Chapter seven

SENSORS AND ACTUATORS

 A sensor is a device that receives and responds to a signal.
 This signal must be produced by some type of energy, such as heat,
light, motion, or chemical reaction.
 Typically sensors convert a recognized signal into an electrical–
analog or digital –output that is readable.
 Once a sensor detects one or more of these signals(an input), it
converts it into an analog or digital representation of the input
signal.
 ACTUATORS
 An actuator is something that actuates or moves something.
More specifically, an actuator is a device that coverts energy
into motion or mechanical energy.
 Therefore, an actuator is a specific type of a transducer. Or, a
hardware devices that convert a controller command signal into
a change in a physical parameter. (the change is usually
mechanical (e.g., position or velocity).
 An actuator is usually activated by a low-level command signal,
 so an amplifier may be required to provide sufficient power to
drive the actuator
Needs of sensors
Sensors are omnipresent. They
embedded in:
 Our bodies,
 automobiles,
 airplanes,
 cellular telephones,
 radios,
 chemical plants,
 industrial plants and
 countless other applications.
 1. Oxygen Sensor
2. Crank Angle Position Sensor
3. Fuel Metering Sensor
4. Vehicle Speed Sensor
Types of Sensors
5. Detonation Sensor
6. Altitude Sensor
a. Pressure Sensor
b. Temperature Sensor
7. Mass Air-Flow Sensor
8. Throttle Position Sensor
 1. Oxygen Sensor:
 They use an oxygen sensor, also called a lambda sensor which is
installed in the exhaust pipe.
 It detects left-over oxygen in the exhaust gas and sends the data to the
control unit.
 If the exhaust gas is low in oxygen, the air fuel mixture is too rich. The
fuel is using up most of the oxygen in the air fuel mixture.
 If the exhaust gas is too high in oxygen, the air-fuel mixture is too
lean.
 Depending on the amount of oxygen in exhaust gas, the ECU adjusts
the amount of fuel injected by the injectors accordingly
There are different types of oxygen sensors,
but two of the more common types are:
A. The narrow range oxygen sensor, the
oldest type, simply called the oxygen
sensor and
B. Wide range oxygen sensor, the newest
style, called the air/fuel ratio sensor.
Some vehicles require two oxygen
sensors, one before and another after
the catalytic converter.
The sensor before the catalytic
converter is used by the ECU to
adjust the air/fuel ratio.
Another sensor after the catalytic
converter is used by the ECU
primarily to determine catalytic
converter efficiency.
2. Crank Angle Position
Sensor:
 Crank angle sensing uses information
on the speed and position of the
crankshaft to control ignition timing
and injection sequencing.
 The position sensor may be mounted
externally on the crankcase wall or
inside the housing of the ignition
distributor.
 The ECU needs to know how fast the engine’s spinning and
where the crankshaft is in its rotation.
 This let the ECU fire the spark and injectors at the right time.
 The optical crankshaft position sensor uses a light shining
through slots cut in a circular plate.
3. Fuel Metering Sensor:
 The air/fuel ratio sensor is also referred to as a wide range or wide
ratio sensor because of its ability to detect air/fuel ratio over a wide
range.
 The advantage of using the air/fuel sensor is that the ECU can more
accurately meter the fuel reduction of emissions.
Operation:
A detection circuit in the ECU detects the change and strength of current flow and
puts out a voltage signal relatively proportional to exhaust oxygen content.
 A rich mixture, which leaves very little oxygen in the exhaust stream, produces
a negative current flow.
 A lean mixture, which has more oxygen in the exhaust stream, produces a
positive current flow.
 At the stoichiometric point, no current is generated.
4. Vehicle Speed Sensor:
 The vehicle speed sensor (VSS) measures transmission/transaxle output
or wheel speed.
 The ECM uses this information to modify engine functions such as
ignition timing, air/fuel ratio, transmission shift points, and to initiate
diagnostic routines.
 The purpose of the vehicle speed sensor is to inform the ECU how fast
the car is going down the road.
 The sensor can be mounted on the gearbox or into the speedometer.
 It is driven by a gear on the gearbox output shaft.
5. Detonation Sensor:
 The knock sensor identifies the high-frequency engine vibrations
characteristic of knocking and transmits a signal to the ECU.
 Piezoelectric elements generate a voltage when pressure or a vibration is
applied to them.
 The knock sensor detects engine knock and sends a voltage signal to the
ECU and ECU uses the knock sensor signal to control timing.
 The knock sensor, located in the engine block, cylinder head or intake
manifold is tuned to detect that frequency.
6. Altitude Sensor:
a. Pressure Sensor:
Changes in engine speed and load cause changes in intake manifold pressure.
The sensor measures these pressure changes and converts them into an
electrical signal.
It is called a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor (sometimes referred to
as vacuum sensor).
The MAP sensor uses a prefect vacuum as a
reference pressure.
The difference in pressure between the vacuum
pressure and intake manifold pressure changes the
voltage signal.
The MAP sensor converts the intake manifold
pressure into a voltage signal. The MAP sensor
voltage signal is highest when intake manifold
pressure is highest.
The MAP sensor voltage signal is lowest when intake
manifold pressure is lowest on deceleration with
throttle closed.
b. Temperature Sensor:
Temperature sensors measure engine coolant temperature (ECT), intake air
temperature (IAT) and exhaust recirculation gases (EGR).
It is critical for proper operation of these systems that the engine reach
operating temperature and the temperature is accurately signaled to the
ECU.
Intake air temperature (IAT) sensor:
The sensor can be located on the air cleaner or on an intake manifold. Just
like the coolant temperature sensor, the intake air temperature sensor is a
variable resistor. This particular sensor has a resistance of 355 ohms at 20
degree and just 475 ohms at 70 degree.
IAT is used for detecting ambient temperature
on a cold start and intake air temperature as
the engine heats up the incoming air.
One strategy the ECU uses to determine a
cold engine start is by comparing the engine
coolant temperature (ECT) and IAT signals.
If both are within 8 degree of each other the
ECU assume it is cold start.
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