Abstract: A run flat safety band 1 has a wireless sensor 11 incorporated therein, which can be remotely interrogated in order remotely to confirm that the safety band is fitted on a wheel 4. The sensor 11 includes a pressure and temperature sensor, enabling the pressure and temperature within the tire 2 mounted on the wheel 4 to be remotely checked, by means of which remote indication can be provided that the tire 2 has deflated and is running on the runflat band 1 and also that the tire 2 is overheating and likely to break up prematurely while running on the runflat band 1.

Abstract: A SAW based pressure sensor having a base 2a with an aperture 3 formed therein and a substrate 4 mounted on the base so as to completely overlie the aperture. The substrate 4 is adhered to base 2a so as to form a fluid tight seal around the periphery of the aperture 3. A first SAW resonator 5 is mounted on the substrate 4 wholly within the region overlying the aperture 3, with two further SAW resonators 6, 7 being mounted on the substrate wholly within a region which is stiffened by adhesion to the underlying base 2a , such that the two further SAW resonators 6, 7 are completely decoupled from the strain field arising in the substrate due to deflections thereof.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pressure monitoring package comprises the steps of mounting a plurality of resonators onto a substrate 1, mounting the substrate 1 in a package base 11, mechanically constraining the package base 11 within a mechanical preloading jig, and adjusting the preload using the jig whilst measuring the frequency of the SAWs until the required frequency is obtained. A lid 7 is then welded onto the package base 11 using a laser welder, after which the preload frequency of the package 10 is fine tuned by using the laser welder to produce laser marks 21-28, 31-38 on the outside of the package 10.

Abstract: A SAW based tire pressure sensor assembly comprising a body having a tubular stud 1 formed on an end thereof which is engageable in an inflation tube formed in a tire inflation valve 3 so as to fasten the body to the valve 3. A through passage extends through the stud 1 into said body and is in fluid communication with the atmosphere surrounding the assembly by means of apertures 2 in the sides of the body, thereby providing a fluid coupling between an inflation duct of the inflation valve 3 and the atmosphere surrounding the body. A SAW based pressure sensor is mounted within said body so as to be in fluid communication with the atmosphere surrounding the body, and an antenna 4 is connected to the sensor to enable remote interaction therewith. A grounding plate 5 connected to the antenna is sandwiched between the assembly and has arms which engage against the inner surface of the wheel so as to enhance the sensor antenna earth.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pressure monitoring package comprises the steps of mounting a plurality of resonators onto a substrate 1, mounting the substrate 1 in a package base 11, mechanically constraining the package base 11 within a mechanical preloading jig, and adjusting the preload using the jig whilst measuring the frequency of the SAWs until the required frequency is obtained. A lid 7 is then welded onto the package base 11 using a laser welder, after which the preload frequency of the package 10 is fine tuned by using the laser welder to produce laser marks 21-28, 31-38 on the outside of the package 10.

Abstract: A run flat safety band 1 has a wireless sensor 11 incorporated therein, which can be remotely interrogated in order remotely to confirm that the safety band is fitted on a wheel 4. The sensor 11 includes a pressure and temperature sensor, enabling the pressure and temperature within the tire 2 mounted on the wheel 4 to be remotely checked, by means of which remote indication can be provided that the tire 2 has deflated and is running on the runflat band 1 and also that the tire 2 is overheating and likely to break up prematurely whilst running on the runflat band 1.

Abstract: An apparatus 1 for packaging a sensor device comprises a main body 2 having an internal chamber 4 with a base 2b on which, in use, is mounted the sensor so as to couple the sensor to the strain field in an article to which the packaging is attached by means of said base. A lid 3 is separately formed from and is formed of a different material to said base 2b and is sealable to the main body 2 in order to seal close said internal aperture 4. The lid 3 includes contact pins 8, 9 which extend therethrough from one side to the other. A first end 8a, 8b of each said pin 8, 9 extends into said chamber 4 when the lid 3 is positioned on the body 2 for connection to said sensor and a second end 8b, 9b of each said pin 8, 9 extends away from the package when the lid 3 is positioned on the body 2 for connection to a rotary coupler.

Abstract: A SAW based pressure sensor comprises a base (2a) having an aperture (3) formed therein and a substrate (4) mounted on the base so as to completely overlie the aperture. The substrate (4) is adhered to the base (2a) so as to form a fluid tight seal around the periphery of the aperture (3). A first SAW resonator (5) is mounted on the substrate (4) wholly within the region overlying the aperture (3), whilst two further SAW resonators (6, 7) are mounted on the substrate wholly within a region which is stiffened by adhesion to the underlying base (2a), such that the two further SAW resonators (6, 7) are completely decoupled from the strain field arising in the substrate due to deflections thereof.

Abstract: A method, system and device for providing device specific calibration data for a sensor. A sensor device includes a transmitter, receiver, memory and a response portion responsive to a selected condition of the region. Generic calibration data associated with a group of sensors into which the sensor device falls is then stored in a database remote from the sensor device. Correction data for use in modifying the generic calibration data to more accurately fit the actuation calibration data of the sensor device is stored in the memory portion of the sensor device. The sensor device is interrogated with an interrogator device to obtain the correction data, and the generic calibration data relating to the sensor device is retrieved from the database and modified using the correction data to produce sensor device specific calibration data.

Abstract: A SAW based tyre pressure sensor assembly comprising a body having a tubular stud 1 formed on an end thereof which is engageable in an inflation tube formed in a tyre inflation valve 3 so as to fasten the body to the valve 3. A through passage extends through the stud 1 into said body and is in fluid communication with the atmosphere surrounding the assembly by means of apertures 2 in the sides of the body, thereby providing a fluid coupling between an inflation duct of the inflation valve 3 and the atmosphere surrounding the body. A SAW based pressure sensor is mounted within said body so as to be in fluid communication with the atmosphere surrounding the body, and an antenna 4 is connected to the sensor to enable remote interaction therewith. A grounding plate 5 connected to the antenna is sandwiched between the assembly and has arms which engage against the inner surface of the wheel so as to enhance the sensor antenna earth.

Abstract: A reusable tire pressure sensor assembly comprises a housing member 1 having a first surface by means of which the housing member 1 is permanently attachable to a surface within the pressurised region of a wheel/tire assembly and an aperture 7 formed in the surface remote from said first surface by means of which a pocket 5 is formed between the housing 1 and the surface is accessible.

Abstract: A wheel well filler or runflat safety band having a band member with at least one break in it so as to enable it to be fitted onto a wheel. A link member connects the ends of the band member so as to bridge the break and thereby secure the band, in use, on a wheel. A wireless device is attached to the link member, which wireless device is remotely interrogatable in order to confirm the presence of the filler on the wheel.