The invention relates to a replaceable fluid container for an engine.
Engines, such as motor vehicle engines, are provided with fluid circulation systems through
which a fluid is circulated to assist engine performance by lubricating or removing heat from
moving components of the engine, for example. The fluid may become degraded through use.
For example, the fluid may become increasingly viscous or contaminated as it circulates
through the fluid circulation system, which may reduce its efficacy.
Embodiments of the invention address at least some of these problems.
The invention is set out in the appended claims.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a vehicle containing a replaceable fluid container;
Figure 2 shows a cross-section through a replaceable fluid container for an engine;
Figure 3 shows a schematic illustration of components of the vehicle and replaceable fluid
container; and
Figures 4 and 4a show in schematic form an example of a housing of or for a replaceable
fluid container for an engine.
Embodiments of the invention may provide a replaceable fluid container for an engine, the
replaceable fluid container comprising a first reservoir for holding a fluid, a second reservoir
for holding a composition to be added to the fluid, a fluid coupling adapted to provide fluidic
communication between the first reservoir and the fluid circulation system ofthe engine and
a dose controller for providing data about the replaceable fluid container to a control system
ofthe engine.
The composition may comprise a viscosity-reducing composition to lower the viscosity of the
fluid. The composition may comprise a friction-reducing composition for coating surfaces of
the fluid circulation system to reduce the friction between moving parts of the engine. The
composition may comprise a fluid-cleaning agent to remove, absorb, convert or reduce
contaminants in the fluid. In general, the composition may be an additive for an engine fluid,
such as a lubricating or heat-exchange fluid. The composition may, when added to the fluid,
change the heat exchange properties of the fluid to assist with a heat exchange function. The
composition may, when added to the fluid, make the fluid more lean. The composition may
comprise any combination of the foregoing compositions or additives. As used herein, the
term composition refers to a substance which may consist of only one constituent or
ingredient, or which may comprise one or more constituents or ingredients.
The composition may be a liquid, a suspension, an emulsion, a gas, a vapour or a solid, for
example a soluble or insoluble powder or a soluble or dissolvable pellet.
The replaceable fluid container may comprise further reservoirs, wherein each ofthe further
reservoirs provides a different composition. Each reservoir may have a valve for controlling
the dosing of its composition into the fluid. The dose controller may be configured to receive
a service interval or dosage regime from a controller, such as the control system of the
engine, which may be referred to herein as an engine control system or engine control device,
to defining time or vehicle mileage intervals at which to dose each of the compositions into
the fluid.
The replaceable fluid container may be configured to store identification data indicating, for
example, one or more property of the fluid, the composition(s) or the vehicle with which the
replaceable fluid container is designed to be used, and may be configured to communicate
the identification data to the engine control device. The engine control system may be
configured to select a service interval or dosage regime based on identification data received
from the dosage controller. The engine control system may be configured to select, or update,
a service interval or dosage regime based on fluid-quality data provided by one or more
sensors located in the engine or the replaceable fluid container. The dose controller may be
configured to receive a selected or updated service interval or dosage regime form the engine
control system and to control a valve ofthe first or a further reservoir to dose the fluid with
the composition from that reservoir in accordance with the selected or updated service
interval or dosage regime.
As used herein, the term replaceable fluid container means a container for fluid, which
container may be inserted into or removed from a cavity, recess or dock in, adjacent to or
coupled with an engine, for example a cavity, recess or dock in a vehicle, which cavity,
recess or dock is in, adjacent to or coupled with the vehicle engine.
As used herein, the term fluid refers to a fluid which may be used in a fluid system of an
engine or a vehicle, for example a lubricating or heat exchange fluid or an ancillary fluid such
as a washer fluid.
n the drawings, like reference numerals are used to indicate like elements.
FIGURE 1 shows a vehicle 6 comprising an engine 4, a container dock 3 and an engine
control system 2. The engine 4 comprises a fluid circulation system 8. The fluid circulation
system 8 comprises a fluid supply line 10 and a fluid return line 12. A replaceable fluid
container 14 is seated in the container dock .
The replaceable fluid container 14 comprises a first reservoir 9 for a fluid, a second reservoir
1 for a composition to be added to the fluid, a fluid coupling 90 adapted to provide fluidic
communication between the first reservoir 9 and the fluid circulation system 8 ofthe engine 4
and a dose controller 1 to dose composition from the second reservoir 11 into the fluid ofthe
first reservoir 9.
