Abstract: A method, a control unit, and a computer program for detecting a defective intake-manifold pressure sensor and/or a defective ambient-pressure sensor in an internal combustion engine having a variable valve timing are provided. The desired detection is carried out exclusively on the basis of a direct evaluation of the pressure upstream from the throttle valve and the pressure in the intake manifold. This method eliminates the need for deriving load signals from these pressures, at least for the determination as to whether at least one of the pressure sensors is defective.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine can detect a tubing disconnection failure of an intake pressure sensor thereby to make it possible to give a warning to a user and to take appropriate measures to cope with such a failure situation. A control unit controls the engine based on a throttle opening, an intake pressure measured by an intake pressure sensor, and a rotational speed and a crank angle of the engine. The intake pressure sensor is connected to the intake system through tubing. The control unit includes a failure diagnosis section that detects an abnormality of the intake pressure sensor. The failure diagnosis section detects an open circuit or a short circuit of a signal line between the intake pressure sensor and the control unit based on a change in the intake pressure, and also detects a disconnection failure of the tubing of the intake pressure sensor.

Abstract: A field replaceable sensor module having a housing, that is capable of being ready connected and disconnected to a multipurpose device The housing includes one or more input ports and one or more electtical interface connectors. One or more sensors are operatively connected to the one or more input ports and attached to a surface of the housing. An electrical subsystem capable of receiving one or more signals from the one or more sensors provides one or more digitized output signals. A computer readable memory is also included to store sensor calibration data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for calibrating apparatus (28) for acquiring the pressure in a cylinder (10) of a motor vehicle diesel engine, of the type comprising a cylinder pressure sensor (30) associated with the cylinder and means (32) for conditioning the signal delivered by the sensor (30) as a function of conditioning parameters.

Abstract: A detection/communication apparatus to be installed on a vehicle having a plurality of tires. The apparatus includes: (a) tire state detectors which are provided on the respective tires and each of which detects a state of a corresponding one of the tires; (b) local transceivers which are provided on the respective tires and which transmit tire data sets relating to the respective tires; (c) a central receiver which is provided on a vehicle body and which receives the tire data sets transmitted by the local transceivers; (d) a particular-signal transmitter which is provided on the vehicle body and which transmits a particular signal; and (e) data-transmission modifiers which are provided on the respective tires. Each of the data-transmission modifiers is operable depending upon a state of reception of the particular signal by a corresponding one of the local transceivers, to modify transmission of a corresponding one of the tire data sets by the corresponding one of the local transceivers.

Abstract: The digital air pressure gauge includes an error correction lookup table database stored within a memory device within the gauge. The database includes reference air pressure values and associated measured air pressure values, where the reference air pressure values and associated measured air pressure values are determined at identical discrete time intervals as pressurized air is input into the gauge. A transducer generates an electrical signal representative of air pressure within a device such as a pneumatic tire. A microprocessor compares the electrical signal with measured air pressure values within the database and determines a closest measured air pressure value. The microprocessor then determines the associated reference air pressure value of the closest measured air pressure value. The reference air pressure value is then displayed as the accurate pressure of the pressurized air within the device. The gauge may be disposed within a tire valve cap with an RF transmitter.

Abstract: A measuring transducer having a sensor (2) transforming a measured parameter, recorded by the sensor, into an electrical sensor signal (3), a signal processing unit (6), adapted to convert the sensor signal into a measurement signal (7) and to generate an error message signal (11), and a data interface (8) transmitting the measured signal and the error report signal. In order to enable error events external to the measuring transducer (1) to be recorded in a simple manner, the measuring transducer includes a control input (15) other than the data interface (8). This control input is adapted to transmit an error report signal (11) that is generated.

Abstract: A method and device for testing containers, the method calling for a difference in pressure to be generated between the pressure inside the container and the pressure immediately surrounding the container, the behavior of one of these pressures permitting the gas tightness of the container to be assessed. A pressure value is stored and subsequently compared with one of the pressures, the stored pressure value being stored electronically and compared with at least one value of the output signal from a pressure sensor. The container is housed in an enclosure which is connected to a pressure or suction line, and a pressure-value storage unit, a comparator unit and a pressure sensor are associated with the pressure or suction line.

Abstract: An intracardiac rotary pump (10) is provided with a pressure differential sensor (18) for supporting the pumping heart. The pressure differential sensor measures the pressure differential between aorta (AO) and left ventricle (LV). This pressure differential must correspond to certain desired values at different speed stages. If the pressure differential deviates to too large an extent, the deviation is recognized as a drift of the pressure sensor, and a correction value is determined in dependence on the drift, the subsequently measured pressure values being corrected with the aid of this correction value. In this manner it is possible to carry out a drift correction on the sensor with the pump arranged in the heart and even with the pump in operation.

