Identifying viscosity grade and new oil status based on dielectric and viscosity sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to identifying viscosity grade and new oil status based on dielectric and a viscosity sensor. According to the invention, a lubrication system for an internal combustion engine and a method of monitoring the lubrication system are described. The lubrication system generally circulates lubricant from a sump (i.e., a reservoir), through a filtration system, to the internal combustion engine, and back to the sump. The lubrication system includes a controller that monitors a dielectric constant of the lubricant and a viscosity of the lubricant. Based on the dielectric constant, the controller can determine whether the lubricant flowing through the lubrication system is new lubricant (e.g., recently replaced lubricant) or old lubricant (e.g., lubricant that has degraded enough to be distinguished from new lubricant). If old lubricant is identified, the viscosity of the lubricant is compared against threshold viscosities to dynamically determine when the lubricant requires replacement.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application relates to and requires Vaidya et al., application number 62 / 216,708, filed September 10, 2015, entitled "ONBOARD LUBRICANTQUALITY CONDITION MONITORING WITH AFLUID PROPERTY SENSOR)" and application number 62 / 329,401, filed April 29, 2016, entitled "IDENTIFYING VISCOSITY GRADE AND NEW OIL CONDITIONS BASED ON DIELECTRIC AND VISCOSITY SENSOR OIL STATUS BASED ONDIELECTRIC AND VISCOSITY SENSOR), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. technical field [0003] This application relates to lubrication condition monitoring of lubrication systems and internal combustion engines. Background technique [0004] Internal combustion engines running on various fuels such as diesel, gasoline, ethanol, natural gas, etc., include one or more piston / cylinder pairs that reciprocate to produce rotational motion that is used to perform mechanical work. Internal combustion engines...

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Problems solved by technology

Therefore, these basic guidelines may not account for extreme operating conditions, light usage, lubricant type, environmental conditions, engine component failures (e.g., internal leaks in the engine), and any component failures such as gaskets, O-rings, bearings, and similar to those that may affect the performance of the lubricant), etc.

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