FORM2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
Patent Rules 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10; rule 13)
1. Title - RADIATOR CLEANING DEVICE
2. Applicant - MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LTD
1, GATEWAY BUILDING, APOLLO BUNDER, MUMBAI -400001. AN INDIAN COMPANY.
The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to engine overheating problem caused by clogging of radiator surface due to extraneous material, more particularly, the invention relates to a unique configuration of cleaning device for dislodging the extraneous material from radiator surface in agricultural vehicle such as tractor.
DESCRIPTION OF BACKGROUND ART
Farm machineries such as tractors are operated in agricultural field, construction sites etc., where surroundings are quite dusty and full of loose particles. As a result, radiator (surface) of tractor gets exposed to various types of extraneous materials such as loose sand / soil particles, mud, chaff, straws, dirt and other particulate matter. During field operation, airflow gets created over the radiator by engine fan as part of normal engine running, due to which various extraneous materials present in the surrounding air get suck and deposited on the radiator surface resulting in clogging of radiator surface. This subsequently impacts cooling efficiency of the radiator significantly, some times the clogging is so severe that almost no air can flow through the radiator, leading to inefficient functioning of the radiator resulting in overheating and subsequently piston seizure and stalling of tractor engine.
This problem of overheating of engine becomes acute, especially during threshing operations where grains are separated from the crop that releases chaff flying out and spreading in surrounding air.
Conventional practice, as a remedial measure to this problem, is to stop the tractor intermittently for operator to alight and manually clean the radiator surface off the extraneous material adhered to it. Though this method apparently helps in resolving the problem, it inherently results in undesirable intermittent stoppages resulting in loss of productivity by way of higher down time of vehicle with waste of operator time and energy. Especially in threshing operation, clogging of tractor radiator surface is so frequent that productivity gets adversely affected.
Hence, considering severity of the problem, there is a need to provide appropriate cleaning device, in farm machineries, such as tractors, to enable the operator to clean the radiator surface without stalling of vehicle, in a simple and convenient way. The invention described herewith proposes a device for cleaning the radiator surface that is simple in operation, involves lesser number of elements and cleans the radiator surface on-line OR while the tractor is working in the field, thereby maintaining efficiency of the radiator.

US Patent Application titled "Industrial Truck with Radiator and a Filter" bearing application No. "2005/0051308" describes an industrial truck that includes a radiator, a cooling air line, and a filter screen that is located in the vicinity of the cooling air line. A cleaning device connected to the filter screen is integrated into the cooling air line. The cleaning device has a wiper that can be moved along outside surface of the filter screen which is separate from radiator surface, and is equipped so that it is engaged with drive means and can be fastened to a lever arm in the form of a parallel arm having up-down and lateral movement.
Incorporation of cooling air line, along with filter screen on the radiator itself blocks the air flow to radiator and thereby adversely affects the cooling efficiency of the radiator; hence it is not desirable to mount cooling air line in the vicinity of the radiator in farm machineries such as tractors. Also, many times due to space constraints, such type of cooling air line may not be possible to be incorporated.
Farther, as described in the above mentioned patent document, srrrce cleaning is carried out on the filter screen and not directly on radiator surface, there are always considerable chances that extraneous material would escape through such filter screen and eventually clog the radiator surface. Hence use of separate screen may merely prolong clogging of radiator instead of preventing it. Thus, there exists a need to introduce a cleaning device that would directly dean the surface of radiator effectively and which is also simple in operation.
Secondly, cleaning device as described in above mentioned patent document moves laterally up & down or sideways over the surface of separate filter screen. Such type of linear motion generally necessitates precision-machined guide-ways, sliding members, etc. which in turn increases number of moving parts and leads to configurational complexity. This may lead to malfunctioning and would also require frequent maintenance. Hence, it is desirable to develop a cleaning system comprising lesser number of parts and which is simple in operation.
Hence, to obviate above mentioned difficulties, there exists a need to provide a device for cleaning radiator of vehicles, such as tractor, which directly cleans the radiator surface effectively and is simple in construction and operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the invention is to provide a cleaning device that is capable of dislodging extraneous material from radiator surface, thereby avoiding need of frequent deliberate stopping of vehicle or stalling caused by overheating of engine due to clogging of radiator surface, mainly during threshing and combine harvesting operations.
Another object of the invention is to provide a radiator-surface cleaning device which is simple in construction as well as in operation and comprising less number of parts.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a radiator-surface cleaning device which is operated manually or through electric power means.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a radiator-surface cleaning device which can optionally be operated via a control unit, wherein the said control unit senses engine temperature and puts the cleaning device into operation when engine temperature exceeds the preset value in the said control unit.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide radiator-surface cleaning device of shape such as anchor or alike having plurality of side arms, fastened to the lower side of a vertical shank such that, at each extreme lateral/ sideway position of the said vertical shank, the respective arm lies parallel to either side wall of radiator to aid in wiping out more surface area of radiator.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a radiator-surface cleaning device that is easy to service and maintain.
The aforementioned objectives achieved in accordance with one aspect of the present invention comprising;
a hand operated lever which is rotationally mounted on top of the hood, an anchor-shape arrangement of wiping arms having a vertical shank fastened with plurality of side arms at the bottom thereof,
wherein
the said vertical shank functioning as a brush having wiping media such as bristles in preferably straight pattern and zigzag pattern on the said side arms to advantageously facilitate removal of extraneous material from entire radiator surface, and the bristles optionally provided with different heights such that it generates un-uniform surface at free end

