WATER REDUCTION MECHANISM FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

• US 20090283364A1
• Filed: 05/19/2008
• Published: 11/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Basu, Amiyo K., Throop, Medville Jay, Denlinger, Adam
• Granted Patent: US 8,104,449 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 184/6.220
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/10 Indicating devices; Other safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2011/146 by considering moisture level
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2011/148 by considering viscosity
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 5/001 Heating
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 5/021 by heating

Abstract

A system for internal combustion engine including an engine block having a cylinder, an oil delivery system coupled to the engine block including an oil reservoir at least partially enclosing an oil emulsion, the oil delivery system providing lubricating oil to at least one cylinder in the engine, a heat adjustment mechanism coupled to the engine, and a controller configured to adjust the heat delivered to the engine, via the heat adjustment mechanism, in response to a concentration of water in the oil emulsion.

Claims

1. A system for internal combustion engine comprising:

an engine block having a cylinder;

an oil delivery system coupled to the engine block including an oil reservoir at least partially enclosing an oil emulsion, the oil delivery system providing lubricating oil to at least one cylinder in the engine;

a heat adjustment mechanism coupled to the engine; and

a controller configured to adjust the heat delivered to the engine, via the heat adjustment mechanism, in response to an indication of water in the oil emulsion.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a hydrogen fuel system fluidly coupled to the engine, and where the indication includes a concentration of water in the oil emulsion.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the heat adjustment mechanism adjusts heat delivered to oil in the oil delivery system.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the heat adjustment mechanism in response to an oil reservoir temperature.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the heat adjustment mechanism is an engine block heater coupled to the engine block, and where the indication includes an increased oil level.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the heat adjustment mechanism is a surface oil reservoir heater coupled to the oil reservoir.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein the heat adjustment mechanism is an oil reservoir heater coupled to the oil reservoir.

8. The system of claim 4 wherein the heat adjustment mechanism is an engine cooling system configured to circulate engine coolant in the engine block, the engine cooling system including a radiator coupled to the engine.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the heat delivered to the engine prior to engine start up, and where the indication includes a viscosity of the oil emulsion.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the heat delivered to the engine in response to an increase oil emulsion viscosity above a threshold viscosity.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a pump coupled to the oil reservoir capable of delivering fluid from the oil reservoir to the cylinder, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the pump in response to a concentration of water in the oil emulsion and/or an oil emulsion temperature.

12. A method for controlling an internal combustion engine including heat adjustment mechanism configured to heat engine oil, comprising:

adjusting the heat delivered by the heat adjustment mechanism in response to a concentration of water in the oil emulsion during a first condition; and

adjusting the heat delivered by the heat adjustment mechanism in response to another operating temperature during a second condition.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the first condition includes a higher concentration of water in the oil emulsion than the second condition, where the operating temperature includes engine coolant temperature.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein adjusting the heat delivered to the engine includes adjusting operation of an engine block heater.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein adjusting the heat delivered to the engine includes adjusting operation of an oil heater in an oil reservoir of the engine.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein adjusting the heat delivered to the engine includes adjusting operation of an engine coolant system coupled to the engine, the method further comprising combusting hydrogen in the engine.

17. A system for internal combustion engine comprising:

an engine block having a cylinder;

an oil delivery system coupled to the engine block including an oil reservoir at least partially enclosing an oil emulsion, the oil delivery system providing lubricating oil to at least one cylinder in the engine and including an oil pick-up tube;

a hydrogen fuel system configured to deliver hydrogen fuel to the cylinder;

a positive crankcase ventilation system configured to vent gasses from the oil reservoir to an intake of the engine;

a heat adjustment mechanism coupled to the engine; and

a controller configured to adjust the heat delivered to the engine, via the heat adjustment mechanism, in response to a concentration of water in the oil emulsion, the controller increasing temperature as the concentration increases.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the heat adjustment mechanism is at least one of an oil reservoir heater, an engine block heater, and an engine cooling system including a radiator coupled to a cooling system pump configured to circulate an engine coolant in the engine block.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the heat delivered to the engine is adjusted in response to a least one of an ambient temperature, an oil reservoir temperature, and an engine block temperature.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the oil reservoir heater, the engine block heater, and the engine cooling system are concurrently adjusted in response to the concentration of water in the oil emulsion.