SenGenuity, the sensors division of Vectron International, has entered a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Transense Technologies, a developer of Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW), wireless, batteryless, sensor systems for the automotive industry.
Under terms of the agreement, the two companies will develop and manufacture wireless sensors for use in both pressure and torque sensing applications. This partnership furthers SenGenuity’s mission of leveraging the worldwide infrastructure of Vectron’s core frequency control products business towards the development of breakthrough SAW based sensing solutions.
Since its inception, Transense has compiled an impressive portfolio of SAW-based sensing technology specific to passive pressure and torque sensors that can be wirelessly interrogated for measurement purposes. Applications range from tire pressure sensing to advanced steering system and powertrain torque monitoring in automotive markets, as well as a broad array of industrial and medical pressure and temperature sensing applications.
“This partnership with Transense serves to broaden SenGenuity’s product platform in a way that is synergistic with the sensor technology that we have developed and introduced to the market to date,” says Tom Cunneen, vice president and general manager, SenGenuity. “We are looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Transense as we continue to provide highly differentiated advanced sensing solutions across a multitude of applications and markets.”
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Acoustic wave sensors function by generating an acoustic wave on a piezoelectric material when a bias is applied. As the acoustic wave propagates through or on the surface of the material, any changes to the characteristics of the propagation path affect the velocity, and/or amplitude of the wave.
Changes in velocity can be monitored by measuring the frequency or phase characteristics of the sensor and can then be correlated to the corresponding physical quantity being measured.
SenGenuity’s wireless sensors operate without the need for a power source, work within the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band, and are designed to provide instantaneous wireless pressure, torque and temperature measurements for embedded real-time, in-line environments requiring high resolution, exceptional stability and accuracy.
Coupled with Transense’s wireless interrogation technology, these sensors provide a continuous audit trail for process monitoring markets to control operating costs and maintain quality standards.
“Transense is delighted to have Vectron International as a new licensee, leveraging its considerable manufacturing and marketing expertise within our target markets,” says Graham Storey, commercial director, Transense Technologies. “A key component of our new business strategy is to seek additional routes to market for our technology in order to gain greater control over our revenue streams. We believe this new agreement offers near-term opportunities in high value markets.”
Wireless SAW pressure sensor applications
A key application of the wireless SAW pressure sensor is in tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS).
The United States government recently passed legislation that requires from September 2007 all new passenger vehicles and light trucks under 10,000 pounds of gross vehicle weight to be equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems.
The ability of vehicles, especially critical transport vehicles, to carry the specified load is a direct function of maintaining correct tire pressure. The correct pressure results in the avoidance of catastrophic failure and allows for increased fuel economy and tire life.
Further, there is a significant market opportunity in the commercial, agricultural and construction vehicle markets, where continuous monitoring of tire pressure offers opportunities for operating cost reductions and elimination of expensive manual maintenance programs. Industrial applications for wireless pressure sensors include HVAC industries, medical applications, semiconductor fabrication plants and process control requirements.
Wireless torque sensor applications
With a wireless torque sensor, there is a distinct path to satisfying industry drivers for improving powertrain and steering systems with a direct measurement of torque. These industry drivers include shift quality, fuel efficiency, weight reduction, emission standards and vehicle safety whereas industry drivers for improving Chassis Electronic Power Assist Systems (CEPAS) include increased stiffness and system complexity and cost reductions by decreasing the number of mechanical components to a single shaft.