Abstract: Temperature compensation methods for physical property sensors are disclosed herein, based on a simple bridge circuit. An imbalance of the bridge circuit can be driven to a zero value, while a supply voltage thereof is simultaneously driven to a level required to bring the heating element to the temperature rise above ambient temperature that optimally compensates for a number of temperature-dependent effects. The heating element can be configured as a thin-film heating material. The resulting total temperature dependence of the measuring system, which includes the heating element, the bridge-circuit with amplifier and the fluid to be measured, can be reduced to a level at which the need for additional digital temperature compensation circuitry and its associated costs may be reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining leakage in an evaporated fuel processing system is provided. The evaporated fuel processing system extends from a fuel tank to a purge passage through which evaporated fuel from the fuel tank is purged to an intake manifold of an engine. The apparatus comprises a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure of the evaporated fuel processing system, an atmospheric pressure sensor for detecting an atmospheric pressure, and a control unit connected to the pressure sensor and the atmospheric pressure sensor. The control unit detects a stop of the engine. A determination value used for the leakage determination is corrected according to the atmospheric pressure. The evaporated fuel processing system is closed after the stop of the engine is detected. It is determined whether the evaporated fuel processing system has leakage based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor and the corrected determination value.

Abstract: A pressure sensor of a process device, is characterized by applying a plurality of pressures to the process sensor. Outputs of the plurality of pressures are received. A compensation relationship is determined based upon the pressure sensor output. The characterization data is collected in a distribution which is non-uniform across the pressure range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and clearing a plugged sensor port in a system containing a fluid being monitored through the sensor port. The method comprises establishing a range beyond which a fluid variable is expected to vary within a predetermined time interval, measuring the fluid variable, and indicating a plugged sensor port in response to the measured fluid variable remaining within the range for the predetermined time interval. The apparatus includes a sensor mechanism that senses a fluid variable, and a controller. The controller establishes the range beyond which the fluid variable is expected to vary within a predetermined time interval, determines whether the fluid variable is within the range, and indicates a plugged sensor port in response to the fluid variable remaining within the range for the predetermined time interval. The apparatus may further include a mechanism that clears the plugged sensor port.

Abstract: A method of checking the functional reliability of a pressure sensor, the air pressure being detected inside a vehicle body part, the vehicle having at least one additional pressure sensor for detecting the air pressure. With the help of the method, it may be possible to determine the integrity of the sensor without requiring any additional auxiliary equipment. To do so, the measured values of the pressure sensor and the measured values of the at least one additional pressure sensor are compared over a defined observation period. The pressure sensor is recognized as being defective if its measured values deviate by more than a predefined amount from the measured values of the at least one additional pressure sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically calibrating signals from a quartz pressure sensor to correct for temperature transients. A series of differences of time spaced temperature readings is stored in a tapped delay line and coupled to a transfer function. The transfer function uses the temperature difference values to correct pressure frequency readings for temperature transient errors. In one form, one transfer function uses temperature and pressure readings to statically calibrate pressure readings and a second transfer function uses temperature differences to provide a temperature transient correction which is added to the statically calibrated pressure value.

Abstract: A method for detecting malfunctions in a flowmeter includes the measuring of the receive signal VIN output by a transducer. A characteristic of the receive signal is compared to a predetermined reference characteristic VREF and the peak voltage VPK of the receive signal is stored. An alarm signal VAL is generated when a trigger characteristic VDEC of the receive signal is less than the predetermined reference characteristic. A threshold voltage VTH is defined, proportional to the peak amplitude VPK of the receive signal in such a manner that VTH=K×VPK where K is a factor depending on the transducer. The receive signal is compared with the threshold voltage and a conditioned output signal VOUT is generated in a first state when the receive signal is greater than the threshold voltage, and in a second state when the receive signal is less than the threshold voltage.

Abstract: A method of checking the functional reliability of a pressure sensor is described, the air pressure being detected inside a vehicle body part, the vehicle having at least one additional pressure sensor for detecting the air pressure.

Abstract: There is provided a failure diagnostic system for an atmospheric pressure detecting device, which is capable of rationally determining whether that device has failed or not and is capable of improving the diagnostic accuracy. The failure diagnostic system is comprised of an atmospheric pressure sensor for detecting an atmospheric pressure of the air taken into an engine; a condition determination section for determining that conditions required for determining that the atmospheric pressure sensor has failed are satisfied if the number of operations, in each of which the engine continuously operates for a predetermined period of time, has exceeded a predetermined number; and a failure diagnosis section for determining that the atmospheric pressure sensor has failed if a variation in the atmospheric pressure over a period of time equivalent to that predetermined number is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the required conditions have been satisfied.

Abstract: A system for the operation of a number of commercial washing machines and automatically feeding liquid chemicals to the washing machines. The system has chemical reservoir pods with a pressure sensor and an output valve on each. The chemical pods are supplied with liquid chemical by refill pumps. The quantity of chemical in a chemical pod, and the quantity of chemical dispensed from each chemical pod is calculated from information received by a controller from the pressure sensor to determine when to open and close the valve. A further pressure sensor is provided in the supply pipe to each washing machine to verify and measure flow quantity of water and chemical to the machine.

