AUTOMATIC ENGINE OIL LIFE DETERMINATION ADJUSTED FOR CONSUMED VOLUME OF OIL
First Claim
1. A method for determining remaining oil life prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine using a body of oil, the method comprising:
- transferring the body of oil to the engine;
determining a volume of the transferred body of oil;
determining a volume of oil consumed by the engine from the transferred body of oil;
determining the remaining oil life based on the determined volume of the body of oil and the determined volume of oil consumed by the engine; and
activating an oil change indicator when the remaining oil life reaches a predetermined level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided for determining remaining oil life prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine that uses a body of oil. The method includes transferring the body of oil to the engine and determining a volume of the transferred body of oil. The method also includes determining a volume of oil consumed by the engine from the transferred body of oil and determining the remaining oil life based on the determined volume of the body of oil and the determined volume of oil consumed. The method additionally includes activating an oil change indicator when the remaining oil life reaches a predetermined level. A system for determining a number of engine revolutions permitted on a volume of oil is also disclosed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for determining remaining oil life prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine using a body of oil, the method comprising:
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transferring the body of oil to the engine; determining a volume of the transferred body of oil; determining a volume of oil consumed by the engine from the transferred body of oil; determining the remaining oil life based on the determined volume of the body of oil and the determined volume of oil consumed by the engine; and activating an oil change indicator when the remaining oil life reaches a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for determining remaining oil life permitted prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine that uses a body of oil, the system comprising:
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an oil sump arranged on the engine to accept an initial body of oil; a sensor arranged on the engine and configured to provide a signal indicative of a volume of the initial body of oil in the sump; a device configured to provide a signal indicative of a volume of oil consumed by the engine; and a controller in communication with the sensor and the device and programmed to determine the remaining oil life based on the volume of the initial body of oil and the volume of oil consumed. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for determining a number of engine revolutions permitted prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine using a body of oil and having a sump, the method comprising:
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transferring the body of oil to the engine; determining a volume of the transferred body of oil; determining a volume of oil consumed by the engine from the transferred body of oil; determining the number of permitted engine revolutions based on the determined volume of the body of oil less the determined volume of oil consumed by the engine; activating an oil change indicator when the remaining oil life reaches a predetermined level; and resetting the oil change indicator to represent 100% of oil life remaining following the oil change. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification