Method and system for estimating damage in an internal combustion engine

A method for estimating damage of at least one component of an engine head of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

• receiving a fuel rate signal indicative of a fuel rate of the internal combustion engine;
• estimating a temperature value of the at least one component of the engine head based on at least the received fuel rate signal;
• determining a cumulative amount of damage of the at least one component of the engine head based on an incremental amount of damage associated with the estimated temperature value and a previously-estimated cumulative amount of damage of the at least one component of the engine head;
• and
• displaying a notification associated with the cumulative amount of damage of the at least one component of the engine head.

A damage estimation system, comprising:

• an internal combustion engine including:
• an engine head;
• and
• a combustion chamber;
• at least one sensor configured to detect a fuel rate of the internal combustion engine;
• and
• a control unit configured to:
• control a quantity of fuel delivered to the combustion chamber via at least one intake valve;
• estimate a temperature of at least one component of the engine head based on at least the detected fuel rate;
• estimate an incremental amount of damage of the at least one component of the engine head based on at least the estimated temperature;
• update a cumulative amount of damage of the at least one component based on the estimated incremental amount of damage;
• and
• output a notification indicative of the cumulative amount of damage.