US 11,999,363 B2 · Methods and apparatus for detecting fuel in oil, lube degradation, and fob thru optical and color characterization

Abstract

Systems and techniques that facilitate detecting fuel in oil, lube degradation, and foreign object contamination through optical and/or color characterization are provided. A signature component can generate a digital signature corresponding to a lubricant in a lubrication circuit of an engine. The digital signature can be based on optical or visual properties of a sensor array coupled to the lubrication circuit and exposed to the lubricant, wherein the optical or visual properties of the sensor array can depend on a health of the lubricant. An analysis component can characterize the health of the lubricant by comparing, via a machine learning algorithm, the digital signature with a baseline digital signature corresponding to a desired health-level of the lubricant. In some embodiments, a light emitter component can emit a first light onto the sensor array, and a light receiver component can receive a second light emitted by the sensor array in response to the first light. The signature component can then generate the digital signature based on the first light and the second light. In some embodiments, an image capture component can capture an image of the sensor array. The signature component can then generate the digital signature based on the captured image.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system that characterizes health of a lubricant circulating in a lubrication circuit of an engine, the system comprising:

one or more processors;
and
a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to function as:
a sensor array coupled to the lubrication circuit in the engine, the sensor array providing optical or visual properties that depend on the health of the lubricant, and the sensor array producing a sensor array output;
a signature component that receives the sensor array output and generates a digital signature;
and
an analysis component that receives the digital signature generated by the signature component and that compares, via a machine learning algorithm, the digital signature with a baseline digital signature corresponding to a desired health-level of the lubricant, in order to characterize the health of the lubricant, the analysis component outputting a value representing the health of the lubricant.

4 more elements

A computer-implemented method for a system that characterizes health of a lubricant circulating in a lubrication circuit of an engine, the method comprising:

providing one or more processors;
and
providing a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to function by:
providing, by a sensor array coupled to the lubrication circuit in the engine, optical or visual properties that depend on the health of the lubricant, the sensor array producing a sensor array output;
receiving, by a signature component, the sensor array output and generating a digital signature;
and
receiving, by an analysis component, the digital signature generated by the signature component and comparing, via a machine learning algorithm, the digital signature with a baseline digital signature corresponding to a desired health-level of the lubricant, in order to characterize the health of the lubricant, the analysis component outputting a value representing the health of the lubricant.

4 more elements

A non-transitory computer readable medium that stores a program for a system that characterizes health of a lubricant circulating in a lubrication circuit of an engine, the program causing a computer to execute:

providing, by a sensor array coupled to the lubrication circuit in the engine, optical or visual properties that depend on the health of the lubricant, the sensor array producing a sensor array output;
receiving, by a signature component, the sensor array output and generating a digital signature;
and
receiving, by an analysis component, the digital signature generated by the signature component and comparing, via a machine learning algorithm, the digital signature with a baseline digital signature corresponding to a desired health-level of the lubricant, in order to characterize the health of the lubricant, the analysis component outputting a value representing the health of the lubricant.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and apparatus for detecting fuel in oil, lube degradation, and fob thru optical and color characterization

Life of this patent

Methods and apparatus for detecting fuel in oil, lube degradation, and fob thru optical and color characterization

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20