METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING ENGINE OIL LIFE BASED ON VISCOSITY

• US 20100122571A1
• Filed: 11/19/2008
• Published: 05/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Han, Taeyoung, Zheng, Liyun
• Granted Patent: US 8,109,138 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/54.10
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/10 Indicating devices; Other safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2011/1446 by considering pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2011/1473 by considering temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2011/148 by considering viscosity
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 11/06 by timing the outflow of a known quantity

Abstract

A method and control module for indicating engine oil life includes a viscosity determination module determining a viscosity of the engine oil based on an engine oil pressure and engine oil temperature. The control system further includes a comparison module comparing the viscosity of the engine oil to a threshold and generating a warning signal in response to comparing the viscosity.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining an engine oil pressure;

determining an engine oil temperature;

determining a viscosity of the engine oil based on the engine oil pressure and engine oil temperature;

comparing the viscosity of the engine oil to a threshold; and

generating a warning signal in response to comparing the viscosity.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising determining an engine speed and wherein determining a viscosity of the engine oil comprises determining the viscosity of the engine oil in response to the engine oil pressure, the engine oil temperature and the engine speed.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising determining an unregulated oil flow range from the engine oil temperature and the engine oil pressure and wherein when an engine oil flow rate is in a regulated oil flow range, determining an oil flow rate based on the engine oil pressure, an engine speed and a regulated pressure.

4. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein determining a viscosity comprises determining the viscosity from the oil flow rate and the engine oil pressure.

5. A method as recited in claim 4 when the engine oil flow rate is in a regulated range, determining the oil viscosity from the engine oil pressure, the engine oil temperature and an engine speed.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein comparing the viscosity of the engine oil comprises comparing the viscosity of the engine oil and a new engine oil viscosity to the threshold.

7. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein comparing the viscosity of the engine oil comprises comparing a ratio of the viscosity of the engine oil and a new engine oil viscosity to a range threshold.

8. A method as recited in claim 8 wherein generating a warning comprises generating a warning when the ratio is outside the range.

9. A method comprising:

determining a new oil viscosity;

determining a used oil viscosity; and

when a ratio of a used oil viscosity and the new oil viscosity is outside a range, generating an indicator corresponding to oil life.

10. A method as recited in claim 9 further comprising when the when the ratio of the used oil viscosity and the new oil viscosity is within a range, indicating the oil is good.

11. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein determining a used oil viscosity comprises determining used engine oil pressure, determining a used engine oil temperature, determining a used oil viscosity based on the used oil pressure and used oil temperature.

12. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein determining a used oil viscosity comprises determining a used engine oil pressure, determining a used engine oil temperature, determining an engine speed, determining a used oil viscosity based on the used oil pressure, an engine speed and used oil temperature.

13. A method as recited in claim 12 further comprising determining an unregulated oil flow range from the used oil temperature and used oil pressure and wherein when an engine oil flow is in a regulated oil flow range, determining a used oil flow rate based on the used oil pressure, the engine speed and a regulated pressure.

14. A method as recited in claim 13 wherein determining a viscosity comprises determining a used oil viscosity from the used oil flow rate and the used oil pressure.

15. A method as recited in claim 13 when the engine oil flow rate is in a regulated range, determining the oil viscosity from the used oil pressure, the used oil temperature and the engine speed.

16. A control module for indicating engine oil life comprising:

a viscosity determination module determining a viscosity of the engine oil based on an engine oil pressure and engine oil temperature; and

a comparison module comparing the viscosity of the engine oil to a threshold and generating a warning signal in response to comparing the viscosity.

17. A system as recited in claim 16 further comprising an indicator receiving the warning signal and displaying an indicator of oil life.

18. A system as recited in claim 17 wherein the indicator of oil life comprises an oil change indicator.

19. A system as recited in claim 16 wherein the viscosity determination module determines a viscosity of the engine oil based on the oil pressure, engine oil temperature and an engine speed.

20. A system as recited in claim 16 wherein the comparison module compares a ratio of the viscosity of the engine oil and a new oil viscosity to the threshold.