Piezoelectric Patents (Class 73/35.11)
  • Patent number: 11768091
    Abstract: A process fluid temperature measurement system is provided. The process fluid temperature measurement system includes a thermowell configured to couple to a process fluid conduit and extend through a wall of the process fluid conduit. The process fluid temperature measurement system also includes a temperature sensor assembly disposed within the thermowell, the temperature sensor assembly including a sensor capsule having at least one temperature sensitive element disposed therein. The temperature sensor assembly also includes a vibration sensor coupled to the sensor capsule, the vibration sensor being configured to produce a vibration signal in response to detected vibration. The process fluid temperature measurement system further includes transmitter circuitry coupled to the vibration sensor and configured to receive the vibration signal and produce an output based on the received vibration signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT INC.
    Inventors: Jason H. Rud, Kyle J. Kronforst
  • Patent number: 11473550
    Abstract: According to one or more embodiments presently described, a method of operating an internal combustion engine that includes injecting fuel into a combustion chamber to form an air-fuel mixture, where the combustion chamber includes a cylinder head, cylinder sidewalls, and a piston that reciprocates within the cylinder sidewalls. The method may also include detecting pre-ignition of the air-fuel mixture during a detected intake or compression stroke of the piston, determining that a super knock condition could occur, and mitigating formation of a super knock condition by deploying a super knock countermeasure within the detected compression stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignees: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Eshan Singh, Vedharaj Sivasankaralingam, Vallinayagam Raman, Mohammed Jaasim Mubarak Ali, Hong G. Im, Kai J. Morganti, Gautam T. Kalghatgi, Robert W. Dibble
  • Patent number: 11236698
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include an engine cylinder having a cylinder head and cylinder sidewalls and a piston that reciprocates within the engine cylinder. The piston, the cylinder head, and the cylinder sidewalls may at least partially define a combustion chamber. The internal combustion engine may also include a fuel injector that is positioned to inject fuel directly into the combustion chamber. The internal combustion engine may further include an engine control module that is in electronic communication with the fuel injector. The engine control module may determine if the internal combustion engine is operating at conditions corresponding to a super knock condition may occur and commands the fuel injector to operate under a split injection mode in which fuel is injected into the combustion chamber in a plurality of injection pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignees: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Eshan Singh, Kai J. Morganti, Robert W. Dibble
  • Patent number: 11226229
    Abstract: A vibration sensor mounting structure improves the stability and repeatability of a measured signal generated by a machine vibration sensor. The structure has an outer annular surface that contacts the machine under test and a shallow recess inside the outer annular surface. The recess causes resonant vibrations of the mounting structure to occur at frequencies that are above the intended measurement range of the sensor. The recess also allows the mounting force to be positioned away from the center mounting screw and onto the more stable outer annular surface. With the mounting force away from the center, lateral forces have less effect on the measured signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Computational Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley D. Pardue
  • Patent number: 11223164
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plug-in module for a sensor (32) comprising a sleeve-like housing (3) in which a sensor element (27), a carrier board (16) carrying an electronic circuit and a plug-in unit (2) are positioned. In a plug-in module which can be used equally for sensors of different sizes, an outer diameter (5) of the plug-in unit (2) approximately corresponds to a smallest inner diameter (8) of the sleeve-like housing (3), wherein a coding sleeve (4) is inserted between the plug-in unit (2) and the sleeve-like housing (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventors: Frank Gutmann, Wolfgang Marschner, Dominik Paul
  • Patent number: 10447238
    Abstract: A filter system includes a first resonator having a first resonant frequency, and a second resonator having a second resonant frequency different from the first resonant frequency, and electrically connected to the first resonator. A first response characteristic of the first resonator and a second response characteristic of the second resonator with respect to a frequency include a first section in which a first phase of the first resonator is equal to a second phase of the second resonator, and a second section in which the first phase is different from the second phase by 180 degrees. A first electrode of the first resonator is reversely connected to a second electrode of the second resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sungchan Kang, Cheheung Kim, Sangha Park, Yongseop Yoon, Choongho Rhee
  • Patent number: 9784635
