Method and apparatus for determining and extending a change interval for an operating fluid of a unit
First Claim
1. A method for determining and extending a change interval for an operating fluid of a unit, comprising the steps of evaluating at least one operating variable representing a qualitative condition of the operating fluid, and continuously calculating therefrom the change interval, wherein the continuously calculated change interval is related to a specified unit service interval and, if the change interval expires before the service interval, a regeneration signal for removal of a quantity of the spent operating fluid and the replacement of said quantity with a fresh operating fluid is produced as a function of the difference therebetween.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining and extending a change interval for an operating fluid of a unit, particularly for an engine of a motor vehicle, uses at least one directly or indirectly recorded operating variable which represents the qualitative condition of the operating fluid. An evaluation of the at least operating variable and a continuous calculation of the change interval therefrom is performed by a computing and control unit. The calculated change interval is related to a specified unit service interval and, if the change interval expires before the service interval, a regeneration signal for the removal of a certain quantity of the spent operating fluid and the replacement of the quantity with a fresh operating fluid is produced as a function of the difference therebetween.
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Citations
10 Claims
- 1. A method for determining and extending a change interval for an operating fluid of a unit, comprising the steps of evaluating at least one operating variable representing a qualitative condition of the operating fluid, and continuously calculating therefrom the change interval, wherein the continuously calculated change interval is related to a specified unit service interval and, if the change interval expires before the service interval, a regeneration signal for removal of a quantity of the spent operating fluid and the replacement of said quantity with a fresh operating fluid is produced as a function of the difference therebetween.
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6. An apparatus for determining and extending a change interval for an operating fluid of a motor vehicle engine, comprising means for evaluating at least one operating variable representative of a qualitative condition of the operating fluid and continuously calculating therefrom the change interval related to a specified engine service interval such that, if the change interval expires before the service interval, a regeneration signal is produced, and
means for using the regeneration signal to remove a quantity of spent operating fluid from the unit and to add fresh operating fluid to the unit as a function of the difference between the change interval and the service interval.
Specification