The replaceable fluid container 14 is shown positioned in the container dock 3 such that the
frrst reservoir 9 is fluidically coupled to the fluid supply line 10 and the fluid return line 12 of
the fluid circulation system 8 via the fluid coupling 90. The fluid circulation system 8 extends
between the fluid supply line 10 and the fluid return line 12 such that fluid received into the
fluid supply line 10 may circulate around the fluid circulation system 8 and be returned to the
frrst reservoir 9 via the fluid return line 12.
The engine control system 2 is coupled for communication with the dose controller I of the
replaceable fluid container 14 via the a communication link 32, over which the engine control
system 2 may receive data from the replaceable fluid container 14 and send control signals or
data relating to a service interval and/or dosage regime. The engine control system 2 is
coupled to communicate with, for example to receive operational data from and to send
control signals to, the engine 4 via a second communication link 34.
The engine 4 of the present example is an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle.
The engine control system 2 comprises a communication interface 98, a processor 96 and a
data store 94.
The engine control system 2 is arranged to monitor and control at least one parameter ofthe
engine 4 via the second communication link 34. For example, the processor 96 is configured
to control at least one operation of the engine 4 based on the monitoring, and based on control
data read from data store 94 ofthe engine control system 2. The data store 94 stores service
interval and/or control regime data for dosing of the fluid.
In this example, the communication links are provided by a controller area network (CAN) of
the vehicle.
n the illustrated example, the fluid circulation system 8 is circulation system for circulating a
fluid, such as a lubricating and/or a heat exchange fluid, around parts ofthe engine.
In an example, the container dock 3 comprises a cavity adjacent the engine 4 in which the
replaceable fluid container 14 may be seated. The container dock 3 comprises couplings to
the fluid supply line 10 and fluid return line 12 of the fluid circulation system 8 to enable
fluidic communication between the fluid circulation system 8 and the fluid in the first
reservoir 9 when the replaceable fluid container 14 is placed in position. The container dock 3
has a fastening element (not shown) for coupling with a fastening element on the replaceable
fluid container 14 to secure the replaceable fluid container 14 in position.
The fastening element may be provided by a locking element, a catch, a latch or a projection
or recess configured to engage with a complementary recess or projection on the replaceable
fluid container 1 . Engagement may comprise forming a frictional or interference fit.
In operation the replaceable fluid container 14 is placed in position in the container dock 3 of
the vehicle 6 adjacent the engine 4. When in position, fluidic communication is permitted
between the first reservoir 9 and the fluid communication system 8 of the engine 4. When the
engine 4 is turned on, fluid is pumped, under the control of the engine control system 2, from
the first reservoir 9 of the replaceable fluid container 14, into the fluid supply line 10 and
around the fluid circulation system 8. Circulated fluid is returned to the replaceable fluid
container 14 via the fluid return line 12.
Placing the replaceable fluid container 14 in position also permits the communication
interface of the dose controller 1 to communicate with the engine control system 2. This
enables the dose controller 1 to receive service interval data and/or a dosage regime from the
engine control system 2 over the first communication link 32. The dose controller 1 controls
dosage of the composition into the fluid supplied to the fluid supply line 10 in accordance
with the service interval and/or dosage regime.
The engine control system 2 receives operational data from the engine 4 and may update the
service interval and/or dosage regime based on the operational data, for example in
accordance with rules stored in data store 94 ofthe engine control system 2.
FIGURE 2 shows an example of a replaceable fluid container 14 that may be used in in the
vehicle offigure 1.
The replaceable fluid container 14 comprises a first reservoir 9, a second reservoir 1 , a fluid
coupling 90 and a dose controller 1 as in Figure 1.
The fluid coupling 90 comprises a fluid outlet port 91, a fluid inlet port 92 and a vent port 93.
The fluid outlet port 91, fluid inlet port 92 and vent port 93 are fluidically coupled with the
first reservoir 9. The outlet port 9 1 is adapted to couple with the engine's fluid supply line 10.
The fluid inlet port 92 is adapted to couple to the engine's fluid return line 12. The vent port
93 is arranged to facilitate the removal of fluid from the first reservoir 9 without causing an
undesirable pressure condition in the first reservoir 9.
The fluid coupling 90 is arranged such that when the replaceable fluid container 14 is placed
in position in the container dock 3, the fluid outlet port 9 1 couples with the fluid supply line
1 of the fluid circulation system 8 and the fluid inlet port 92 couples with the fluid return
line 12 ofthe fluid circulation system 8 such that the fluid outlet port 9 1 fluidically couples
with the fluid supply line 10 and the fluid inlet port 92 fluidically couples to the fluid return
line 12.
