Abstract: A gas concentration determination system includes an acoustic sensor generating acoustic sensor data and a humidity sensor generating relative humidity data. A modified relative humidity is determined based at least in part on the acoustic sensor data and the relative humidity data. A gas concentration is determined using the modified relative humidity and the acoustic data. Using the modified relative humidity instead of the relative humidity data may reduce false positives in detecting gas leaks in HVAC systems, for example.

Abstract: A load monitoring system and techniques estimate a load on a vehicle, such as a trailer, bus, RV, or other vehicle. The system includes a sensor having a main body housing and an alignment feature. The main body housing contacts a first surface of a suspension component and the alignment feature contacts a second surface of the suspension component.

Abstract: A system and method determine and/or adjust tire pressure sensor timings to transmit information using BLE information, regardless of the presence of other BLE systems. A tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system or other computing device receives transmission timing information from tire monitors that transmit using BLE and/or other BLE-enabled components. In response to determining an interference between the transmissions of the tire monitors and/or the components, timing of the transmissions from one or more of the tire monitors is altered to avoid the interference.

Abstract: A system for measuring brake data from a braking assembly of a vehicle. The braking assembly includes a floating portion that moves relative to brake pad wear. The system includes a brake sensor for each wheel. The brake sensors include a fixed sensing element and a target portion attached for movement with the floating portion. The sensing element generates a signal indicating a position of the target portion. The signal is used to determine brake pad thickness. The brake sensor also transmits the signal over a wireless vehicle area network for receipt and processing by a wireless hub in the vehicle area network. The vehicle area network can generate and transmit an alert and/or instructions for an autonomous vehicle based on the signal.

Abstract: A method establishes a vehicle area network on a vehicle having a tractor with a tractor wireless hub, the tractor being connected to a first trailer having a first trailer wireless hub. The method activates the tractor hub and the first trailer wireless hub, and shares credentials between the tractor wireless hub and the first trailer wireless hub in accordance with out of band pairing techniques. Typically, the tractor wireless hub acts as an access point for the vehicle area network but the access point can be centralized by: searching down a length of the vehicle to determine relative locations of the tractor wireless hub, the first trailer wireless hub and the second trailer wireless hub; determining a centrally located hub based on the locations; and establishing the centrally located hub as the access point.

Abstract: A system and method calculates a vehicle load on a suspension system of a vehicle using a plurality of tilt angle sensors. The angle sensors are attached to the suspension system and configured to measure an angle with respect to gravity. A first angle sensor is configured to measure a first angle. A second sensor configured to measure a second angle. The measured first and second angles are combined to obtain a combined value representative of a vehicle load adjusted for tilt.

Abstract: A tire monitor includes a sensor generating tire data and a plurality of control modules having phase locked loop circuits. The control modules generate output signals carrying the tire data. A first of the control modules is configured to generate first output signals having a first frequency and according to a first protocol. A second of the control modules is configured to generate second output signals having a second frequency and according to a second protocol. In examples, the output signal can be transmitted in parallel to different computing systems.

Abstract: A connector for use with a sensor, such as a pressure sensor, has EMI absorbing capabilities. The connector includes a polymeric body configured for coupling to a sensor body and an EMI absorbing material. The EMI absorbing material may be entrained in the polymeric body, coated on the polymeric body, or otherwise integrated with the polymeric body. The EMI absorbing material may be carbon black or carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A video data collection and sharing platform is provided capable of detecting high-priority events and communicating alerts to users. A high-priority event is captured by a video capturing device with one or more sensor modules, including one or more video cameras for recording video footage. A network connection is established and input from one or more sensor modules is received. The input includes image data from the one or more video cameras. An input from the one or more sensor modules is analyzed to determine a potential high-priority event. Upon determining a potential high-priority event, conditions of the network connection are measured and an amount of data to be transmitted to a remote server through the network connection is determined based, at least in part, on the measured conditions of the network connection. The determined amount of data is then transmitted to the remote server. The transmitted data includes at least part of the image data from the one or more video cameras.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and computer program products for lifetime battery tracking using a wireless interface are disclosed. During production and assembly of a battery pack, the location of a battery module in a production line is tracked using detected signal strengths from a wireless transmitter of a battery module monitoring system. During the life of the battery module, the battery module monitoring system provides battery usage data that can be combined with vehicle data for diagnostic analysis.

Abstract: A multi-deck circuit arrangement including a first deck circuit having a negative supply terminal and a second deck having a positive supply terminal connected to the negative supply terminal. A single power supply provides a voltage across both the first and second decks. The total power consumption will be less than the prior art of having both deck circuits conventionally regulated. The supply rail connecting the second deck's positive supply terminal to the first deck's negative supply terminal may be regulated. In one embodiment, the rail voltage can be controlled to optimize deck circuit operation for speed and power and to avoid level shifters when interfacing to other circuits.

