Cummins Engine Company, Inc.

Colin I Black

Leslie A Roettgen

Ray C Hatton

Jerry C Wang

David M Stehouwer

Donald P Carver

John P Graham

David E Koeberlein

Eric S Keith

Paul D Cantrell

An improved method and system for automatically continuously replacing an engine's used lubricating oil with fresh lubricating oil throughout operation based on engine operating conditions is disclosed. The present system includes an injection control device for injecting small amounts of used lube oil into the engine's fuel system and an auxiliary flow control device for directing controlled quantities of fresh oil into the engine's lube oil system. An electronic controller is provided to vary the amount of used lube oil injected into the oil system based on the severity of engine operation. The process periodically determines an engine operating severity value, i.e. fuel consumption value, for an interval of engine operation and calculates a base line quantity of oil for injection based on the current fuel consumption of the engine during the current interval. The system also includes a diagnostic process for maintaining the engine's oil sump at a proper level while monitoring various components and parameters of the system and providing an indication of any abnormal condition. The system maintains the quality of the engine lube oil at a level necessary to provide optimal engine protection at all engine operating conditions while also maintaining the oil concentration in the engine's fuel at an acceptable level.

Electronically controlled continuous lubricating oil replacement system

An improved method and system for automatically continuously replacing an engine's used lubricating oil with fresh lubricating oil throughout operation based on engine operating conditions is disclosed. The present system includes an lube oil replacement pump system operable in a replacement mode for injecting small amounts of used lube oil into the engine's fuel system and directing controlled quantities of fresh oil into the engine's lube oil system to replace the removed oil. The process periodically determines an engine operating severity value, i.e. fuel consumption value, for an interval of engine operation and calculates a base line quantity of oil for injection based on the current fuel consumption of the engine during the current interval. The lube oil replacement pump may also be operated in a makeup mode for adding quantities of fresh oil to the engine lube oil sump to compensate for oil consumed by the engine. The system adjusts the quantity of used oil to be removed and injected based on the quantity of fresh oil supplied during the makeup mode to prevent overreplacement of the lube oil. The lube oil pump system may be in the form of a compact, unitized lube oil replacement pump assembly integrating the various components of the system. The system maintains the quality of the engine lube oil at a level necessary to provide optimal engine protection at all engine operating conditions while also maintaining the oil concentration in the engine's fuel at an acceptable level.

An improved system for automatically continuously replacing an engine's used lubricating oil with fresh lubricating oil throughout operation based on engine operating conditions is disclosed. The present system includes an intermittent injection control device for intermittently injecting small amounts of used lube oil into the engine's fuel system. An electronic controller is provided to vary the amount of used lube oil injected into the oil system based on the severity of engine operation. The system periodically determines an engine operating severity value, i.e. fuel consumption value, for an interval of engine operation and calculates a base line quantity of oil for injection based on the current fuel consumption of the engine during the current interval. The system may also include an auxiliary flow control device for directing controlled quantities of fresh oil into the engine's lube oil system for maintaining the engine's oil sump at a proper level. The system maintains the quality of the engine lube oil at a level necessary to provide optimal engine protection at all engine operating conditions while also maintaining the oil concentration in the engine's fuel at an acceptable level.

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Wadmalaw Island, SC, United States of America

Colin I Black