TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cleaning assembly according to the preamble of claim 1. Moreover, the present disclosure relates to a method for cleaning an internal combustion engine after-treatment component.

BACKGROUND

An internal combustion engine is generally connected to an exhaust gas after-treatment system in order to release appropriate emission levels to the atmosphere. Purely by way of example, such an exhaust gas after-treatment system may comprise at least one of the following exhaust gas after-treatment components: an oxidation catalyst, a particle filter and a selective catalytic reduction arrangement.

At least one of the above exhaust gas after-treatment components may degenerate during use and may consequently have to be reconditioned in order to function in a desired manner. As an example of an exhaust gas after-treatment component, a particulate filter is generally adapted to remove organic and inorganic particulate matter from the exhaust gas stream of the engine. In particular the inorganic particulate matter cannot be converted to gaseous components, and is generally trapped in the filter as various oxides, which oxides may be referred to as "ash". To maintain acceptable performance, the ash may preferably be removed from the filter to prevent it from clogging.

US 2004/0103788 discloses a filter cleaning device using an air nozzle that may be displaced in relation to a filter during a cleaning process. To this end, US 788 proposes that the air nozzle be displaced using a motor or that the nozzle has an elongate extension and is moved by a moving arrangement that uses the cleaning fluid as motive power.

SUMMARY

One object of the present disclosure is to provide cleaning assembly that may clean exhaust gas after-treatment components of different sizes in an efficient way.

This object is achieved by a cleaning assembly according to claim 1. As such, the present disclosure relates to a cleaning assembly for cleaning an internal combustion engine exhaust gas after-treatment component. The cleaning assembly comprises a nozzle for providing a first fluid flow through at least a portion of the after- treatment component during a cleaning procedure. The nozzle is adapted to move relative to the after-treatment component during the cleaning procedure.

According to the present disclosure, the nozzle is adapted for said relative movement such that at least a portion of the nozzle will follow a first path around a first axis. Moreover, the first axis is in turn adapted to follow a second path around a second axis. The first and second axes are substantially parallel to one another.

A cleaning assembly according to the above implies that the nozzle may be adapted to provide an appropriate cleaning fluid flow through an appropriately large portion of the after-treatment component during a cleaning procedure.

Further, by virtue of the fact that at least a portion of the nozzle follows a first path around a first axis, which first axis in turn follows a second path, it is possible to subject a portion of the after-treatment component to a relatively concentrated cleaning fluid flow, though nevertheless be able to use the cleaning assembly for cleaning after-treatment components of different sizes.

Moreover, a cleaning assembly according to the above implies that an after-treatment component may be cleaned in an efficient manner.

Optionally, a smallest distance between the first path and the second axis is less than 5 mm, preferably less than 3 mm. More preferred, the smallest distance is smaller than 1 mm. The feature that the smallest distance between the first path and the second axis is within any one of the above ranges implies that at least a portion of the nozzle may cover an area that is at least close to the center of the after-treatment component during a cleaning procedure. This in turn implies that the cleaning assembly may be used for cleaning after-treatment components of different sizes without necessarily having to adjust the motion along the first or second path with respect to the size of the after-treatment component that is to be cleaned. Optionally, the second path is a circular path. The feature that the second path is a circular path implies that different portions of an after-treatment component will be subjected to a similar amount of fluid flow during the cleaning procedure. Optionally, the cleaning assembly is adapted to operate such that, during the cleaning procedure, the nozzle follows the first path at the same time as the first axis follows the second path.

Optionally, the cleaning assembly comprises a nozzle assembly which in turn comprises the nozzle. The nozzle assembly is adapted to rotate around the first axis.

Optionally, the nozzle assembly comprises a plurality of nozzles.

Optionally, the cleaning assembly comprises an arm comprising a first arm portion and a second arm portion. The arm is adapted to be rotated around the second axis. The nozzle assembly is rotatably connected to the second arm portion.

Optionally, the cleaning assembly comprises a rotatable joint located at the second arm portion. The rotatable joint connects the arm to the nozzle assembly.

Optionally, the cleaning assembly, during the cleaning procedure, is adapted to rotate the after-treatment component around the second axis.

Optionally, the cleaning assembly is adapted to receive the after-treatment component, during the cleaning procedure, such that a component centre axis of the after-treatment component is substantially parallel to each one of the first and second axes.

