Abstract: A method of operating an engine is provided. The method includes determining a temperature and a pressure of intake air, and a temperature and a pressure of exhaust generated by the engine. The method includes determining a work performed by the engine based at least on an engine speed of the engine, and determining heating losses of the engine. The method includes determining an enthalpy of the intake air based at least on the work, the heating losses, a heating value of a fuel used for combustion within the engine, and the temperature and the pressure of the exhaust. The method includes determining a humidity value of the intake air based on the enthalpy, temperature and pressure of the intake air and determining an amount of NOx based on the humidity value. The method further includes controlling an operation of the engine based on the determined amount of NOx.

Abstract: A method of detecting the extent of degradation of an oil is provided. The method may comprise the steps of analyzing samples of the oil when fresh and when used; calculating electrochemical property data of the fresh and used engine oil; determining whether the electrochemical property data correlates with the degradation marker data; and using the electrochemical property to detect the extent of degradation of the oil of a used sample of the oil. The method may be used for any suitable oil, including mineral oil, synthetic oil and blends (a.k.a. semi-synthetic). The method can be used to maximize oil usage by monitoring used oil quality over time so that the oil is replaced when necessary and not before. The method can also identify trends in oil degradation.

Abstract: A method of operating an engine is provided. The method includes determining a temperature and a pressure of intake air, and a temperature and a pressure of exhaust generated by the engine. The method includes determining a work performed by the engine based at least on an engine speed of the engine, and determining heating losses of the engine. The method includes determining an enthalpy of the intake air based at least on the work, the heating losses, a heating value of a fuel used for combustion within the engine, and the temperature and the pressure of the exhaust. The method includes determining a humidity value of the intake air based on the enthalpy, temperature and pressure of the intake air and determining an amount of NOx based on the humidity value. The method further includes controlling an operation of the engine based on the determined amount of NOx.

Abstract: An oil identification system is disclosed. The oil identification system includes a parameter sensor coupled to at least one of an oil pan or an oil flow path of a machine. The oil identification system also includes an identification module. The identification module is also configured to receive a signal indicative of movement of charged particles in the oil of the at least one of the oil pan or the oil flow path. The identification module is further configured to determine a resistivity of the oil in the at least one of the oil pan or the oil flow path. The identification module is configured to compare the resistivity of the oil with resistivity data readings. The identification module is also configured to identify a type of oil in the at least one of the oil pan or the oil flow path based on the comparison.

Abstract: A point level float switch is provided. The point level float switch includes a switch, a removable shaft, and a float. The removable shaft includes a first magnet aligned with the switch. The float is arranged to enclose at least a portion of the removable shaft. The float includes a second magnet of a polarity opposite to the first magnet and arranged parallel to the first magnet in the removable shaft.

Abstract: A method of detecting the extent of degradation of an oil is provided. The method may comprise the steps of analyzing samples of the oil when fresh and when used; calculating electrochemical property data of the fresh and used engine oil; determining whether the electrochemical property data correlates with the degradation marker data; and using the electrochemical property to detect the extent of degradation of the oil of a used sample of the oil. The method may be used for any suitable oil, including mineral oil, synthetic oil and blends (a.k.a. semi-synthetic). The method can be used to maximize oil usage by monitoring used oil quality over time so that the oil is replaced when necessary and not before. The method can also identify trends in oil degradation.

Abstract: A method of assessing oil condition in an engine includes receiving an engine variable including at least one of: a type of the engine, a displacement of the engine, a property of fuel used in the engine, and a property of oil used in the engine. The method further includes determining an operating parameter of the engine including at least one of an oil temperature, an oil pressure, a duty-cycle of the engine, a load on the engine, a speed of the engine, a power output of the engine, a rate of fuel consumption by the engine, and a time period elapsed since last change of oil in the engine. The method further includes calculating a rate of degradation of oil based on the determined engine variable and the determined operating parameter. The method further includes calculating a remaining service-life of the oil from the calculated rate of degradation.

Abstract: A point level float switch is provided. The point level float switch includes a switch, a removable shaft, and a float. The removable shaft includes a first magnet aligned with the switch. The float is arranged to enclose at least a portion of the removable shaft. The float includes a second magnet of a polarity opposite to the first magnet and arranged parallel to the first magnet in the removable shaft.

Abstract: A system for an engine includes an engine block having a cylinder, an oil delivery system including an oil reservoir at least partially enclosing an oil emulsion and providing lubricating oil to at least one cylinder, and a controller configured to adjust the heat delivered to the engine via a heat adjustment mechanism in response to a concentration of water in the oil emulsion.

Abstract: A system for an engine includes an engine block having a cylinder, an oil delivery system including an oil reservoir at least partially enclosing an oil emulsion and providing lubricating oil to at least one cylinder, and a controller configured to adjust the heat delivered to the engine via a heat adjustment mechanism in response to a concentration of water in the oil emulsion.

Abstract: A system for an engine includes an engine block having a cylinder, an oil delivery system including an oil reservoir at least partially enclosing an oil emulsion and providing lubricating oil to at least one cylinder, and a controller configured to adjust the heat delivered to the engine via a heat adjustment mechanism in response to a concentration of water in the oil emulsion.

