Abstract: The present invention relates to tire information providing method for providing information on at least one kind of tire to customer comprising the steps of: setting at least one kind of tire of which information is to be provided; setting at least one kind of road surface condition on which said tire is made to run; setting at least one kind of mounting condition for mounting said tire; setting at least one kind of evaluation parameter of said tire that is being wanted by said customer; performing tire rolling simulation based on said tire, said road surface condition and said mounting condition getting said evaluation parameter from said tire rolling simulation; and providing information comprising said evaluation parameter to said customer.

Abstract: A probe includes a first tube having a first end positioned at a measurement location, and a second end; a second tube having a first end, and a second end; a connector having a transducer for connecting the second end of the first tube to the second end of the second tube; and a terminating element attached to the first end of the second tube, wherein the second tube is of a length sufficient to substantially eliminate the incidence of resonance.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a silicon diaphragm having bottom and topside surfaces. The bottom surface has been formed using methods known to those skilled in the art. A first layer is formed and patterned on the topside surface of the diaphragm having an area larger than the diaphragm. A second layer is formed and patterned over the first layer, the second layer being larger in area than the first layer. Holes formed in the second layer are used to remove the first layer using methods known to those skilled in the art. A third layer is formed and patterned over the second layer. The third layer seals the holes in the second layer creating a sealed cavity with a reference pressure on the topside surface of the diaphragm. During operation, media is applied to the bottom surface of the diaphragm wherein the media pressure can be sensed by the pressure sensor in relation to the reference pressure sealed on the topside of the diaphragm.

Abstract: One aspect is a pressure transducer package comprising a housing, a diaphragm, a support disposed in the housing and a sensing element disposed in the housing between the diaphragm and the support so that the pressure from the environment acts on the diaphragm to compress the sensing element. The sensing element comprises at least one substrate having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than 4 ppm/k. In another aspect, the sensing element comprises at least one substrate formed of a first material and an epitaxial layer of a second material having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion. In a further aspect, the support abuts the housing at a spherically-shaped interface to compensate for misalignment between the support and the sensing element to ensure that the sensing element is evenly loaded.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing one or more physical characteristics of a fluid flowing in a fluid line, in one embodiment having an isolator block mounted onto a fluid line and in another embodiment, having an adapter plate coupled with isolator plate mounted onto a fluid line.

Abstract: A pressure transmitter apparatus includes a unitary body with two, normally vertical pressure passageways communicating respectively between opposed pressure openings extending normally horizontally through the body portion. A transducer for generating a differential pressure signal mounts on a transducer mounting element, coupled to the body portion and located above the pressure passageways. A pair of diaphragm elements can form first and second process diaphragms, closing first and second pressure openings. Flange elements overlie the diaphragm elements and are removably and replaceably secured to the body portion, having liquid drainage and gas purging passageways. A flame retardation element can be disposed within at least one of the pressure passageways. An overrange protection element can be integrally arranged with the unitary body portion to protect the transducer from overrange pressure fluctuations.

Abstract: A method of regulating at least one variable characterizing the vehicle dynamics, a loss of pressure in a vehicle tire being determined; the position of the underinflated tire being determined, wherein during cornering, regulation of the variable which characterizes vehicle dynamics is dependent upon whether the underinflated tire is on the inside or outside of the turn being executed by the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a gauge for measuring a parameter. The gauge has a sensing section configured to react to exposure to the parameter in a manner indicative of the parameter. The gauge further has a port through which the sensing section is exposed to the parameter. A cap is configured to be removably attached to the gauge such that the cap covers the port to protect the port from damage. The cap has a hole configured to allow coupling of the cap to another device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing tires in a repeatable manner. Testing steps are performed in a manner that minimizes impact on the tire characteristics being measured. In one aspect, tire rotation reversal is performed at a zero crossing of a first harmonic of radial load variation exerted on a load carriage by the tire. In another aspect, load carriage retraction is performed so that the tire is unloaded when the tire stops rotating.

Abstract: A diaphragm-type sensor arrangement to measure the flow pressure in a main pipe. The arrangement includes a connecting line in fluid communication with the main line and a housing with a chamber. The chamber is isolated from fluid communication with the connecting line by a flexible diaphragm and filled with a second fluid. In use, the diaphragm is displaced by pressure changes in the connecting line which in turn displaces the second fluid in the housing chamber to activate a pressure reading device. The sensor arrangement is particularly adapted for use with slurry flows of particulate solids in a liquid carrier and further includes a reaming member to breakup any consolidated plugs or clogs of solid particles in the connecting line.

