Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus, an inspection
method, and an inspection system that inspect an internal state of an engine
including engine oil.
Background Art
[0002]
Reduction of engine oil negatively affects the quality of automobiles, for
10 example, the lighting of an engine alarm lamp and the wearing of an oil pump.
Conventionally, the engine oil consumption has been often found based on a
change in the mass of an oil tank before and after the operation of the engine
(gravimetric method).
[0003]
15 Alternatively, it has been attempted to readily measure the engine oil
consumption from exhaust gas without using the gravimetric method. For
example, according to a sulfur trace method, a sulfur ingredient contained in the
engine oil is detected from the exhaust gas to calculate oil consumption.
[0004]
20 According to another method as disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a
fluorescent X-ray analyzing instrument analyzes a specific element (specifically, a
sulfur ingredient or a chloride ingredient) in the exhaust gas collected by a reagent
impregnated filter to measure the engine oil consumption.
[0005]
25 However, since the amount of sulfur ingredient in the engine oil has
3
recently decreased, it becomes difficult to correctly distinguish the sulfur
ingredient in a fuel from the sulfur ingredient in the engine oil. Thus, the sulfur
ingredient is inadequate for a parameter for measuring the oil consumption.
Therefore, the engine oil consumption cannot be correctly measured by measuring
only the sulfur ingredient5 .
[0006]
Alternatively, ingredients in the exhaust gas discharged from burnt
engine oil may be measured to inspect the internal state of the engine. However,
like the engine oil consumption, the internal state of the engine cannot be
10 correctly inspected by measuring any single ingredient.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0007]
15 [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 1989-239441
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
20 [0008]
Thus, the present invention is devised to solve the above-mentioned
problems, and its object is to correctly inspect the engine oil consumption and the
internal state of the engine.
25 Solution to Problem
4
[0009]
An engine oil consumption measurement apparatus according to the
present invention is an inspection apparatus for inspecting an internal state of an
engine including engine oil by using an exhaust gas of the engine, and the
inspection apparatus includes a data storage unit that stores content infor5 mation
about a plurality of elements contained in the engine oil, a data acceptance unit
that accepts analysis information about a plurality of elements contained in the
exhaust gas, and an inspection unit that compares the content information about
the engine oil with the analysis information to inspect the internal state of the
10 engine.
[0010]
An inspection method according to the present invention is an inspection
method for inspecting an internal state of an engine including engine oil by using
an exhaust gas of the engine, and the inspection method includes acquiring
15 content information about a plurality of elements contained in the engine oil,
acquiring analysis information about a plurality of elements contained in the
exhaust gas, and comparing the content information with the analysis information
to inspect the internal state of the engine.
[0011]
20 For example, as compared with the method of measuring a sulfur
ingredient for inspection, the method of the present invention of comparing the
plurality of elements contained in the engine oil with the plurality of elements
contained in the exhaust gas can inspect the internal state of the engine more
correctly. Examples of the internal state of the engine include the engine oil
25 consumption and the wearing of components of the engine.
5
[0012]
Specifically, the inspection unit desirably calculates the engine oil
consumption as the internal state of the engine. According to the present
invention, the engine oil consumption can be correctly measured based on the
plurality of elements in the engine oil. For example, the inspection unit 5 uses
analysis results of sulfur S as conventional, as well as a plurality of elements
including phosphorous P, calcium Ca, zinc Zn, and molybdenum Mo in the engine
oil. Thus, as compared to the conventional engine oil consumption measurement
apparatus using a single ingredient such as sulfur, the engine oil consumption
10 measurement apparatus of the present invention can measure the engine oil
consumption more correctly.
[0013]
The elements contained in the exhaust gas may include elements derived
from the fuel for the engine and elements caused by the wearing of the engine, in
15 addition to the elements caused by consumption of the engine oil. For this
reason, the inspection unit compares ratios of the plurality of elements in the
engine oil with ratios of the plurality of elements in the exhaust gas, and
calculates the engine oil consumption using the element having a difference
between the both ratios within a predetermined range. This can measure the
20 engine oil consumption more correctly.
[0014]
To reduce a measurement error due to the fuel for the engine, the data
storage unit may further store content information about a plurality of elements
contained in the fuel for the engine, and the inspection unit may compare the
25 content information about the engine oil and the content information about the
6
fuel with the analysis information acquired by the element analysis unit to
calculate the engine oil consumption.