Optionally, the after-treatment component has a circular cross section with a component radius extending from the component centre axis. The cleaning assembly is adapted to receive the after-treatment component such that the component centre axis is substantially coaxial with the second axis.

Optionally, an axis distance, in a direction perpendicular to the first axis, between the first axis and the second axis is within the range of 0.4 to 0.8 times the component radius. Preferably, the axis distance is within the range of 0.5 to 0.8 times the component radius. Optionally, the after-treatment component comprises a first end surface and the cleaning assembly is adapted to receive the after-treatment component, during the cleaning procedure, such that the nozzle is adapted to face the first end surface.

Optionally, the cleaning assembly is adapted to discharge pulsed fluid. The possibility to discharge pulsed fluid implies an increased probability to release particles, such as ash, from an after-treatment component. Optionally, the cleaning assembly comprises a complementary nozzle, the complementary nozzle being adapted to be located on the opposite side of the after- treatment component, as compared to the first nozzle.

Optionally, the after-treatment component comprises a second end surface, at the opposite end of the after-treatment component as compared to the first end surface, and the complementary nozzle is adapted to face the second end surface.

Optionally, during the cleaning procedure, at least a portion of the complementary nozzle is adapted to move uniformly with a portion of the first nozzle.

Optionally, the exhaust gas after-treatment component is a particulate filter.

Optionally, the cleaning assembly is adapted to, during the cleaning procedure, provide a second fluid flow through a portion of the after-treatment component.

A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle comprising a cleaning assembly according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

A third aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for cleaning an internal combustion engine after-treatment component. The method comprises:

- providing a first fluid flow through at least a portion of the after-treatment component using a nozzle, and

- moving the nozzle such that at least a portion of the nozzle follows a first path around a first axis, the first axis in turn follows a second path around a second axis, the first and second axes being substantially parallel to one another. Optionally, the method comprises moving the nozzle around the first axis using the first fluid flow as motive power. Optionally, the method comprises rotating the engine after-treatment component around the second axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates a truck comprising an internal combustion engine that in turn comprises an exhaust gas after-treatment system;

Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a cleaning assembly;

Fig. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the Fig. 2 embodiment;

Fig. 4 illustrates cross-sectional views of the Fig. 2 embodiment when cleaning after-treatment components of different sizes;

Fig. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the Fig. 2 embodiment;

Fig. 6 illustrates a side view of an implementation of a nozzle assembly;

Fig. 7a is a top view of the Fig. 6 implementation of the nozzle assembly; Fig 7b is a top view implementation of an alternative nozzle assembly;

Fig. 8 illustrates a portion of another embodiment of a cleaning assembly;

Fig. 9 illustrates a portion of a further embodiment of a cleaning assembly; Fig. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the cleaning assembly.

It should be noted that the appended drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that the dimensions of some features of the present invention may have been exaggerated for the sake of clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 illustrates a vehicle 10 comprising a chassis 12 and a driver's cab 14 mounted on the chassis 2. Underneath the driver's cab 14 is an internal combustion engine 16, which acts on the drive wheels 18 of the vehicle 10 by way of a drive train 20. The internal combustion engine 16 comprises an exhaust gas after-treatment system 22 which may comprise at least one of the following exhaust gas after-treatment components: an oxidation catalyst, a particle filter and a selective catalytic reduction arrangement (not shown in Fig. 1).

As has been intimated hereinabove, at least one of the components of the exhaust gas after-treatment system may have to be cleaned, e.g. on a regular basis and/or if a degeneration of the component is determined, in order to ensure that the exhaust gas after-treatment system 22 operates in a desired manner.

Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a cleaning assembly 24. The Fig. 2 assembly is suitable for cleaning an internal combustion engine exhaust gas after-treatment component 26. The exhaust gas after-treatment component 26 is in Fig. 2 exemplified as a particle filter, such as a diesel particle filter. However, the cleaning assembly 24 may also, or instead, be suitable for cleaning one or more other types of exhaust gas after- treatment components (not shown in Fig. 2).

The Fig. 2 cleaning assembly 24 comprises a retaining assembly 28 adapted to retain the exhaust gas after-treatment component 26 during a component cleaning procedure. The retaining assembly 28 may have a first retention opening with a first diameter D .

Moreover, Fig. 2 illustrates that the retaining assembly 28 may comprise an adapter assembly 30. Purely by way of example, if the cleaning assembly 24 is adapted to clean after-treatment component 26 of different sizes, the first diameter of the first retention opening may be selected such that the retaining assembly 28 can accommodate the largest of the after-treatment components 26 to¾e cleaned.