to effectively facilitate removal of extraneous material from radiator fins.
In further aspect of the present invention, the said anchor kind arrangement of wiping arms is actuated by a rotational output power device means. A control unit is used here to sense the engine temperature and send signal to the said rotational output power device (for its actuation) when engine temperature exceeds preset value in the control unit.
In another aspect of the present invention a cable is used to actuate the said anchor kind arrangement of wiping arms.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given as illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skiJJed in the art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in details below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of agricultural machinery such as a tractor that can incorporate features of the invention,
Figure 2 illustrates preferred embodiment as a tractor with features of this invention,
Figure 3 illustrates use of a control unit in another aspect of the present invention,
Figure 4 illustrates a wiper arm,
Figure 5 illustrates one of the embodiments of wiper arm,
Figure 6 illustrates radiator surface area coverage with single vertical wiper arm,

Figure 7 illustrates area coverage with plurality of wiper arms,
Figure 8 illustrates anchor-shape arrangement of wiper arms in accordance with present invention.
Figure 9 illustrates preferred patterns of wiping media.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
An agricultural machinery that can incorporate feature of the invention as shown in Figure 1 is illustrated in the form of a tractor powered by an internal combustion engine. Inside hood (1) is, among other elements, an internal combustion engine, and a cooling system (not seen). Cooling/ ambient air enters through front grill (10) and after absorbing heat from radiator, exits the hood (1) of the vehicle through open areas.
Conventional cooling system for tractor and proposed device for cleaning the radiator surface is illustrated in Figure 2. Conventionally, radiator is used to cool the engine with coolant circulated through it. This cooling action is, generally, accelerated by a fan (not shown) located in a circular inlet opening (2a). When this fan wheel operates, air flows and passes through the radiator (2) thereby accelerating cooling action. In agricultural applications such as threshing and combine-harvesting operations, extraneous material such as small straws and chaff can clog the radiator surface (3) and reduce cooling efficiency of radiator (2). Hence, to obviate above problem, this invention proposes a radiator (surface) cleaning device such as wiper/scrapper/ brush which is preferably operated in oscillatory motion on surface of radiator (2) to dislodge extraneous material such as chaff, straws, etc. and clean it to maintain proper air flow across the radiator (2).
In accordance with the present invention, a manually operated lever (4) is used to actuate a wiping arm (6) of the said radiator cleaning device. The lever (4) is rotationally mounted on the hood (1) via easily detachable hinged mounting means and the forward end of the lever (4) is extended upto the hole, which is conventionally available in the hood to pour coolant/ water in radiator, and a provision is made to connect it to the said wiping arm (6). Another end (5) of the lever (4) is designed in a way for the operator to operate the cleaning device comfortably with his normal seating position.
The said Cleaning device can also be power-assisted or powered by motorized means by connecting the motor means with the said wiping arm (6), where manually operated lever (4) is not necessary. Hence, it can be depicted that the wiping arm (6) of cleaning device can be

