Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Robert M Olree

Eric W Schneider

Matthew J Snider

Ion C Halalay

David R Staley

Eric R Johnson

James L Linden

Daniel Hicks Blossfeld

Steven P Kemp

A method is provided for determining remaining oil life prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine that uses a body of oil. The method includes transferring the body of oil to the engine and determining a volume of the transferred body of oil. The method also includes determining quality of the transferred body of oil and determining the remaining oil life based on the determined quality and volume of the body of oil. The method additionally includes activating an oil change indicator when the remaining oil life reaches a predetermined level. A system for determining a number of engine revolutions permitted on a volume of oil is also disclosed.

Automatic engine oil life determination with a factor for oil quality

An engine system includes a concentration determination module and an additive dispensing module. The concentration determination module determines an amount of an additive in at least one of an oil system of an engine and a fuel system of the engine. The additive dispensing module dispenses a supplemental additive into at least one of the oil system and the fuel system when the amount of the additive is less than or equal to a predetermined amount.

Systems and methods for dispensing oil and fuel additives

A method is provided for determining remaining oil life prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine that uses a body of oil. The method includes transferring the body of oil to the engine and determining a volume of the transferred body of oil. The method also includes determining a factor representative of a volume of oil from the transferred body of oil that is exposed to a combustion event in the engine. Additionally, the method includes determining the remaining oil life based on the determined volume of the body of oil and the determined factor representative of a volume of oil that is exposed to a combustion event. Moreover, the method includes activating an oil change indicator when the remaining oil life reaches a predetermined level. A system for determining a number of engine revolutions permitted on a volume of oil is also disclosed.

Automatic engine oil life determination adjusted for volume of oil exposed to a combustion event

A method is provided for determining remaining oil life prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine that uses a body of oil. The method includes transferring the body of oil to the engine and determining a volume of the transferred body of oil. The method also includes determining whether an oil squirter is present in the engine. Additionally, the method includes determining the remaining oil life based on the determined volume of the body of oil and whether an oil squirter is present in the engine. Moreover, the method includes activating an oil change indicator when the remaining oil life reaches a predetermined level. A system for determining a number of engine revolutions permitted on a volume of oil is also disclosed.

Automatic engine oil life determination adjusted for presence of oil squirters

In one exemplary embodiment, the state of engine oil degradation is monitored and determined using the size of viscosity hysteresis during heating-cooling cycles. In another exemplary embodiment, the state of engine oil degradation is monitored and determined using the sign of viscosity hysteresis during heating-cooling cycles. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the state of engine oil degradation is monitored and determined using relative viscosity changes hysteresis during heating-cooling cycles.

On-board method and system for monitoring onset of rapid oil oxidation and  sludge formation in engine oils

This invention is a method for determining the quality of lubrication oil added to a quantity of used oil in an operating engine or mechanism such as occurs during an oil change or when additional oil is added to maintain the vehicle manufacturer's specified total volume of oil. The method is based on identifying the electrical resistivity characteristics of the oil addition, representative of both the base oil formulation and its additive package, and, through comparison with previously-generated resistivity data on multiple oils identifying the oil addition. The added oil may then be compared with manufacturer specifications for the specific application to determine whether it meets recommended manufacturer requirements.

On-vehicle evaluation of oil formulation

A recovery system for fuel for motor vehicles includes a canister having an absorbent media such as activated charcoal. The canister includes an inlet in fluid communication with the blow-by vent of an internal combustion engine and an outlet in communication with the air intake manifold of the engine. Control valves may be incorporated into the system to control fluid flows. As a single vaporization temperature fuel or fuel constituent such as ethanol that has mixed with engine oil during startup vaporizes when the oil reaches its vaporization temperature, it is first absorbed in the activated charcoal and then slowly released and burned in the engine. The system has particular applicability to E85 fueled vehicles.

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Troy, MI, United States of America

Robert M Olree