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of signals representative of an engine noise transmitted via a plurality of noise sensors, wherein the noise sensors are disposed in a grid about an engine. The method further includes receiving a knock sensor signal representative of an engine noise transmitted via a knock sensor. The method additionally includes deriving a combustion event based on the knock sensor signal, and deriving an engine condition based on the plurality of signals and the combustion event. The method also includes communicating the engine condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey Jacob Bizub
  • Patent number: 9105834
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuated device includes one or more areas of piezoelectric material coupled to a substrate. The piezoelectric material may be placed on regions of the substrate that exhibit the greatest curvature and stress when the device is vibrating according to a desired structural Eigenmode of vibration. The piezoelectric material may have a non-uniform density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Wyatt O. Davis, Utku Baran, Dean R. Brown, Hakan Urey
  • Patent number: 8833142
    Abstract: A non-resonant knocking sensor including a sensor body including: a metal shell having a shell-side cylindrical section, a piezoelectric element, a weight and a fixing portion having a fixing-side cylindrical section; and a resin molded body. The fixing-side cylindrical section includes crimped portions to be crimped and spaced-apart portions which are spaced apart from the shell-side cylindrical section, and a space between the outer circumferential surface of the shell-side cylindrical section and an inner circumferential surface of the spaced-apart portions are filled with the resin. Also disclosed is a method for producing the non-resonant knocking sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuki Aoi
  • Publication number: 20130180316
    Abstract: A resonant knock sensor includes a housing, a pedestal and a vibration diaphragm. The housing is provided with a support surface therein. The pedestal is fixed in the housing and has a base with a bottom surface attached to the support surface, a support portion protruding from a top surface of the base, and a vibration piece connected to an end of the support portion. The vibration diaphragm is mounted on the vibration piece. As a result, pedestals with different geometric sizes in their support portions or vibration pieces can be selectively assembled with single sized housings and vibration diaphragms to fabricate sensors with different frequency sensibilities at a low manufacturing cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: I-MIN LIN, Ching-Tsan Lin, You-Chong Li
  • Publication number: 20130104627
    Abstract: A sensor main body includes a piezoelectric element, which outputs a signal in response to vibration generated from an engine. A sensor support body is configured into a tubular form and supports the sensor main body. The sensor support body has a bolt receiving hole, which extends through the sensor support body and receives a bolt. A protective coating, which is rust resistant and/or corrosion resistant, is formed on an entire surface of the sensor support body. A surface of a corner between a contact surface and a step of the sensor support body is curved or defines an obtuse angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Denso Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130000387
    Abstract: There is provided a knocking sensor that has good insulation characteristics even at an operating temperature of 150° C. or more and is excellent in the accuracy of knocking detection. A knocking sensor 10 includes a sensor body 20 including: a metal shell 12 that includes a cylindrical portion 12a and a flange portion 12b positioned at one end of the cylindrical portion 12a and protruding outward in a radial direction; an annular piezoelectric element 15; upper and lower electrode plates 16 and 14 that are superimposed on upper and lower surfaces of the piezoelectric element 15; a weight 17 that is disposed so that the piezoelectric element 15 is interposed between the weight and the flange portion 12b; a lower insulating plate 13 that is disposed between the flange portion 12b and the lower electrode plate 14; and an upper insulating plate 13t that is disposed between the upper electrode plate 16 and the weight 17; and a resin molding 11 that covers the sensor body 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Tomohiro Hirata, Takuma Nomura
  • Publication number: 20120324983
    Abstract: A non-resonant knocking sensor including a sensor body including: a metal shell having a shell-side cylindrical section, a piezoelectric element, a weight and a fixing portion having a fixing-side cylindrical section; and a resin molded body. The fixing-side cylindrical section includes crimped portions to be crimped and spaced-apart portions which are spaced apart from the shell-side cylindrical section, and a space between the outer circumferential surface of the shell-side cylindrical section and an inner circumferential surface of the spaced-apart portions are filled with the resin. Also disclosed is a method for producing the non-resonant knocking sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsuki AOI
  • Patent number: 8266948
    Abstract: A knocking sensor which includes: a piezoelectric element; a support member having a support body portion, the support body portion including a support surface directly or indirectly supporting the piezoelectric element; and a resin coating covering the piezoelectric element and at least a part of the support member, the resin coating having an outside portion covering an outer circumference of the piezoelectric element and an outer circumference of the support body portion. The support body portion of the support member has a first engagement portion on the base end side thereof. The resin coating has a curved portion which extends from the outside portion toward the interfacial direction inner side, and curves toward the base end side of the support body portion. Further, the curved portion includes a second engagement portion which engages the first engagement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Ito, Daisuke Tahira, Katsuki Aoi
