System and method for determining oil grade

• US 20030188570A1
• Filed: 04/05/2002
• Published: 10/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Kasen, Jon E., Lee, Michelle A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,840,093 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/61.46
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/10 Indicating devices; Other safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3809 Common rail control systems common rail apparatus F02M55/025, F02M63/0225
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 57/025 hydraulic, e.g. with pressure amplification
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 59/105 hydraulic drive F02M59/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 11/08 by measuring pressure required to produce a known flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2011/0013 Temperature compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/2888 Lubricating oil characteristics, e.g. deterioration lubricating properties G01N33/30

Abstract

The grade of oil used in a machine or apparatus can be determined by determining a temperature and pressure within an oil supply and determining the oil grade in response to determining the temperature and pressure.

Claims

1. A method for determining a oil grade comprising:

measuring a temperature in an oil supply;

measuring a pressure in said oil supply; and

determining said oil grade in response to said measuring temperature step and said measuring pressure step.

2. The method of claim 1 further including:

determining a pressure drop in said oil supply.

3. The method of claim 1 further including:

measuring a second pressure in said oil supply;

comparing said pressure to said second pressure; and

determining a pressure drop in said oil supply.

4. The method of claim 3 further including:

measuring the time between measuring said pressure and measuring said second pressure.

5. The method of claim 1 further including:

determining an estimated pressure drop for a variety of oil types.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein determining an estimated pressure drop includes:

measuring a duration of an event drawing oil from said oil supply;

estimating said pressure drop for said variety of oil types in response to said measuring temperature step and said measuring duration step.

7. The method of claim 6 further including:

determining a pressure drop in said oil supply;

comparing said pressure drop to said estimated pressure drop for said variety of oil types;

determining said oil grade in response to said comparing step.

8. The method of claim 7 further including:

measuring a second pressure in said oil supply;

comparing said pressure to said second pressure; and

determining a pressure drop in said oil supply in response to said comparing step.

9. The method of claim 1 further including:

adjusting an injector timing in response to said determining step.

10. The method of claim 1 further including:

adjusting valve timing in response to said determining step.

11. The method of claim 1 further including:

trimming a hydraulic component in response to said determining step.

12. A system for determining a oil grade comprising:

a temperature sensor;

a pressure sensor;

a electronic control module connected to said temperature sensor and said pressure sensor;

wherein said electronic control unit receives a temperature signal from said temperature sensor and a pressure signal from said pressure sensor and determines said oil grade in response to said temperature signal and said pressure signal.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said temperature sensor is located in an oil supply rail.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein said pressure sensor is located in an oil supply rail.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein said temperature sensor is a oil temperature sensor.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein said electronic control module trims a hydraulic component in response to said determining said oil grade.

17. The system of claim 12 wherein said hydraulic component is a fuel injector.

18. The system of claim 12 wherein said hydraulic component is a valve.

19. A method of determining an oil grade of a oil supply comprising:

measuring a temperature of said oil supply;

measuring a first pressure of said oil supply;

measuring a duration of an event drawing oil from said oil supply;

measuring a second pressure of said oil supply;

estimating a pressure drop of a variety of oil grades in response to said temperature and said duration;

determining an actual pressure drop of said oil supply in response to measuring said first pressure and measuring said second pressure;

comparing said actual pressure drop to said estimated pressure drop;

determining said oil grade in response to said comparing step.

20. The method of claim 19 including:

measuring said first pressure before said event.

21. The method of claim 19 including:

measuring said first pressure proximate in time to a start of said event.

22. The method of claim 19 including:

measuring said second pressure at an end of said event.

23. The method of claim 19 including:

measuring said second pressure proximate in time to an end of said event.

24. The method of claim 19 including:

trimming a hydraulic component in response to said determining said oil grade step.

25. A method for determining a oil grade used in a machine comprising:

determining a pressure drop in an oil supply;

determining a temperature in said oil supply; and

determining said oil grade in response to said determining steps.