Abstract: A rotational sensor has a vibrating weight with two acceleration sensors mounted on it. The two acceleration sensors are designed to detect forces acting at a right angle to each other. The vibrating weight is set in vibration by means of driving devices, and rotation of the rotational sensor about two axes of rotation that are normal to each other is detected with the help of the acceleration sensors. The Coriolis forces in a plane are determined in this way.

Abstract: An acceleration switch has a seismic mass, which is suspended by springs (1) on a bearing block (7). The springs are designed as curved bending springs. If an acceleration acts on this sensor, then the seismic mass is noticeably deflected out of its neutral position when a critical acceleration is exceeded. By means of a lever (17), the seismic mass pulls a contact bar (21) toward a contact block (4), so that a current path is closed between the two parts of the contact block (4).

Abstract: In a force sensor, a resonator is mounted by means of a dielectric layer on a bending element. Deformation of the bending element changes the resonant frequency of the resonator.

Abstract: A system for influencing the travel dynamics of an automobile includes at least two sensor units (S1, S2, S3) for capturing the movements of the vehicle. First evaluation units (A1) evaluate the signals of the sensor units, these first evaluation units being spatially combined with the aforementioned sensor units to a sensor module (10). Connected with the first evaluation units by linkage mans (11), second evaluation units (A21, A22, A23, A24) process the signals processed in the first evaluation units, dependent on a regulation and/or control objective, to activation signals for actuators which influence the vehicle movements.

Abstract: A rotation rate sensor has a multi-layer structure including a monocrystalline silicon layer (10) which forms a carrier structure and a polysilicon layer (21), forming a second layer, and which includes a structural element (30) which acts as an oscillatory body. This structural element (30) is supported on the carrier structure (10) by a plurality of support strips (31), and is deflectable (2) perpendicularly to the major surface of the carrier structure (10). Capacitative or piezo-resistive detecting elements are formed from the second layer for detecting Coriolis force deflections (2), perpendicular to the major surface of said carrier (10) of the structural element (30).

Abstract: An acceleration sensor is used in particular for recognizing an impact experienced by a motor vehicle. The sensor has a spring-mass system (1) with at least one stable original position (4) and one stable deflection position (5). Upon acceleration in the measuring direction, the spring-mass system is initially deflected only slightly out of the original position (4). However, if a predetermined acceleration value is exceeded, then the spring-mass system (1) jumps into the deflection position (5), in which an electrical contact is closed.

Abstract: A rotation rate sensor has a multi-layer structure, with an oscillatory body (13) formed in one carrier layer (10). The body can be stimulated to oscillate in a first oscillation direction (1). On top of this body (13), a further structural element (21), which is deflectable normal to the major surface of the carrier (10) and which serves to detect Coriolis acceleration, is located. There is a device for capacitive or piezo-resistive measurement of the deflection of the structural element. Preferably, the entire structure is fabricated from a silicon wafer, so that the measurement device can be integrated onto the sensor element.

Abstract: A rotor for detecting inclination angles in relation to a defined rotational axis perpendicular to the direction of the field of gravity is proposed. In the center area of the sensor interior, enclosed by a housing, a mounting (25) is located, which is fixed in relation to the housing (30), and on which a seismic mass is suspended so that it can swing. The seismic mass is formed in the shape of a rotor (10) which is asymmetrical in respect to the mounting (25) and which can perform excursions around an axis defined by the mounting (25). Portions (11, 12) of the rotor (10) constitute electrodes of a capacitor arrangement. A border (20), fixed in relation to the housing (30), is disposed around the rotor (10) parallel to the axis defined by the mounting (25). The portions (21, 22, 23) of the border (20) constitute the backplate electrodes of the capacitor arrangement.

Abstract: A liquid container hydrostatic level gauge, in particular a fuel tank level indicator, which operates with a differential pressure sensor, a zero point calibration related to the height of the fuel is performed upon the beginning of measurement, in order to dispense with a requirement for temperature independence and long-term stability of the zero point of the differential pressure sensor. A meter tube is disposed in the container interior, extending from above the maximum liquid level to as far as the container bottom with an opening for receiving fuel within the tank. The differential pressure sensor is connected by one meter input to the upper end of the meter tube and by its other meter input is exposed to the air pressure acting upon the surface of the liquid. An air pump is connected to the upper end of the meter tube between the upper level of the fuel and the input to the pressure sensor. At the beginning of measurement, the meter tube is flooded, and an output value (U.sub.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring small displacements, either linear or angular, employ a pair of spaced "barber pole" or other magnetic field sensitive elements and a movable magnet, in which the exact position of the movable magnet is determined from the voltages sensed at the two elements. The voltages are evaluated in a circuit which produces a rectangular voltage or equivalent, in which the mark/space ratio equates to the position of the magnet between the two sensors.

Abstract: A tank level meter includes an elongated sound conductor of a solid material extending over the entire height of the tank. A sound generator is coupled to one end of the sound conductor to excite thereon surface waves and the opposite end of the conductor is coupled to a sound receiver. Due to different acoustic impedances of the material of the sound conductor of the fluids present in the tank that means of the air and of the liquid whose level is to be measured, the sound waves propagating at the interface of the sound conducting member and fluids arrive to the receiver with a phase shift which is proportional to the liquid level in the tank. By a suitable selection of materials of the sound conductor it is possible to obtain an unambiguous measuring signal at the receiver or a measuring signal having a high resolution. By using at least two sound conductors in the tank it is possible to obtain both a single value volume reading and a high resolution.