  • Patent number: 8205489
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including: detecting a magnitude of vibration of an engine; detecting a vibration waveform of the engine based on the magnitude; calculating a correlation coefficient, in the case where the engine speed is smaller than a threshold value, using the sum of values each determined by subtracting a positive reference value from a magnitude of a knock waveform model, as an area of the knock waveform model and, calculating the correlation coefficient, in the case where the engine speed is not smaller than the threshold value, using the area of the whole knock waveform model; and determining whether or not knocking has occurred using the correlation coefficient. The correlation coefficient is calculated by dividing by the area the sum of differences that are each the difference between the magnitude on the vibration waveform and the magnitude on the knock waveform model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Kenji Senda, Norihito Hanai, Yasuhiro Yamasako, Yuichi Takemura
  • Patent number: 8040024
    Abstract: A piezoceramic material according to an embodiment of the present invention has a composition represented by Pbm{Zr1-x-y-zTixSny(Sb1-nNbn)z}O3 where 1.000?m?1.075, 0.470?x<0.490, 0.020?y?0.040, 0<n<1.000 and 0<z?0.025 and a crystallite size of 30 to 39 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Yamazaki, Hideaki Hiramitsu, Manabu Horiguchi, Yukihiro Hamaguchi, Katsuya Yamagiwa, Takeshi Mitsuoka, Kazushige Ohbayashi, Ryotaro Tawara, Tomohiro Hirata
  • Patent number: 7836753
    Abstract: A knock sensor includes a resin mold having a first cylindrical resin mold section that encloses a base, annular constituent parts and a pressing member of the knock sensor; and a connector section that protrudes from a side of the first mold section and is integrally injection-molded at one time with the first mold section; wherein an injection gate for resin mold is located on the first resin mold circumference excluding portions thereof opposing the connector section, and forms a predetermined angle (45° to 120°) with respect to the center line connecting the center of the connector section with that of a through-hole of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Akito Yokoi
  • Publication number: 20100116028
    Abstract: A system comprising an amplifier for amplifying signals of frequencies less than one kilohertz generated by a vibration sensor and using the amplified signal to amplitude modulate a carrier signal at a frequency in excess of one kilohertz and applying the amplitude modulated carrier signal to a sensor interface circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: ALTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Lepley, Richard D. Yohman, Thomas C. Wick
  • Patent number: 7707888
    Abstract: A vibration sensor for detecting a vibration of a vibrating object includes a plurality of detecting members. Each of the detecting members includes a vibrating portion disposed to be separated from the vibrating object, a transmitting portion for transmitting the vibration from the vibrating object to the vibrating portion, and a detecting portion disposed on a vibrating face of the vibration portion. The detecting portion outputs an electrical signal corresponding to a resonance of the vibrating portion. At least two of the vibrating portions of the detecting members have resonance frequencies, which are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiko Yoshida, Makiko Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20100005859
    Abstract: A knocking sensor which includes: a piezoelectric element; a support member having a support body portion, the support body portion including a support surface directly or indirectly supporting the piezoelectric element; and a resin coating covering the piezoelectric element and at least a part of the support member, the resin coating having an outside portion covering an outer circumference of the piezoelectric element and an outer circumference of the support body portion. The support body portion of the support member has a first engagement portion on the base end side thereof. The resin coating has a curved portion which extends from the outside portion toward the interfacial direction inner side, and curves toward the base end side of the support body portion. Further, the curved portion includes a second engagement portion which engages the first engagement portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD
    Inventors: Shingo ITO, Daisuke TAHIRA, Katsuki AOI
  • Publication number: 20090223282
    Abstract: A piezoceramic material according to an embodiment of the present invention has a composition represented by Pbm{Zr1-x-y-zTixSny(Sb1-nNbn)z}O3 where 1.000?m?1.075, 0.470?x<0.490, 0.020?y?0.040, 0<n<1.000 and 0<z?0.025 and a crystallite size of 30 to 39 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masato YAMAZAKI, Hideaki HIRAMITSU, Manabu HORIGUCHI, Yukihiro HAMAGUCHI, Katsuya YAMAGIWA, Takeshi MITSUOKA, Kazushige OHBAYASHI, Ryotaro TAWARA, Tomohiro HIRATA
  • Patent number: 7475589
    Abstract: A knock sensor 1 for attachment to an internal combustion engine. The knock sensor 1 includes a cap 41a and a support member 11. At least a part of the top surface of the support member 11 is covered by cap 41a to prevent a mounting bolt 91 from directly making contact with the top surface of the support member 11 when the mounting bolt 91 extends through a through-hole 71 in the sensor. The cap 41a covers the top surface of the support member 11 to protect the support member from being ground or abraded by the mounting bolt 91.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kuno, Katsuki Aoi, Noriaki Kondo
