Abstract: A single memory space of a device having a dedicated functionality is dynamically partitioned to provide separate memory partitions for access by different processes along a production stream. Firmware in the device that controls the overall functionality of the device also controls partitioning of the memory space. The firmware also controls how each of the partitions may be accessed. The firmware includes a number of different safety features for protecting data in the device and applies each of the safety features utilized by the device to each of the memory partitions. Data security is implemented independently for each partition in order to maintain functional safety compliance of the device. The different partitions can be created and accessed at different points in a production stream by different entities such as a device manufacturer, its customers and suppliers or other entities along the supply chain.

Abstract: A sensing element for a temperature sensor including a base with a platinum meander applied thereto. An alumina diffusion barrier (ADB) covers the meander to provide protection against contamination and structural stabilization, wherein the alumina diffusion barrier is a contiguous polycrystalline layer fabricated from alumina and approximately 1% by weight of a rutile additive to be substantially devoid of network porosity. The contiguous polycrystalline layer includes grains with a typical grain size being in a range of 0.5-3 ?m. A method for fabricating an alumina diffusion barrier includes the steps of: combining a nano-alumina and nano-rutile powder to create a formulation; applying the formulation to the platinum meander to form a layer; and sintering the layer to create a contiguous polycrystalline layer covering the platinum meander.

Abstract: A temperature sensor including a mineral-insulated supply line, a bottomed metal tube and a temperature sensing element secured in a support structure. An open end part of the bottomed metal tube is connected mechanically to the mineral-insulated supply line. A wire connection mechanically and electrically couples the temperature sensing element to the mineral-insulated supply line. The support structure is moveable in axial direction of the bottomed metal tube in a bottom end part of the bottomed metal tube.

Abstract: A dual range sensor apparatus includes a single pressure transducer element coupled to respective inputs of two discrete signal conditioning modules, or to both inputs of a multiple input signal conditioning module that is configured to condition the output signal of two transducer elements. The disclosed sensor apparatus outputs a pressure signal in a limited pressure range with very high accuracy, and also provides a pressure signal in a wider pressure range with the same accuracy that can be achieved with traditional pressure sensor configurations. The sensor apparatus may provide output on a single output node in a multiplexed output signal format. The multiplexed output signal format may include several digital output formats and may be provided on a single output pin of the sensor apparatus.

Abstract: A sensor includes a port body which defines an axial passage for receiving fluid. An electrical connector extends through an opening in the port body near a crimp portion opposite the axial passage and forms an upper seal with the port body. Within the interior of the port body, a support ring and base cover form a cavity which retains a sensing element. The sensing element is exposed to the fluid within the axial passage and determines the pressure. An annular seal is retained by the base cover. The crimp portion of the port body is crimped to provide an upper seal and apply a force on the components within the interior, pinching the annular seal between the sensing element and the base of the port body to create a lower seal.

Abstract: A pressure sensing apparatus with multiple, isolated pressure sensors provided therein. The apparatus includes a base cover portion having multiple sections and each section defines an opening. A sensor is positioned in each base cover portion and a portion of each sensor is exposed to the respective opening. A flanged base is coupled to the base cover portion to define multiple separate chambers and a housing is provided around the base cover portion and base and the housing has multiple conduits in fluid connection with respective cover openings.

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: An apparatus senses a pressure of a fluid from a fluid medium. The apparatus has a port body with a peripheral wall surrounding an interior channel. The interior channel extends between a diaphragm on the port body and an opening for receiving the fluid. A strain gauge is disposed on the port body. The strain gauge has two or more resistors connected between input/output pads and ground pads. The resistors are spaced substantially equidistant from the ground pad to reduce mobile ion migration.

Abstract: A surface-mountable socket has a wiping function. A socket 100 of the present technology can be surface-mounted to a board 210. The socket 100 includes a plurality of contacts 110, and each contact 110 includes a contact portion 112 that can contact a terminal of a semiconductor device, a locking portion 116 connected to the contact portion 112, and a board-side contact portion 118 that extends from the locking portion 116 and can contact a conductive region formed on a board surface. The socket 100 further includes a stopper member 120 that holds the locking portion 116 of the plurality of contacts 110 and a guide member 180 that is disposed so as to oppose the stopper member 120, and the guide member 180 is formed with a plurality of through holes 184 that houses a board-side contact 118 protruding from the stopper member.

Abstract: An electromagnetic coil with improved insulation properties at high temperatures. A bobbin is insulated by a thin ceramic composite layer that is produced by winding a glass or ceramic fiber over the support structure and impregnating it with a pre-ceramic polymer. The pre-ceramic polymer is then modified to form a ceramic SiO2 matrix around the fibrous layer. The ceramic matrix secures the glass or ceramic fibers in place and produces a dense layer. A ceramic coated magnet wire is then wound around the insulated support structure. The magnet wire is a conductor that is spiral-wrapped with a glass fiber impregnated with a pre-ceramic polymer.

