Fluid condition sensing system and methods

A fluid condition sensing system comprising:

• a control circuit;
• a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is in signal communication with the control circuit;
• and
• a fluid property sensor, wherein the fluid property sensor interfaces with engine oil in an engine lubrication system of a vehicle;
• wherein the fluid property sensor is in signal communication with the control circuit;
• wherein the fluid property sensor measures fluid properties including at least a fluid acid number of the engine oil;
• wherein the fluid condition sensing system is configured to:
• measure the fluid acid number of the engine oil with the fluid property sensor over time;
• automatically detect when a fluid change event has occurred based on detecting a decrease in the fluid acid number of the engine oil and exceeding a threshold value in less than a fixed period of vehicle operation time with the fluid property sensor;
• upon detecting the fluid change event, measure fluid properties of the engine oil with the fluid property sensor and record the measured fluid properties as new baseline fluid property data after the fluid change event has occurred;
• and
• evaluate the condition of the engine oil based on a comparison with the new baseline fluid property data;
• and
• generate an alert to a vehicle operator or system based on the fluid property sensor detecting a current fluid property of the engine oil that differs from the new baseline fluid property data by an amount exceeding a contamination threshold.

A method of monitoring fluid conditions comprising:

• measuring fluid properties with a fluid property sensor, wherein the fluid property sensor interfaces with engine oil in an engine lubrication system of a vehicle, wherein measuring fluid properties comprises measuring a dielectric constant of the engine oil with the fluid property sensor over time;
• detecting when a fluid change event has occurred based on the measured fluid properties based on detecting a step change in the dielectric constant of the engine oil and exceeding a threshold value in less than fixed period of vehicle operation time with the fluid property sensor;
• upon detecting the fluid change event, measuring fluid properties of the engine oil with the fluid property sensor and recording the measured fluid properties as new baseline data after a detected oil change event;
• and
• evaluating a condition of the engine oil based on a comparison between current fluid property sensor data and the new baseline data;
• and
• generating an alert to a vehicle operator or system based on the fluid property sensor detecting a current fluid property of the engine oil that differs from the new baseline fluid property data by an amount exceeding a contamination threshold.

A hydraulic fluid condition sensing system comprising:

• a control circuit;
• a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is in signal communication with the control circuit;
• and
• a fluid property sensor;
• wherein the fluid property sensor is in signal communication with the control circuit;
• wherein the fluid property sensor interfaces with engine oil in an engine lubrication system of a vehicle;
• wherein the fluid property sensor measures fluid properties including at least an acid number of the engine oil;
• wherein the hydraulic fluid condition sensing system is configured to:
• measure the acid number of the engine oil with the fluid property sensor over time;
• automatically detect when a fluid change event has occurred based on detecting a decrease in the acid number of the engine oil and exceeding a threshold value in less than a fixed period of vehicle operation time with the fluid property sensor;
• upon detecting the fluid change event, measure fluid properties of the engine oil with the fluid property sensor and record the measured fluid properties as new baseline fluid property data after the fluid change event has occurred;
• and
• evaluate the condition of the engine oil based on a comparison with the new baseline fluid property data;
• and
• generate an alert to a vehicle operator or system based on the fluid property sensor detecting a current fluid property of the engine oil that differs from the new baseline fluid property data by an amount exceeding a contamination threshold.