Abstract: The present invention relates to a radiation sensor, in particular for use with a vehicle sunload sensor arrangement. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to such a vehicle sensor arrangement and to a method of assembling a vehicle sensor arrangement. A radiation sensor comprises at least one first and one second photodetector, and a radiation shaping element, wherein said radiation shaping element comprises radiation blocking means for forming at least one aperture through which the radiation has limited access to said first and second photodetectors, and wherein said first and second photodetectors are arranged on a substrate and are distanced apart from each other along a sensor axis, and wherein the radiation blocking means is formed by a radiation screen mounted on the substrate to encompass the first and second photodetectors.

Abstract: A suction tube for a urea sensor installed in a urea tank comprises a suction pipe and a cover. The suction pipe has a suction opening and a hole extending through a wall of the suction pipe. The cover is disposed on an outside of the suction pipe and covers the hole. When there is an under-pressure in the suction pipe compared to the urea tank, the cover abuts the suction pipe and seals the hole. When there is an overpressure in the suction pipe compared to the urea tank, the cover deforms and allows an excess urea solution to escape through the hole and flow back into the urea tank.

Abstract: An electronic system for a fluid property sensor comprises a fluid printed circuit board adapted to analyze a property of a fluid, an external connector, and an intermediate printed circuit board. The intermediate printed circuit board is electrically connected between the fluid printed circuit board and the external connector.

Abstract: A tank tube bracket for a tank comprises a receptacle extending along an axis and receiving a tank tube and a passage adapted to pass a fluid through the tank tube bracket. A distal end of the passage is directed toward the axis of the receptacle.

Abstract: A fluid quality sensor for measuring a quality of a fluid comprises a measurement section mounted to an output side of a pump for the fluid.

Abstract: A method of compensating for an effect of temperature includes providing a set of magnetic sensors arranged along a sensing path. Each magnetic sensor is adapted to sense a magnetic field created by a magnetic actuator which can move along the sensing path and to provide a sensing signal indicative of a position and/or a displacement of the magnetic actuator relative to the sensing path. The method includes selecting one or more magnetic sensors from the set of magnetic sensors for use as temperature sensors, estimating a distribution of temperature over at least a portion of the sensing path based on the sensing signals output by the one or more magnetic sensors selected as temperature sensors, and compensating for the effect of temperature on the sensing signals output by one or more magnetic sensors of the set of magnetic sensors using the distribution of temperature that was estimated.

Abstract: A fluid sensor protection assembly for protecting a fluid sensor comprises a housing receiving the fluid sensor. The housing includes a bottom wall having a lower inner flow-through opening, a top wall spaced apart from the bottom wall in a vertical direction and having an upper inner flow-through opening, a lower cover member covering the lower inner flow-through opening on an outside of the housing, and an upper cover member covering the upper inner flow-through opening on the outside of the housing. The lower cover member is spaced apart from the lower inner flow-through opening in the vertical direction and forms a lower outer flow-through opening. The upper cover member is spaced apart from the upper inner flow-through opening in the vertical direction and forms an upper outer flow-through opening. A continuous flow-through passage through the housing extends between the lower outer flow-through opening and the upper outer flow-through opening.

Abstract: A method provides a diagnostic on a combined humidity and temperature sensing device including a humidity sensor having a humidity sensing element, a temperature sensor, and a heater. The method comprises obtaining a first temperature and a first relative humidity, heating the humidity sensing element with the heater, obtaining a second temperature and a second relative humidity after heating the humidity sensing element, and determining a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature and a difference between the first relative humidity and the second relative humidity. Diagnostic information representative of a possible malfunction of the humidity sensor is output when the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature difference threshold and the difference between the first relative humidity and the second relative humidity is lower than a predetermined humidity difference threshold.

Abstract: A urea sensor protection assembly for protecting a fluid sensor of a urea sensor system comprises an inner cage supporting the fluid sensor and an outer cage. The inner cage has a first fixation element fixing the inner cage to a common holder. The outer cage has a filter capable of blocking a plurality of air bubbles and/or allowing a fluid to pass and a second fixation element fixing the outer cage to the common holder. The inner cage is at least partially arranged in an inner volume of the outer cage in an assembled state.