  • Patent number: 7449819
    Abstract: A knock sensor includes: a base including an annular flange portion and a cylindrical portion, an annular piezoelectric element fitted onto the cylindrical portion, electrode portions oppositely formed on front and rear surfaces of the annular piezoelectric element, first and second terminal plates in contact with the electrode portions, an annular weight, a first insulating sheet interposed between the first terminal plate and the flange portion, a second insulating sheet interposed between the second terminal plate and the weight. The electrode portions include annular partial electrodes each having a width narrower than a radial width of the piezoelectric element. The annular partial electrode has a thickness d satisfying: L/d<80 where L is a radial dimension of outer circumferences of the front and rear surfaces where the electrode portions are not arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Souichi Satou, Harumasa Shibata, Akito Yokoi, Koji Tanimoto
  • Publication number: 20080271519
    Abstract: An engine knock detection system for a vehicle engine includes a controller receiving an input indicative of strain applied to an engine component and an output for providing a signal indicative of engine knock. A sensor may be associated with the engine that measures operating parameters of the engine (i.e., strain, for example) to allow the controller to detect and identify engine knock. The sensor may include a Surface-Acoustic Wave (SAW) sensor, such as, for example, a double-SAW sensor that concurrently detects engine torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Kim M. Lyon
  • Patent number: 7440861
    Abstract: The inventive circuitry on a semiconductor chip includes a first functional element having a first electronic functional-element parameter that exhibits a dependence relating to the mechanical stress present in the semiconductor circuit chip in accordance with a first functional-element stress influence function. The first functional element provides a first output signal based on the first electronic functional-element parameter and mechanical stress. A second functional element has a second electronic functional-element parameter that exhibits a dependence in relation to the mechanical stress present in the semiconductor circuit chip in accordance with a second functional-element stress influence function. The second functional element is configured to provide a second output signal based on the second electronic functional-element parameter and the mechanical stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Udo Ausserlechner, Mario Motz
  • Patent number: 7437260
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a first functional element having a first electronic functional-element parameter exhibiting a dependence relating to the mechanical stress present in the semiconductor circuit chip, and being configured to provide a first output signal, a second functional element having a second electronic functional-element parameter exhibiting a dependence in relation to the mechanical stress present in the semiconductor circuit chip, and being configured to provide a second output signal in dependence on the second electronic functional-element parameter and the mechanical stress, and a combination means for combining the first and second output signals to obtain a resulting output signal exhibiting a predefined dependence on the mechanical stress present in the semiconductor circuit chip, the first and second functional elements being integrated on the semiconductor circuit chip and arranged, geometrically, such that that the first and second functional-element stress influence functions ar
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Udo Ausserlechner, Mario Motz
  • Patent number: 7207207
    Abstract: A knock sensor of the invention includes a base having a cylindrical part mounted on a vibration generating part and a flange part, an annular piezoelectric element fitted to the cylindrical part and for converting a knocking vibration of the vibration generating part into an electric signal to detect it, electrodes respectively provided to be in contact with both surfaces of the piezoelectric element, terminal plates disposed to be in contact with the respective electrodes and for extracting an output of the piezoelectric element to outside, and a hold unit for pressure holding the piezoelectric element, the electrodes and the terminal plates to the flange part, in which a conductive adhesive material having an almost equal thickness to the electrode is provided on a portion of the piezoelectric element which is not in contact with the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha, Fuji Ceramics Corporation
    Inventors: Harumasa Shibata, Akito Yokoi, Keizo Miyake, Hidehiro Inaba
  • Patent number: 7201038
    Abstract: A knock sensor is constructed by putting and fitting components including an annular piezoelectric element, terminal plate, insulating sheet and weight onto a base consisting of a flange portion and a tubular portion, forming a groove part on a tip outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion, fitting a stopper ring functioning to apply an axial preload to the components onto the tubular portion, and caulking fixedly the stopper ring and the tubular portion into the groove part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masao Kohashi, Akito Yokoi, Yoichiro Takahashi, Yoshiyuki Sawada
