A method of detecting degradation of a lubricant in a bearing of an electrical machine, including: a) obtaining a first outer bearing ring temperature, b) changing the speed of the electrical machine, c) obtaining a second outer bearing ring temperature when the speed has changed, d) determining a thermal response value of the outer bearing ring based on the first outer bearing ring temperature and the second outer bearing ring temperature, e) comparing the thermal response value with a reference thermal response value for the same speed change as in step b), and f) in case the thermal response value differs from the reference thermal response value, concluding that the performance of the lubricant has degraded.

A system for determining an oil amount in a marine drive includes an oil level sensor that senses an oil level in the sump and temperature sensor sensing an engine temperature. A control module for the system is configured to determine that the engine temperature is greater than a temperature threshold, and that an engine speed exceeds a speed threshold for at least a predetermined time period or that a throttle position exceeds a throttle position threshold. If both such conditions are met, and a threshold drop in engine speed to an idle threshold is detected or a threshold change in throttle position to an idle position is detected, then an oil level in the sump is sampled with an oil level sensor. An oil amount is then determined based on the sampled oil level in the sump.

In some embodiments, there is provided a method of controlling a pressure gradient between a combustion chamber and a crankcase of an engine, the method having: receiving, at a control device, a signal indicating that a lubricant container is coupled to a lubricant circulation system associated with the engine, in response to the received signal, providing data to cause operation of a suction control device for facilitating control of the pressure gradient.

A fluid monitoring and management device that includes a housing with a fluid passageway. The fluid monitoring and management device further includes a fluid property sensor with a sensing element in the fluid passageway. A valve is in the fluid passageway of the fluid monitoring and management device. A removable bottle mount is aligned with the valve to be selectively in fluid communication with the fluid passageway.

A lubrication system includes a lubricant supply reservoir, a supply line connecting the reservoir with one or more dispenser valves, a return valve and a pump. A control is operatively connected with a pump and with the return valve, the control being configured to operate the pump and the return valve such that a quantity of lubricant within the supply line flows out of the supply line and into the reservoir when a period of storage within the supply line of the quantity of lubricant exceeds an estimated period of effectiveness of the quantity of lubricant or a predetermined portion of the estimated lubricant effectiveness period.

A loader backhoe work machine in which a power unit is coupled to a power train through a torque convertor. The torque convertor incorporates a lock up clutch to enable more efficient operation of the work machine in a transport mode while retaining the torque multiplication feature during the loading and/or backhoe operations. The control system for the lock up clutch senses selected engine and system operating parameters to engage the lock up clutch only when those sensors indicate a transport operating condition.

A method for reducing noise generated from an electric oil pump (EOP) is reduced while driving a vehicle which has only the EOP without a mechanical oil pump (MOP) limits revolutions per minute (RPM) of the EOP to 70% or less of a maximum RPM during a low noise driving mode and rotates the EOP at the maximum RPM during a high noise driving mode.

An oil temperature sensor diagnostic device is configured to detect an abnormality in an oil temperature sensor provided in a vehicle, the vehicle including the oil temperature sensor configured to detect an oil temperature of a lubricant of an engine, and an idle-stop controller configured to execute an idle-stop control. The oil temperature sensor diagnostic device includes: a diagnostic value setting module configured to set a diagnostic value that is increased according to an elapsed running time; and an abnormality determination module configured to determine an abnormality of the oil temperature sensor in a case in which a rise in the oil temperature computed on a basis of an output of the oil temperature sensor is small compared to an amount of increase in the diagnostic value.

A drive device includes a gear unit, which is able to be driven by a motor and includes a pressure-lubrication system. The pressure-lubrication system has a distributor block, having a continuous longitudinal bore and continuous transverse bores. The distributor block is arranged as a single piece, in particular from metal such as steel or aluminum.

A system for managing a flow-state of fluid includes: a flow detector; a management unit; and a temperature sensor. The management unit includes: a valve body opening/closing detection portion; an actual opening/closing time calculation portion that calculates, as an actual opening/closing time, the time from when the opening/closing detection portion detects the opening of the valve body until the same detects the closing thereof within a defined detection time; a correlation storage portion that stores a correlation between the temperature of the fluid and an appropriate opening/closing time range that is appropriate for the valve body; an opening/closing time determination portion that determines whether the actual opening/closing time is within or outside the appropriate opening/closing time range derived by an appropriate time range derivation portion; and an abnormal signal transmission portion that transmits an abnormal signal when the actual opening/closing time is determined to be outside the range.