Purely by way of example, and as is indicated in the Fig. 2 embodiment, the adapter assembly 30 may comprise one or more washers 32 with flanges 34, 36 in order to adapt the size of the retention opening to the size of the exhaust gas after-treatment component 26. For example, one washer 32 may comprise an annular portion in a plane perpendicular to the main axis and two cylindrical flanges on each side of the annular portion, each extending in one direction along said axis. A first flange 34 may be adapted to mate with the retention opening of the retaining assembly 28, while the second flange 36 may be adapted to the diameter of the component to be cleaned, to mate with said component. For components 26 having different diameters, several washers 32 can be provided each having a second flange adapted to one of the component diameters, so that the same cleaning assembly can be used for components having different diameters, through proper selection of the correct washer. As another non-limiting example, the adapter assembly 30 may comprise one or more flexible sealing strips (not shown), for instance one or more rubber strips. As further non-limiting example, the adapter assembly 30 may comprise a housing (not shown) into which at least a portion of the exhaust gas after-treatment component 26 may be inserted and the housing with the component 26 may thereafter be inserted into the retaining assembly 28.

Moreover, the Fig. 2 embodiment of the cleaning assembly 24 comprises a nozzle assembly 38 which in turn comprises a nozzle 40. In fact, the implementation of the nozzle assembly 38 illustrated in Fig. 2 comprises two nozzles 40, 42.

The nozzle 40 is adapted to provide a first fluid flow through at least a portion of the after- treatment component 26 during a cleaning procedure in order to release particles, such as ash, from the after-treatment component 26. The nozzle 40 may be adapted to discharge a fluid, such as air, at a predetermined flow rate and/or at a predetermined pressure level. Optionally, the nozzle 40 may be adapted to evacuate air surrounding the after-treatment component 26 in order to provide a first fluid flow through at least a portion of the after- treatment component 26 towards the nozzle 40.

As a non-limiting example, the cleaning assembly 24 may be adapted to provide a positive fluid pressure within the range of 4 to 8 bars from the nozzle 40. Moreover, although purely by way of example, the nozzle 40 may have an opening diameter that is less than or equal to 3 mm, alternatively less than or equal to 1 mm.

The nozzle 40 is adapted to move relative to the after-treatment component during the cleaning procedure.

As may be gleaned from Fig. 2, the nozzle 40 is adapted to move such that at least a portion of the nozzle 40 follows a first path around a first axis 44 that is moveable in relation to the after-treatment component 26. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2, the nozzle assembly 38 is rotatably connected to a portion of the cleaning assembly 24 such that the nozzle assembly is adapted to rotate around the first axis 44. As such, in the Fig. 2 embodiment, the nozzle 40 is adapted follow a first circular path around the first axis 44.

Furthermore, the first axis 44 is in turn adapted to follow a second path around a second axis 46 in relation to the after-treatment component 26. The first axis 44 and the second axes 46 are substantially parallel to one another, preferably parallel.

As is indicated in Fig. 2, the cleaning assembly 24 may extend along a first dimension X, a second dimension Y and a third dimension Z. Purely by way of example, at least one, though preferably both, of the first and second axes 44, 46 may extend along the third dimension Z.

The cleaning assembly 24 illustrated in Fig. 2 is adapted to receive the after-treatment component 26, during the cleaning procedure, such that a component centre axis 47 of the after-treatment component 26 is substantially coaxial with the second axis 46.

As may be gleaned from Fig. 2, the after-treatment component may have a circular cross section with a component radius R _c extending from the component centre axis 47. Further, in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2, the cleaning assembly 24 comprises an arm 48 comprising a first arm portion 50 and a second arm portion 52. The arm 48 extends in a transverse direction relative to said second axis 46, for example along a radius relative to the second axis 46. The arm 48 is adapted to be rotated around the second axis 46. Purely by way of example, the first arm portion 50 may be adapted to intersect the second axis 46 while the second arm portion 52 extends at a distance from said second axis.

Purely by way of example, and as is indicated in the Fig. 2 embodiment, the first arm portion 50 may be attached to a shaft 54 that in turn is adapted to rotate around the second axis 46. The shaft 54 is rotatable around its centre axis, which in turn coincides with the second axis 46. As an alternative, the arm 48 and the shaft 54 may form a unitary component (not shown in Fig. 2). As another non-limiting alternative, the shaft 54 may be stationary and the first arm portion 50 may be rotatably connected to the shaft 54.