Abstract: A tank level meter includes an elongated sound conductor of a solid material extending over the entire height of the tank and having a coating partially surrounding it. A sound generator is coupled to one end of the sound conductor to excite thereon surface waves and the opposite end of the conductor is coupled to a sound receiver. Due to different acoustic impedances of the material of the sound conductor of the fluids present in the tank that means of the air and of a liquid whose level is to be measured, the sound waves propagating at the interface of the sound conducting member and fluids arrive to the receiver with a phase shift which is proportional to the liquid level in the tank. By a suitable selection of materials of the sound conductor and coating it is possible to obtain an unambiguous measuring signal at the receiver or a measuring signal having a high resolution. By using at least two sound conductors in the tank it is possible to obtain both a single value volume reading and a high resolution.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for transmitting variable measurement values, such as pressure and temperature, at vehicle wheels is provided which transmits the measurement values in the form of H-F signals to a stationary evaluating circuit (12) with great accuracy, high reliability and in short time intervals. A repeater coil (b 13), which is connected with the latter, arranged in the vicinity of the wheel so as to be stationary and connected to voltage by a square-wave generator (15), cooperates with a revolving repeated coil (19) which is fastened at the vehicle wheel and connected with a sensor circuit arrangement (20) supplied by it.

Abstract: A sensor for scanning physical processes in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes a pressure-sensitive element formed by two sapphire small parts one of which has a recess and forms a pressure diaphragm to which resistors are applied. The sensor is formed by means of the silicon-on-sapphire technology.

Abstract: A differential field plate or magnetically responsive resistors (4a, 4b) is so connected that two field plate resistors are serially connected and the common junction (J) thereof is connected to ground or, chassis; the output is taken across the free terminals of the resistance elements (4a, 4b), the resistance elements having a constant current applied thereto. The current is maintained constant for any particular temperature by a closed connecting loop including a comparator (22) comparing the voltage across any one of the field plate resistors (U.sub.A *) with a predetermined voltage (U.sub.o). Noise or disturbance voltages (U.sub.St1, U.sub.St2) are balanced out by the circuit and thus will not affect the output voltage derived across the free terminals of the field plate resistors (4a, 4b).

Abstract: To determine the relative position of two objects, for example pistons (16, 22) respectively responsive to the deflection of a brake pedal (10) and actual braking pressure of a wheel of a wheel brake (18) in an automotive power assisted braking system, a core having salient poles, such as an H or E core, has windings wound on the core, coupled to sensing circuits which determine the inductance of the winding, upon placement of short-circuit rings, or coupling magnets on, or adjacent to the core to affect the magnetic circuit, and hence the inductance of the winding. The inductance of the winding can be sensed by connecting the core in an oscillatory circuit (FIG. 3B), applying alternating current thereto, respectively inversely phased (FIG. 4B) and determining phasing of output, or connecting the coils in a multivibrator circuit (FIG.

Abstract: To simplify a field plate effect speed and position sensor, particularly for association with the starter gear of an automotive-type internal combustion engine, four meander-arranged permalloy resistance tracks are located on a substrate at the corners of a rectangle, spaced, in circumferential direction, by about half the pitch distance of the teeth (2) of the starter gear. The resistances can be connected in a voltage divider (FIG. 4) configuration, or in form of a bridge circuit (FIG. 5) supplied from a constant current source (CC) to eliminate temperature variation affects, and providing alternating current output voltages within the wide range of temperature of essentially uniform level as the teeth (2) scan the sensor, a special marker tooth (10) providing an output signal of different level.

Abstract: To determine the rotary speed of a toothed element (1), for example the starter gear of an internal combustion (IC) engine, or a toothed wheel coupled to a wheel of a vehicle for evaluation of the speed, and change in speed thereof, for use in a brake anti-block system, a magnetic field is generated, for example by a permanent magnet (3) which has both radial and tangential components with respect to the teeth (2) of the rotary element. A magnetic field dependent sensor (4) such as a Hall generator or a thin-film permalloy-type magneto-resistive sensor is positioned to respond to the tangential component of the magnetic field, to thereby eliminate shifts in the null or center line about which the field strength undulates as the disk rotates to permit ready evaluation of the output from the sensor by threshold circuitry.

Abstract: An apparatus is proposed for detecting operating characteristics of an internal combustion engine. It has an optical sensor whose output signal is delivered to an amplifier with a variable transmission behavior. As a result, it is possible to have either a stepped or a continuous adaptation of the sensor sensitivity to various operational points of the engine. It is particularly proposed that the amplification for the measurement signal be selected to be high in the case of an opto-electrical combustion chamber observation in a low load range, while it is selected to be low in a high load range, so that relatively equalized measurement results are available for use.

Abstract: To form a temperature sensor, for example suitable in an automotive vehicle, to determine ambient temperatures, or to provide a temperature compensated thin-film circuit, for example for incorporation with an oscillator circuit, two stable thin-film layers are applied to a non-conductive substrate, the layers being capable of being etched.