Method of estimating engine lubricant condition
US6920779B2 · kind B2 · utility
65Cited by
11References
12Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 15, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 26, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 3, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/2876
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a lubricating oil circulation system provides estimates of the distance remaining before an oil change becomes imperative. An indirect estimate of the depletion of various additives and the deterioration of oil operating characteristics is based on engine operating variables including oil temperature, ignition timing and engine load. The limit of depletion of total base number is dynamic, since it is set against total acid number and the two figures are independently calculated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.