Sensor Structure in Particular For a Harsh Environment in a Motor Vehicle and Preheater Plug Comprising Such a Sensor

• US 20080245144A1
• Filed: 09/04/2006
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Commissariat a L'Energie Atomique (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission), Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Commisarriat A L'Energie Atomique, Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Robert, Philippe, Pauly, Maxime, Danel, Jean-Sebastien, Bavoux, Bernard
• Granted Patent: US 8,047,067 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/118.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A sensor structure notably for a harsh environment in a motor vehicle is disclosed. The sensor structure has a sensor body (1) having at one end an element (2) sensitive to the quantity to be measured in the harsh environment and at another end a connection circuit (3) for the latter, placed away from the harsh environment, and physically separated from one another. The sensor structure is connected by means for transmitting information by carrier current on an electrical conductor (5) of the sensor with which the sensitive element and the connection circuit are associated by wireless coupling means and between which are provided means (4) for protecting the connection circuit from the environment.

Claims

1. A sensor structure or a harsh environment in a motor vehicle, a sensor body having at one end an element sensitive to the quantity to be measured in the harsh environment and at another end a connection circuit for the latter, placed away from the harsh environment, physically separated from one another, connected by means for transmitting information by carrier current on an electrical conductor of the sensor with which the sensitive element and the connection circuit are associated by wireless coupling means and between which are provided means for protecting the connection circuit from the environment.

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for transmitting information further comprise a remote power supply means of the sensitive that are integrated into the connection circuit.

3. The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensitive element comprises an oscillating circuit at least one component of which is sensitive to the quantity to be measured.

4. The structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the oscillating circuit further comprises a coil forming inductance of the oscillating circuit and means for coupling the sensitive element to the electrical conductor.

5. The structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the conductor is associated with a winding.

6. The structure as claimed in claim 5, comprising means of magnetic coupling of the winding of the conductor and of the coil of the sensitive element.

7. The structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the winding and the coil are disposed perpendicularly one with respect to the other.

14. The structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the component of the oscillating circuit sensitive to the quantity is a capacitor in series with the latter'"'"'s coil.

15. The structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein coil is a spiral coil and the winding a helical winding.

17. The structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the winding and the coil are disposed perpendicularly one with respect to the other.

18. The structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the winding and the coil are disposed coaxially.

8. The structure as claimed in claim, wherein the winding and the coil are disposed coaxially.

9. The structure as claimed 1, wherein, the sensitive element is an element sensitive to pressure.

10. The structure as claimed 1, wherein, the sensitive element is an element sensitive to temperature.

11. The structure as claimed 1 wherein, the sensitive element is an element sensitive to gas.

12. The structure as claimed 1, wherein the sensitive element is an element sensitive to vibrations, accelerations or impacts.

13. The structure as claimed 1, wherein the sensitive element is an element sensitive to two or more quantities out of temperature, pressure, gas, vibration, acceleration or impact, etc.

16. A preheater sparkplug for a motor vehicle diesel engine, a sensor structure as claimed 1.