TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a wear metal detection system for identifying a presence and a size of wear metal particles in a lubricant (e.g., oil for an engine).

BACKGROUND

Internal combustion engines generally include a lubrication system that circulates lubricant (e.g., oil, synthetic oil, etc.) to the moving parts of the internal combustion engine (e.g., pistons moving within cylinders). Sometimes, small pieces of metal are produced by the motion of these parts. These particles can cause wear damage and extra friction in between the surfaces of the moving parts, which can cause various issues with these parts, such as raising surface temperatures and causing even more particles to be created.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a system. The system includes a controller comprising at least one processor coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: determine a concentration of a plurality of wear metal particles in lubricant of an engine system; determine a confidence parameter regarding the reliability of the concentration determination; determine a filtered concentration of the plurality of wear metal particles using a baseline concentration of the plurality of wear metal particles; set a diagnostic threshold for the plurality of wear metal particles; and, responsive to determining that the diagnostic threshold is exceeded, provide a notification.

Another embodiment relates to a method. The method includes: determining, by a controller, a concentration of a plurality of wear metal particles in a lubricant for an engine system; determining, by the controller, a confidence parameter regarding the concentration determination; determining, by the controller, a filtered concentration of the plurality of wear metal particles using a baseline concentration of the plurality of wear metal particles; setting, by the controller, a diagnostic threshold for the plurality of wear metal particles based on the confidence parameter; and, responsive to determining that the diagnostic threshold is exceeded, providing, by the controller, a notification.

Another embodiment relates to a controller. The controller includes a processing circuit having at least one processor coupled to at least one memory device, the processing circuit configured to execute a plurality of circuits including: a concentration circuit structured to determine a concentration of a plurality of wear metal particles in a lubricant for an engine system; a confidence circuit structured to determine a confidence parameter regarding the concentration determination; a baselining circuit structured to determine a filtered concentration of the plurality of wear metal particles using a baseline concentration of the plurality of wear metal particles; a dynamic threshold circuit structured to set a diagnostic threshold for the plurality of wear metal particles based on the confidence parameter; and a notification circuit structured to responsive to determining that the diagnostic threshold is exceeded, provide a notification.

This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.

