Method of monitoring oil in a vehicle

• US 8,482,420 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2010
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Blossfeld, Daniel H., Snider, Matthew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Foxx, Chico A
• Application Number:
  US12/857,648
• Publication Number:
  US 20120044077A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• Field of Search: 184/6.4, 184/6.1, 184/108, 184/1.5, 508/485, 508/486, 340/457.4, 340/438, 340/439, 340/450, 340/450.1, 340/450.3, 123/196.R, 123/196.S, 123/295, 123/305, 123/443, 123/339.1, 324/663, 324/667, 701/29.5, 701/1, 701/99, 701/123, 701/104, 180/65.1
• US Class Current: 340/603
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 1/16 Controlling lubricant pressure or quantity rendering machines or engines inoperative or idling on lubricant pressure failure F01M1/22
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/10 Indicating devices; Other safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2011/1473 by considering temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2011/1486 by considering duration of operation

Abstract

A method of monitoring oil in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes measuring a sump temperature of the engine and measuring a power output of the engine. Oil consumption is calculated as a function of the measured sump temperature and the measured power output. Remaining oil life is calculated as a function of the calculated consumption. The method may include alerting a receiver of the calculated remaining oil life.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring oil in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

measuring a sump temperature of the engine;

measuring a power output of the engine;

calculating an oil consumption as a function of the measured sump temperature and the measured power output;

calculating an oil volume of the engine as a function of the calculated oil consumption; and

calculating a remaining oil life as a function of the calculated oil volume.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculating remaining oil life includes reference to a lookup table.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the lookup table is derived from regression analysis.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the calculated remaining oil life is measured in one of revolutions of the engine and combustion events of the engine.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising alerting a receiver of the calculated remaining oil life.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising communicating the calculated remaining oil life from the receiver to an operator of the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising alerting a receiver of the calculated oil volume.

8. A method of monitoring oil in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

measuring a sump temperature of the engine;

measuring a power output of the engine;

calculating an oil consumption as a function of the measured sump temperature and the measured power output;

calculating a remaining oil life as a function of the calculated consumption; and

alerting a receiver of the calculated remaining oil life.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising alerting a receiver of the calculated oil volume.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising calculating an oil volume of the engine as a function of the calculated oil consumption.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the calculated remaining oil life is measured in one of revolutions of the engine and combustion events of the engine.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising alerting a receiver of the calculated oil volume.