Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sensor interface module that selectively varies the resistance of an RLC network based upon one or more properties of exchanges data signals between one or more sensors and a controller (e.g., an ECU). The disclosed sensor interface module has a closed control loop that receives modulated sensor current signals from one or more sensors and that regulates a modulated output voltage that is provided to the one or more sensors. A protocol processor detects one or more properties of the exchanged voltage and current signals. The protocol processor provides the detected properties to an impedance controller, which selectively varies the value of an impedance element within an RLC network, located between the sensor interface module and the one or more sensor, to adjust the one or more properties in a manner that improves performance of the sensor interface module.

Abstract: An accelerometer includes an enclosure and a flowable material disposed in the enclosure, A signal representing a shape of a surface of the flowable material in the enclosure is developed and a circuit is responsive to the signal for deriving an indication of acceleration.

Abstract: A moving member having a plurality of moving electrodes is supported by support members at both ends thereof on a substrate surface in such a way that it can be subjected to displacement in a two-dimensional plane. A plurality of fixed electrodes are arranged to face the plurality of moving electrodes respectively, thus forming different facing areas therebetween when an input acceleration is zero. The facing areas formed between pairs of the electrodes facing each other are varied in response to the displacement of the moving member, whereby a capacitance caused by one pair of the electrodes whose facing area is relatively small is used to detect a relatively small input acceleration, and a capacitance caused by the other pair of the electrodes whose facing area is relatively large is used to detect a relatively large input acceleration.

Abstract: An orientation sensor especially suitable for use in an underground device is disclosed herein. This orientation sensor includes a sensor housing defining a closed internal chamber, an arrangement of electrically conductive members in a predetermined positional relationship to one another within the chamber and a flowable material contained within the housing chamber and through which electrical connections between the electrically conductive members are made such that a comparison between an electrical property, specifically voltage, of a first combination of conductive members to the corresponding electrical property of a second combination of conductive members can be used to determine a particular orientation parameter, specifically pitch or roll of the sensor.

Abstract: A sensor is proposed which is used for detecting the acceleration and the inclination of a movable object (10), in particular a motor vehicle. A bubble level (11) is fixed on the object (10). The bubble level (11) comprises a housing (12), a liquid (16) contained in the housing (12) and a gas bubble (17) contained in the housing (12). The liquid (16) and the gas bubble (17) together completely fill the hollow chamber (15) enclosed by the housing (12), so that the gas bubble (17) is not completely enclosed by the liquid (16), but lies against the interior of the housing (12), so that the surface separating the liquid and the gas pushes against the interior of the housing (12). The gas bubble (17) is in an initial position inside the housing (12) when the acceleration and the inclination of the bubble level (11) are equal to zero or their effects are mutually canceled out.