  • Patent number: 7178383
    Abstract: A stacked body constituted by a first insulating sheet, a first terminal plate, a piezoelectric element, a second terminal plate, a second insulating sheet, a weight, and a disk spring is fitted over a cylindrical portion of a base, clamped and held between a nut and a flange portion of the base, and resin-molded. Annular partial electrodes having a width narrower than a radial width of the piezoelectric element are formed on front and rear surfaces of the piezoelectric element. The first and second terminal plates have annular portions formed so as to have annular shapes having an outside diameter and an inside diameter substantially equal to those of the partial electrodes, and are stacked such that the annular portions are placed in close contact with entire surfaces of the partial electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Harumasa Shibata, Akito Yokoi, Masao Kohashi
  • Patent number: 7007544
    Abstract: A knock sensor of the invention includes a base having a cylindrical part mounted on a vibration generating part and a flange part, an annular piezoelectric element fitted to the cylindrical part and for converting a knocking vibration of the vibration generating part into an electric signal to detect it, electrodes respectively provided to be in contact with both surfaces of the piezoelectric element, terminal plates disposed to be in contact with the respective electrodes and for extracting an output of the piezoelectric element to outside, and a hold unit for pressure holding the piezoelectric element, the electrodes and the terminal plates to the flange part, in which the electrodes are provided to be in partial contact with the piezoelectric element, and an electric insulating material having an almost equal thickness to the electrode is provided on a portion of the piezoelectric element which is not in contact with the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha, Fuji Ceramics Corporation
    Inventors: Harumasa Shibata, Akito Yokoi, Keizo Miyake, Hidehiro Inaba
  • Patent number: 7004009
    Abstract: There is provided a knocking sensor for an internal combustion engine improved so that electrical damage of a terminal plate in an annular combination member is more certainly prevented. Only two communicating passages separate from each other by substantially 180 degrees are formed in an annular weight of the annular combination member, and resin is filled into an annular space at an inner periphery of the annular combination member by using these two communicating passages. When a passage axis where the two communicating passages are positioned is made substantially orthogonal to a resin injection direction, the resin can be more effectively filled into the annular space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akito Yokoi, Harumasa Shibata
  • Patent number: 6988483
    Abstract: To provide a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine which can judge an abnormality regardless of one line type or two line type, and can also detect the classification of abnormality. The control apparatus includes: a knock sensor having a piezoelectric element for detecting vibrations that are generated in the internal combustion engine, and a resistor that is connected in parallel with the piezoelectric element; and an interface circuit that detects a knock in accordance with an output from the knock sensor and detects an abnormality of the knock sensor, and the interface circuit includes a bias unit that conducts biasing by pulling up and pulling down an output from the knock sensor, and detects the abnormality of the knock sensor with a direct current component of the bias unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Hagari
  • Patent number: 6986277
    Abstract: Structure for mounting a knock sensor (41) on an engine includes the sensor (41) comprised of an annular main body (1) and an external connecting portion (2). The knock sensor (41) is secured onto a mounting seat (52) formed on the engine for detecting vibration thereof transmitted to a piezoelectric element (10) from the mounting seat (52) through the main cylindrical metal member (3). The mounting structure includes a clamping member (91) extending through a through-hole (5) for fixing the main body (1) on the seat (52), an engine-side engaging portion (53) radially distanced from the axis of the clamping member (91) and a bearing portion (2) provided on the sensor (41) and adapted to engage with the engine-side engaging portion (53). The knock sensor can be mounted easily with harness layout design being facilitated because the knock sensor is prevented from rotation upon mounting thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akito Yokoi
  • Patent number: 6925878
    Abstract: An acceleration sensor comprises a fixed case member and a cover assembly collectively defining a closed space in which the oscillation plate and the piezoelectric element received therein. The oscillation plate and the piezoelectric element are oscillatably supported by a supporting portion formed on the central bottom portion of the fixed case member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Baba, Hideki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6868714
    Abstract: A vibration sensor for direct or indirect mounting on a vibrating component has a housing, a pressure sleeve having a central bore and a piezoelectric disk situated between two insulator disks and two contact disks, a seismic mass acting on the disks by way of a spring element. The spring element is designed with a ring shape and has a projection on its inside ring area. On the outside circumference of the pressure sleeve there is a recess which is designed to correspond to the projection and is formed to accommodate the projection on the spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang-Michael Mueller, Wolfgang Schmidt, Hartmut Brammer
