Jaguar Cars Limited are using the latest PMP 317 series of Druck automotive pressure transducers for monitoring performance critical pressure measurements on their pre-production test cars. The sensors provide pressure data during a series of intensive climatic and durability tests to analyse performance under extremes of temperature and high speed operation.

A recent example is the XKR super charged test car which is fitted with PMP 317 transducers throughout, for example on the power steering, air conditioning, fuel, brake, exhaust, cooling, crank and engine/transmission systems. Ranges of pressures measured vary from -0.7 bar up to 100 bar ambient, with pressure spikes up to 250 bar.

The compact and rugged design of the advanced micromachined silicon transducer enables it to provide accurate and reliable pressure measurements whilst operating in the extreme temperature, shock and vibration environment of automotive test applications.

For example, Jaguar test cars complete intensive tests in the Nevada desert with ambient temperature up to 125ºC and in Northern Canada to -40ºC. They are also subjected to high speed testing in Europe at full throttle for several weeks at an equivalent mileage rate of up to 1/3 million miles per annum.

Pressure data is of crucial importance when assessing the performance of all car systems before, during and after these tests. Once Jaguar are satisfied, the individual car system designs are approved and pressure data is then archived for use on future projects. The accumulation of this invaluable data has enabled Jaguar to reduce overall car development times. An example is the recent launch of their X-type car, which was rolled out from initial concept to showroom display in less than 3 years.

Jaguar Instrumentation Project Engineer, Chris Golds said, "We have used Druck transducers for many years but the latest PMP 317 provides the optimum performance in extremes of operating conditions, such as temperature. It is fully compatible with our data logging system and Druck are able to respond effectively to the specification changes which inevitably occur during the life of a project. We can confidently install the transducers and use them in areas which could be considered too hostile for many other similar products on the market."

At the heart of the PMP 317 series, a micromachined silicon sensing element is mounted within a high integrity pressure module constructed from Stainless Steel 316L and Hastelloy C276. 

This provides high measurement accuracy with hostile media compatibility and high overpressure ratings. The temperature compensated signal is a customer specific high level output voltage ideal for interfacing with data acquisition hardware and a choice of pressure/electrical connections are available. In addition, the PMP 317 can be powered directly from the vehicle battery, even during the cold start cycle.

Gauge or absolute ranges are available up to 700 bar, with temperature range up to 125ºC. A mechanical shock of up to 1000g in each of 3 mutually perpendicular axis will not affect performance and vibration response is less than 0.05% F.S./g at 30g peak from 10Hz to 2kHz.