Fig. 2 further illustrates that the shaft 54 may comprise an internal conduit 56 for providing a fluid communication between the nozzle assembly 38 and a fluid source 57. Further, the arm 48 is provided with an internal conduit in its longitudinal direction, which communicates with said conduit 56 for providing the fluid to the nozzle 40. The fluid source 57 is adapted to provide fluid within a pressure range, for instance a positive pressure range or a negative pressure range. Purely by way of example, the fluid source 57 may comprise a compressor and/or a pump (not shown in Fig. 2).

In the Fig. 2 embodiment, the nozzle assembly 38 is rotatably connected to the second arm portion 52, in this case around first axis 44.

As may be gleaned from Fig. 2, the cleaning assembly 24 may also comprise a second fluid flow generation arrangement 58. The second fluid flow generation arrangement 58 is adapted to provide a second fluid flow, indicated by the arrows 60 in Fig. 2, through at least a portion of the exhaust gas after-treatment component 26, preferably through the whole cross section of the exhaust gas after-treatment component 26. Purely by way of example, the second fluid flow may have a lower fluid pressure as compared to the first fluid flow. The purpose of the second fluid flow 60 is to remove particles from the exhaust gas after- treatment component 26, which particles, have been released from the component 26 by the first fluid flow provided by the nozzle 40.

In the Fig. 2 embodiment of the cleaning assembly 24, the second fluid flow generation arrangement 58 comprises a first fan that is adapted to be located on one side, e.g. above, the after-treatment component 26 and a second fan that is adapted to be located on the opposite side, e.g. below, the after-treatment component 26. However, in other embodiments, it may be sufficient to have the second fluid flow generation arrangement 58 located on only one side of the after-treatment component 26.

Fig. 2 further illustrates that the after-treatment component 26 comprises a first end surface 26' and the cleaning assembly 24 is adapted to receive the after-treatment component 26 such that the nozzle 40 is adapted to face the first end surface 26'. As a non-limiting example, and as is exemplified in the Fig. 2 embodiment, the after-treatment component 26 may be placed in the cleaning assembly 24 such that its first end surface 26' may extend in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the second axis 46.

Moreover, Fig. 2 illustrates that the cleaning assembly 24 may comprise a complementary nozzle 41 that is adapted to be located on the opposite side of the after-treatment component 26, as compared to the first nozzle 40, during the cleaning procedure. In the Fig. 2 embodiment, the complementary nozzle 41 is comprised in a complementary nozzle arrangement 39. Purely by way of example, the design and function of the complementary nozzle arrangement 39 may be similar to the design and function of the nozzle arrangement 38 that has been described hereinabove.

Fig. 2 further illustrates that the after-treatment component 26 may comprise a second end surface 26", at the opposite end of the after-treatment component 26 as compared to the first end surface 26', and the complementary nozzle 41 is adapted to face the second end surface 26" during the cleaning procedure. As a non-limiting example, and as is exemplified in the Fig. 2 embodiment, the after-treatment component 26 may be placed in the cleaning assembly 24 such that its second end surface 26" may extend in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the second axis 46.

Purely by way of example, each one of the first and second nozzles 40, 41 may be adapted to discharge fluid towards the after-treatment component 26. As another non- limiting example, each one of the first and second nozzles 40, 41 may be adapted to evacuate fluid from the after-treatment component 26. Each nozzle is adapted to discharge or evacuate a fluid flow having a cross-section very small compared to the cross section of the component 26 to be cleaned. For example, the cross section of the of the fluid flow out of the nozzle may extend within a diameter (perpendicularly to the first axis 44) which may be less than 20 mm, preferably less than 10 mm, or even less than 5 mm, whereas the component 26 may typically have a diameter exceeding 200 mm. Thereby, the ratio between the cross section of the fluid flow discharged by the nozzle 40, 41 compared to the diameter of the component to be cleaned is preferably at least 1 to 10, and more preferably larger than 1 to 50. As such, the first fluid flow may be concentrated in a small region of the cross section of the component 26.

As a non-limiting example, at least a portion of the complementary nozzle 41 is adapted to move uniformly with a portion of the first nozzle 40. Thus, at least during a portion of a cleaning procedure, at least a portion of the complementary nozzle 41 and at least a portion of the first nozzle 40 may move such that they assume the same position in the first and second dimensions X, Y.