The replaceable fluid container 14 comprises a fastening element 101 for securing or
retaining the replaceable fluid container 14 in position to maintain the fluidic coupling
between the first reservoir 9 and the fluid circulation system 8, and a coupling sensor 30 for
sensing when the fastening element 101 is engaged to secure the replaceable fluid container
14 in position. The coupling sensor 30 is coupled to provide a signal to the dose controller 1
to indicate that fastening element 101 is engaged.
The dose controller 1 comprises a data store 103, a driver 105 and communication interface
104. The communication interface 104 is coupled for communication of data with the engine
control system 2 and for the exchange of data with the data store 103 and the driver 105. The
driver is coupled to receive control signals from the communication interface 104 and to read
control data from the data store 103.
The second reservoir 1 1 comprises a valve 5 for controlling dosing of the composition into
the fluid provided to the fluid supply line 10. In one example this comprises dosing the
composition into the fluid where, or near where, it passes through the fluid outlet port 91. IN
another example, the composition is dosed into the fluid supply line 10. In another example,
the composition is dosed directly into the first reservoir 9.
The valve 5 is configured such that closing the valve 5 isolates the contents of the second
reservoir 11 from the fluid, while opening the valve 5 places the second reservoir 1 in
fluidic communication with the fluid provided to the fluid outlet port 91.
The valve 5 is coupled to the driver 105, which is configured to drive opening or closing of
the valve in accordance with control signals from the communication interface 104 and/or in
accordance with control data read form the data store 103.
The first reservoir 9 is arranged to hold a volume of fluid for circulation through the fluid
circulation system 8 of the vehicle 6. In the illustrated example, the fluid is lubricating oil
which may also perform a heat exchange function.
The ports 91, 92, 93 of the replaceable fluid container 14 are self-sealing ports which are
arranged to form a fluid tight seal with the supply and return lines 10, 1 of the fluid
circulation system 8 when the replaceable fluid container 14 is placed in position in the
container dock 3.
The second reservoir 11 is arranged to hold a volume of a composition for dosing into the
fluid of the first reservoir 9 to alter a property of the fluid. In the illustrated example, the
composition is one which reduces the viscosity ofthe fluid.
The valve 5 of the second reservoir 1 is any suitable electronic valve which may be driven
by the driver 105.
The data store 103 of dose controller 1 stores identification data for the fluid and/or the
replaceable fluid container and/or the engine with which the replaceable fluid container 14
is intended to be used. The identifier may be a computer readable identifier, an electronic
identifier, such as a near field RF communicator, for example a passive or active RFID tag, or
an NFC communicator.
The identification data may comprise data relating to the fluid in the first reservoir 9, for
example, where the fluid is an oil, the oi grade and/or type, a unique serial number of the
replaceable fluid container 14, the length oftime (e.g. number of hours) for which the fluid
has been in circulation, the number of miles for which the fluid has been in circulation, the
vehicle or engine type with which the replaceable fluid container 14 is intended for use, etc. t
may additionally or alternatively comprise data related to an engine usage history, comprising
for example mileage, velocity data and service data, of an engine with which the replaceable
fluid container 14 has been associated.
FIGURE 3 shows in more detail the system shown in Figure .
The engine 4 shown in Figure 3 comprises an engine communication interface 106 and a
sensor 108. The sensor 108 is arranged to sense a quality indicator of the fluid circulating in
the fluid circulation system 8. In this example, the sensor 108 is a flow meter configured to
sense the viscosity ofthe fluid. The sensor 108 is coupled to provide a signal representing the
sensed viscosity to the engine communication interface 106. The engine communication
interface 106 is coupled to provide a signal representing the sensed viscosity to the engine
control system 2 over the second communication link 34.
The engine control system 2 comprises a communication interface 98, a processor 96 and a
data store 94 a shown in Figure . The data store 94 is arranged for the exchange of data with
the processor 96 and the communication interface 98. The processor 96 is arranged for the
exchange of data with the data store 94 and the communication interface 98. The
communication interface 98 is arranged for communication with the dose controller 1 of the
replaceable fluid container 14 and the engine communication interface 106.