Abstract: A method for increasing capacitive response to applied pressure by including a glass layer in the air gap of an improved capacitive sense element. The glass layer has additional thickness compared to previously known capacitive sense elements. The additional thickness is selected to achieve a predetermined increase in dielectric constant across the gap between electrodes. In an illustrative embodiment, the resulting capacitive sense element includes a gap having two dielectric media, air and glass, between the electrodes, wherein the thickness of the glass media in the gap and the thickness of the remaining air gap are predetermined based on the dielectric constant of glass and air to achieve desired capacitive response characteristics of the sensor design.

Abstract: A position sensing system for a braking system has a rotor and a caliper assembly disposed at least partially around the rotor. The caliper assembly has a fixed mount bracket and a floating portion. At least two brake pads are attached to the floating portion, operable to exert a force against the rotor in response to a force through the floating portion. A first portion is coupled to the fixed mount bracket. A second portion is coupled to the floating portion such that the second portion moves in response to movement of the floating portion. A sensor assembly measures a distance between the first portion and the second portion. A wireless transmitter sends a signal from the sensor assembly to detached electronics, the signal representing the distance measured.

Abstract: A system for presenting isolated components to an assembly line over a plurality of cycles includes a container configured to direct components towards a central axis. An elongated pedestal within the container has ribs which define an upper surface and a plurality of channels. The pedestal is reciprocally mounted to move along the central axis, and isolates components during each cycle. The isolated components are transferred to an assembly line. The number of isolated components of each cycle is measured and the value stored. A threshold value is calculated based on a number of stored values. A running average of the quantity of isolated components for a number of cycles can then be compared to the threshold to determine when to refill the component container.

Abstract: A sensor includes a port body which defines an axial passage for receiving fluid. An electrical connector extends through an opening in the port body near a crimp portion opposite the axial passage and forms an upper seal with the port body. Within the interior of the port body, a support ring and base cover form a cavity which retains a sensing element. The sensing element is exposed to the fluid within the axial passage and determines the pressure. An annular seal is retained by the base cover. The crimp portion of the port body is crimped to provide an upper seal and apply a force on the components within the interior, pinching the annular seal between the sensing element and the base of the port body to create a lower seal.

Abstract: Assembly systems and methods are provided for elastically deforming a non-circularly shaped washer while driving the washer through an insertion tool into a workpiece, such as a pressure sensor, having a correspondingly shaped recess with an inner wall diameter less than a maximum radial dimension of the non-circular washer. The washer is released from radial compression into the recess so as to permit the washer to become fixated against the inner wall of the recess by a retention force. The fixated washer has a height greater than a height of the recess inner wall, and may serve as a deformable sealing element between the workpiece and other components.

Abstract: A communication system for transmitting sensor values to an Electronic Control Unit (“ECU”) includes a chain of ASICs (sensor interface devices). Each ASIC is coupled to sensors. All sensors connected to an ASIC are measured by said ASIC to obtain sensor values for transmission via a SENT stream in the direction of an ECU. An ASIC is further able to read and decode a Single Edge Nibble Transmission (“SENT”) stream from a previous ASIC in the chain. The ASIC combines its own measurements with the measurements received via the SENT stream to one SENT output stream carrying the sensor values of all sensors connected to said ASIC and all previous ASIC in the chain for transmission to a subsequent ASIC in the chain or the ECU. Only one SENT-input is needed at the ECU to receive measurements from multiple sensors, wherein the number of sensors can easily be changed.

Abstract: A mold fabrication element has a hollowed volume defining a respective continuous inner surface. A fabricator resource disposes the mold fabrication element into a cavity of an injection mold assembly; surface contours on the inner surface of cavity as well as the respective continuous inner surface of the mold fabrication element exposed in the cavity define an outer surface of a resulting injection molded part. To create the injection molded part, the fabricator resource injects liquefied material into the cavity. The injected material contacts the continuous inner surface of the hollowed volume in the mold fabrication element as well as the surface contours of the cavity. After the injected material solidifies, the fabricator resource removes a combination of the injection molded part and the mold fabrication element. The fabricator resource separates the mold fabrication element from the injection molded part for further processing and use of the injection molded part.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reduction of non-linearity errors in automotive pressure sensors. A pressure sensor includes a pressure sensing element including a pair of parallel electrodes, a pair of ceramic plates, rigid glass seals and a connection between the pair of parallel electrodes and an integrated circuit (IC). The IC executes a linear mapping function of a 1/CX value after a CX value is captured from the pressure sensing element, C representing a capacitance, the linear mapping function reducing a non-linearity error to enable two point calibration of a relationship between pressure and capacitance.

Abstract: A pressure sensing apparatus with multiple, isolated pressure sensors provided therein. The apparatus includes a base cover portion having multiple sections and each section defines an opening. A sensor is positioned in each base cover portion and a portion of each sensor is exposed to the respective opening. A flanged base is coupled to the base cover portion to define multiple separate chambers and a housing is provided around the base cover portion and base and the housing has multiple conduits in fluid connection with respective cover openings.

Abstract: A method for correcting offset drift in a sensor used in cyclic sensing is provided. The method includes: identifying a target value for a parameter of a signal between sensing cycles of the sensor; ascertaining a difference between a measured value for the signal and the target value; ascertaining a duration between the sensing cycles; using the difference and the duration, calculating a number of steps to attain the target value from the measured value; and adjusting the measured value by the number of steps to substantially agree with the target value. A pressure sensor is disclosed.