[0015]
As described above, the elements contained in the exhaust gas may
include elements caused by the wearing of the engine, in addition to the ele5 ments
caused by the consumption of the engine oil. At this time, wear powders
generated by the wearing in the engine are easily dissolved in the engine oil, and
when the engine oil is consumed by burning and the like, the wear powders are
discharged together with the exhaust gas. Since the content information about
10 the elements contained in the engine oil is known, the elements caused by wearing
of the engine can be identified by analyzing the elements in the exhaust gas.
Accordingly, the inspection unit can also inspect the wearing of the engine.
[0016]
Specifically, the inspection unit desirably compares the ratios of the
15 plurality of elements in the engine oil with the ratios of the plurality of elements
in the exhaust gas, and detects the element having a difference between the both
ratios out of the predetermined range as a wear element generated by wearing.
[0017]
The different components of the engine have different compositions and
20 thus, the wear element caused by wearing of the engine varies. To identify a
wear position of the engine by utilizing this, the data storage unit may further
store usage information about a plurality of elements in each component of the
engine, and the inspection unit may identify the wear position in the engine based
on the usage information and the wear element.
25 [0018]
7
An inspection system using the above-mentioned inspection apparatus
includes a filter that collects ingredients contained in an exhaust gas of an engine,
an element analysis apparatus that analyzes elements in the ingredients collected
by the filter, and the inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The data acceptance unit accepts analysis information acquired by the eleme5 nt
analysis apparatus, and the inspection unit inspects the internal state of the engine
using the analysis information acquired by the element analysis apparatus.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
10 [0019]
According to the present invention described above, the plurality of
elements contained in the engine oil can be compared with the plurality of
elements contained in the exhaust gas to correctly inspect the internal state of the
engine.
15
Brief Description of Drawings
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an entire exhaust gas analysis
system according to a first embodiment;
20 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an
inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an inspection method according to the first
embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating changes in measured values of the engine oil
25 consumption with time according to the first embodiment; and
8
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an
inspection apparatus according to a second embodiment.
Description of Embodiments
[5 0021]

An inspection system according to a first embodiment of the present
invention will be described below with reference to figures.
[0022]
10 An inspection system 100 according to the present embodiment inspects
an internal state of an engine E by analyzing elements contained in an exhaust gas
discharged from the engine E. In a following example, the inspection system
100 analyzes the elements contained in the exhaust gas to measure engine oil
consumption in the engine E. The engine E may be connected alone to an engine
15 dynamo to receive a load, may be mounted in a vehicle travelling on a chassis
dynamometer, or may be mounted in a vehicle travelling on an actual road. The
engine is used in vehicles, ships, and airplanes, and may be an internal
combustion engine or an external combustion engine. The engine oil may be
also described as lubricating oil.
20 [0023]
Specifically, the inspection system 100 includes a sampling apparatus 2
that samples a part or whole of exhaust gas flowing in an exhaust pipe E1
connected to the engine E, a filter 3 that is provided in the sampling apparatus 2
and collects ingredients (here, PM particles) contained in the exhaust gas, an
25 element analysis apparatus 4 that analyzes elements in the PM particles collected
9
by the filter 3, and an inspection apparatus 5 that measures the engine oil
consumption using analysis results of the element analysis apparatus 4.
[0024]
The sampling apparatus 2 has a sampling port 21 that samples the
exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust pipe E1, an exhaust gas channel 22 connec5 ted
to the sampling port 21, and a suction pump 23 that is provided in the exhaust gas
channel 22 and sucks the exhaust gas from the sampling port 21. In the exhaust
gas channel 22, a filter attachment unit, to which the filter 3 is exchangeably
attached, is provided between the sampling port 21 and the suction pump 23.
10 The exhaust gas channel 22 may be provided with a dehumidifier (cooler), and
may be provided with, in place of the dehumidifier, a heater for suppressing
condensation of ingredients of the exhaust gas. According to the present
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the sampling apparatus 2 is configured such that
a constant volume sampling apparatus 6 (CVS) having a constant flow device 61
15 such as a critical flow venturi and a suction pump 62 dilutes exhaust gas from the
exhaust pipe E1 with a dilution gas such as air.
[0025]
The filter 3 serves to collect PM particles in the exhaust gas, and may be
an individually separated batch-type or a rolling-type using a feed roll and a
20 winding roll. Examples of the material for the filter include PTFE coating glass
fiber and PTFE.