The data store 94 of the engine control system 2 is configured to store data comprising any
combination of the following:
identifiers of acceptable fluids for use in the fluid circulation system 8;
identification data received from the dose controller 1;
the vehicle mileage;
data defining a service interval, wherein the service interval is the time period between
performing maintenance operations including dosing the fluid with the composition to reduce
fluid viscosity;
data indicating one or more quality indicators of the fluid, such as data indicating
transmissibility, opacity, reflectivity, the colour, an electrical resistance, a capacitance, the
dielectric constant, the viscosity or the density of the fluid, which quality indicator may have
been determined by the sensor or received from another device such as the dose controller or
as input by a user;
data indicative of an expected viscosity or an expected rate of change of viscosity ofthe fluid
based on a timer or on the mileage of the vehicle;
sets of engine configuration data for configuring the engine to operate in a selected way
depending on the engine, vehicle, fuel or fluid type;
an association table (such as a look-up table) associating fluid identifiers with the sets of
engine configuration data an association table (such as a look-up table) for associating one
or more quality indicators of the fluid with a plurality of dose regimes;
algorithms for determining any of: an expected quality factor of the fluid per unit time or
mile, deviation of a sensed quality factor from an expected quality factor, algorithms for
selecting a dose regimen based or modifying a dose regimen based on identification data, a
sensed quality factor or a deviation of a sensed quality factor from an expected quality factor;
engine usage history data, comprising for example mileage, velocity data and service data, of
a engine with which the replaceable fluid container 14 has been associated.
The processor 96 is configured to compare data stored in the data store 94 with data obtained
from the dose controller 1 ofthe replaceable fluid container 14 and from the communication
interface 06 ofthe engine 4.
The processor 96 is configured to receive data from the sensor 108 and to compare the data
with stored data, such as expected values, which may be stored in a look-up table. In the
event that this comparison indicates that the viscosity is changing more quickly than
expected, or is above outside of a specified tolerance, the processor 96 is configured to
update the dosage regime to require the dose controller 1 to dose the composition into the
fluid at more regular intervals.
In operation, the coupling sensor 30 senses that the fastening element 101 is an engaged
configuration indicating that the first reservoir 9 is in fluidic communication with the fluid
circulation system 8 of the engine 4 and communicates the same to the dose controller . In
response, the dose controller 1 sends its identification data to the engine control device 2. The
engine control device 2 compares the identification data with model data stored in a look-up
table of its data store 94 and selects a service interval and/or dosage regime matching, for
model data that matches, or that most closely matches, the identification data. The engine
control device 2 communicates the selected service interval and/or dosage regime data to the
dose controller 1. The dose controller 1 saves the data in data store 103 and the driver 105
controls the valve 5 of the second reservoir 11 to dose the composition into the fluid in dose
sizes and/or intervals defined by the service interval and/or dosage regime.
At intervals, the engine control device 2 receives data indicating the viscosity of the fluid in
the fluid circulation system 8 from the engine communication interface 106. The engine
control device 2 compares the viscosity data with model data, which indicates an expected or
tolerated viscosity. If the comparison reveals that the measured viscosity exceeds the
expected or tolerated viscosity, the engine control device 2 selects from its lookup table a
new service interval and/or dosage regime which provides for more frequent dosing, and
sends data representing the new service interval and/or dosage regime to the dose controller
1. The dose controller 1 updates its data store 103 with the new service interval and/or dosage
regime and accordingly drives the valve 5 of the second reservoir 11 to dose the composition
into the fluid more frequently.
In an example, a replaceable fluid container is provided which comprises a first reservoir and
a plurality of further reservoirs, each for holding a different fluid composition or additive for
modifying a property of the fluid, and each arranged to dose the fluid additive into the fluid to
be supplied to a fluid supply line under the control ofthe dose controller. In an example, the
replaceable fluid container comprises a second reservoir holding a viscosity-reducing
composition, as in the illustrated example, a third reservoir holding a friction-reducing
additive and a fourth reservoir containing a fluid-cleaning agent.
In this example, sensors are provided in the engine for sensing the viscosity of the fluid in the
fluid circulation system, the friction between rubbing surfaces in the engine and the
cleanliness of the fluid. Viscosity and/or cleanliness sensors, other sensors indicated herein or
other appropriate sensors may additionally or alternatively be located on or in the replaceable
fluid container or on, in or near the container dock 3 and be configured to send indications of
one or more sensed quality indicators, such as viscosity or cleanliness, to the dose controller
so that the dose controller may provide corresoponding indications to the engine control
system, or directly to the engine control system, so that the engine control system may update
the service interval and/or dosage regime. n this example, the engine control device has
look-up tables comprising data on fluid viscosity, friction and cleanliness and selects an
appropriate service interval and/or dosage regime based on matching one or more of the
measured fluid properties to data in the look-up table.
In general, one or more sensors may be provided for sensing one or more of: an optical
property of the fluid such as its transmissibility, opacity, reflectivity or colour, an electrical
property of the fluid such as its electrical resistance, capacitance or dielectric constant, a
chemical property of the fluid such as it chemical constitution or a physical property of the
fluid, such as its density or viscosity. One or more sensors may additionally or alternatively
be provided to sense at least one of a temperature and flow rate or other flow characteristic of
the fluid.
