Schrader Electronics Limited

Schrader-bridgeport International, Inc.

The Gates Corporation

Alan Kenneth McCall

Idir Boudaoud

William David Stewart

Samuel Kane Strahan

Adrian M Page

David Lynn

Graeme Knox

Carl Wacker

Ralph Moffett

Dave Hanes

Nevin Robert Molyneaux

Trevor Anthony Jordan

An automotive urea solution monitoring device is deployed in conjunction with the urea tank of a selective catalytic reduction vehicle. An RF signal of a constant frequency may be generated across a resonant circuit, which may be comprised of an inductor and a PCB trace capacitor, or the like. Electromagnetic radiation is propagated into the automotive urea solution in the urea tank. The conductivity and dielectric properties of the liquid change the impedance of the discrete/trace capacitor and or the discrete/trace inductor. These changes are proportional to ammonia content, temperature, and/or level of the automotive urea solution in the urea tank and are preferably detected by a microcontroller, or the like, and then transmitted to a selective catalytic reduction vehicle engine management system, or the like.

Liquid level and composition sensing systems and methods using EMF wave propagation

A belt monitoring system employs a belt having at least one reinforcement member made from a conductive reinforcement material. A belt monitor is disposed in conjunction with the belt. The belt monitor comprises a field inductor excited by an applied signal. An electrical characteristic of at least a portion of the field inductor as influenced by changes in the electrical properties of the conductive reinforcement member is monitored in order to determine a physical condition of the conductive reinforcement member and thereby monitor a physical characteristic of the belt. This monitoring may be carried out by a sense inductor disposed adjacent or in conjunction with the field inductor.

Belt monitoring systems and methods

A flex fuel sensor is deployed in conjunction with the fuel transfer line (e.g. around a plastic fuel line) or at the bottom/side of a fuel tank. An RF signal of a constant frequency may be generated across a resonant circuit, which comprises of an inductor and a PCB trace capacitor, capacitor plates, semi cylindrical capacitor plates, or the like. Electromagnetic radiation is propagated into the passing fuel in the transfer pipe. The conductivity and dielectric properties of the fuel change the capacitance of the trace capacitor/capacitor plates. These changes are proportional to ethanol/alcohol content of the fuel and are preferably detected by a microcontroller, or the like, and then transmitted to a flex fuel vehicle Engine Management System.

Fuel composition sensing systems and methods using EMF wave propagation

A tire monitor for mounting to a vehicle as part of a remote tire monitoring system includes a tire condition sensor to produce a tire condition signal, a controller coupled to the tire condition sensor to control operation of the tire monitor, and a radio circuit coupled to the controller to transmit radio signals based at least in part on the tire condition signal. A shock sensor is coupled to the controller of the tire monitor to produce a motion signal indicating motion of the tire monitor.

Motion detection using a shock sensor in a remote tire pressure monitoring system

An apparatus for detecting motion of a wheel comprising tyre. The apparatus comprises a pressure sensor for measuring the tyre pressure and generating a signal corresponding to the measured tyre pressure, and means for detecting a component of said signal that corresponds to, or is generated by, vibrations of the tyre. Upon detection of the signal component, the apparatus determines that the wheel is in motion. The detecting means may arranged to detect an audio signal component or signal components having a frequency in the range 200 Hz to 300 Hz.

Method and apparatus for detecting wheel motion in a tire pressure monitoring system

A tire monitor for use in conjunction with a remote tire monitoring system of a vehicle includes in one embodiment a dual-axis accelerometer and a control circuit. The control circuit determines position information such as the right/left position of the tire monitor on the vehicle in response to an acceleration signal from the dual axis accelerometer. The tire monitor transmits tire data and the position information to a control unit of a remote tire monitor system. The control unit determines additional position information such as front/rear position of the transmitting tire monitor by detecting signal strength of the transmission. This allows the system to automatically re-learn the position of tire monitors on the vehicle, even after tire rotation.

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Antrim, United Kingdom

Alan Kenneth McCall