Sensor Device For A Test Stand And Test Stands, Prefereably For Engines

• US 20120065938A1
• Filed: 03/01/2007
• Published: 03/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AVL List GmbH (List Privatstiftung)
• Original Assignee: AVL List GmbH (List Privatstiftung)
• Inventors: Neuwirth, Werner
• Granted Patent: US 8,428,912 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/02 Details or accessories of testing apparatus

Abstract

A test stand sensor apparatus comprising a sensor 2 for acquiring data from the item under test and/or the environment is intended to permit relatively simple and relatively uncomplicated construction of the test stand together with the greatest possible degrees of operational reliability, failure reliability and functional reliability.

To this end, the sensor apparatus has a power supply unit 4 for converting electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy, and a unit 4 for the wire-free transmission of the sensor data and of a code which is characteristic of the sensor.

A test stand 1, preferably for prime movers, comprising at least one test cell with at least one sensor 2, 4 for acquiring data from the item under test and/or the environment, and at least one evaluation and/or memory unit 3 for the data, and if need be at least one preparation area for preparing the item under test and/or the at least one sensor, is equipped with at least one sensor apparatus 2, 4 of this kind.

Claims

1. A test stand sensor apparatus, comprising a sensor for acquiring data from an item under test and/or the environment, has a power supply unit (4) for converting electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy, and a unit (4) for wire-free transmission of sensor data and a code which is characteristic of the sensor.

2. The sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power supply unit (4) has photovoltaic cells.

3. The sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power supply unit (4) has at least one coil for converting electromagnetic fields into electricity.

4. The sensor apparatus as claimed in one-of claim 1, wherein the power supply unit (4) has a buffer device.

5. The sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the buffer device comprises a capacitor.

6. The sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the buffer device comprises a storage battery.

7. The sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sensor apparatus (2, 4) includes a transmission unit (4) for charge state messages of the buffer device.

8. The sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a reception unit (4) for receiving control signals which are transmitted in a wire-free fashion.

9. A test stand, comprising at least one test cell with at least one sensor for acquiring data from an item under test and/or the environment, and at least one evaluation and/or memory unit for the data, wherein said at least one sensor apparatus (2, 4) is configured as claimed in claim 1.

10. The test stand as claimed in claim 9, including devices (5) for substantially continuously generating electromagnetic radiation for supplying the sensor apparatuses (2, 4) in at least one of the test cells.

11. The test stand as claimed in claim 9, including devices (5) for substantially continuously generating electromagnetic radiation for supplying the sensor apparatuses (2, 4) in at least one preparation area.

12. The test stand as claimed in claim 11, comprising lighting devices (5) for the photovoltaic cells of the power supply units (4) of the sensor apparatuses (2, 4).

13. The test stand as claimed in claim 11, including devices for generating electromagnetic fields.

14. The test stand as claimed in claim 13, wherein field strength or light intensity of the lighting devices (5) or devices for generating electromagnetic fields can be adjusted by means of a control circuit which operates in dependence on the charge state messages of the sensor apparatuses (2, 4).

15. The test stand as claimed in claim 9, including a transmission unit (6) for control signals for the sensor devices (2, 4), integrated in the evaluation and/or memory unit (3) or connected to it.

16. The test stand as claimed in claim 9, wherein an interrogation routine which monitors the sensor apparatuses (2, 4) and registers or signals an inadequate charge state and/or failure is implemented in the evaluation and memory unit (3).

17. The test stand as claimed in claim 9, wherein a routine which identifies the sensor apparatuses (2, 4) and assigns them to specific measurement channels is implemented in the evaluation and memory unit (3).

18. The test stand as claimed in claim 9, including a transmission unit for control signals for the sensor devices (2, 4) and an evaluation unit in the preparation area, with an interrogation routine which monitors the sensor apparatuses (2, 4) and registers or signals an inadequate charge state and/or failure being implemented.

19. The test stand as claimed in claim 18, wherein a routine which identifies the sensor apparatuses (2, 4) and assigns them to specific measurement channels of the evaluation and memory unit (3) of the test stand is implemented in the transmission unit or the evaluation unit in the preparation area.