[0026]
The element analysis apparatus 4 is a fluorescent X-ray analyzing
instrument that irradiates a sample with an X ray and detects an occurred
25 fluorescent X-ray to perform element analysis. The sample is a filter 3 that
10
collects PM particles. The element analysis apparatus 4 according to the present
embodiment can perform quantitative analysis the concentration (for example, the
mass concentration or the element concentration) or the mass of the elements
collected by the filter 3. In the case of the filter 3 of batch type, the filter 3 is
detached from the sampling apparatus 2 and set to the element analysis appara5 tus
4 for quantitative analysis. In the case of the filter 3 of winding type, the
element analysis apparatus 4 is installed near the filter 3, and performs
quantitative analysis without detaching the filter 3 from the sampling apparatus 2.
In this case, the filter 3 of winding type and the element analysis apparatus 4 may
10 be united into an apparatus (element analysis apparatus with filter).
[0027]
The inspection apparatus 5 acquires data indicating analysis results from
the element analysis apparatus 4 to measure the engine oil consumption. The
inspection apparatus 5 is a dedicated or general-purpose computer including a
15 CPU, an internal memory, an input/output interface, and an AD converter. The
CPU and other components in the inspection apparatus 5 cooperate based on an
inspection program stored in the internal memory, thereby performing functions of
a data storage unit 51, a data acceptance unit 52, and an inspection unit 53 (a
comparison unit 53a and a consumption calculation unit 53b). Each of the units
20 will be described below.
[0028]
The data storage unit 51 stores content information about a plurality of
elements contained in the engine oil. The content information is digital data, and
may include the known concentration (for example, the mass concentration) of the
25 plurality of elements contained in the engine oil as well as the composition ratios
11
of the plurality of elements. The content information may be previously inputted
by the user, or may be transmitted from the server via the Internet.
[0029]
The data acceptance unit 52 accepts analysis information acquired by the
element analysis apparatus 4. The analysis information is digital data, and ma5 y
include measured concentration (for example, the mass concentration or the
element concentration) of the plurality of elements contained in the engine oil as
well as the composition ratios of the plurality of elements. Then, the data
acceptance unit 52 transmits the accepted analysis information to the inspection
10 unit 53.
[0030]
The inspection unit 53 compares the analysis information accepted by the
data acceptance unit 52 with the content information stored in the data storage
unit 51 to measure the engine oil consumption, in particular, functions as the
15 comparison unit 53a and the consumption calculation unit 53b.
[0031]
The comparison unit 53a acquires the analysis information and the
content information, and compares the ratios (proportions) of the plurality of
elements in the engine oil with the ratios (proportions) of the plurality of elements
20 in the exhaust gas. Then, the comparison unit 53a identifies the element having
a difference between the both ratios (proportions) within a predetermined range.
The predetermined range described herein is the range that can appropriately
identify the ratios of the plurality of elements in the engine oil.
[0032]
25 For example, it is assumed that the ratios of the plurality of elements in
12
the engine oil is P:1, S:2, Ca:1, Ze:5, and Mo:1. In this case, when the ratios of
the plurality of elements in the exhaust gas are P:1, S:2, Ca:5, Ze:5, and Mo:1, the
comparison unit 53a identifies P, S, Ze, and Mo as the elements within the
predetermined range. In other words, the comparison unit 53a identifies Ca as
an element outside the predetermined range. At this time, Ca is derived from 5 om the
engine oil and any other source. Threshold values for determining whether each
element falls within the predetermined range are, for example, values acquired by
increasing and decreasing a predetermined proportion (for example, 50%) to and
from the ratio of the element in the content information.
10 [0033]
The consumption calculation unit 53b calculates the engine oil
consumption using the mass concentration of the elements identified as being
within the predetermined range by the comparison unit 53a (in the
above-described example, P, S, Ze, and Mo).
15 [0034]
For example, the consumption calculation unit 53b calculates the engine
oil consumption from the measured mass of the elements collected by the filter 3
and the mass concentration of the elements in the content information. The
measured mass of the elements is measured by the element analysis apparatus 4.