However, it is also envisaged that the complementary nozzle 41 and the first nozzle 40 may assume different positions in the first and second dimensions X, Y during at least a portion of a cleaning procedure.

Fig. 3 illustrates a top view of the after-treatment component 26. Moreover, Fig. 3 indicates the first axis 44 and the second axis 46 of the cleaning assembly 24. Further, Fig. 3 illustrates the first path 62 which the nozzle 40 is adapted follow around the first axis 44. Furthermore, in Fig. 3, the second path 64 which the first axis 44 is adapted to follow relative to the after-treatment component 26 is also presented.

The speed at which the nozzle 40 moves around the first axis 44 may be greater than the speed at which the first axis 44 moves around the second axis 46. Purely by way of example, the rotational speed of the nozzle 40 around the first axis 44 may be at least ten times, alternatively at least 100 times, greater than the rotational speed of the first axis 44 around the second axis 46. As a non-limiting example, the rotational speed of the nozzle 40 around the first axis 44 may be within the range of 300 to 700 rpm. As another non- limiting example, the rotational speed of the first axis 44 around the second axis 46 may be within the range of 1 to 10 rpm.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, each one of the first and second paths 62, 64 are circular. Further, Fig. 3 illustrates a configuration of the first and second paths in which a smallest distance between the first path 62 and the second axis 46 is less than 5 mm, preferably less than 3 mm. More preferred, the smallest distance is smaller than 1 mm. In fact, in the Fig. 3 embodiment, the smallest distance between the first path 62 and the second axis 46 is close to zero The fact that the smallest distance is within any one of the above ranges implies that the cleaning assembly 24 may be used for cleaning after-treatment components 26 of different sizes.

Purely by way of example, an axis distance d _A , in a direction perpendicular to the first axis 44, between the first axis 44 and the second axis 46 may be within the range of 0.8 to 1.2 times the radius d _B of the first path 62. As a non-limiting example, the axis distance d _A may be substantially equal to the radius d _B of the first path 62 such that the first path 62 is tangent to the second axis 46. As a non-limiting example, in the embodiments of the cleaning assembly 24 in which the each one of the first and second paths 62, 64 are circular, the difference between the radius d _B of the first path 62 and the axis distance d _A may be less than less than 5 mm, preferably less than 3 mm. More preferred, the smallest distance is smaller than 1 mm. An after-treatment component 26 may have a circular end surface with a component radius R _c . Moreover, the axis distance d _A , in a direction perpendicular to the first axis 44, between the first axis 44 and the second axis 46 is within the range of 0.4 to 0.8 times the component radius R _c . Preferably, the axis distance is within the range of 0.5 to 0.8 times the component radius R _c .

An axis distance within any one of the above ranges implies that at least a large portion of the after-treatment component 26 will be covered by the nozzle 40 in an appropriate manner during a cleaning process. To this end reference is made to Fig. 4 that schematically illustrates cleaning of two after- treatment components 26 that have different end portion areas. As may be gleaned from Fig. 4, basically the same cleaning assembly 24 and the same cleaning procedure may be used. Fig. 5 illustrates a possible motion scheme of a nozzle 40 of a cleaning assembly 24 during a cleaning process. In the motion scheme illustrated in Fig. 5, the nozzle 40 follows the first path 62 at the same time as the first axis follows the second path. As such, relative to the after-treatment components 26, the nozzle 40 will follow an epicyclical path.

However, instead of the motion scheme illustrated in Fig. 5, the motion along at least one of the first and second paths 62, 64 could be discrete, e.g. a stepwise motion. Moreover, the motions along the first path 62 and the second path 64, be they continuous or discrete, may have the same direction, e.g. they may both move clockwise or anti- clockwise around the respective axis 44, 46, or they may have different directions. Moreover, it is also envisaged that a cleaning process may utilize a plurality of different motion schemes.

