Abstract:
Systems and methods for determining a concentration of biodiesel in a mixture of biodiesel and petrodiesel are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method includes receiving an oscillatory signal at an inductance-capacitance-resistance circuit (20). The circuit (20) has a sensing element (42) fluidly communicating with the mixture of biodiesel and petrodiesel. The method further includes generating a resonant current at a resonant frequency utilizing the circuit (20) in response to the oscillatory signal. The method further includes determining a concentration value indicating the concentration of the biodiesel in the mixture based on an amplitude of the resonant current and/or the resonant frequency, utilizing a microprocessor (30). The method further includes storing the concentration value in a memory device (32), utilizing the microprocessor (30).
Abstract:
A method to calculate a fuel driveability index (DI) value is provided from a sample of fuel in a container as tested by the industry standard ASTM D86 test (28) providing particular temperature data at various percentages of evaporation as the container is heated. The particular temperature data provides a DI value. The same sample of fuel is tested on a sensor capable of retaining a predetermined volume of fuel (30). Temperature data is monitored at the same percentages of evaporation as the sensor is being heated (32, 34). Correlation equations are mathematically calculated between the temperature data from the sensor relative to the particular temperature data from the ASTM D86 test (36) and stored in the engine controller (26) of a vehicle (38). The fuel from the fuel tank (14) is tested by heating (42) a similar on-board sensor (10) having the predetermined volume of fuel (40) and measuring the temperature data (44) as a function of the remaining fuel in the sensor. The stored correlation equations are applied to the measured temperatures to provide the required temperature data to calculate the DI value for the fuel in the fuel tank (46).
Abstract:
An engine oil contamination sensor (10) includes a first sensing electrode (24) and a second sensing electrode (26). A sensing area (22) is established between the electrodes (24, 26). The sensor (10) is oriented in an oil pan such that the sensing are (22) is completely submerged in engine oil (14). A microprocessor (32) is connected to the sensing electrodes (24, 26) and includes a program for determining whether antifreeze is dispersed in the engine oil (14).
Abstract:
A method for determining fuel dilution of diesel engine lubricating oil in a diesel engine. A first table contains a soot compensation factor (102-112), respectively, for each weight of oil selected among a predetermined range of oil weights. A second table contains fuel dilution levels (102'-112') for a plurality of predetermined compensated viscosity ratios. After determining the weight of the oil in the engine a first viscosity of the oil at a first temperature and a second viscosity of the oil at a second temperature are measured. Next, either a ratio (116) or a difference (714) of the first and second viscosities is determined. Using the ratio, soot in the oil is compensated using a soot compensation factor of the first table which is respective of the oil to thereby provide a compensated viscosity ratio (220). Finally, the compensated viscosity ratio is compared with the second table to thereby determine the fuel dilution level.
Abstract:
A method to calculate a fuel driveability index (DI) value is provided from a sample of fuel in a container as tested by the industry standard ASTM D86 test (28) providing particular temperature data at various percentages of evaporation as the container is heated. The particular temperature data provides a DI value. The same sample of fuel is tested on a sensor capable of retaining a predetermined volume of fuel (30). Temperature data is monitored at the same percentages of evaporation as the sensor is being heated (32, 34). Correlation equations are mathematically calculated between the temperature data from the sensor relative to the particular temperature data from the ASTM D86 test (36) and stored in the engine controller (26) of a vehicle (38). The fuel from the fuel tank (14) is tested by heating (42) a similar on-board sensor (10) having the predetermined volume of fuel (40) and measuring the temperature data (44) as a function of the remaining fuel in the sensor. The stored correlation equations are applied to the measured temperatures to provide the required temperature data to calculate the DI value for the fuel in the fuel tank (46).
Abstract:
An engine oil contamination sensor (10) includes a first sensing electrode (24) and a second sensing electrode (26). A sensing area (22) is established between the electrodes (24, 26). The sensor (10) is oriented in an oil pan such that the sensing are (22) is completely submerged in engine oil (14). A microprocessor (32) is connected to the sensing electrodes (24, 26) and includes a program for determining whether antifreeze is dispersed in the engine oil (14).