FIGURES 4 and 4a show one way in which the components of a replaceable fluid container
14 described herein may be housed. Figure 4 shows an elevation view of a housing 300 and a
partial section through a wall of the housing 300. The housing 300 comprises a body 304, and a
base 306. The body 304 is secured to the base by a lip 302. A dose controller 308 is carried in
the lip 302.
The lip 302 includes a data coupling 310 to enable the dose controller 308 to be coupled to an
interface 312 for communicating data with the engine control system 2 (not shown in Figure
4). The interface 312 comprises connectors 314 for connecting the interface 312 with the
dose controller 308.
The base 306 of the housing 300 comprises the fluid coupling (not shown in Figure 3) for
coupling fluid from the first reservoir of the fluid replaceable fluid container with the fluid
circulation system of an engine. The fluid coupling and the data coupling 310 are arranged so
that connecting the fluid coupling in fluidic communication with the fluid circulation system
of an engine also couples the dose controller 308 for data communication with the engine
control system via the interface 312 by seating the connectors 314 of the interface in the data
coupling 310 on the housing 300.
In this example, the interface 312 and the connectors 314 provide channels which provide
measurements for fluid temperature, fluid pressure, fluid quality, fluid type, and the level
(e.g. amount) of fluid in the replaceable fluid container, for example. The connectors 314
may be arranged to provide electrical power to the dose controller 308.
It will be understood that the dose controller 308 as shown in Figure 4 may be configured as
described with reference to the dose controller 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.
In other examples the coupling sensor 30 may be provided on, in or near the container dock 3
or on or in the replaceable fluid container 4.
In an example the container dock 3 or a constituent thereof, such as a base or sleeve of the
container dock 3, may be removable from the vehicle 6.
Although the illustrated example shows the engine of a motor vehicle, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that a replaceable fluid container 14 as described herein may be used with
other types of engine or "reverse engine" such as a generator or turbine, for example a wind
turbine.
The replaceable fluid replaceable fluid container 14 may comprise a sensor for sensing a
quality indicator of the fluid and sending a signal representing the same to the dose controller.
The quality indicator may indicate the cleanliness, chemical integrity, chemical composition
or viscosity of the fluid. In particular, the quality indicator may indicate at least one property
selected from the group consisting of: the viscosity of fluid, the density of fluid, the electrical
resistance of fluid, the dielectric constant of fluid, the opacity of fluid, the chemical
composition of fluid and combinations of two or more thereof. The quality indicator may be
obtained by an optical measurement, for example a transmissibility, opacity, reflectivity or
colour measurement, by a measurement of an electrical resistance, capacitance or dielectric
constant of the fluid or, particularly when the quality indicator is an indicator of viscosity, by
a flow-meter or heat sensor reading.
The replaceable fluid container 14 may be a disposable or recyclable replaceable fluid
container 14 which may be replaced by a similar replaceable fluid container 14 after its useful
lifetime, for example once its contents has been used or is unusable.
The fluid may be any type of fluid for circulation in an engine 4 to support a function of the
engine. For example, the fluid may be lubricant, a coolant, a de-icer, or combination thereof.
The dose controller 1 may comprise an identifier of the fluid.
In general, the composition may be a gas, a vapour, a liquid, an emulsion or a solid, such as a
powder, dissolved or suspended in a carrier liquid or provided in a form, such as a pellet, in
which the solid may become dissolved or suspended in the carrier liquid or in the fluid once
added thereto.
In other examples, the dose controller 1 may be configured for one way communication. For
example the dose controller 1 may be configured only to receive data from the engine control
system, so that the data can be provided to the data store 103 of the replaceable fluid
container 14, Alternatively the dose controller 1 may be configured only to provide data to
the engine control system. In some possibilities the dose controller 1 may be adapted to
provide data to and receive data from the engine control system 2.
The data store 103 of the dose controller 1 may be configured to store data comprising at
least one property of the fluid selected from the group consisting of: the amount of fluid, the
temperature of fluid, the pressure of fluid, the viscosity of fluid, the viscosity index of the
fluid, the density of fluid, the electrical resistance of fluid, the dielectric constant of fluid, the
opacity of fluid, the chemical composition of fluid, the origin of the fluid and combinations
of two or more thereof The data store 103 may be configured to receive data from an engine
control system to enable the data to be stored at the replaceable fluid container 14, or viceversa.
Such stored data can then be provided to diagnostic devices during servicing and/or
during replacement of the replaceable fluid container 14.
