VERSATILE SMART NETWORKABLE SENSOR

• US 20010013826A1
• Filed: 09/24/1999
• Published: 08/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kavlico Corporation (Sensata Technologies Holding Plc)
• Original Assignee: Kavlico Corporation (Sensata Technologies Holding Plc)
• Inventors: AHMED, SALEH U., CLARE, KATHLEEN M., SONG, WU
• Application Number:
  US09/404,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20010013826A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/439
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/24 Housings ; Casings for instruments

Abstract

A networkable smart sensor senses an analog signal and converts this to a digital signal output. A processed signal is then communicated to a network. The sensor can be a stand-alone electronic signal processor sensor or can be networked for operation with a controller and/or other sensors. Sensors can operate in a master-slave or peer-to-peer communication mode. The sensors are for use in industrial applications including vehicle engines and processes.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising:

a threaded metal housing for threading into a block or housing associated with an engine;

an analog sensor mounted in the housing on a support in the housing, the analog sensor being for sensing a condition of the engine;

an electronic communication board mounted in the housing in connection with the analog sensor and the electronic communication board effecting translation of the analog signal to a digital signal; and

circuitry and output terminals for transmitting the digital signal to an output network.

2. A sensor as claimed in

claim 1

including circuitry to permit operation with other sensors in a network, and wherein the output from the sensor is connected for communication to a data bus and wherein the output is such that the communication can be connected in a peer to peer mode with the other sensors or in a master-slave mode with a central processor unit associated with the sensor network.

3. A sensor comprising:

a housing for anchoring in relation to an area to be sensed;

a substrate mounted within the housing and including an inner surface and an outer surface, an analog sensor mounted in the housing;

an electronic communication board mounted in the housing in connection with the analog sensor and the electronic communication board effecting translation of the analog signal to a digital signal; and

means for transmitting the digital signal to an output.

4. A networkable smart sensor comprising:

a metal housing for locating an electrode for obtaining a measure of a condition to which the electrode is exposed;

means for translating the sensed condition into an analog signal;

a circuit for translating the analog signal into a digital signal; and

means for directing the digital signal to an electronic system remote from the system.

6. A system including multiple sensors as claimed in

claim 4

wherein each sensor is for sensing a particular predetermined environmental condition, and means for directing the outputs for the multiple sensors to a processing unit thereby to permit the processing unit selectively to control or interact with the sensors.

7. A system including multiple sensors as claimed in

claim 4

wherein each sensor is for sensing a particular predetermined environmental condition, and means for interconnecting the sensors whereby the sensors can operate in a peer to peer relationship.

8. A system as claimed in

claim 6

including means for interconnecting the sensors such that sensors can operate in a master-slave relationship.

9. A sensor as claimed in

claim 4

wherein the circuit in the sensor includes means for effecting signal conversion from analog to digital, signal conditioning, signal calibration, signal compensation, signal communication, the means being selectively formed on a single chip on an electronic board.

10. A sensor as claimed in

claim 9

including a microprocessor, memory and computational means in the electronic system within the sensor. A sensor system as claimed in

claim 4

including directing a sensor output to a bus, and including means for relating data communicated on the bus to a system CPU.

5. A sensor as claimed in

claim 5

wherein the sensor includes means for processing the digital signal prior to transmitting the signal to the remote electronic system.

11. A method of sensing a condition in an engine comprising, mounting an analog sensor in relation to the engine for sensing a condition of the engine;

obtaining with the sensor an analog measurement of the condition;

translating, in the sensor, the analog measurement into an electronic digital signal; and

transmitting the digital signal to an output.

12. A method as claimed in

claim 11

including operating the sensor with other sensors in a network, and wherein the output from the sensors are connected for communication to a data bus and wherein the output is such that the communication can be connected in a peer to peer mode with the other sensors or in a master-slave mode with a central processor unit associated with the sensor network.

13. A method as claimed in

claim 11

including processing the digital signal prior to transmitting the signal to a remote electronic system.

14. A method as claimed in

claim 11

using a system including multiple sensors wherein each sensor senses a particular predetermined environmental condition, and interconnecting the sensors whereby the sensors operate in a peer to peer relationship.

15. A method as claimed in

claim 11

using a system including multiple sensors wherein each sensor senses a particular predetermined environmental condition, and interconnecting the sensors whereby the sensors operate in a master-slave relationship.

16. A method as claimed in

claim 11

including effecting signal conversion from analog to digital, signal conditioning, signal calibration, signal compensation, signal communication in the sensor.