Oil property management system and method for internal combustion engine fuel economy and minimum wear rates

Abstract

A system and method for managing the characteristics of engine oil in a lubrication system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. Generally speaking, the method includes the steps of determining a target viscosity for the engine oil based on engine speed and engine load, determining a working viscosity which may be directly measured or determined based on engine oil temperature and engine oil type, comparing the target viscosity to the working viscosity, deriving a target engine oil temperature, and directing engine oil to one of an oil cooler, an oil heater, or neither when and until the target engine oil temperature is achieved. The oil viscosity management system includes an engine lubrication system having a volume of engine oil, a cooler coupled to the lubrication system, a heating mechanism also coupled to the lubrication system, a valving system for directing flow of the oil and coupled to each of the lubrication system, the cooler and the heating mechanism, a signal generator for generating a signal based on operational parameters of the engine, and an estimator for controlling the valving system in response to the signal.