Method for detecting fugitive fueling arising from a pressure-lubricated air inlet system component in a reciprocating internal combustion engine

Abstract

A method and system for detecting fugitive fueling arising from a pressure-lubricated air inlet system component, such as a turbocharger, within an internal combustion engine includes monitoring lubricating oil pressure within at least one location within the lubrication circuit of the engine and comparing the monitored oil pressure with the failure range contained within a component failure template. If the monitored oil pressure lies within the failure range of the component failure template, remedial action will be taken to mitigate engine damage caused by oil entering engine cylinders from the failed component.

1 . A method for detecting fugitive fueling arising from a pressure-lubricated air inlet system component within an internal combustion engine having pressure-lubricated main bearings, with said method comprising:
 monitoring lubricating oil pressure in at least one location within a lubrication circuit of an engine, wherein the monitored oil pressure is indicative of the operational status of a pressure-lubricated component within an intake air system;   comparing the monitored oil pressure with a failure range contained within a component failure template; and   if the monitored oil pressure lies within said failure range of said component failure template, taking remedial action to mitigate engine damage caused by oil entering the engine's cylinders from a failed air system component.   
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the lubricating oil pressure is measured within a lubrication header downstream from a filter and oil cooler, but upstream from both the pressure-lubricated component and said main bearings. 
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the lubricating oil pressure is measured within a lubrication header upstream from both the pressure-lubricated component and said main bearings. 
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the lubricating oil pressure is measured proximate the pressure-lubricated component. 
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said component failure template is configured to indicate failure resulting in both an oil leak within the pressure-lubricated component and unintended delivery of lubricating oil to the engine's power cylinders. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said component failure template is configured to indicate failure of a turbocharger shaft bearing. 
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said failure template comprises a software model for predicting lubricating oil pressure, including an acceptable range of variation exhibited by an engine having a properly operating turbocharger, with said model further comprising said failure range for said monitored oil pressure indicating that a turbo charger has failed. 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said monitoring is performed during at least idle operation of the engine. 
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said pressure-lubricated air system component comprises a turbocharger. 
   
   
       10 . A system for detecting fugitive fueling arising from turbocharger failure within an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a pressure sensor for monitoring lubrication oil pressure within a lubrication circuit feeding oil to a turbocharger; and   a controller for receiving the output of the pressure sensor and for comparing the sensor output with a turbocharger failure template, with said controller taking at least one step to mitigate engine damage from oil ingestion if the results of said comparison indicate that the turbocharger has failed.   
   
   
       11 . A system for detecting fugitive fueling according to  claim 10 , wherein said turbocharger failure template is configured to indicate failure of a turbocharger component causing a discharge of oil from the turbocharger into the engine's cylinders. 
   
   
       12 . A system for detecting fugitive fueling according to  claim 10 , wherein said turbocharger failure template is configured to indicate failure of a turbocharger component causing a discharge of oil into the engine's cylinders. 
   
   
       13 . A system according to  claim 10 , wherein said pressure sensor monitors oil pressure proximate a lubricating oil pump. 
   
   
       14 . A system according to  claim 10 , wherein said pressure sensor monitors lubricating oil pressure within an oil line serving only a turbocharger. 
   
   
       15 . A system according to  claim 10 , wherein said controller mitigates engine damage by activating an air supply cutoff device. 
   
   
       16 . A system according to  claim 10 , wherein said controller mitigates engine damage by activating a self-load device for said engine. 
   
   
       17 . A system according to  claim 10 , wherein said controller mitigates engine damage by activating an inert gas supply device for furnishing inert gas to an air inlet system of the engine. 
   
   
       18 . A system according to  claim 10 , wherein said controller mitigates engine damage by stopping all intended fueling of the engine. 
   
   
       19 . A system for detecting fugitive fueling arising from failure of a pressure-lubricated component within an air inlet system of an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a pressure sensor for monitoring lubrication oil pressure within a lubrication circuit feeding oil to a pressure-lubricated air inlet system component; and   a controller for receiving the output of the pressure sensor and for comparing the sensor output with a failure template for said pressure-lubricated component, with said controller taking at least one step to mitigate engine damage from oil ingestion if the results of said comparison indicate that said component has failed.   
   
   
       20 . A system for detecting fugitive fueling according to  claim 19 , wherein said component failure template is configured to indicate failure of said component causing a discharge of oil lost from the component into the engine's cylinders. 
   
   
       21 . A system for detecting fugitive fueling according to  claim 19 , wherein said component failure template is configured to indicate failure of said component when said pressure sensor indicates that oil pressure is decreasing at a rate in excess of a predetermined threshold.