# US 10,480,425 B2 · Method of managing a propulsion system based on health of a lubrication system

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- Number: US 10,480,425 B2
- Document ID: US10480425B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/923,363
- Filed: 2018-03-16
- Published: 2019-09-19
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2018-03-16
- Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Inventors: Azeem Sarwar; Syed B. Mehdi; Xiangxing Lu; Bryan K. Pryor; Shanshan L. Peer
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480425B2

## CPC

- F02D 35/0007: {using electrical feedback (F02D35/0015 takes precedence)}
- F01M 1/20: concerning lubricant pressure
- F02D 31/001: {Electric control of rotation speed}
- F02D 41/22: Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions {(in air/fuel ratio feedback systems F02D41/1495, in electric control linkage F02D11/107, in purge control systems F02M25/0809)}
- F02D 41/0007: {for control of turbo-charged or super-charged engines (control of the pumps per se F02B37/12)}
- F02D 2041/227: {Limping Home, i.e. taking specific engine control measures at abnormal conditions}
- F02D 2041/228: {Warning displays}
- F02D 2250/26: by applying a torque limit
- F02D: CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES (vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed B60K31/00; conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function, road vehicle drive control systems for purposes other than the control of a single sub-unit B60W)
- F01M: LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING

## Abstract

A method and system of diagnosing a lubrication system of an engine includes determining a lubrication system fault and controlling an engine in response to the fault. The method is operative to first determine a poor state of health for a lubrication system, then determine an oil degradation or lube system fault. In response to a lube system fault, engine operation is altered in order to reduce the negative effects of the lube system fault such as increasing minimum idle speed in response to reduced oil pressure.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of managing a propulsion system, the method comprising:
determining a lube system fault in a vehicle lubrication system in response to an oil pressure;
calculating an allowable range of an engine parameter in response to the lube system fault, wherein the engine parameter is revolutions per minute; and
generating a control signal to control the engine to increase an engine speed in response to the engine parameter being lower than the allowable range such that the engine parameter is within the allowable.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising generating a driver warning indicating the lube system fault and the allowable range of the engine parameter.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the engine parameter is indicative of torque.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the control signal is operative to reduce torque in response to the engine parameter being lower than the allowable range.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the control signal is operative to increase the engine idle speed.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the control signal is operative to reduce a turbo charger speed.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the control signal is operative to reduce an engine set temperature.

### Claim 8

A vehicle comprising:
an engine having a lubrication system;
a diagnostic unit for determining a lube system fault in the lubrication system in response to an oil pressure;
a processor for calculating an allowable range of an engine parameter in response to the lube system fault and generating a control signal to control the engine wherein the engine parameter is revolutions per minute; and
a control unit for controlling the engine in response to the control signal to increase an engine speed in response to the engine parameter being lower than the allowable range such that the engine parameter is within the allowable range.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The vehicle of claim 8 further comprising generating a driver warning indicating the lube system fault and the allowable range of the engine parameter.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The vehicle of claim 8 wherein the engine parameter is indicative of a torque.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The vehicle of claim 8 wherein the control signal is operative to reduce a torque in response to the engine parameter being lower than the allowable range.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The vehicle of claim 8 wherein the control signal is operative to increase an engine idle speed.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The vehicle of claim 8 further comprising a turbo charger and wherein the control signal is operative to reduce a speed of the turbo charger.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The vehicle of claim 8 wherein the control signal is operative to reduce an engine set temperature.