Patent ID: 7266472
Filing Date: 2007-09-04
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for determining a condition of lubricating oil corresponding to an oil age or an oil damage value of the oil, the method comprising the steps of: measuring a temperature of one or more of the oil and a part through which the oil flows and coordinating each measured temperature with a temperature range defined by at least one of an upper limit and a lower limit; measuring, as soon as the measured temperature exceeds or falls below a limit of the temperature range, a first period of time during which the measured temperature dwells in the temperature range which exceeds the upper limit or falls below the lower limit; integrating a flow of oil running during the time period over the first period; determining the oil age or the oil damage value representing at least one of the oil age and oil damage for a current temperature range from the first period time and the integral of the flow of oil; and providing an output representing the condition of the oil based upon the determined oil age or the oil damage value; and producing an oil change signal when the oil age or the oil damage valued exceeds a preset limit value is exceeded indicating that an oil change is required.