Oil consumption measurement system for internal combustion engine

• US 5,273,134 A
• Filed: 10/22/1992
• Issued: 12/28/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dana Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dana Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hegemier, Timothy A., Spoonamore, John G., Lafever, Edward E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cole, Richard R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cariaso, Alan B.
• Application Number:
  US07/965,626
• Time in Patent Office: 432 Days
• Field of Search: 340/618, 340/623, 340/624, 73/305, 73/308, 73/309, 73/319, 73/322.5, 73/113, 123/196 S, 184/6.4, 184/103.1, 184/103.2, 184/108, 116/110, 200/84 R
• US Class Current: 184/6.4
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/061 Means for keeping lubricant level constant
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/10 Indicating devices; Other safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/12 concerning lubricant level
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 2230/02 Microprocessor; Microcomputer
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 2250/08 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 2270/10 Level
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/60 using electrically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/76 characterised by the construction of the float
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 9/003 by measuring the weight
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 9/005 by using calibrated reservoirs

Abstract

A system for precisely measuring the amount of oil consumed during operation of an internal combustion engine includes a float chamber which communicates with an oil sump in the engine. A float is disposed within the chamber which moves upwardly and downwardly therein, depending upon the level of oil. A precision level detector is mounted in the upper end of the chamber for generating an electrical signal which is representative of the position of the float within the chamber. A microprocessor receives this signal, along with signals from various other sensors representing engine speed, engine torque, and oil temperature. In response thereto, the microprocessor controls the operation of a pump connected between an external supply of oil and the engine sump. When predetermined conditions are met, the microprocessor activates the pump to add oil from the system. The microprocessor also records the oil level over a period of time to determine the rate of oil consumption.

Claims

1. A system for generating an indication of the level of a fluid in a chamber comprising:

a float disposed in the chamber and adapted to float on the fluid such that the position of said float in the chamber is representative of the level of the fluid therein;

means secured to said float defining an engagement surface;

position sensing means including a plunger which is movable relative to said float and which is in abutment with said engagement surface of said float so as to be continuously movable therewith, said position sensing means being responsive to the relative position of said plunger for generating an indication of the level of the fluid in the chamber; and

means secured to said float for maintaining said engagement surface of said float facing toward said plunger of said position sensing means under the influence of gravity.

2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said engagement surface includes a guide secured to said float for receiving said plunger.

3. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein said plunger has a conical tip and wherein said guide has a conical recess formed therein for receiving said plunger tip.

4. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining said engagement surface facing toward said plunger includes a counterweight secured to said float.

5. The invention defined in claim 4 wherein said engagement surface includes a guide secured to said float for receiving said plunger.

6. The invention defined in claim 1 further including a support cage disposed within the chamber below said float, said support cage adapted to support said float when the level of fluid in the chamber falls below a predetermined level.

7. The invention defined in claim 6 wherein said support cage has a plurality of openings formed therein for allowing the fluid in the chamber to flow therethrough.

8. A system for generating an indication of the level of oil in an oil sump of an engine comprising:

a chamber;

means for providing fluid communication between said chamber and the oil sump such that the level of the oil in said chamber is representative of the level of the oil in the oil sump;

a float disposed in said chamber and adapted to float on the oil such that the position of said float in the chamber is representative of the level of the oil therein;

means secured to said float defining an engagement surface;

position sensing means including a plunger which is movable relative to said float and which is in abutment with said engagement surface of said float so as to be continuously movable therewith, said position sensing means being responsive to the relative position of said plunger for generating an indication of the level of the fluid in the chamber; and

means secured to said float for maintaining said engagement surface toward said plunger of said position sensing means under the influence of gravity.

9. The invention defined in claim 8 wherein said engagement surface includes a guide secured to said float for receiving said plunger.

10. The invention defined in claim 8 wherein said means for maintaining said engagement surface facing toward said plunger includes a counterweight secured to said float.

11. The invention defined in claim 10 wherein said engagement surface includes a guide secured to said float for receiving said plunger.

12. The invention defined in claim 8 further including a support cage disposed within the chamber below said float, said support cage adapted to support said float when the level of fluid in the chamber falls below a predetermined level.

13. The invention defined in claim 12 wherein said support cage has a plurality of openings formed therein for allowing the fluid in the chamber to the flow therethrough.

14. The invention defined in claim 8 wherein said position sensing means includes a sensor for generating an electrical signal which is representative of the level of the oil within said chamber and a microprocessor for receiving said sensor signal.

15. The invention defined in claim 14 further including a sensor for generating a signal which is representative of the temperature of the oil, said microprocessor adjusting the value of said oil level signal is response to said oil temperature signal.

16. The invention defined in claim 8 further including means for adding a predetermined amount of oil to the sump when the level of oil in the oil sump has decreased by a predetermined amount.

17. The invention defined in claim 16 wherein said means for adding a predetermined amount of oil includes a reservoir of oil and a pump connected between said said reservoir and the oil sump, said pump being actuated when the level of oil in the oil sump has decreased by a predetermined amount to add a predetermined amount of oil to the oil sump.

18. The invention defined in claim 17 wherein said means for adding a predetermined amount of oil further includes a microprocessor responsive to said position sensing means for selectively actuating said pump.

19. The invention defined in claim 18 further including a sensor for generating a signal which is representative of the temperature of the oil, said microprocessor adjusting the value of said oil level signal is response to said oil temperature signal.

20. The invention defined in claim 18 further including a sensor for generating a signal which is representative of the weight of the oil in said reservoir for selectively actuating said pump.