Disclosed is a monitoring apparatus for monitoring a state of wear of a component of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine wherein an oil collection device is provided for the collection of lubrication oil from the cylinder so that a predetermined measured quantity of lubrication oil is suppliable from the cylinder to a measurement device.

Systems and methods are described for predicting a remaining oil life in an engine of a vehicle. One or more parameters of the engine can be monitored over a period of time. A hot compartment temperature can be determined from the parameter. A condition of the oil can be determined based on the hot compartment temperature, and the condition of the oil can be displayed.

A monitoring system includes an analytical engine system coupled to a sensor of an engine system. The analytical engine system is configured to receive data corresponding to operation of the engine system, to determine a distance metric corresponding to the operating parameters of the engine system, to compare the distance metric for a monitored lubricant temperature to a model threshold, and to generate a lubricant alert signal when the distance metric for the monitored lubricant temperature is greater than the model threshold. The received data includes the monitored lubricant temperature of a bearing and operating parameters of the engine system. The distance metric is based at least in part on the monitored lubricant temperature relative to a lubricant temperature statistical model, which is based at least in part on the operating parameters of the engine system.

A working fluid monitoring system for monitoring a working fluid of working fluid system of a piece of equipment is provided. The working fluid monitoring system can include a filter member having an inlet, an outlet, and a filter media disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The filter member can be configured to permit fluid communication of the working fluid of the working fluid system from the inlet, through the filter media, and out the outlet of the filter member. A sensor is in operable communication with the working fluid within the filter member and is configured to monitor in situ a parameter of the working fluid and/or the working fluid system.

A monitoring system includes an analytical engine system coupled to a sensor of an engine system. The analytical engine system is configured to receive data corresponding to operation of the engine system, to determine a distance metric corresponding to the operating parameters of the engine system, to compare the distance metric for a monitored lubricant temperature to a model threshold, and to generate a lubricant alert signal when the distance metric for the monitored lubricant temperature is greater than the model threshold. The received data includes the monitored lubricant temperature of a bearing and operating parameters of the engine system. The distance metric is based at least in part on the monitored lubricant temperature relative to a lubricant temperature statistical model, which is based at least in part on the operating parameters of the engine system.

A method of managing fuel in oil 100 in an internal combustion engine of a hybrid electric vehicle, the method comprising: determining an amount of fuel flow into the engine oil during one or more cold start phases of engine operation 110; determining an amount of fuel evaporated from the engine oil during one or more phases of vehicle operation with the engine on 120; determining an amount of fuel evaporated from the engine oil during one or more phases of vehicle operation with the engine off 130; determining a percentage of fuel in the engine oil 140 from the amount of fuel flow into the engine oil and the amount of fuel flow evaporated from the engine oil; and modifying a service interval for the vehicle 150 based on the percentage of fuel in the engine oil.

A system includes one or more processors and a resonant sensor that contacts oil within an engine of a vehicle system. The sensor generates electrical stimuli at different times during an operational life of the engine. Each electrical stimulus has multiple different frequencies applied to the oil. The one or more processors receive electrical signals representing impedance responses of the oil to the electrical stimuli. The one or more processors determine a concentration of a polar analyte in the oil at the different times based on the impedance responses and calculate a degradation value for the engine based on the polar analyte concentration. Responsive to the degradation value exceeding a designated degradation threshold, the one or more processors at least one of schedule maintenance for the vehicle system, provide an alert to schedule maintenance for the vehicle system, or prohibit operation of the vehicle system until maintenance is performed.

A method for determining engine oil system health includes determining an oil level in an engine oil sump of an engine, determining an oil consumption rate of the engine based on a current oil volume and a time at which the oil was last replenished, determining a remaining useful oil volume based on the oil consumption rate and duty cycle data of the engine, and generating an alert in response to the oil consumption rate being greater than a predetermined threshold, the alert comprising a command to a controller associated with the engine to cause the engine to perform an action.

A quality diagnostics system for lubricant/coolant fluid includes a lubricant supported electric motor including a stator and a rotor defining a gap therebetween, with the lubricant/coolant fluid disposed in the gap for supporting the rotor while allowing the rotor to rotate relative to the stator. An inverter includes a plurality of power switches configured to supply an alternating current (AC) power to the motor for driving the rotor to rotate. A passageway conveys the lubricant/coolant fluid between the motor and the inverter. A lubricant quality sensor includes a set of sensor plates disposed along the passageway, an excitation source configured to apply an AC excitation voltage to a first sensor plate, and an electrical sensor configured to measure a response to the AC excitation voltage. A controller determines, based on a sensor signal from the electrical sensor, at least one of metal contamination and water contamination in the lubricant/coolant fluid.

A quality diagnostics system for lubricant/coolant fluid includes a lubricant supported electric motor including a stator and a rotor defining a gap therebetween, with the lubricant/coolant fluid disposed in the gap for supporting the rotor while allowing the rotor to rotate relative to the stator. An inverter includes a plurality of power switches configured to supply an alternating current (AC) power to the motor for driving the rotor to rotate. A passageway conveys the lubricant/coolant fluid between the motor and the inverter. A lubricant quality sensor includes a set of sensor plates disposed along the passageway, an excitation source configured to apply an AC excitation voltage to a first sensor plate, and an electrical sensor configured to measure a response to the AC excitation voltage. A controller determines, based on a sensor signal from the electrical sensor, at least one of metal contamination and water contamination in the lubricant/coolant fluid.