  • Publication number: 20040250603
    Abstract: A knock sensor comprises a sensor body having a metallic shell including a cylindrical portion and a flange portion formed at an end of the cylindrical portion, an annular piezoelectric element fitted around the cylindrical portion and an annular weighting member fitted around the cylindrical portion to hold the piezoelectric element between the weighting member and the flange portion, and a resin-molded sensor casing arranged circumferentially around the sensor body. The resin-molded sensor casing includes a weighting portion located nearer to the weighting member than to the piezoelectric element with respect to an axial direction of the cylindrical portion, and at least the weighting portion of the resin-molded sensor casing is made of a resin containing at least one of metal powder and metal oxide powder and has a density of 2.0 g/cm3 or higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sadamitsu Harada, Katsuki Aoi, Tomohiro Hirata, Yasuo Ito
  • Patent number: 6817245
    Abstract: An acceleration sensor for detecting an acceleration caused by an object oscillated in an oscillation direction, comprises a sensor casing having a center axis that is positioned in coaxial alignment with the oscillation direction to receive the acceleration, an oscillation plate and a piezoelectric element. The sensor casing has first and second circular inner surfaces opposing to and spaced apart along the center axis from each other at a first space distance, and a third cylindrical inner surface connected at one end with the first inner surface and at the other end with the second inner surface to define a cylindrical closed space. The oscillation plate is accommodated in the closed space of the sensor casing and has a central portion securely supported by the sensor casing and a peripheral portion integrally formed with the central portion and extending radially outwardly of the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Baba, Noriyuki Murata
  • Patent number: 6786078
    Abstract: A vibration sensor having a pressure sleeve in which the pressure sleeve may be mounted under pressure on a component causing vibration. To detect a vibration signal, e.g., in the case of a knock sensor, a sensory system is held by a seismic mass above it on the outside of the pressure sleeve via a screw connection on a contact face of the pressure sleeve under an axial prestress in the direction of the sensory system. The seismic mass has an inside thread and may be screwed onto the sensory system to produce the axial prestress in the direction of the sensory system. A seismic mass or the sensory system has at least two opposing grooves running radially opposite one another, so that the plastic may enter an interior space between the sensory system and the pressure sleeve during extrusion through these grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hartmut Brammer
  • Patent number: 6776026
    Abstract: A knock sensor, comprising: a sleeve; a piezoelectric transducer disposed about the sleeve, the piezoelectric transducer being insulated from the sleeve and in electrical communication with a first terminal and a second terminal; wherein the piezoelectric transducer is preloaded by a combination seismic mass and nut configured to threadingly engage a portion of the sleeve and provide a mass to the knock sensor, the combination seismic mass and nut being integrally formed out of the same material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Luis F. Barron
  • Patent number: 6769305
    Abstract: An acceleration sensor for detecting an acceleration caused by an object oscillated in an oscillation direction, comprises a sensor casing having a center axis that is positioned in coaxial alignment with the oscillation direction to receive the acceleration, an oscillation plate and a piezoelectric element. The sensor casing has first and second circular inner surfaces opposing to and spaced apart along the center axis from each other at a first space distance, and a third cylindrical inner surface connected at one end with the first inner surface and at the other end with the second inner surface to define a cylindrical closed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Baba, Noriyuki Murata
  • Patent number: 6739182
    Abstract: A vibration sensor for direct or indirect mounting on a vibrating component such as an engine block. The vibration sensor has a housing and a pressure sleeve, which includes a central bore, a cylindrical area and a flange-like edge. A piezoelectric disk is situated between two contact disks. A seismic mass acts on piezoelectric disk by way of a spring element and a threaded ring. Insulating disks are situated on the sides of the contact disks facing away from the piezoelectric disk. The insulating disks have an inside diameter that is less than an outside diameter of the cylindrical area of the pressure sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang-Michael Mueller, Wolfgang Schmidt, Holger Krebs, Hartmut Brammer
  • Patent number: 6647760
    Abstract: A vibration pickup has a pressure sleeve which is placeable on a component causing vibrations, a sensor element which detects the vibration, a seismic mass which is placeable outside of the sleeve on a support surface of the sensor element with an axial pretensioning, so that the sensor element is held between the seismic mass and a flange-like segment of the pressure sleeve, the seismic mass and the pressure sleeve being formed as a one-piece integral component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang-Michael Mueller, Uwe Konzelmann
