IP Library Granted Patent US 8,746,408
Granted Patent B2
US 8,746,408 · App. 11/514,673 · Granted Jun 10, 2014

Engine oil change detection systems and methods

Inventors: William C. Albertson (Clinton Township, MI); David R. Staley (Flushing, MI); Mike M McDonald (Macomb, MI); Bryan K. Pryor (Pontiac, MI)
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,746,408
App. No.
11/514,673
Granted
Jun 10, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

An engine oil change detection control system is provided. The system includes an armature position module that monitors a solenoid armature position based on a position signal. A solenoid control module selectively generates a solenoid control signal and estimates a delay time based on the solenoid control signal and the armature position. An engine oil change detection module detects an engine oil change event based on the delay time.

Claims (22)

1. An engine oil change detection control system, comprising:

an armature position module that monitors a solenoid armature position based on a position signal;

a solenoid control module that selectively generates a solenoid control signal and estimates a delay time based on the solenoid control signal and the solenoid armature position; and

an engine oil change detection module that detects an engine oil change event based on the delay time.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the solenoid control module generates the solenoid control signal based on an engine run status.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the solenoid control module estimates a first delay time after the engine run status indicates an engine shutdown event occurred and evaluates the first time delay time based on a first time range.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the solenoid control module estimates a second time delay after the engine run status indicates an engine startup event occurred and estimates a third time delay when the second time delay is less than a time threshold.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the solenoid control module cycles the solenoid control signal when the second time delay is less than the time threshold.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the engine oil change detection module sets at least one of an oil drain status indicator and an oil change status indicator based on the second time delay and the third time delay.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising an enable module that enables the solenoid control module to generate the solenoid control signal based on engine oil temperature and system voltage.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the solenoid control module estimates a first time delay, a second time delay, and a third time delay based on a change in slope of solenoid current.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the position signal indicates at least one of a current, a magnetic flux, and a position.

10. An engine oil change detection system for an engine, comprising:

a solenoid disposed within an engine oil sump wherein the solenoid includes an armature;

a passage routed to the armature including an orifice to allow fluids to flow through the passage; and

a control module that energizes and de-energizes the solenoid, that monitors a position of the armature based on the energizing and the de-energizing of the solenoid, that estimates a delay time based on the position, and that detects an engine oil change event based on the delay time.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the control module cycles the energizing and the de-energizing of the solenoid when the delay time is less than a time threshold.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the control module energizes and de-energizes the solenoid based on engine oil temperature.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the control module energizes and de-energizes the solenoid based on system voltage.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein the control module estimates a first time delay and a second time delay based on an engine run status.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the control module estimates a third time delay based on the second time delay.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the control module sets one of a drain status indicator and an oil change status indicator based on the second time delay and the third time delay.

Assignments (12)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034184/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025327/0041 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025314/0901 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0587 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0093 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0142 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023155/0663 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0563 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 16, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 022553/0540 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 3, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0363 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2006
From: ALBERTSON, WILLIAM C.; STALEY, DAVID R.; MCDONALD, MIKE M.; PRYOR, BRYAN K.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 018652/0413 →
Continuity (1)
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