Fig. 6 illustrates a portion of an embodiment of a cleaning assembly 24. The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6 comprises a nozzle assembly 38 which comprises two nozzles 40, 42. Moreover, Fig. 6 illustrates that the embodiment of a cleaning assembly 24 may comprise a rotatable joint between the arm 48 and the nozzle assembly 38in order to enable that the nozzle assembly 38 may be allowed to rotate in relation to the second arm portion (not shown in Fig. 6). Purely by way of example, the rotatable joint may comprise a bearing 65, for instance a roller bearing as is indicated in the Fig. 6 embodiment. The rotatable joint also ensures passage of fluid from the arm 48 to the nozzle assembly. For instance, the rotatable joint may provide fluid passage from the internal conduit inside the arm 48 to an internal conduit inside the nozzle assembly for delivering pressurized fluid to the nozzles. As a non-limiting example, nozzle assembly 38 may be connected to the second arm portion via a shaft 61. The shaft 61 may in turn comprise a shaft conduit 61 ' for guiding the first fluid from the second arm portion towards the nozzles 40, 42, respectively.

The cleaning assembly 24 may further comprise a housing 63' enclosing at least a portion of the shaft 61. Moreover, the nozzle assembly 38 may also comprise a sealing member 63" enclosing the portion of the shaft 61 that extends from the housing 63' to the bearing 65.

During a cleaning procedure, the nozzle assembly 38 is adapted to rotate in relation to the shaft 61. As may be gleaned from Fig. 6, the nozzle assembly 38 comprises a lower nozzle assembly portion 38' and an upper nozzle assembly portion 38". Moreover, and as is indicated in Fig. 6, the first fluid flow from the shaft conduit 61 ' is conducted towards the nozzles via a portion of the lower nozzle assembly portion 38' and thereafter a portion of the upper nozzle assembly portion 38".

Fig. 7a is a cross-sectional view of the Fig. 6 portion of an embodiment of the cleaning assembly 24. The Fig. 6 and Fig. 7a cleaning assembly 24 comprises a rotation driving arrangement 67 that is adapted to rotate the nozzle assembly 38 using the first fluid flow as motive power. The rotation driving arrangement 67 forms a fluidically driven rotation motor, i.e. a fluid motor.

To this end, the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7a cleaning assembly 24 comprises a fluid chamber 68, see Fig. 7a. The fluid chamber 68 is at least partially delimited by the

the shaft 61 as well as by a lower nozzle assembly portion 38'.

The fluid chamber 68 is preferably mirror asymmetric with respect to any nozzle assembly radius R _NA that extends from the first axis 44. The first fluid chamber 68 is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit 61 '.

The lower nozzle assembly portion 38' in the Fig. 7a embodiment comprises a plurality of cavities 72 that may selectively, i.e. depending on the position of the lower nozzle assembly portion 38' relative to the shaft 61 , at least partially delimit the fluid chamber 68.

Purely by way of example, the plurality of cavities 72 may be evenly distributed along a circumferentially extending inner surface of the lower nozzle assembly portion 38'.

Moreover, each one of the nozzles 40, 42 of the nozzle assembly 38 is adapted to be in fluid communication with one of the cavities 72. Purely by way of example, the first nozzle 40 of the nozzle assembly 38 may be in fluid communication with a first cavity 72' via a first nozzle conduit 74 and the second nozzle 42 may be in fluid communication with a second cavity 72" via a second nozzle conduit 76. Purely by way of example, the first nozzle conduit 74 may extend along a first branch 75 of the upper nozzle assembly portion 38" and the second nozzle conduit 76 may extend along a second branch 77 of the upper nozzle assembly portion 38". When the first fluid flow enters the chamber 68, the first fluid enters one or more of the cavities 72 of the lower nozzle assembly portion 38'. Due to the asymmetry of the fluid chamber 68, the load obtained from the pressure of the first fluid flow will impart a moment to the nozzle assembly portion 38 which in turn will result in a rotation of the nozzle assembly portion 38 around the first axis 44. As the nozzle assembly portion 38 rotates relative to the first shaft 61 , the fluid flow chamber 68 will, for a first time range, be in fluid communication with the first cavity 72' that is in fluid communication with the first nozzle 40. During the above first time range, the first fluid will be discharged from the first nozzle 40. In a similar vein, the first fluid will be discharged from the second nozzle 42 during a second time range. Purely by way Of example, the first and second time ranges may be substantially equal to one another.

As such, the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7a cleaning assembly 24 is adapted to discharge pulsed fluid. In fact, the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7a cleaning assembly 24 is adapted to discharge pulsed fluid from each one of its nozzles, one at the time. Moreover, the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7a cleaning assembly 24 is adapted to propel the nozzle assembly 38 using the first fluid flow as motive power.

