Patent attributes
Method and arrangement for cleaning an EGR cooler of an exhaust gas recirculation system by detecting an excessive particulate accumulation condition in the EGR cooler and causing liquid-state moisture to be introduced in the EGR cooler thereby enabling a reduction of the excessive particulate accumulation from the EGR cooler. One embodiment of the present invention provides for locating a first temperature sensor after an EGR cooler of an exhaust gas recirculation system at a suitable location to detect an exit-temperature of exhaust gas leaving the EGR cooler and a second temperature sensor at a suitable location to detect a temperature of available coolant for the EGR cooler, arranging the first and second temperature sensors in communication with an automated controller adapted to execute a cleaning routine that affects a periodic reduction of particulate accumulation in the EGR cooler, and executing the cleaning routine, responsive to instructions from the automated controller, when the first temperature sensor has detected an over-threshold temperature condition and the second temperature sensor has detected an under-threshold temperature condition.
