Cross-monitoring sensor system and method

• US 20060016260A1
• Filed: 07/26/2004
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BEI Technologies, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: BEI Technologies, Incorporated
• Inventors: Smith, Thad W. (Marc)
• Granted Patent: US 7,237,169 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/504.30
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01115 specific data frames
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01184 Fault detection or diagnostic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/5607 using vibrating tuning forks double-ended tuning forks using planar vibrating masses suspended at opposite ends G01C19/5719
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 21/00 Testing or calibrating of apparatus or devices covered by the preceding groups

Abstract

Cross-monitoring sensor system and method in which a plurality of sensors each having a sensing element, circuitry for processing signals from the sensing element, an output interface for delivering processed signals, and an auxiliary input to which signals from another device can be input for processing and delivery by the output interface. Signals from each of the sensors are applied to the auxiliary input of another one of the sensors, and signals from the output interfaces of the sensors are compared to verify integrity of the system.

Claims

1. A cross-monitoring sensor system, comprising:

a plurality of sensors each having a sensing element, circuitry for processing signals from the sensing element, an output interface for delivering processed signals, and an auxiliary input to which signals from another device can be input for processing and delivery by the output interface, means for applying signals from each of the sensors to the auxiliary input of another one of the sensors, and means for comparing signals from the output interfaces of the sensors.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the sensors includes an analog-to-to digital converter, the output interface of each of the sensors is a digital interface, and the signals applied to the auxiliary inputs are analog signals.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the sensors has a second auxiliary input to which an additional signal from another device can be applied for processing and delivery by the output interface of that sensor.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensors are selected from the group consisting of angular rate sensors, accelerometers, and combinations thereof.

5. A method of monitoring the operation of a plurality of sensors each having a sensing element, circuitry for processing signals from the sensing element, an output interface for delivering processed signals, and an auxiliary input to which signals from another device can be input for processing and delivery by the output interface, comprising the steps of:

applying signals from each of the sensors to the auxiliary input of another one of the sensors, and comparing signals from the output interfaces of the sensors.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the sensors are connected together in a series, with the signals from one sensor being applied to the auxiliary input of the next sensor in the series, and the signals from the last sensor in the series being connected to the auxiliary input of the first.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the signals from a first one of the sensors are applied to the auxiliary input of a second one of the sensors, and the signals from the second one of the sensors are applied to the auxiliary input of the first one.

8. The method of claim 5 including the step of applying additional external signals to additional auxiliary inputs of the sensors.

9. A cross-monitoring sensor system, comprising a first sensor having a sensing element, circuitry for processing signals from the sensing element, an output interface for delivering processed signals, and an auxiliary input to which signals from a second sensor can be input for processing and delivery by the output interface.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the first sensor is an angular rate sensor.

11. The sensor system of claim 10 wherein the second sensor is also an angular rate sensor.

12. The sensor system of claim 10 wherein the second sensor is an accelerometer.

13. A cross-monitoring sensor system, comprising:

a plurality of sensors each having a sensing element, an analog-to-digital converter, an analog output for delivering analog output signals, a digital output interface for delivering digital signals, and an auxiliary analog input to which signals from another device can be input for digitizing and delivery by the output interface, means for applying signals from the analog output of each of the sensors to the auxiliary input of another one of the sensors, and means for comparing signals from the digital output interfaces of the sensors.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein each of the sensors also has a second auxiliary input to which an analog signal from another device can be applied.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the sensors are selected from the group consisting of angular rate sensors, accelerometers, and combinations thereof.

16. A cross-monitoring sensor system, comprising:

first and second sensors each having a sensing element, an analog-to-digital converter, an analog output for delivering analog output signals, a digital output interface for delivering digital signals, and an auxiliary analog input to which signals from another device can be input for digitizing and delivery by the output interface, means for applying signals from the analog output of the first sensor to the auxiliary input of the second and from the analog output of the second sensor to the auxiliary input of the first, and means for comparing signals from the digital output interfaces of the sensors.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein each of the sensors also has a second auxiliary input to which an analog signal from another device can be applied.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the sensors are selected from the group consisting of angular rate sensors, accelerometers, and combinations thereof.

19. A cross-monitoring sensor system, comprising:

a series of sensors each having a sensing element, an analog-to-digital converter, an analog output for delivering analog output signals, a digital output interface for delivering digital signals, and an auxiliary analog input to which signals from another device can be input for digitizing and delivery by the output interface, means for applying signals from the analog output of each sensor to the auxiliary input of the next sensor in the series and from the analog output of the last sensor in the series to the auxiliary input of the first, and means for comparing signals from the digital output interfaces of the sensors.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein each of the sensors also has a second auxiliary input to which an analog signal from another device can be applied.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein the sensors are selected from the group consisting of angular rate sensors, accelerometers, and combinations thereof.