Abstract: A sensor mounting system for mounting onto a sensor mounting bracket a sensing device and a cover that covers the sensing device. The sensing device is mounted onto the sensor mounting bracket by sliding from a sensing device delivery position to a sensing device mounted position. The cover pivots relative to the sensing device from a cover delivery position to a cover locked position. When the sensing device is mounted onto the sensor mounting bracket, the cover is in the cover delivery position and contacts the sensor mounting bracket such that by pivoting the cover towards the cover locked position, the cover causes sliding of the sensing device into the sensing device mounted position.

Abstract: A suction tube for a urea sensor installed in a urea tank comprises a suction pipe and a cover. The suction pipe has a suction opening and a hole extending through a wall of the suction pipe. The cover is disposed on an outside of the suction pipe and covers the hole. When there is an under-pressure in the suction pipe compared to the urea tank, the cover abuts the suction pipe and seals the hole. When there is an overpressure in the suction pipe compared to the urea tank, the cover deforms and allows an excess urea solution to escape through the hole and flow back into the urea tank.

Abstract: A temperature sensor comprises a temperature sensing element, a protective housing, and a heat transfer element. The temperature sensing element transduces a sensed temperature into an electrical output signal. The protective housing at least partly encases the temperature sensing element. The heat transfer element has an outer surface in heat conductive contact with an inner wall of the protective housing and receives at least a part of the temperature sensing element. The heat transfer element is formed separately from the temperature sensing element.

Abstract: There is disclosed a capacitive sensor on a passivation layer of a semiconductor circuit such as an ASIC, and a method for manufacturing such sensor. The system and method may comprise: forming a bottom electrode layer and landing pad on a portion of the passivation layer located over active circuitry of the ASIC; forming a gas sensitive layer onto the bottom electrode layer and the landing pad; creating a via through the gas sensitive layer to expose a portion of the landing pad; forming a top electrode layer onto the gas sensitive layer, wherein the top electrode layer completely overlays a surface area of the bottom electrode layer, and wherein the forming process for the top electrode layer deposits a portion of the top electrode layer into the via hole, thereby forming an electrical connection between the top electrode layer and the landing pad.

Abstract: An improved method of packaging a sensor is provided. The method includes the step of affixing a tuning fork to a platform. The tuning fork includes tines comprising one or more surfaces, with each tine further comprising an electrode and a piezoelectric material. An application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is affixed to the platform. Electrical communication between the ASIC and the electrode of each tine is established for providing stimulus to the tuning fork and for receiving a response signal from the tuning fork. A protective layer is applied to cover the platform and a portion of the tuning fork while maintaining a portion of a surface of each tine free from the protective layer such that the surface can displace the fluid in contact therewith.

Abstract: An improved method and assembly, wherein the method generally includes the steps of providing a coated or uncoated sensor element having an exposed sensing surface; attaching the sensor element to a platform so that the exposed sensing surface is spaced from the platform; and optionally applying a protective layer over the platform while maintaining the sensing surface as exposed. The assembly includes a resonator having a free portion with a sensing surface is incorporated onto a platform, components of the sensor are physically shielded from harsh operating conditions, the requisite space is maintained between the free portion of the resonator and the platform, and the sensing surface of the resonator remains exposed for sensing.

Abstract: An improved method and assembly, wherein the method generally includes the steps of providing a coated or uncoated sensor element having an exposed sensing surface; attaching the sensor element to a platform so that the exposed sensing surface is spaced from the platform; and optionally applying a protective layer over the platform while maintaining the sensing surface as exposed. The assembly includes a resonator having a free portion with a sensing surface is incorporated onto a platform, components of the sensor are physically shielded from harsh operating conditions, the requisite space is maintained between the free portion of the resonator and the platform, and the sensing surface of the resonator remains exposed for sensing.

Abstract: Fluid sensor methods and systems adapted for monitoring and/or controlling distillation operations in fluidic systems, such as batch distillation operations or continuous distillation operations, are disclosed. Preferred embodiments are directed to process monitoring and/or process control for unit operations involving endpoint determination of a distillation, for example, as applied to a liquid-component-switching operation (e.g., a solvent switching operation), a liquid-liquid separation operation, a solute concentration operation, a dispersed-phase concentration operation, among others.

Abstract: A flexural resonator includes a piezoelectric material. At least a portion of an electrode having a first surface and a second surface is embedded in the piezoelectric material such that the piezoelectric material is disposed over and in electronic association with the first and second surfaces of the electrode.