Automatically adjustable oil renewal system

Abstract

An oil renewal system for an engine is disclosed. The oil renewal system may have a removal device configured to selectively remove oil from the engine, and a condition sensor situated to generate a condition signal indicative of an oil condition. The oil renewal system may also have a controller in communication with the condition sensor and the removal device. The controller may be configured to determine a deterioration rate of the oil based on the condition signal, and adjust a removal rate of the oil from the engine based on the deterioration rate.

1 . An oil renewal system for an engine, comprising:
 a removal device configured to selectively remove oil from the engine;   a condition sensor situated to generate a condition signal indicative of an oil condition;   a level sensor configured to generate a level signal indicative of an amount of oil contained within the engine;   a replenishing device operable to selectively replenish the engine with new oil based on the level signal; and   a controller in communication with the condition sensor and the removal device, the controller being configured to:   determine a deterioration rate of the oil based on the condition signal; and   adjust a removal rate of the oil from the engine based on the deterioration rate.   
   
   
       2 . The oil renewal system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to maintain the oil condition substantially consistent within the engine. 
   
   
       3 . The oil renewal system of  claim 1 , wherein the oil condition is associated with an amount of soot contained within the oil. 
   
   
       4 . The oil renewal system of  claim 1 , wherein the removed oil is mixed with a fuel supply of the engine. 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . The oil renewal system of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is in further communication with the level sensor and the replenishing device, and the controller is further configured to:
 calculate a time averaged value for the amount of oil contained within the engine based on the level signal; and   regulate operation of the replenishing device based on the time averaged value.   
   
   
       7 . The oil renewal system of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is in further communication with the level sensor and the replenishing device, and the controller is further configured to inhibit replenishment of the oil when an impending service of the engine is scheduled to occur within a threshold period of time. 
   
   
       8 . The oil renewal system of  claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured to:
 inhibit oil replenishment only when the level signal indicates the amount of oil is greater than a minimum amount of oil; and   regulate operation of the replenishing device to replenish the engine with new oil regardless of a time duration until the impending service when the level signal indicates the amount of oil is less than the minimum amount.   
   
   
       9 . The oil renewal system of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is in further communication with the level sensor and the replenishing device, and the controller is further configured to:
 regulate operation of the replenishing device to maintain a target amount of oil within the engine; and   selectively reduce the target amount based a time duration until an impending service of the engine.   
   
   
       10 . A method of operating an engine, comprising:
 removing oil from the engine;   sensing a condition of oil circulated through the engine;   determining a deterioration rate of the oil based on the sensed condition;   adjusting a rate of the oil removing based on the deterioration rate;   determining an amount of oil contained within the engine; and   selectively replenishing the engine with new oil based on the determined amount.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the rate is adjusted to maintain the oil condition substantially consistent. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , further including mixing the removed oil with a fuel supply of the engine. 
   
   
       13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 determining includes calculating a time averaged value for the amount of oil contained within the engine; and   selectively replenishing includes replenishing based on the time averaged value.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , further including:
 receiving an indication of an impending service of the engine; and   inhibiting replenishment of the oil when the impending service is scheduled to occur within a threshold period of time.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 inhibiting includes inhibiting oil replenishment only when the level signal indicates the amount of oil is greater than a minimum amount of oil; and   replenishing includes replenishing the engine with new oil regardless of a time duration until the impending service when the determined amount of oil is less than the minimum amount.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , further including:
 maintaining a target amount of oil within the engine;   receiving an indication of an impending service of the engine; and   selectively reducing the target amount based a time duration until the impending service.   
   
   
       18 . An oil renewal system for an engine, comprising:
 a level sensor configured to generate a level signal indicative of an amount of oil contained within the engine;   a replenishing device operable to selectively replenish the engine with new oil based on the level signal; and   a controller in communication with the level sensor and the replenishing device, the controller being configured to:
 regulate operation of the replenishing device based on the level signal; 
 receive an indication of an impending service of the engine; and 
 selectively inhibit replenishment of the oil based on a time duration until the impending service. 
   
   
   
       19 . The oil renewal system of  claim 18 , wherein the controller is configured to:
 inhibit oil replenishment when the time duration is less than a threshold duration and the level signal indicates the amount of oil is greater than a minimum amount of oil; and   allow replenishment regardless of the time duration when the level signal indicates the amount of oil is less than the minimum amount.   
   
   
       20 . The oil renewal system of  claim 18 , wherein the controller is configured to:
 regulate operation of the replenishing device to maintain a target amount of oil within the engine;   receive an indication of an impending service of the engine; and   selectively reduce the target amount based the time duration until the impending service.