System and method for determining oil grade

• US 6,840,093 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2002
• Issued: 01/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Kasen, Jon E., Lee, Michelle A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): FITZGERALD, JOHN P
• Application Number:
  US10/117,622
• Publication Number:
  US 20030188570A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 73/530.1, 73/540.2, 73/617.6, 73/617.8
• US Class Current: 73/61.78
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/10 Indicating devices; Other safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3809 Common rail control systems common rail apparatus F02M55/025, F02M63/0225
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 57/025 hydraulic, e.g. with pressure amplification
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 59/105 hydraulic drive F02M59/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 11/08 by measuring pressure required to produce a known flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2011/0013 Temperature compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/2888 Lubricating oil characteristics, e.g. deterioration lubricating properties G01N33/30

Abstract

The grade of oil used in a machine or apparatus can be determined by determining a temperature and pressure within an oil supply and determining the oil grade in response to determining the temperature and pressure.

Claims

1. A method for determining an oil grade comprising:

determining a temperature in an oil supply;

determining a first pressure in said oil supply;

determining a second pressure in said oil supply;

determining an actual pressure drop from said first and second determined pressures;

determining a plurality of estimated pressure drops for each of a plurality of oil grades at said temperature;

comparing said actual pressure drop to each of said plurality of estimated pressure drops; and

determining said oil grade in response to said actual pressure drop matching one of said estimated pressure drop.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining an estimated pressure drop includes:

determining a duration of an event drawing oil from said oil supply; and

estimating said pressure drop for said variety of oil types in response to said determining temperature step and said determining duration step.

3. The method of claim 1 further including:

adjusting an injector timing in response to said oil trade determining step.

4. The method of claim 1 further including:

adjusting a valve timing in response to said oil grade determining step.

5. The method of claim 1 further including:

trimming a hydraulic component in response to said oil grade determining step.

6. A system for determining an oil grade comprising:

a temperature sensor;

a pressure sensor; and

an electronic control module connected to said temperature sensor and said pressure sensor;

wherein said electronic control module receives a temperature signal from said temperature sensor and determines a plurality of estimated pressure drops for each of a plurality of oil grades at said temperature, and wherein said electronic control module further receives first and second pressure signals from said pressure sensor, determines an actual pressure drop from said first and second pressure signals, compares said actual pressure drop to each of said plurality of estimated pressure drops and determines said oil grade in response to said actual pressure drop matching one of said estimated pressure drops.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said temperature sensor is located in an oil supply rail.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein said pressure sensor is located in an oil supply rail.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein said temperature sensor is an oil temperature sensor.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein said electronic control module trims a hydraulic component in response to said determining said oil grade.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said hydraulic component is a fuel injector.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein said hydraulic component is a valve.

13. A method of determining an oil grade of an oil supply comprising:

measuring a temperature of said oil supply;

measuring a first pressure of said oil supply;

measuring a duration of an event drawing oil from said oil supply;

measuring a second pressure of said oil supply;

estimating a pressure drop for each of a variety of oil grades in response to said temperature and said duration;

determining an actual pressure drop of said oil supply in response to measuring said first pressure and measuring said second pressure;

comparing said actual pressure drop to each of said estimated pressure drops; and

determining said oil grade in response to said comparing step.

14. The method of claim 13 including:

measuring said first pressure before said event.

15. The method of claim 13 including:

measuring said first pressure proximate in time to a start of said event.

16. The method of claim 13 including:

measuring said second pressure at an end of said event.

17. The method of claim 13 including:

measuring said second pressure proximate in time to an end of said event.

18. The method of claim 13 including:

trimming a hydraulic component in response to said determining said oil grade step.