Abstract: A system for internal combustion engine including an engine block having a cylinder, an oil delivery system coupled to the engine block including an oil reservoir at least partially enclosing an oil emulsion, the oil delivery system providing lubricating oil to at least one cylinder in the engine, a heat adjustment mechanism coupled to the engine, and a controller configured to adjust the heat delivered to the engine, via the heat adjustment mechanism, in response to a concentration of water in the oil emulsion.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining a change in the viscosity of a fluid, the apparatus including means for heating a portion of the fluid so that the heated portion will rise within the fluid, means for determining the heated portion's rise time, means for determining the heated portion's average velocity as it rises through the fluid and means for determining the viscosity of the fluid based on the rise time and/or average velocity of the heated portion. The method allows for permitting the temperature and agitation of the fluid to stabilize prior to heating a portion of the fluid so that it will rise within fluid. The rise time and/or average velocity of the heated portion is determined and the viscosity of the fluid may be determined the rise time and/or average velocity to a baseline rise time and/or average velocity. An output signal may be generated that is indicative of whether there has been a change in the fluid's viscosity and/or whether the fluid should be changed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining a change in the viscosity of a fluid, the apparatus including means for heating a portion of the fluid so that the heated portion will rise within the fluid, means for determining the heated portion's rise time, means for determining the heated portion's average velocity as it rises through the fluid and means for determining the viscosity of the fluid based on the rise time and/or average velocity of the heated portion. The method allows for permitting the temperature and agitation of the fluid to stabilize prior to heating a portion of the fluid so that it will rise within fluid. The rise time and/or average velocity of the heated portion is determined and the viscosity of the fluid may be determined the rise time and/or average velocity to a baseline rise time and/or average velocity. An output signal may be generated that is indicative of whether there has been a change in the fluid's viscosity and/or whether the fluid should be changed.

Abstract: A method for determining oil viscosity includes measuring an oil viscosity parameter value while an oil pump pumps oil through an engine lubrication system. Thereafter, the oil viscosity parameter value is compared to a stored look-up table of oil viscosity parameter values versus oil viscosity values and the viscosity of the oil contained within the vehicle lubrication system is interpolated from the table. The look-up table is generated by installing the pump in a test system and then, measuring the oil viscosity parameter value as the pump pumps oils of known viscosities. For increased accuracy, the look-up table is generated for several temperatures within the range of normal engine operating temperatures and several pump speeds within the range of normal operating pump speeds.

Abstract: A solenoid valve includes an outlet tube and a plunger stop. A plunger is slidably disposed within the solenoid valve between the outlet tube and the plunger stop. The plunger is movable between a closed position wherein the plunger engages the outlet tube to block fluid flow through an outlet passage formed in the outlet tube and an open position wherein the plunger is distanced from the outlet tube to permit fluid flow through the outlet passage. The solenoid valve also includes a coil that is energizable to bias the plunger between the closed position and the open position. The plunger stop is configured so that the magnitude of the force of attraction between the plunger and the plunger stop is linearly proportional to the magnitude of the current applied to the coil. Moreover, the magnitude of the force of attraction between the plunger and the plunger stop is independent of the position of the plunger.

Abstract: A coil spool for a ventilated solenoid valve includes a proximal end cap and a distal end cap. Each end cap defines an outer periphery and an inner periphery. Moreover, each end cap includes plural teeth extending from its outer periphery. Plural ribs extend from the inner periphery of the proximal end cap to the inner periphery of the distal end cap. A wire is wound around the spool to form a coil and the spool is installed in a coil case such that the teeth cooperate with the coil case to establish plural outer ventilation passageways. A plunger guide is installed within the spool such that the ribs cooperate with the plunger guide to establish plural inner ventilation passageways. The ventilation passageways allow air to communicate with the coil in order to cool the coil.

Abstract: A method for determining oil viscosity includes measuring an oil viscosity parameter value while an oil pump pumps oil through an engine lubrication system. Thereafter, the oil viscosity parameter value is compared to a stored look-up table of oil viscosity parameter values versus oil viscosity values and the viscosity of the oil contained within the vehicle lubrication system is interpolated from the table. The look-up table is generated by installing the pump in a test system and then, measuring the oil viscosity parameter value as the pump pumps oils of known viscosities. For increased accuracy, the look-up table is generated for several temperatures within the range of normal engine operating temperatures and several pump speeds within the range of normal operating pump speeds.

Abstract: A solenoid valve includes an outlet tube and a plunger stop. A plunger is slidably disposed within the solenoid valve between the outlet tube and the plunger stop. The plunger is movable between a closed position wherein the plunger engages the outlet tube to block fluid flow through an outlet passage formed in the outlet tube and an open position wherein the plunger is distanced from the outlet tube to permit fluid flow through the outlet passage. The solenoid valve also includes a coil that is energizable to bias the plunger between the closed position and the open position. The plunger stop is configured so that the magnitude of the force of attraction between the plunger and the plunger stop is linearly proportional to the magnitude of the current applied to the coil. Moreover, the magnitude of the force of attraction between the plunger and the plunger stop is independent of the position of the plunger.