Abstract: Systems and methods for digitally controlling sensors. In one embodiment, a digital controller for a capacitance diaphragm gauge is embedded in a digital signal processor (DSP). The controller receives digitized input from a sensor AFE via a variable gain module, a zero offset module and an analog-to-digital converter. The controller automatically calibrates the received input by adjusting the variable gain and zero offset modules. The controller also monitors and adjusts a heater assembly to maintain an appropriate temperature at the sensor. The controller utilizes a kernel module that allocates processing resources to the various tasks of a gauge controller module. The kernel module repetitively executes iterations of a loop, wherein in each iteration, all of a set of high priority tasks are performed and one of a set of lower priority tasks are performed. The controller module thereby provides sensor measurement output at precisely periodic intervals, while performing ancillary functions as well.

Abstract: A pressure measurement device comprising an absolute pressure sensor and a bus coupling serial communication and energization to an electrical connector in a field wiring compartment. An atmospheric pressure sensor module is connected to the bus at the electrical connector. The bus provides the energization to the atmospheric pressure sensor module and the bus receives a serial communication signal from the atmospheric pressure sensor module. The serial communication signal includes numeric data representing atmospheric pressure. The pressure measurement device provides a gage pressure output as a calculated difference between the sensed absolute pressure and the received numeric data.

Abstract: An optical pressure monitoring system includes a tube from an infusion set and an optical signal sensor disposed to detect changes in the diameter of the tube and thereby determine pressure changes within the tube. By selecting the position of the tube relative to the optical signal emitter and optical signal receiver, the optical signal sensor can both detect pressure changes and provide an integrity check for both the functioning of the optical signal sensor and the placement of the tube. By modifying the tube to exaggerate changes in tube diameter responsive to pressure changes, the sensitivity of the optical signal sensor can be increased.

Abstract: A road surface condition judging apparatus of a vehicle includes means for detecting wheel speeds of respective wheels, means for calculating a vehicle speed of the vehicle based on the wheel speeds, means for calculating a deceleration of the vehicle, slip ratio difference calculating means for calculating a difference of slip ratios between front wheels and rear wheels based on the wheel speeds of the respective wheels and the vehicle speed, tire judgment value establishing means for variably establishing a tire judgment value, tire type judging means for judging a tire type of the wheels based on the tire judgment value, grip threshold value establishing means for variably establishing a grip threshold value in accordance with the tire type and road surface judging means for judging a road surface condition based on a comparison of the difference of slip ratios with the grip threshold value.

Abstract: A cover plate (130) which is a plate member made of sapphire is joined to a pressure sensor chip (110), to which a buffer member (120) is fixed, by using a coating solution prepared by adding titanium dioxide to an aqueous solution of boehmite (AlO(OH)) which is a hydroxymineral of aluminum.

Abstract: A tire monitoring assembly is advantageously employed with a wheel and tire assembly having a wheel rim, with the wheel rim including a mounting hole having an anti-rotation feature. The tire monitoring assembly may include a mounting stud having a head and a shank extending from the head, with the head including a flange portion and an anti-rotation portion adapted to operatively engage the anti-rotation feature of the wheel rim, and with the shank including a threaded end spaced from the head. A grommet may be made of an elastomeric material and have an inner sealing portion, an outer sealing portion, spaced from the inner sealing portion, and a main body extending between the inner sealing portion and the outer sealing portion and adapted to be located in the mounting hole, with the outer sealing portion enclosing the flange portion.

Abstract: A marine sensor device mounts in a single opening in a hull of a marine vessel. The sensor includes a housing secured in the opening. Positioned within the housing is a body containing at least two sensors. The body is removable from the housing. A magnetized paddlewheel can be disposed in a first cavity formed on a first half of the body, the paddlewheel has a plurality of paddles extending from a circular central hub and rotatably mounted on an axle extending transverse a fore and aft direction of travel of the vessel. A magnetic sensor can be located adjacent the paddles, the magnetic sensor senses the rotation of the paddles and provides speed indications. The magnetic sensor can be a Hall-effect device. A sonic transducer for depth detection can be disposed within a second cavity formed on a second half of the body. A thermal sensor for sensing water temperature can be disposed in a well formed in the body.

Abstract: There is provided a highly accurate electrical capacitance diaphragm pressure sensor capable of reducing temperature drift that arises when a pressure-travel coefficient changes with temperature variations of a fluid whose pressure is sensed.

Abstract: A pressure module includes a sensor assembly with tubes extending from a pressure sensor to fluid isolator members. The pressure sensor is contained in a cavity in a module housing. The module housing includes support members joined by joints to the fluid isolator members to provide barriers to leakage of process fluids into the cavity. Threaded process inlets on a bottom outside surface of the module housing couple the process fluids to the fluid isolator members through process passageways in the module housing.

Abstract: A device for sensing pressure using two perforated rigid films in which a diaphragm is mounted between the first two films. The device senses positive and negative pressure through a port or opening to the region for which pressure data is desired. The device communicates capacitive pressure and changes in that pressure. The flexible diaphragm is spaced from the first and second films such that the flexible diaphragm is adapted to flex toward the first film when pressure increases in the opening and is adapted to flex toward the second film when pressure decreases in the opening to change the capacitance between the diaphragm and at least one of the first and second films. Spacers are used to position all three elements.