Engine efficiency system for a vehicle and method of operating an engine efficiency system
View Patent ↗An engine efficiency system for a vehicle includes an electromechanically operated oil distribution device disposed proximate an oil environment of the vehicle. Also included is a current detection system for detecting a current change rate of the electromechanically operated oil distribution device, wherein the current change rate corresponds to a viscosity of an oil disposed in the oil environment of the vehicle. Further included is at least one efficiency device activated over a range of the viscosity of the oil.
1. An engine efficiency system for a vehicle comprising:
an electromechanically operated oil distribution device disposed proximate an oil environment of the vehicle;
a current detection system for detecting a current change rate of the electromechanically operated oil distribution device, wherein the current change rate corresponds to a viscosity of an oil disposed in the oil environment of the vehicle; and
at least one efficiency device activated over a predetermined range of the viscosity of the oil.
2. The engine efficiency system of claim 1 , wherein the electromechanically operated oil distribution device comprises an oil control valve comprising a solenoid and a valve.
3. The engine efficiency system of claim 2 , wherein the current detection system determines the current change rate of the solenoid.
4. The engine efficiency system of claim 2 , wherein the oil control valve is disposed proximate an oil pump.
5. The engine efficiency system of claim 2 , wherein the oil control valve is disposed proximate at least one cam phaser.
6. The engine efficiency system of claim 2 , wherein the oil control valve is disposed within an oil pan.
7. The engine efficiency system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one efficiency device comprises a fuel efficiency system.
8. The engine efficiency system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one efficiency device comprises an emissions control system.
9. A method of operating an engine efficiency system for a vehicle comprising:
monitoring a current of an electromechanically operated oil distribution device with a current detection system;
calculating a current change rate of the electromechanically operated oil distribution device;
determining a viscosity of an oil corresponding to the current change rate; and
activating at least one efficiency device over a predetermined range of the viscosity of the oil.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the electromechanically operated oil distribution device comprises an oil control valve comprising a solenoid and a valve.
11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising determining the current change rate of the solenoid with the current detection system.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the oil control valve is disposed proximate an oil pump.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the oil control valve is disposed proximate at least one cam phaser.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the oil control valve is disposed within an oil pan.
15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one efficiency device comprises a fuel efficiency system.
16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one efficiency device comprises an emissions control system.
17. A vehicle comprising:
an engine; and
an engine efficiency system for a vehicle comprising:
an electromechanically operated oil distribution device disposed proximate an oil environment of the vehicle;
a current detection system for detecting a current change rate of the electromechanically operated oil distribution device, wherein the current change rate corresponds to a viscosity of an oil disposed in the oil environment of the vehicle; and
at least one efficiency device activated over a predetermined range of the viscosity of the oil.