  • Publication number: 20030200790
    Abstract: A knock sensor comprises a sensor body having a metallic shell including a cylindrical portion and a flange portion formed at an end of the cylindrical portion, an annular piezoelectric element fitted around the cylindrical portion and an annular weighting member fitted around the cylindrical portion to hold the piezoelectric element between the weighting member and the flange portion, and a resin-molded sensor casing arranged circumferentially around the sensor body. The resin-molded sensor casing includes a weighting portion located nearer to the weighting member than to the piezoelectric element with respect to an axial direction of the cylindrical portion, and at least the weighting portion of the resin-molded sensor casing is made of a resin containing at least one of metal powder and metal oxide powder and has a density of 2.0 g/cm3 or higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sadamitsu Harada, Katsuki Aoi, Tomohiro Hirata, Yasuo Ito
  • Publication number: 20030154765
    Abstract: A vibration meter having a pressure sleeve is proposed, in which the pressure sleeve (2, 22) may be mounted under pressure at a bottom surface (20) on a component causing vibrations, and the bottom surface (20) has a contour, prior to mounting, which runs radially inward in a concave manner. Furthermore, prior to mounting, the bearing surface (21) has a contour, which runs radially inward in a concave manner, the contour being dimensioned such that, after the mounting, at least one sensor arrangement (7, 5, 6, 8) lies substantially flat on the bearing surface (21) on the inside of the pressure sleeve (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: Hartmut Brammer
  • Publication number: 20030154957
    Abstract: A mounting fixture for an engine knock sensor is provided. The fixture includes a base and a support member. The support member is joined to the base with a press fit joint. The base includes an aperture and the support member is inserted in the aperture. The support member can be a bolt or a sleeve. The invention can also include a lip, associated with the support member for retaining a spring washer. The spring washer can be deflected between the support member and a knock sensor component for pressing the knock sensor component against the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Viswanathan Subramanian, Efren Solis
  • Patent number: 6532795
    Abstract: A vibration pickup has a pressure sleeve mountable directly or indirectly on a component which causes vibrations, a sensor element which is held radially outwardly on the pressure sleeve with an axial pre-tensioning and is electrically contactable, a spring element holding the sensor element on the pressure sleeve with the axial pre-tensioning, the spring element including at least one ring-shaped spring which is held on an outer wall of the pressure sleeve so that an inner periphery of the spring abuts directly or indirectly on the pressure sleeve over at least three regions with a mechanical tensioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmut Brammer, Wolfgang Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20030005911
    Abstract: A threadless knock sensor (10, 50) includes a sleeve (12, 52) around which a transducer (24, 64) and a load washer (30, 70) are disposed. A frusto-conical disk spring (34, 78) is installed in compression around the sleeve (12, 52) above the transducer (24, 64). The sleeve (12, 52) includes threadless means for holding the disk spring (34, 78) in compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Viswanathan Subramanian, Efren Solis, Cesar C. Chavez
  • Publication number: 20010020384
    Abstract: A vibration pickup has a pressure sleeve which is placeable on a component causing vibrations, a sensor element which detects the vibration, a seismic mass which is placeable outside of the sleeve on a support surface of the sensor element with an axial pretensioning, so that the sensor element is held between the seismic mass and a flange-like segment of the pressure sleeve, the seismic mass and the pressure sleeve being formed as a one-piece integral component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: Wolfgang-Michael Mueller, Uwe Konzelmann
  • Patent number: 6279381
    Abstract: A vibration transducer has a pressure sleeve fastenable directly or indirectly on a structural component part causing vibrations, a sensor element which is held at the pressure sleeve on a radial outer side with an axial pretensioning, a plurality of contact disks including at least one contact disk provided with a radial inclination so as to form a plate spring for generating the axial pretensioning of the sensor element, and a seismic mass provided with an internal thread and screwable directly to the pressure sleeve for clamping the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmut Brammer, Uwe Hackel, Romuald Fries, Holger Krebs
  • Patent number: 6247351
    Abstract: A vibration pickup has a pressure sleeve which is directly or indirectly mountable on a component causing vibration, a seismic mass, a sensor element arranged under the seismic mass and held with an axial pretensioning radially outwardly on the pressure sleeve and is electrically contactable, the seismic mass in non-mounted condition abutting only partially against an arrangement with the sensor element while in predetermined ring-shaped regions a distance is available to the arrangement with the sensor element, and after mounting with covering of the distance a substantially plane abutment of the seismic mass against the arrangement with the sensor element with an axial pretensioning is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmut Brammer, Holger Krebs