Simple driveline condition sensing system

• US 6,470,735 B1
• Filed: 02/22/2000
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Original Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Inventors: Bell, Dale K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Larkin, Daniel S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WIGGINS, JOHN DAVID
• Application Number:
  US09/510,553
• Time in Patent Office: 980 Days
• Field of Search: 73/530.5, 73/530.6, 731/181, 731/16, 73/10, 184/6.4, 184/108
• US Class Current: 73/53.05
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/10 Indicating devices; Other safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0405 Monitoring quality of lubricant or hydraulic fluids
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 2250/08 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 2250/11 Ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 29/04 enabling a warning to be given; enabling moving parts to be stopped

Abstract

A system for monitoring the condition of a lubricant in a driveline component monitors the temperature of the lubricant and compares it to an ambient temperature. A temperature differential is stored as a function of time, and if that differential temperature increases beyond a predetermined amount, then an indication is made that lubricant maintenance may be in order. To further refine this system, the compared temperature differentials may be selected under similar load conditions.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring lubricant quality in a driveline component comprising the steps of:

(1) monitoring the component temperature, and comparing said monitored temperature to an ambient temperature to determine a temperature differential;

(2) storing said temperature differentials;

(3) comparing said temperature differential over time; and

(4) indicating a need for lubricant maintenance should said differential temperature increase over time, based upon said comparison of step 3.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said indication of step (4) occurs if a predetermined difference in said differential temperature occurs over time.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein a warning indication is sent should said determination of step (4) be made.

3. A method of monitoring lubricant quality in a driveline component comprising the steps of:

(1) monitoring the component temperature, and comparing said monitored temperature to an ambient temperature to determine a temperature differential;

(2) storing said temperature differentials;

(3) comparing said temperature differential over time;

(4) indicating a need for lubricant maintenance should said differential temperature increase over time; and

(5) said compared temperatures being selected from two times at similar load characteristics.

5. A system for monitoring lubricant quality comprising:

a driveline component receiving a lubricant;

a sensor for sensing a temperature within said driveline component;

a sensor for sensing an ambient temperature condition; and

a control for comparing said component temperature and said ambient temperature and identifying a temperature differential, and for comparing temperature differentials over a period of time and making a determination as to lubricant quality based on changes in said temperature differential, said changes being determined based upon said comparison of temperature differentials over a period of time.

6. A system as set forth in claim 5, wherein a load characteristic of an engine driving said driveline component is also sensed, and said compared temperature differentials are selected to be at similar driveline load conditions.

7. A system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said control communicates with a warning signal generating device.

8. A system for monitoring lubricant quality comprising:

a driveline component receiving a lubricant;

a sensor for sensing a temperature within said driveline component;

a sensor for sensing an ambient temperature condition;

a control for comparing said component temperature and said ambient temperature and identifying a temperature differential, and for comparing temperature differentials over a period of time and making a determination as to lubricant quality based on changes in said temperature differential; and

said driveline component is an axle housing.