20 At this time, the consumption calculation unit 53b calculates the engine oil
consumption for each of the ingredients as described above, and averages the
engine oil consumptions acquired for the plurality of elements to output the
engine oil consumption. The calculated engine oil consumption is outputted to
output means such as a display. Alternatively, the consumption calculation unit
25 53b may calculate the mass of the elements collected by the filter 3 from the mass
13
of the PM particles collected by the filter 3 and the mass concentration of the
elements. The mass of the PM particles collected by the filter 3 may be found by
subtracting the mass of the filter 3 before collection from the mass of the filter 3
after collection. The inspection system 100 may include a collected amount
measurement unit for measuring the mass (collected amount) of the PM particle5 s
collected by the filter 3, and the consumption calculation unit 53b may use the
collected amount measured by the collected amount measurement unit. The
collected amount measurement unit has a β-ray source for irradiating the collected
PM particles with β-rays, and a β-ray detector for detecting the β-rays that pass
10 through the PM particles. The collected amount measurement unit finds the
collected amount of the PM particles, based on the intensity of the β-ray detected
by the β-ray detector.
[0035]
Next, an engine oil consumption measuring method using the inspection
15 system 100 will be described.
Every predetermined sampling period from the start of the engine E, the exhaust
gas is passed through each filter 3 to collect the PM particles (Step S1).
Specifically, the filter 3 is changed every sampling period, and the exhaust gas is
passed through the filter such that the exhaust gas is passed through the first filter
20 3 in a first sampling period, and the exhaust gas is passed through the second filter
3 in a next second sampling period. Then, after collection, the elements in the
PM particles collected on the filter 3 are analyzed by using the element analysis
apparatus 4 (Step S2). The analysis information acquired by the element
analysis apparatus 4 for each filter 3 is transmitted to the inspection apparatus 5.
25 [0036]
14
Then, the inspection apparatus 5 compares the analysis information for
each filter 3 with the content information about the engine oil to calculate the
engine oil consumption in the period of the collection of the particles by each
filter 3 (Step S3). By calculating the engine oil consumption in each period and
totalizing them, the inspection apparatus 5 can find changes in the engine 5 oil
consumption with time from the start of the engine, as shown in FIG. 4 (Step S4).
[0037]
Alternatively, the engine oil consumption may be calculated by
calculating the discharged mass of the plurality of elements, in place of the engine
10 oil consumption, in the period of collection of the particles by each filter 3, and
totalizing the discharged mass.
[0038]

The engine oil consumption measurement apparatus 100 according to the
15 first embodiment compares the plurality of elements in the engine oil with the
plurality of elements in the exhaust gas. Therefore, for example, as compared to
the case of measuring only the sulfur ingredient for the inspection, the engine oil
consumption can be inspected more correctly.
[0039]
20 In the case where the engine oil consumption is mapped when each
output torque and each number of revolutions of the engine E vary (for example,
horizontal axis (row): number of revolutions, vertical axis (column): output
torque), the engine oil consumption measurement apparatus 100 can reduce a time
required to find each value (engine oil consumption) on a map. For example, by
25 decreasing the period in which the exhaust gas is passed through the filter 3 to
15
collect the PM particles (for example, one hour), and multiplying the engine oil
consumption acquired by measuring the filter 3 by predetermined times (for
example, 10 times), the same result as the result acquired by measuring for the
predetermined period can be obtained. As a result, the time required to map the
engine oil consumption can be reduce5 d.
[0040]

Next, an inspection system according to a second embodiment of the
present invention will be described below with reference to figures.
10 [0041]
The inspection system 100 according to the present embodiment can also
identify a wear position within the engine E by analyzing elements in the exhaust
gas. Thus, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in a
configuration of the inspection apparatus 5.
15 [0042]
Wear powders generated due to a wear within the engine E are easily
dissolved in the engine oil. When the engine oil is consumed by burning or the
like, the wear powders are also burnt and discharged together with the exhaust gas.
According to the present embodiment, the wear position within the engine E is
20 identified utilizing this phenomenon.
[0043]
Specifically, the inspection apparatus 5 acquires data indicating an
analysis result acquired by the element analysis apparatus 4 to identify the wear
position in the engine E. The inspection apparatus 5 is a dedicated or
25 general-purpose computer including a CPU, an internal memory, an input/output
16
interface, and an AD converter. The CPU and other constituents in the
inspection apparatus 5 cooperate based on an inspection program stored in the
internal memory, thereby performing functions of the data storage unit 51, the
data acceptance unit 52, the inspection unit 53 (the comparison unit 53a and a
wear position identification unit 53c) as shown in FIG. 5. Each of the units 5 s will
be described below.