actuated by different forms of power such as motorized or manual power, as desired.
In order to minimize wear & tear of wiping media such as bnstles and erosion of radiator fins, it is desirable to move wiping arm (6) over radiator surface only when it is necessary and not continuously. Further, conventionally, tractors are equipped with various sensors, such as engine oil/ water temperature etc. with display units on dash board, hence, this invention also enables introduction of a control unit that senses engine temperature and puts wiping arm (6) into operation when engine temperature exceeds certain value preset in the control unit. This regulates intermittent motion of wiper arm (6) just as per need, which helps in power saving and lesser wear & tear of radiator fins and wiping media.
Figure 3 illustrates use of such control unit as another aspect of the present invention. A control unit (8) senses engine temperature and when the engine temperature exceeds the caution limit (that can be indicated on dash board by glowing LED or any other suitable means), the operator can get such trigger / signal to operate the handle (5) manually to clean the radiator surface; alternately, it shall be appreciated that a person skilled in the art can develop communication means such as electrical, electronic, mechanical that would sense the engine temperature and would send the output signal / trigger to power means such as electric motor (7), to actuate the cleaning device. The extraneous matter gets wiped out off surface (3) of radiator (2) and falls under gravity through opening of tractor hood (1).
In its simplest form, wiper can be realized in the form as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 5 illustrates preferred embodiment of the cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device is of the shape such as anchor or alike having a vertical shank (11) and plurality of side arms.. Lower ends of the said side arms (12 & 13) are connected at lower end of the vertical shank (11) such that both the said side arms (12 & 13) lie in inclined position with upper ends away on either side of the shank (11). The main advantage of this innovative (anchor-like) shape would be appreciated by giving consideration to the wiping area coverage possible with such shape; such comparison can be seen in Figure 6 and Figure 7. Additional area that can be wiped off with anchor-shape wiper is shown in Figure 7 and pointed by (15).
In another embodiment of cleaning device, as illustrated in Figure 8, the top free end of the side arms (12 & 13) are connected with vertical shank (11) using elastic members (14) such as compressible spring, thereby enabling the inclined side arms (12 & 13) to adjust themselves

about the pivot at lower end of the vertical shank (11) so as to make the side arms (12,& 13) parallel to respective side wall of radiator when the said vertical shank (11) reaches extreme lateral (sideways) position of radiator surface.
Figure 9, which shows cross sectional views with reference to Figure 5, illustrates the details of wiping media such as bristles. Section (view) AA' shows the unt-racial pattern of bristles on vertical shank (11), as shank mainly wipes the central portion of the radiator surface and hence to effectively remove extraneous materials such as straws and chaff clogged on parallel fins of radiator. Section BB' shows the bi-racial pattern on inclined side arms (12 & 13) as these side arms are in inclined position thereby bi-racial bristles facilitate effective removal of extraneous material such as straws and chaff clogged in fins of radiator (2).
It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that multiple options and modifications can be possible with the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed in the foregoing description. Accordingly, the particular embodiments described in detail herein are illustrative only and are not limiting to the scope of the invention.

We claim:
1) A radiator cleaning device for off-road vehicles such as tractor
comprising;
a wiper arm for dislodging extraneous materials from radiator surface; wherein the said wiping arm is having at least one member in the form of a main shank or arm, with wiping media such as bristles on the said shank or arm(s), the wiper arm having provision such as manually operated lever or power means, to oscillate the wiper arm between sides of the radiator over the radiator surface;
2) A radiator cleaning device as defined in claim 1, wherein the said main shank preferably substantially vertical, is provided optionally with a plurality of side arms, optionally pivoted at the bottom end of the said main shank at required inclined position with respect to the said vertical shank so as to maintain the side arms substantially parallel to radiator lateral side with respect to its oscillation, covering maximum surface area of the radiator;
3) A radiator cleaning device as defined in claim 1, wherein the said main shank is provided with at least one side arm with one end of the said side arm rotationally pivoted to the bottom end of the said main shank at required inclined position with respect to the said main shank and elastic member such as compressible spring connectively placed between the side arm and the main shank enabling the side arm(s) to rotate and adjust about the pivot point when the said main shank oscillates laterally reaching its extreme positions covering maximum area of the surface;
4) A radiator cleaning device as defined in claim1, wherein the said main shank is provided with wiping media such as bristles in uni-racial pattern;
5) A radiator cleaning device as defined in claim 1, wherein the said plurality of inclined side arms are provided with wiping media such as bristles in bi-racial pattern;
6) A radiator cleaning device as defined in claiml, wherein the said wiper arm is operated with an operating lever that is positioned on top of the hood mounted rotationally with mounting means, one end of the lever connected to the said vertical shank so as to oscillate the wiping arm with angular movement of the other end of the said lever.

7) A radiator cleaning device as defined in claiml, wherein the said wiping arm, optionally actuated using a control unit and a rotational output power device means, wherein the said control unit senses engine temperature and as per preset temperature value range sends signal to the said power device means for actuation of the wiping arm.