In general, the identification data of the replaceable fluid container 14 may comprise an
electronic identifier, an optical identifier, such as a barcode, or a colour coded marker, or
optical identifier such as a particular colour on the replaceable fluid container 14 or any
combination thereof Regardless of how it is provided, the identifier may be encrypted. In
some examples one or both of the first and second communications links 32, 34 may be
encrypted and data communicated between the dose controller 1 and the engine control
system 2 and/or between the engine control system 2 and the engine 4 may be
correspondingly encrypted.
In general, the first and second communication links 32, 34 may comprise any wired or
wireless communication link, and may comprise an optical link. The communication
interfaces 98 and 106 are provided by the vehicle CAN but any suitable interfaces may be
provided.
In other example, a fastening elementl 0 1 is not provided. The replaceable fluid container 14
may instead be retained in position by gravity or an interference fit, a bayonet coupling or
any appropriate fixture, or by the self-sealing ports. In other examples, the ports are not selfsealing
but instead self-sealing mechanisms may be provided by the controller dock 3 or
controllable seals, such as electrical, electromechanical or mechanical seals may be provided,
which may be controllable by the dose controller 1 or the engine control system 2. In other
examples, manual seals may be provided.
I general, any sensor described as being provided in the engine may instead be provided in
the replaceable fluid container, container dock or fluid circulation system, and vice-versa.
Information about the oil quality may be obtained through capacitance or resistivity
measurements. These might, for example, indicate the presence of water In the oil or of
metallic or carbonaceous particulates suspended in the oil. A sensor for sensing friction as
described herein may comprise a flow-meter or a heat sensor.
In the context of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the fluid
ports 91, 92, 93 of the fluid replaceable fluid container 4 could comprise any suitable
coupling for retaining the fluid replaceable fluid container 14 in fluid communication with
the fluid circulation system 8. The port couplings could be arranged to be remotely decoupled
from the fluid lines 10, 12. It will further be appreciated that the replaceable fluid container
14 could comprise an actuator to decouple the replaceable fluid container 14 from the
circulation system 8.
Although the example shown in Figures 4 and 4a comprises conductive electrical connections
314 for communicating with the dose controller a contactless connection may also be used.
For example, inductive or capacitive coupling can be used to provide contactless
communication. One example of inductive coupling is provided by RFID, however other near
field communications technology may also be used. Such couplings may enable electrical
power to be transferred to the dose controller 308, and also have the advantage that the data
connection does not require any complex mechanical arrangement and the presence of dirt or
grease on the couplings 310, 314 is less likely to inhibit communication with the dose
controller 308.
The housing 300 may comprise a power provider such as a battery for providing electrical
power to the dose controller. This may enable the housing 300 to be provided with a range of
sensors, including sensors for fluid temperature, pressure and electrical conductivity and may
allow different or more types of sensor to be provided than in the absence of a power supply
Where the housing 300 comprises a filter, sensors may be arranged to sense these parameters
of the fluid as the fluid flows into the filter, and after the fluid has flowed through the filter.
In general, one or more functions of any processors described herein, including the described
functionality of the dose controller 1 and the processor 96 of the engine control system 2 may
be provided by any appropriate controller, for example by analogue and/or digital logic, field
programmable gate arrays, FPGA, application specific integrated circuits, ASIC, a digital
signal processor, DSP, or by software loaded into a programmable general purpose processor.
Aspects of the disclosure provide computer program products, and tangible non-transitory
media storing instructions to program a processor to perform any one or more of the methods
described herein.
In other examples, the data store of the engine control system may additionally or
alternatively be provided by a remote or off-vehicle data-store such as a cloud data store.
While the communication links shown in the illustrated examples are described as being
provided by a CAN of the vehicle, in other the data links are provided by an off-vehicle
control network or any appropriate wireless of wired communication link, or any
combination thereof.
While in the illustrated example, the fluid circulation system 8 is circulation system for
circulating a fluid, such as a lubricating and/or a heat exchange fluid, around parts of the
engine, the replaceable fluid containers described herein may be used with other fluid
systems or fluid circulation systems associated with an engine or a vehicle.
n an example not illustrated, the replaceable fluid container 14 comprises a chamber for
receiving fluid to be supplied to the fluid circulation system and for receiving composition so
that the composition may be dosed into the fluid before it is supplied to the fluid circulation
system. This may allow the composition to be mixed with the fluid before being supplied. It
may allow a known quantity of fluid to be dosed and may assist help to control the strength of
the dose. It may help to keep the composition separate from the fluid in the first reservoir 9
until the dosed portion of fluid from the chamber has circulated.
