Adaptive Lubricant Dilution Detection at Low Idle Conditions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting lubricant dilution in lubrication systems are inadequate, often failing to accurately detect dilution or leading to false diagnoses, which can result in damage to moving components due to reduced lubrication ability.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that detect lubricant dilution by sensing lubricant pressure and temperature during a low idle condition, determining a variable lubricant pressure threshold based on temperature, and outputting an indication of dilution when the pressure falls below this threshold, thereby accurately identifying dilution and reducing false positives and negatives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current methods are used to detect lubricant dilution, then detection capability is provided, but measurement precision is insufficient leading to false diagnoses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using multiple parameters (lubricant pressure, temperature, and engine operating conditions) instead of a single parameter for detection. The system dynamically adjusts the pressure threshold based on temperature and operating conditions, transforming the detection approach from static to dynamic parameter-based evaluation, thereby improving measurement precision and reducing false diagnoses
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring lubricant pressure and temperature, comparing actual pressure against dynamically calculated thresholds, and adjusting detection decisions based on this feedback loop. This closed-loop approach allows the system to learn from operating patterns and improve detection accuracy over time, reducing false positives and negatives
2Measurement precision
If detection sensitivity is increased to catch all dilution cases, then detection capability improves, but false alarms increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the pressure threshold parameter based on temperature and engine operating conditions. Instead of using a fixed threshold that causes false alarms, the system adjusts the threshold to match expected pressure variations under different conditions, maintaining high detection sensitivity while filtering out false alarms caused by normal operating fluctuations
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static threshold detection to dynamic threshold adjustment based on real-time operating conditions. By making the detection criteria adaptive and dynamic rather than fixed, the system can distinguish between actual dilution events and normal pressure variations, reducing false alarms while maintaining sensitivity
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for lubricant dilution detection are disclosed. A method for detecting lubricant dilution for a lubrication system includes detecting a low idle condition. The method includes receiving sensed values indicative of lubricant pressure and lubricant temperature during the low idle condition. The method also includes determining a lubricant pressure threshold based on the sensed value indicative of lubricant temperature. The method further includes determining lubricant dilution based on the sensed value indicative of lubricant pressure and the determined lubricant pressure threshold during the low idle condition. In accordance with a determination that there is lubricant dilution, the method includes outputting an indication of the lubricant dilution.