[0044]
The data storage unit 51 stores content information about the plurality of
elements contained in the engine oil and usage information about the plurality of
10 elements used in each unit of the engine E. The content information and the
usage information is digital data. The content information may include known
concentration (for example, the mass concentration or the element concentration)
on the plurality of elements contained in the engine oil as well as the composition
ratio of the plurality of elements. In the usage information, the components of
15 the engine are associated with compositions of materials for the components.
The content information and the usage information may be previously inputted by
the user, or may be transmitted from the server via the Internet.
[0045]
The data acceptance unit 52 accepts digital data indicating the analysis
20 information acquired by the element analysis apparatus 4. The analysis
information may include the measured concentration (for example, the mass
concentration) of the plurality of elements contained in the engine oil as well as
the composition ratio of the plurality of elements. Then, the data acceptance unit
52 transmits digital data indicating the accepted analysis information to the
25 inspection unit 53.
17
[0046]
The inspection unit 53 compares the analysis information accepted by the
data acceptance unit 52 with the content information stored in the data storage
unit 51 to identify the wear position of the engine, in particular, functions as the
comparison unit 53a and the wear position identification unit 5 53c.
[0047]
The comparison unit 53a acquires the analysis information and the
content information, and compares the ratios (proportions) of the plurality of
elements in the engine oil with the ratios (proportions) of the plurality of elements
10 in the exhaust gas. Then, the comparison unit 53a identifies the element having
a difference between the both ratios (proportions) outside the predetermined range.
The predetermined range described herein is the range that can appropriately
identify the ratios of the plurality of elements in the engine oil. In the case
where an element that is not contained in the engine oil is contained in the exhaust
15 gas, the element is identified as the element outside the predetermined range.
[0048]
It is assumed that the ratios of the plurality of elements in the engine oil
is P:1, S:2, Ca:1, Ze:5, Mo:1. In this case, when the ratios of the plurality of
elements in the exhaust gas are P:1, S:2, Ca:1, Ze:5, Mo:1, Fe:1, the comparison
20 unit 53a identifies Fe as the element outside the redetermined range. When the
ratios of the elements of Cu:1, Sn:6, Si:1.5 are measured, it may be determined as
a material for a metallic slide bearing. When a plurality of predetermined
elements are detected with predetermined ratios, a wear site can be identified.
[0049]
25 The wear position identification unit 53c detects an element identified as
18
being out of the predetermined range by the comparison unit 53a, as a wear
element generated by wearing. In the case where the element out of the range is
not included in the plurality of elements in the usage information, the wear
position identification unit 53c excludes the element out of the range from the
wear element. Then, the wear position identification unit 53c identifies the wea5 r
position of the engine E based on the usage information and the wear element.
[0050]

The engine oil consumption measurement apparatus 100 according to the
10 second embodiment may compare the plurality of elements in the engine oil with
the plurality of elements in the exhaust gas, to detect the wear element generated
by the wearing of the engine E. Here, if the usage information about the
elements of each component of the engine E are given, the wear position can be
identified based on the wear element.
15 [0051]
The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned
embodiments.
[0052]
The exhaust gas may contain elements derived from the fuel for the
20 engine E in addition to elements derived from the engine oil. The elements
derived from the engine E may contribute to a measurement error of the engine oil
consumption. For this reason, in each of the above embodiments, the data
storage unit 51 may further store content information about a plurality of elements
in the fuel for engine E, and the inspection unit 53 may compare the content
25 information about the engine oil and the content information about the fuel with
19
the analysis information to calculate the engine oil consumption or the wear
element. For example, the quantity of the elements derived from the fuel in the
analysis information may be subtracted from the fuel consumption and the fuel
content information, or the element analysis apparatus 4 may measure the quantity
of the elements contained only in the fuel, and the measured quantity of 5 f the
elements derived from the fuel may be subtracted from the analysis information.
Using the analysis information after the subtraction, the engine oil consumption is
calculated, or the wear element is detected as in the embodiments.
[0053]
10 The element analysis apparatus in the embodiments uses the fluorescent
X-ray analyzing instrument and however, may be an element analysis apparatus
using other measuring principles. Any element analysis apparatus that can
quantitively analyze the discharged mass of the elements collected by the filter
may measure the engine oil consumption using the discharged mass and the
15 content information. Similarly, the wear position may be identified using the
discharged mass, the content information, and the usage information.