It will be understood that while the fluid circulation system described herein is illustrated as a
closed loop system, that is a system in which fluid which has circulated is returned to the
replaceable fluid container 14, the fluid circulation system could instead be an open loop
system in which used or circulated fluid is temporarily or permanently directed elsewhere, for
example to a used-fluid collection chamber or reservoir where it may be cooled or cleaned
before being reused or, in some examples, removed from the engine. In particular when the
fluid is an engine oil, circulated fluid may be collected in a sump before being drained,
returned to the replaceable fluid container 14 or scavenged for use elsewhere.
While in the illustrated examples, the valve 5 is described as an electronic valve, in other
examples the valve is a mechanical valve or an electromechanical valve and an appropriate
driver is provided. More than one valve may be provided.
In some examples, replaceable fluid containers described herein may have first and or second
reservoirs 9, 11 that may be accessed by a user so that their contents may be replenished or
replaced while the replaceable fluid container 4 is in situ or once it has been removed from
the vehicle.
It will be understood that the engine control system described herein may be considered an
operational controller of the engine.
Further details of examples of data providers and examples of fluid containers may be found
in International Application No. PCT/EP2013/074209, the whole contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
Other variations and modifications of the apparatus will be apparent to persons of skill in the
art in the context of the present disclosure.
With reference to the drawings in general, it will be appreciated that schematic functional
block diagrams are used to indicate functionality of systems and apparatus described herein.
It will be appreciated however that the functionality need not be divided in this way, and
should not be taken to imply any particular structure of hardware other than that described
and claimed below. The function of one or more of the elements shown in the drawings may
be further subdivided, and/or distributed throughout apparatus of the disclosure. In some
embodiments the function of one or more elements shown in the drawings may be integrated
into a single functional unit.
The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples. Further embodiments
are envisaged. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one
embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may
also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or
any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and
modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of
the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.
In some examples, one or more memory elements can store data and/or program instructions
used to implement the operations described herein. Embodiments of the disclosure provide
tangible, non-transitory storage media comprising program instructions operable to program a
processor to perform any one or more of the methods described and/or claimed herein and/or
to provide data processing apparatus as described and/or claimed herein
The activities and apparatus outlined herein may be implemented using controllers and/or
processors which may be provided by fixed logic such as assemblies of logic gates or
programmable logic such as software and/or computer program instructions executed by a
processor. Other kinds of programmable logic include programmable processors,
programmable digital logic (e.g., a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an erasable
programmable read only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read only
memory (EEPROM)), an application specific integrated circuit, ASIC, or any other kind of
digital logic, software, code, electronic instructions, flash memory, optical disks, CD-ROMs,
DVD ROMs, magnetic or optical cards, other types of machine-readable mediums suitable
for storing electronic instructions, or any suitable combination thereof.
In other examples, the data store of the engine control system may additionally or
alternatively be provided by a remote or off-vehicle data-store such as a cloud data store.
While the communication links shown in the illustrated examples are described as being
provided by a CAN of the vehicle, in other the data links are provided by an off-vehicle
control network or any appropriate wireless of wired communication link, or any
combination thereof.
While in the illustrated example, the fluid circulation system 8 is circulation system for
circulating a fluid, such as a lubricating and/or a heat exchange fluid, around parts of the
engine, the replaceable fluid containers described herein may be used with other fluid
systems or fluid circulation systems associated with an engine or a vehicle.
In an example not illustrated, the replaceable fluid container 14 comprises a chamber for
receiving fluid to be supplied to the fluid circulation system and for receiving composition so
that the composition may be dosed into the fluid before it is supplied to the fluid circulation
system. This may allow the composition to be mixed with the fluid before being supplied. It
may allow a known quantity of fluid to be dosed and may assist help to control the strength of
the dose. It may help to keep the composition separate from the fluid in the first reservoir 9
until the dosed portion of fluid from the chamber has circulated.
It will be understood that while the fluid circulation system described herein is illustrated as a
closed loop system, that is a system in which fluid which has circulated is returned to the
replaceable fluid container 14, the fluid circulation system could instead be an open loop
system in which used or circulated fluid is temporarily or permanently directed elsewhere, for
example to a used-fluid collection chamber or reservoir where it may be cooled or cleaned
before being reused or, in some examples, removed from the engine. In particular when the
fluid is an engine oil, circulated fluid may be collected in a sump before being drained,
returned to the replaceable fluid container 14 or scavenged for use elsewhere.
While in the illustrated examples, the valve 5 is described as an electronic valve, in other
examples the valve is a mechanical valve or an electromechanical valve and an appropriate
driver is provided. More than one valve may be provided.
In some examples, replaceable fluid containers described herein may have first and/or second
reservoirs 9, 1 that may be accessed by a user so that their contents may be replenished or
replaced while the replaceable fluid container 14 is in situ or once it has been removed from
the vehicle.
