Auto fluid condition alert

• US 20070222573A1
• Filed: 03/27/2006
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Navarro, Diego, Hermsen, Edward
• Granted Patent: US 8,421,613 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/457.400
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/226 Safety arrangements, e.g. hydraulic driven fans, preventing cavitation, leakage, overheating
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/26 Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 19/005 Fault detection or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/041 Removal or measurement of solid or liquid contamination, e.g. filtering
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/006 Indicating maintenance

Abstract

A method and device for determining the appropriate time to recharge hydraulic fluid in a work vehicle. The method preferably includes making a real time determination of the at least a quality parameter of hydraulic fluid in a work vehicle. The system includes comparing in real time, the quality parameter to a predetermined value for the hydraulic fluid. The method of the present invention also includes a system for comparing the determined values and communicating same to an operator. The method of the present invention also includes the capacity to control the output level of the work vehicle according to the level of contamination in the hydraulic fluid. The present invention also provides a device for real time monitoring and control of the hydraulic fluid.

Claims

1. A method for determining an optimal time to recharge hydraulic fluid in a work vehicle, the method comprising:

making a real time determination of at least a quality parameter of the hydraulic fluid in the work vehicle, wherein the quality parameter includes particle count;

comparing, in real time, the at least a quality parameter of the hydraulic fluid with a predetermined value for the hydraulic fluid;

determining in real time, from the comparative value of the at least a quality parameter, the optimal time for a recharge of the hydraulic fluid in the work vehicle; and

alerting an operator of the work vehicle of the opportunity to recharge the hydraulic fluid in the work vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the alerting of the operator includes controlling the power output efficiency of the work vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein controlling the power output is associated with the degree of contamination of the hydraulic fluid.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the quality parameters include viscosity, humidity, oxidation level, or combinations thereof the hydraulic fluid.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the alerting of the operator is alerted via wireless transmission.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the alerting of the operator includes use of an alarm and holographic messaging.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein an operator can remotely disable the work vehicle.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert system includes an escalated alarm system for stepwise reduction in the work vehicle efficiency according to the degree of contamination of the hydraulic fluid.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the quality parameter is reset to a new initial quality point of reference for the hydraulic fluid in the work vehicle after the fluid recharge.

10. An apparatus for determining an optimal time to recharge the hydraulic fluid in a work vehicle, comprising:

at least a real time monitor or sensor;

at least a communication device, wherein the communication device is adaptable to communicate in real time between the sensor and an operator of the work vehicle; and

an alert system capable of alerting the operator of an optimal time for a recharge and wherein said alert system is adaptable to manage the output of the work vehicle depending on the contamination level.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the sensor is adaptable for monitoring in real time, at least a quality parameter of the work vehicle.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the quality parameter includes particle count of the hydraulic fluid in the work vehicle.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the quality parameter includes viscosity, humidity, oxidation level, or combinations thereof.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the alert system is a fault code alert system.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the real time monitoring system includes notification of the operator via an instrument panel, holographic or wireless communication modes.