gas source to supply gas for a predetermined time span before dispensing the cleaning substance, configured to activate the metering valve to introduce a measured quantity of the cleaning substance, and configured to activate the gas source to supply gas for a predetermined time span after dispensing the cleaning substance.   
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15 , further including:
 a diagnostic device configured to monitor at least one parameter indicative that the fuel injector unit may benefit from introduction of a cleaning substance; and   a controller configured to receive a signal from the diagnostic device and activate the metering valve to introduce a measured quantity of the cleaning substance in response to a signal indicating that the fuel injector unit may benefit from a cleaning cycle.   
   
   
       18 . A machine, comprising:
 an engine system including an exhaust flow path;   a filter assembly in the exhaust flow path;   a regeneration assembly proximate the exhaust flow path upstream of the filter assembly, the regeneration assembly including a combustion chamber and configured to regenerate the filter assembly during a regeneration cycle;   at least one fuel supply circuit and at least one fuel injector unit associated with the combustion chamber; and   an assembly configured to dispense a cleaning substance to the at least one fuel injector unit.   
   
   
       19 . The machine of  claim 18 , wherein the machine is an on-highway truck. 
   
   
       20 . The machine of  claim 18 , wherein the assembly configured to dispense a cleaning substance includes:
 a controller configured to activate a metering valve to dispense the cleaning substance at least one of:   after a predetermined number of regeneration cycles; and   in response to a signal from at least one diagnostic device monitoring at least one parameter associated with fuel injector unit performance.