Abstract: The invention creates a micromechanical component, in particular a pressure sensor, comprising: a substrate (2) that has a membrane region (10) and a surrounding region of the membrane region (10); at least one measuring resistance (4a, 4b; 41, 42) provided in the membrane region (10) and modifiable by deformation of the membrane region (10); a corresponding evaluation circuit (50) provided in the surrounding region, an interference effect on the measuring resistance (4a, 4b; 41, 42) being producible by way of a deformation of parts, in particular conductor paths, of the evaluation circuit (50) relative to the substrate (2); and at least one patch (60; 70, 70′) provided in the surrounding region and/or in the membrane region (10) and made of a material such that by way of a deformation of the patch or patches (60) relative to the substrate (2), an analog interference effect can be generated in such a way that the interference effect acting on the measuring resistance (4a, 4b; 41, 42) can be compensated

Abstract: A system (10) and method is provided for calibrating a tire pressure monitoring system using an EM transmitter (14). The present invention includes a first pressure sensor coupled to a wheel of an automotive vehicle (12). The EM pressure transmitter (14) is coupled to the pressure sensor (32). The transmitter (14) has a serial number associated therewith. An EM calibration device has a transmitting range. The EM transmitter device has an actuator. When the actuator is activated, a calibration signal (34) is transmitted within the transmitting range. The calibration signal causes the EM pressure transmitter (32) to transmit a serial number. A controller (16) is EM coupled to the pressure transmitter. The controller (16) receives the serial number and associates the serial number with a tire location of the vehicle.

Abstract: To provide a movement-detecting altimeter designed so as to be capable of avoiding excessive accumulation of errors. The movement-detecting altimeter has a movement dependent altitude updating unit which updates an indicated altitude when a moving condition is maintained, and which avoids updating of the indicated altitude when the moving condition is not maintained.

Abstract: A control system for a plurality of motor vehicle chassis subsystems comprises a reference model, a state estimator, a feedforward controller, and a feedback controller. The reference model computes desired states of the chassis subsystems. The state estimator estimates actual states of the vehicle. The feedforward controller computes a control value based on input from the reference model, and the feedback controller computes a control value by comparing the estimates of actual states with the desired states.

Abstract: A system for the operation of a number of commercial washing machines and automatically feeding liquid chemicals to the washing machines. The system has chemical reservoir pods with a pressure sensor and an output valve on each. The chemical pods are supplied with liquid chemical by refill pumps. The quantity of chemical in a chemical pod, and the quantity of chemical dispensed from each chemical pod is calculated from information received by a controller from the pressure sensor to determine when to open and close the valve. A further pressure sensor is provided in the supply pipe to each washing machine to verify and measure flow quantity of water and chemical to the machine.

Abstract: A scaled quadrature pulse output signal is generated for representing direction and volume in predetermined increments of the flow of a liquid or a gas through a meter. An unscaled pulse signal is received from a meter. A scaling factor is applied to each unscaled pulse signal for accurately representing an increment of volume. The increments are sequentially added or subtracted to/from one another (depending upon flow direction) and a scaled quadrature output signal is provided for indicating the direction of flow and the volume of flow in predetermined increments.

Abstract: A method and a device are described for monitoring a sensor, in particular a sensor for measuring a pressure variable which characterizes the pressure of the air supplied to the internal combustion engine. A fault is detected if a change in an operating variable that characterizes the quantity of fuel to be injected results in no corresponding change in the output variable of the sensor.

Abstract: A transducer system that can be used to measure various parameters includes a programmable circuit that may be mounted in the same package as a sensor. Such a system may include pressure sensors that are optimized to measure very low pressures. The programmable circuit may be an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that is configured to modify the output of the sensor to correct for possible errors in the sensor. A method of using a programmable circuit to calibrate a sensor may include coupling the programmable circuit to a computer and to a testing station. The computer can be configured to vary the conditions of the testing station and determine the response of the sensor. Then the programmable circuit can be programmed to produce a desired response.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of using of a programmable circuit to calibrate a transducer. The programmable circuit is coupled to or communicates with a computer and to a testing station. The computer automatically varies the conditions of the testing station and programs the programmable circuit to produce a desired response. In another embodiment, a system is presented that can be used to measure various parameters that includes a programmable that may be mounted in the same package as a sensor. Such a system may include pressure sensors that are optimized to measure very low pressures.

Abstract: A pressure transducer calibration device is disclosed having a housing which defines a first and second chamber separated by a compliant barrier. Two ports are in fluid communication with the first chamber, and one port is in fluid communication with the second chamber. The first chamber is configured to be filled with fluid and connected, via a three-way stopcock, to a pressure monitoring line. The second chamber is configured to be connected in fluid communication with a pressure generation device. In operation, the transducer is isolated from the monitored pressure source. Fluid communication is established between the first chamber and the transducer. A known fluid pressure is applied to the second chamber such that the known fluid pressure is also applied to the first chamber through the compliant barrier. The pressure transducer is then calibrated based upon the known fluid pressure within the first chamber.