[0054]
Further, according to the embodiments, the filter collects the PM particles
to analyze the elements and however, an analyzer for analyzing a plurality of
20 elements may be provided in an exhaust gas path to measure the plurality of
elements. Analysis information acquired by the analyzer is inputted to the
inspection apparatus 5.
[0055]
Moreover, the inspection apparatus may perform background correction.
25 That is, the engine oil consumption may be calculated, or the wear element may
20
be detected by detecting elements contained in air sucked into the engine, and
subtracting the air-derived elements.
[0056]
In addition, the inspection apparatus may have an exhaust gas analysis
apparatus for measuring the concentration of an ingredient to be measured, 5 d, such
as CO2, in the exhaust gas, and associate the concentration of the target ingredient,
which is acquired by the exhaust gas analysis apparatus, with the detection state of
engine oil consumption or the wear element and then to manage the association as
data. The state of the engine or the engine oil may be checked based on the
10 association.
[0057]
According to each of the above-mentioned embodiments, in the case of
using the filter 3 of winding type with the feed roll and the winding roll,
information indicating the operating state of the engine or the like may be printed
15 on the filter 3. This facilitates processing, use, or management of data.
[0058]
The inspection apparatus according to the second embodiment compares
the content information about the engine oil with the analysis information
acquired by the element analysis apparatus to inspect the internal state of the
20 engine (the worn member and the wear position) and however, may be configured
as follows. That is, the inspection apparatus may include the data storage unit
that stores content information (for example, the constituent ratio of constituent
elements) about the elements contained in materials for the components of the
engine, the data acceptance unit that accepts analysis information about the
25 plurality of elements contained in the exhaust gas from the element analysis
21
apparatus, and the inspection unit that compares the content information about the
materials for the components with the analysis information to identify the worn
member or the wear position of the engine.
[0059]
Various modifications and combinations of the embodiments may 5 be
made within the scope of the subject matter of the present invention.
Reference Signs List
[0060]
10 100 Inspection system
E Engine
2 Sampling apparatus
3 Filter
4 Element analysis apparatus
15 5 Inspection apparatus
51 Data storage unit
52 Data acceptance unit
53 Inspection unit

WE CLAIM:
1. An inspection apparatus for inspecting an internal state of an engine
including engine oil by using an exhaust gas of the engine, the inspection
apparatus comprising:
a data storage unit that stores content information about a plurality 5 of
elements contained in the engine oil;
a data acceptance unit that accepts analysis information about a plurality
of elements contained in the exhaust gas; and
an inspection unit that inspects the internal state of the engine based on
10 the content information about the engine oil and the analysis information.
2. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the inspection unit calculates engine oil consumption as the internal state
of the engine.
15
3. The inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
the inspection unit compares ratios of the plurality of elements in the
engine oil with ratios of the plurality of elements in the exhaust gas, and
calculates the engine oil consumption using the element having a difference
20 between the both ratios within a predetermined range.
4. The inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
the data storage unit further stores content information about a plurality
of elements contained in a fuel for the engine, and
25 the inspection unit compares the content information about the engine oil
23
with the content information about the fuel with the analysis information to
calculate the engine oil consumption.
5. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the inspection unit inspects wearing of the engine as the internal state 5 of
the engine.
6. The inspection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
the inspection unit compares ratios of the plurality of elements in the
10 engine oil with ratios of the plurality of elements in the exhaust gas, and detects
the element having a difference between the both ratios out of a predetermined
range as a wear element by wearing.
7. The inspection apparatus according to claim 6, wherein
15 the data storage unit further stores usage information about a plurality of
elements used in each component of the engine, and
the inspection unit identifies a wear position in the engine based on the
usage information and the wear element.
20 8. An inspection method for inspecting an internal state of an engine
including engine oil by using an exhaust gas of the engine, the inspection method
comprising:
acquiring content information about a plurality of elements contained in
the engine oil;
25 acquiring analysis information about a plurality of elements contained in
24
the exhaust gas; and
comparing the content information with the analysis information to
inspect the internal state of the engine.
9. An inspection system comprising5 :
a fitter that collects ingredients contained in an exhaust gas of an engine;
an element analysis apparatus that analyzes elements in the ingredients
collected by the filter; and
the inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
10 the data acceptance unit accepts the analysis information acquired by the
element analysis apparatus, and
the inspection unit inspects the internal state of the engine using the
analysis information acquired by the element analysis apparatus.