Fig. 7b is a top view of an implementation of a nozzle assembly 38 that comprises three nozzles positioned in an angularly symmetrical manner. As for the Fig. 7a implementation, the Fig. 7b embodiment of the cleaning assembly 24 is also adapted to discharge pulsed fluid from each one of its nozzles, one at the time. Moreover, the Fig. 7b embodiment of the cleaning assembly 24 is also adapted to propel the nozzle assembly 38 using the first fluid flow as motive power.

Each one of Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 illustrates alternative embodiments of the cleaning assembly 24 wherein a nozzle is moved around two axes using fluid flow as motive power.

The Fig. 8 embodiment of the cleaning assembly 24 comprises a first fluid motor 78, i.e. a motor that is adapted to provide a rotation upon the application of a fluid flow, which is in fluid communication with a fluid source (not shown), for instance via a conduit 80. The first fluid motor 78 may be connected to the arm 48 such that the arm 48 can rotate around the second axis 46. Moreover, the Fig. 8 embodiment comprises a second fluid motor 82, at the interface between the arm 48 and the nozzle assembly 38, that is in fluid communication with the first fluid motor 78 as well as with the one or more nozzles 40 of the nozzle assembly 38. Moreover, the second fluid motor 82 drives in rotation the nozzle assembly 38. As such, when a first fluid flow is provided via the conduit 80 towards the at least one nozzle 40, the nozzle assembly 38 will rotate around the first axis 44 and the arm 48 will rotate around the second axis 46. As such, the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8 is adapted to use the first fluid flow as motive power for movements around the first and second axes 44, 46. In this example, each fluid motor also forms a rotatable joint which ensures passage of fluid respectively to the arm 48 and from the arm 48 to the nozzle assembly. Fig. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the cleaning assembly 24 in which the movements around the first and second axes 44, 46 are obtained using the second fluid flow 60 as motive power. To this end, at least a portion of the arm 48 as well as at least a portion of the first branch 75 of the nozzle assembly 38 may comprise a portion that is asymmetric with respect to the main flow direction of the second fluid flow 60. Purely by way of example, at least a portion of the arm 48 as well as at least a portion of the first branch 75 may comprise a cambered portion 48', 75', comparable to a turbine blade, as is illustrated in Fig. 9. The Fig. 9 embodiment may include a first fluid motor and/or a second fluid motor such as the ones that have been discussed hereinabove with reference to Fig. 8. However, the Fig. 9 embodiment may instead include rotary fluid joints in order to allow a rotation of e.g. the first arm 48 and/or the first branch 75.

The examples illustrated in each one of Fig. 6 to Fig. 9 are such that the movements of components are obtained using at least one of the first and second fluid flows as motive power. However, it is also envisaged that the embodiments of the cleaning assembly 24 may comprise other means for moving components of the cleaning assembly 24 relative to the after-treatment component 26 during a cleaning procedure. Purely by way of example, it is envisaged that embodiments of the cleaning assembly 24 may comprise one or more electric motor and/or hydraulic motor and/or mechanical transmission arrangement that may be able to move at least one of the components of the cleaning assembly 24 relative to the after-treatment component 26.

In the embodiments of the cleaning assembly 24 that have been discussed hereinabove with reference to each one of Fig. 2 to Fig. 5, the nozzle assembly 38 is adapted to follow a path around a second axis 46 in order to move relative to the after-treatment component 26. However, Fig. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the cleaning assembly 24 that is adapted to rotate the after-treatment component 26 during a cleaning procedure. Purely by way of example, the cleaning assembly 24 may comprise a turn-table or a similar arrangement (not shown) for rotating the after-treatment component 26. As a non-limiting example, the cleaning assembly 24 may be configured such that the after-treatment component 26 is rotated around the component centre axis 47 during a cleaning procedure. In an embodiment of the cleaning assembly 24 such as the one illustrated in Fig. 10, the first axis 44, i.e. the axis around which at least a portion of the nozzle 40 is adapted to move, may be stationary in relation to the environment surrounding the cleaning assembly 24.

A cleaning assembly according to the present invention may be located outside of a vehicle comprising the after-treatment component 26 to be cleaned such that the after- treatment component 26 is removed from the vehicle and inserted into the cleaning assembly before initiating the cleaning procedure. However, it is also envisaged that a cleaning assembly according to the present invention could be located on a vehicle, e.g. in connection to the vehicle's exhaust gas after treatment system.

Finally, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.