It will be understood that the engine control system described herein may be considered an
operational controller of the engine.

CLAIMS
1. A replaceable fluid container for an engine comprising:
a first reservoir for holding a fluid;
a second reservoir for holding a composition to be added to the fluid;
a fluid coupling adapted to provide fluidic communication between the first
reservoir and a fluid circulation system of the engine;
and a dose controller to provide a dose of the composition into the fluid for
circulation in a fluid circulation system of the engine.
2. The container of claim 1 comprising a communication interface for obtaining data
fi-om an operational controller, wherein the dose controller is configured to select at least one
of a timing, dose quantity and number of doses based on the data obtained from the
operational controller.
3. The replaceable fluid container of claim 2 wherein the dose controller is configured to
select the at least one of the timing, dose quantity and number of doses based on a control
signal received from a controller associated with the engine.
4. The replaceable fluid container of claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the dose controller is
configured to select the at least one of the timing, dose quantity and number of doses based
on at least one of the timing, dose quantity and number of doses of a previous dose.
5. The replaceable fluid container of any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the communication
interface is arranged such that positioning the replaceable fluid container to permit fluidic
communication between the first reservoir and the fluid circulation system of the engine
arranges the communication interface for obtaining the data.
6. The replaceable fluid container of any preceding claim comprising at least one further
reservoir for holding a composition to be added to the fluid, wherein the dose controller is
configured to provide a dose of a composition from the at least one further reservoir into the
fluid.
7. The replaceable fluid container of claim 6 wherein the dose controller is configured to
select at least one of the timing, dose quantity and number of doses of a composition of the at
least one further reservoir based on at least one of the timing, dose quantity and number of
doses of the composition ofthe at least one further reservoir.
8. The replaceable fluid container of claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the composition of the
at least one further reservoir is different from the composition of the second reservoir.
9. The replaceable fluid container of claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the composition of the
at least one further reservoir is the same as the composition of the second reservoir.
10. The replaceable fluid container of any preceding claim wherein the dose controller is
configured to select at least one of the timing, dose quantity and number of doses based on a
signal obtained from a controller area network, CAN of the engine.
11. The replaceable fluid container of any preceding claim wherein the container
comprises a data store configured to store data describing the composition of a dose to be
provided for circulation in the fluid system of the engine.
12. The replaceable fluid container of claim 11 wherein the data store is further
configured to store an association between the data describing a dose and data obtained from
the operational controller or elsewhere.
13. The replaceable fluid container of claim 12 wherein the data comprises data obtained
from a controller area network of the engine.
14. The replaceable fluid container of claim 11, 12, or 13 wherein the data store is
coupled to the replaceable fluid container and removable with the container.
15. The replaceable fluid container of claim 2 or any preceding claim as dependent
thereon wherein the dose controller is configured to inhibit the dosing of composition into the
fluid for circulation unless the communication interface is able to obtain data from the
operational controller.
16. The replaceable fluid container of claim 1 wherein the dose controller is configured
to select at least one property of a dose to be added to a fluid for circulation based on data
obtained from the engine.
17. The replaceable fluid container claim 2 or any preceding claim as dependent thereon
further comprising a sensor adapted to sense at least one property of a fluid of the first
reservoir of the container, wherein the data obtained from the operational controller
comprises data based on the sensed property ofthe fluid.
18. The replaceable fluid container of claim 17 in which the property of the fluid is at
least one property selected from the group consisting of: the amount of fluid, the temperature
of fluid, the pressure of fluid, the viscosity of fluid, the density of fluid, the electrical
resistance of fluid, the dielectric constant of fluid, the opacity of fluid, the chemical
composition of fluid and combinations of two or more thereof.
. The replaceable fluid container of claim 18 in which the property of the fluid is at
least one property selected from the group consisting of: the viscosity of fluid, the density of
fluid, the electrical resistance of fluid, the dielectric constant of fluid, the opacity of fluid, the
chemical composition of fluid and combinations of two or more thereof.
20. A dosing system for a fluid circulation system of an engine adapted for use with a
replaceable fluid container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the dosing
control system is configured to perform an action selected from the list consisting of:
controlling operation of the dose controller; obtaining operational data for the engine.
21. An apparatus comprising a dosing system according to claim 20 and an engine
comprising a fluid circulation system adapted for fluidic communication with the first
reservoir ofthe replaceable fluid container.
22. An apparatus comprising the dosing system of claim 20, or the apparatus of claim 21,
and further comprising the replaceable fluid container.
23. A vehicle comprising a dosing system of claim 20 or the apparatus of claim 2 1 or 22.