Method and device for sensing oil condition
First Claim
1. A processor for generating a signal representative of engine oil condition, comprising:
- means for receiving input from at least one oil condition sensor sensing oil condition in an engine;
means for, based on the input, determining that the engine is experiencing a first stage of oil degradation characterized by a first sensor output signal trend;
means for, based on the input, determining that the engine is experiencing a second stage of oil degradation characterized by a second sensor output signal trend different from the first sensor output signal trend;
means for, based on the input, determining that the engine is experiencing a third stage of oil degradation characterized by a third sensor output signal trend different from the first sensor output signal trend and second sensor output signal trend; and
means responsive to the means for determining for generating a signal representative of at least one of;
an approach of an end of the first stage of oil degradation, an entry into the second stage of oil degradation, and an entry into the third stage of oil degradation.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for sensing oil condition includes an oil condition sensor that includes a first sensing plate separated from a second sensing plate by a spacer. Affixed to the first sensing plate and the second sensing plate is a platinum sensing electrode and a resistance temperature device. The sensing electrodes are separated by a gap that is filled with engine oil when the sensor is installed in an oil pan. A processor connected to the sensor can be used to determine when the engine is experiencing a first stage of oil degradation, a second stage of oil degradation, and a third stage of oil degradation. Each stage of degradation is characterized by a first sensor output signal trend, a second sensor output signal trend, and a third output signal trend, respectively.
-
Citations
2 Claims
-
1. A processor for generating a signal representative of engine oil condition, comprising:
-
means for receiving input from at least one oil condition sensor sensing oil condition in an engine;
means for, based on the input, determining that the engine is experiencing a first stage of oil degradation characterized by a first sensor output signal trend;
means for, based on the input, determining that the engine is experiencing a second stage of oil degradation characterized by a second sensor output signal trend different from the first sensor output signal trend;
means for, based on the input, determining that the engine is experiencing a third stage of oil degradation characterized by a third sensor output signal trend different from the first sensor output signal trend and second sensor output signal trend; and
means responsive to the means for determining for generating a signal representative of at least one of;
an approach of an end of the first stage of oil degradation, an entry into the second stage of oil degradation, and an entry into the third stage of oil degradation.- View Dependent Claims (2)
means for maintaining a count representing how many consecutive times an engine has been started and then stopped without oil temperature reaching a threshold temperature; and
means for generating a signal based on the count, the signal based on the cold operation count being useful for indicating oil condition.
-
Specification