| 摘要 |
Method and apparatus for automatically changing engine lubricating oil while the engine is running, in which small increments of used lubricating oil are periodically removed from the lubricating oil system, and substantially simultaneously with the removal of each increment of used oil, a corresponding increment of fresh oil is delivered to the lubricating oil system, so the volume of oil in the lubricating system is not reduced by the removal. Oil sump level sensing determines the destination of each used oil increment that is removed. If the sump level is not substantially below a predetermined satisfactory operating level when an increment of used oil is removed, the increment is delivered to the fuel tank for burnoff with the fuel for diesel engines, or to a holding tank for other engines, in a normal oil change mode of operation. If, however, the sump level is substantially below the predetermined level, then the increment is delivered back to the lubricating oil system in an oil makeup mode of operation. Actuation and timing of the apparatus are microprocessor or otherwise electronically controlled.
|
