Druck Pressure Sensor Applications

Automotive Applications

Engine and Powertrain Test

All research and development plants for commercial vehicle engine and transmission systems will include a number of ‘test beds’ to enable multiple measurements during test. The pressure transducers are usually mounted away from the engine within a ‘boom box’. The front panel of the box provides interfaces to both electrical measurement equipment (data acquisition electronics) and connection, via pipework, to required point of measurement on the engine/gearbox.

Various Druck transducers and transmitters are used extensively for these applications, whilst our instruments can be installed as an integral part of the overall data acquisition system or simply used to verify the accuracy of the pressure sensors. Some typical applications are detailed below:

Engine Coolant and Lubricant Pressure

The PDCR 4000, PMP 4000 Series and PTX 5/600 Series are used to measure engine coolant pressure along with engine oil and gearbox oil pressures. See also the new DPS 4000 Series CANbus Digital Output Pressure Transducers

Air Intake and Exhaust Pressure

Depending on the type of data acquisition system used, either the PTX 5/600 Series, PDCR 4000, or PMP 4000 sensor can be applied to these applications. Both sensors offer excellent static accuracy and the modular design provides easy form of mechanical interface.

Air Flow Analysis

The LPM/LPX 8000 very low pressure sensing capability is ideal for the most accurate pressure measurement of airflow in and around the engine/exhaust system. A typical application would be to measure differential pressures along areas of the exhaust assembly.

The LPX 5000 can be used to monitor the test cell pressure when held below local atmospheric pressure.

On-Vehicle Test

Pressure transducers for on-vehicle test applications have been designed primarily around the need for small size and wide temperature range operation.

The PMP 317 has been designed around these application specific requirements.

Engine Oil, Fuel and Water Pressures

The small size allows direct mounting of the pressure sensor under the hood of the vehicle. An important feature of the PMP 317 is the flexibility of mechanical interface for many different on-vehicle pressure measurements.

Brake Pressure

The high overload and high temperature capabilities of the PMP 317 and PDCR/PMP 318 are features that make these sensors ideal for brake test application.

Differential Pressure Measurement

Amplified differential pressure transducers are used to measure air or liquid flow rates such as air conditioning system performance.

System Manufacture

Pressure sensors are used for many vehicle manufacturing processes. Such applications are filling processes. For brake and coolant system filling equipment our sensors are used to measure the vacuum generated prior to fluid release into a sealed system.

Motorsport

The PDCR 318 series of pressure transducers has been designed around the specific and demanding requirements of the motorsport industry.

Druck pressure transducers are used for on-vehicle pressure measurement on Formula 1, Rally Sport, Indy car (CART) and truck racing applications.

Formula 1 Racing

Up to the present, Formula 1 racing teams have generally used pressure transducers for most purposes within the racing field. One racing team has decided they would like a custom-built transducer to give them the correct sizing, the correct weight and interference suppression. A total accuracy requirement would be 2%, with an output which is ratiometric working from a 5V supply, giving a 0 to 5V output. The diaphragm would be typically 1 inch and it should be ¾ to 1 inch long.

One of the problems on this type of application is the interference levels and output filtering is required.