Automatic engine oil life determination with a factor for degradation based on an initial volume of oil
First Claim
1. A method for determining remaining oil life prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine that uses a body of oil, the method comprising:
- transferring the body of oil to a sump of the engine;
determining a volume of the body of oil transferred to the sump;
determining a degradation of the determined volume of the body of oil in response to at least one of oxidation and decomposition, wherein the determined degradation is used to determine a mathematical exponential function;
determining the remaining oil life based on the determined volume and degradation of the body of oil, wherein the remaining oil life is determined via a mathematical relationship employing the exponential function to proportionally reduce the determined remaining oil life; and
activating an oil change indicator when the remaining oil life reaches a predetermined level.
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Abstract
A method is provided for determining remaining oil life prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine that has a sump and uses a body of oil. The method includes transferring the body of oil to the engine and determining a volume of the transferred body of oil. The method also includes determining degradation of the determined volume of oil in response to oxidation and/or decomposition. The method additionally includes determining the remaining oil life based on the determined volume and degradation of the transferred body of oil. Furthermore, the method includes activating an oil change indicator when the remaining oil life reaches a predetermined level. A system for determining a number of engine revolutions permitted on a volume of oil is also disclosed.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for determining remaining oil life prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine that uses a body of oil, the method comprising:
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transferring the body of oil to a sump of the engine; determining a volume of the body of oil transferred to the sump; determining a degradation of the determined volume of the body of oil in response to at least one of oxidation and decomposition, wherein the determined degradation is used to determine a mathematical exponential function; determining the remaining oil life based on the determined volume and degradation of the body of oil, wherein the remaining oil life is determined via a mathematical relationship employing the exponential function to proportionally reduce the determined remaining oil life; and activating an oil change indicator when the remaining oil life reaches a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for determining remaining oil life prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine that uses a body of oil, the system comprising:
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an oil sump arranged on the engine to accept the body of oil; a sensor arranged on the engine and configured to generate a signal indicative of a volume of the body of oil in the sump; and a controller in communication with the sensor and programmed to determine the remaining oil life based on the generated signal and a determined degradation of the body of oil in the sump; wherein; the degradation of the determined volume of the body of oil is determined in response to at least one of oxidation and decomposition of the body of oil in the sump; the determined degradation is used to determine a mathematical exponential function; and the remaining oil life is determined via a mathematical relationship employing the exponential function to proportionally reduce the determined remaining oil life. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for determining a number of engine revolutions permitted prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine using a body of oil and having an oil sump, the method comprising:
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transferring the body of oil to the sump; determining a volume of the body of oil transferred to the sump; determining a degradation of the determined volume of the body of oil in response to at least one of oxidation and decomposition, wherein the determined degradation is used to determine a mathematical exponential function; determining the number of engine revolutions based on the determined volume and degradation of the body of oil, wherein the number of engine revolutions is determined via a mathematical relationship employing the exponential function to proportionally reduce the determined number of engine revolutions; and activating an oil change indicator when the number of engine revolutions reaches a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification