Ultra-Compact Water-Cooled Miniature Cylinder Pressure Sensor Developed

Combining improved thermodynamic behavior with increased stability and minimal sensor-to-sensor deviation, Kistler's 6041C miniature cylinder pressure sensor delivers high precision measurement results By DA Editor / 10 Jan 2022

Kistler have announced the development of the  M8 miniature cylinder pressure sensor (6041C); a sensor that incorporates state-of-the-art PiezoStar crystals along with an improved design and manufacturing process, resulting in outstanding performance. The reliable, versatile, cylinder pressure sensor delivers unrivalled precision in its measurement results – making it an ideal solution for the engine development process, where overall accuracy is of the greatest priority. 

The 6041C combines improved thermodynamic behavior with increased stability and minimal sensor-to-sensor deviation. In terms of measurement-related attributes, the new sensor’s main features are:

  • Minimal thermal sensitivity change – stable over the entire operating range
  • Very small linearity deviation – accurate measurement data at all loads
  • Low thermal shock error – assured mean effective pressure (MEP) accuracy under all conditions
  • Long-term stability – due to the optimized cooling flow around the measuring element
  • Long service life – with no loss of thermodynamic accuracy

A robust sensor for diverse applications

Compared to uncooled sensors, water-cooled sensors can be flush-mounted, even when subjected to high thermal loads, meaning that they can provide measurement results with maximum accuracy. This is due to the latest PiezoStar crystal technology, an advanced measuring element and the aforementioned improvements to the production process. These advances also give the 6041C miniature cylinder pressure sensor higher natural frequency and excellent thermal stability within the application temperature range of 50±30°C, making the sensor well optimized for gas exchange analysis tasks.

The sensor can be either flush-mounted or recess-mounted in a sleeve or directly into an M8x0.75 bore. Like its predecessors, the 6041C cylinder pressure sensor does not require excessive space and can be mounted in bores starting from a diameter of 12 mm. The sensor is compatible for mounting with its predecessors 6041B and 6041A, and the uncooled variants 6045A, 6045B and 6044A. The 6041C is delivered with a mounted cable, and optionally with PiezoSmart sensor detection. 

Highest precision for engine developers

Roger Leutwyler, Product Manager for piezoelectric cylinder pressure sensors at Kistler, comments: “High sensitivity, high natural frequency, a low thermal shock error and outstanding zero-point stability: these advantages enable our new 6041C cylinder pressure sensor to deliver measurement results with the highest accuracy. As a miniature sensor with an M8 mounting thread, it is particularly suitable for compact multi-valve engines where space is limited – and obviously, its benefits also come into play whenever precision and long-term stability are critical factors.” 

Posted by DA Editor Connect & Contact

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