Cleaning tool for vehicle exhaust aftertreatment device and method of using same

A cleaning tool for an aftertreatment device, comprising:

• a vacuum attachment port having an exterior end and an interior end and an inner surface positioned between the exterior end and the interior end;
• a vacuum extension extending from the interior end of the vacuum attachment port;
• wherein the vacuum extension has a concave inner surface adapted to engage an end of the aftertreatment device;
• wherein the concave inner surface of the vacuum extension is adapted to secure the cleaning tool to the end of the aftertreatment device when a vacuum is applied from the exterior end of the vacuum attachment port by having the concave inner surface provide a vacuum sealing engagement with the end of the aftertreatment device when the vacuum is applied from the exterior end of the vacuum attachment port;
• wherein the vacuum attachment port is adapted to receive and secure an end of a vacuum hose on the exterior end and on the interior end thereof;
• and
• wherein the inner surface of the vacuum attachment port is tapered inwardly from the exterior end thereof towards a central portion of the vacuum attachment port, and the inner surface of the vacuum attachment port is tapered inwardly from the interior end thereof towards the central portion of the vacuum attachment port.

A kit for cleaning an aftertreatment device, comprising:

• a plurality of cleaning tools, each cleaning tool comprising:
• a vacuum attachment port having an exterior end and an interior end and an inner surface positioned between the exterior end and the interior end;
• a vacuum extension extending from the interior end of the vacuum attachment port;
• wherein the vacuum extension of at least two of the plurality of cleaning tools has a concave inner surface adapted to engage an end of the aftertreatment device;
• and wherein the concave inner surface of the vacuum extension is adapted to secure the cleaning tool to the end of the aftertreatment device when a vacuum is applied from the exterior end of the vacuum attachment port by having the concave inner surface provide a vacuum sealing engagement with the end of the aftertreatment when the vacuum is applied from the exterior end of the vacuum attachment port;
• wherein the vacuum attachment port is adapted to receive and secure an end of a vacuum hose on the exterior end thereof;
• and
• wherein the inner surface of the vacuum attachment port is tapered inwardly from the exterior end thereof towards a central portion of the vacuum attachment port and the inner surface of the vacuum attachment port is tapered inwardly from the interior end thereof towards the central portion of the vacuum attachment port.

A method of cleaning an aftertreatment device, comprising:

• (i) providing a first cleaning tool having a vacuum attachment port with an exterior end and an interior end and an inner surface positioned between the exterior end and the interior end;
• a vacuum extension extending from the interior end of the vacuum attachment port;
• wherein the vacuum extension has a concave inner surface adapted to engage an end of the aftertreatment device;
• and wherein the concave inner surface of the vacuum extension is adapted to secure the cleaning tool to the end of the aftertreatment device when a vacuum is applied from the exterior end of the vacuum attachment port by having the concave inner surface provide a vacuum sealing engagement with the end of the aftertreatment device when the vacuum is applied from the exterior end of the vacuum attachment port;
• wherein the inner surface of the vacuum attachment port is tapered inwardly from the exterior end thereof towards a central portion of the vacuum attachment port, and the inner surface of the vacuum attachment port is tapered inwardly from the interior end thereof towards the central portion of the vacuum attachment port;
• (ii) securing an end of a vacuum hose to the exterior end of the vacuum attachment port;
• (iii) positioning the vacuum extension of the first cleaning tool adjacent a first end of the aftertreatment device;
• (iv) drawing a vacuum through the vacuum hose such that the concave inner surface of the vacuum extension is drawn into vacuum sealing engagement with the first end of the aftertreatment device;
• and
• (v) directing a flow of air through a second end of the aftertreatment device towards the vacuum extension of the first cleaning tool.

A cleaning tool for an aftertreatment device, comprising:

• a vacuum attachment port having an exterior end and an interior end and an inner surface positioned between the exterior end and the interior end;
• a vacuum extension extending from the interior end of the vacuum attachment port;
• wherein the vacuum extension has a planar inner surface adapted to engage an end of the aftertreatment device;
• wherein the planar inner surface of the vacuum extension is adapted to secure the cleaning tool to the end of the aftertreatment device when a vacuum is applied from the exterior end of the vacuum attachment port by having the planar inner surface provide a vacuum sealing engagement with the end of the aftertreatment device when the vacuum is applied from the exterior end of the vacuum attachment port;
• and
• wherein the vacuum attachment port is adapted to receive and secure an end of a vacuum hose on the exterior end thereof;
• and
• wherein the inner surface of the vacuum attachment port is tapered inwardly from the exterior end thereof towards a central portion of the vacuum attachment port, and the inner surface of the vacuum attachment port is tapered inwardly from the interior end thereof towards the central portion of the vacuum attachment port.

A cleaning tool for an aftertreatment device, comprising:

• a vacuum attachment port having an exterior end and an interior end and an inner surface positioned between the exterior end and the interior end;
• a vacuum extension extending from the interior end of the vacuum attachment port;
• wherein the vacuum extension has an inner surface adapted to engage an end of the aftertreatment device;
• wherein the inner surface of the vacuum extension is adapted to secure the cleaning tool to the end of the aftertreatment device when a vacuum is applied from the exterior end of the vacuum attachment port by having the inner surface provide a vacuum sealing engagement with the end of the aftertreatment device when the vacuum is applied from the exterior end of the vacuum attachment port;
• wherein the vacuum attachment port is adapted to receive and secure an end of a vacuum hose on the exterior end thereof;
• and
• wherein the inner surface of the vacuum attachment port is tapered inwardly from the exterior end thereof towards a central portion of the vacuum attachment port, and the inner surface of the vacuum attachment port is tapered inwardly from the interior end thereof towards the central portion of the vacuum attachment port.