Abstract: A force sensor, flexible sensing element, and method for the force sensor are disclosed. The force sensor uses a flexible sense element with two flexible arms dedicated to measuring strain related to a pitch force and two flexible arms dedicated to measuring strain related to roll force. The use of two channels for each measurement provides a command lane and a monitor lane for strain measurements. Strain gauges are disposed on both the top and the bottom surfaces of each arm, thus providing two completely redundant systems. When a failure is detected in one of the systems, the redundant system can be implemented.

Abstract: A tire monitoring apparatus comprises a sensor housing having a connection part integrated with the sensor housing, the connection part having an elongated opening and a corresponding mounting feature in a wheel rim, wherein a screw extends through the elongated opening and connects with the corresponding mounting feature in the wheel rim, thereby when the screw is not tightened fully, the sensor housing can be rotated with respect to the corresponding mounting feature in the wheel rim, and when the screw is tightened fully, the sensor housing is secured in place and does not rotate with respect to the corresponding mounting feature in the wheel rim.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus having a crimped housing and a method of assembling a sensor apparatus having a crimped housing are disclosed. The sensor apparatus comprises a sensor port, a tubular thin-walled housing coupled to the sensor port and comprising a crimping portion, a base portion, and a step feature that is formed in the housing, the step feature partitioning the crimping portion from the base portion, sensor components disposed within the interior of the base portion of the housing, and an electrical connector coupled the housing and comprising leads electrically coupled to the sensor components and a connector flange, wherein a rim of the crimping portion of the housing is crimped onto the connector flange such that the electrical connector is retained in the housing. Dimples, created by protrusions on the crimp dye, on both housing rim and connector flange assure the housing rim hold the connector in rotation direction.

Abstract: A TPMS module includes a sensor body with two arcuate surfaces adjacent the opening. A tire valve includes two arcuate portions and a distal portion. A plurality of gripping teeth are disposed on the valve arcuate portions. The valve distal portion is provided in the sensor body opening and arranged such that the valve arcuate portions couple to the sensor body arcuate surfaces. The valve is coupled to the sensor body by the interaction of a seat and a grommet such that the gripping teeth interact with the sensor body arcuate surfaces to maintain an orientation of the valve with respect to the sensor body.

Abstract: A haptic feedback mechanism for steering by wire system includes a motor. Electronic circuitry includes a node and switches for controlling the motor. A voltage sensor at the node and a motion sensor for the DC motor feed a motor control logic module that is operative to: determine if the voltage at the node is above a predetermined threshold; determine if the input motion is above a predetermined speed; and change the switches into an overcurrent protection mode if the voltage is above the predetermined threshold or the input motion is above the predetermined speed. In overcurrent protection mode, electrical power, generated by the input motion, passes through resistance and/or the motor to dissipate while maintaining haptic feedback. An endstop mechanism includes a position sensor coupled to the haptic feedback mechanism for detecting an angular position of the motor to increase feedback torque near an endstop of the motor.

Abstract: A position sensing system and method for a braking assembly for a vehicle. The braking assembly includes a rotor, a caliper assembly disposed around the rotor and having a fixed mount bracket and a floating portion which moves when the brakes are applied. The position sensing system has a sensing element and a reference portion. The sensing element is attached to a location of the braking assembly such that the reference portion moves in relation to the sensing element when the floating portion moves. The sensor assembly is configured to generate a signal correlative to the relative positions of the sensing element and reference portion. The position sensing system includes a processor configured to store predetermined signatures and determine a condition of a component of the vehicle based on a match between the signal and one of the predetermined signatures.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor is disclosed. The sensor comprises a first structure and a second structure. The first structure is rotatably coupled to the second structure by means of a bearing having a rotation axis. A dipole magnet is attached to the first structure with a direction of magnetic moment perpendicular to the rotation axis and a sensing unit is attached to the second structure and configured to measure the absolute position of the dipole magnet's rotation angle. The first structure comprises an alignment characteristic which is detectable on the outside of the rotary position sensor. The dipole magnet is attached to the first structure such that the alignment characteristic and direction of the magnetic moment of the dipole magnet have a defined angle of rotation relation on the first structure.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of improved communication between a wheel unit sensor and a master controller is disclosed. In this particular embodiment, the method includes determining, by the wheel unit sensor, whether a receive schedule of the wheel unit sensor indicates that a receive window has started. The method also includes in response to determining that the receive schedule indicates that the receive window has started, turning-on, by the wheel unit sensor, for the duration of the receive window, a wireless receiver of the wheel unit sensor. In this embodiment, the wireless receiver is configured to receive messages from the master controller.

Abstract: A test socket assembly for a semiconductor device used for burn-in testing comprising a base assembly, a floating plate coupled to the base assembly, and a latch assembly mounted on the floating plate for the retention and movement of the semiconductor device. The base assembly further includes a pin assembly for electrically coupling to the semiconductor device for burn-in testing and at least two upstanding flex arms. In addition, the floating plate and the latch assembly move to a test position for accommodating a varying height of the semiconductor device when mating with a test fixture while the latch still effectively retains the semiconductor device. Lastly, the floating plate is held in a fixed load position due to the support provided by the upstanding flex arms when inserting the semiconductor device into the test socket.