Method for continuously determining the oil change interval for an internal combustion engine
First Claim
1. A method for determining the oil change interval for an internal combustion engine where the internal combustion engine includes means for sensing the engine operating speed, means for sensing if the engine has been started or stopped, and engine processor means for calculating new oil change intervals;
- the method comprising the steps of;
a) sensing if the engine is being operated at high speed;
b) sensing if the engine has been stopped or started;
c) calculating a new oil change interval based on the values of time of operation at high speed and the number of engine stops; and
d) determining if an oil change is required by comparing the calculated new oil interval with the number of hours of engine service since the last oil change.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for determining the oil change interval for an internal combustion engine for driving a refrigerant compressor. The method includes the steps of sensing if the engine is being operated at high speed; incrementing the high speed counter during hours of high speed operation; sensing if the engine has been stopped; incrementing the counter for number of stops during the oil change interval; calculating the new oil change interval based on the current values in the high speed counter and the number of stops counter; and comparing the calculated new oil interval with the number of hours of service, and if the number of hours of service exceeds the new oil change interval, displaying a message indicating an oil change is needed.
36 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for determining the oil change interval for an internal combustion engine where the internal combustion engine includes means for sensing the engine operating speed, means for sensing if the engine has been started or stopped, and engine processor means for calculating new oil change intervals;
- the method comprising the steps of;
a) sensing if the engine is being operated at high speed; b) sensing if the engine has been stopped or started; c) calculating a new oil change interval based on the values of time of operation at high speed and the number of engine stops; and d) determining if an oil change is required by comparing the calculated new oil interval with the number of hours of engine service since the last oil change. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- the method comprising the steps of;
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9. A method for determining the oil change interval for an internal combustion engine for driving a refrigerant compressor which supplies refrigerant to a temperature control system, where the internal combustion engine includes means for sensing the engine operating speed, means for sensing if the engine has been started or stopped, and engine processor means for calculating new oil change intervals;
- the method comprising the steps of;
a) sensing if the engine is being operated at high speed; b) sensing if the engine has been stopped or started; c) calculating a new oil change interval based on the values of time of operation at high speed and the number of engine stops; and d) determining if an oil change is required by comparing the calculated new oil interval with the number of hours of engine service since the last oil change.
- the method comprising the steps of;
Specification