A pressure sensor system for determining fluid level in a tank, includes a pressure sensor constructed to exhibit a force value corresponding to a sensed force, and a computer operatively coupled to the pressure sensor. A tank containing fluid is also includes and there is a communication link between the pressure sensor and the tank, thereby allowing determination of the level of fluid in the tank by calibration and interpretation of the force value exhibited by the pressure sensor.

A feeding bottle includes a bottle enclosure defining a hollow bottle chamber, wherein the enclosure defines a feeding outlet at a first end and an attachment structure 26 at a second end. A bottom housing defines an instrument compartment extending between a closed exterior portion of the bottom housing and a separation surface within the bottom housing, wherein the bottom housing is configured for detachable connection to the attachment structure 26 of the bottle enclosure. A relief valve is positioned within the separation surface of the bottom housing. A pressure sensor is positioned adjacent the separation surface of the bottom housing and connected by a passageway to the instrument compartment in the bottom housing, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to detect changes of pressure in the bottle enclosure.

A feeding bottle includes a bottle enclosure defining a hollow bottle chamber, wherein the enclosure defines a feeding outlet at a first end and an attachment structure 26 at a second end. A bottom housing defines an instrument compartment extending between a closed exterior portion of the bottom housing and a separation surface within the bottom housing, wherein the bottom housing is configured for detachable connection to the attachment structure 26 of the bottle enclosure. A relief valve is positioned within the separation surface of the bottom housing. A pressure sensor is positioned adjacent the separation surface of the bottom housing and connected by a passageway to the instrument compartment in the bottom housing, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to detect changes of pressure in the bottle enclosure.

When a diesel engine is determined to be in a motoring state, a hysteresis zero angle H.sub.0 is determined (step S14). Subsequently, a gradient d.sub.n is calculated (step S16). The gradient d.sub.n is calculated based on data (θ.sub.n, Δh.sub.n) of a deviation Δh.sub.n at a retardation side from the hysteresis zero angle H.sub.0 and at an advance side from a predetermined crank angle. Subsequently, the gradient d.sub.n and the hysteresis zero angle H.sub.0 are updated (step S18). When the diesel engine is determined to be in a non-motoring state, data (θ.sub.n, P.sub.n) of an actual in-cylinder pressure is corrected based on a newest correction coefficient η and hysteresis zero angle H.sub.0 (step S22).

A system is disclosed for calibrating the compressive forces exerted on a component during a component retrieval process from a carrier or support surface by a component handling device. The system includes a sensor, a component pickup assembly having a reference structure, a housing and a spring guide holder coupled to a suction tip. A resilient member may reside within the housing and the reference structure such that the spring guide holder and the housing are spaced from each other to define a variable first gap thereinbetween. A gate is formed by the reference structure and a sheath located on the housing whereby the reference structure is spaced from the housing to define a variable second gap thereinbetween. A detection structure is located within the variable second gap such that the sensor is able to detect portions of the detection structure. The detected portion of the detection structure or element at the second gap size is correlated to the height of the variable first gap and the height of the variable first gap is correlated to a reference predetermined threshold compressive force exerted on the component by the resilient member.

A sensor device includes an electrically conductive base substrate defining a first electrode kept at a reference potential, a membrane defining a second electrode that changes a position thereof in response to a change of surrounding pressure and faces the base substrate, a casing that is kept at the reference potential and is outside the membrane, a capacitance detection circuit to amplify a signal from the membrane and detect an electrostatic capacitance between electrodes at a predetermined sampling cycle, and a signal processing circuit to measure a difference ΔC of electrostatic capacitance values before and after a sampling, compare the difference AC with a predetermined threshold value Cta, and when ΔC≥Cta, determine that a foreign object is attached to the casing. Thus, the attachment of a foreign object can be reliably detected.

According to one embodiment, a calibration method includes placing a pressure sensor on a base material having magnetic properties, placing a magnet on the pressure sensor, attracting the magnet to the base material while interposing the pressure sensor therebetween and applying a predetermined pressing force onto the pressure sensor, detecting a sensor output of a pressure-sensitive portion pressed by the magnet, estimating the deterioration of the pressure sensor by comparing the sensor output with a specified value corresponding to characteristics of the magnet, generating correction data to calibrate the degradation and inputting the generated correction data to the pressure sensor.

A navigation device includes a pressure sensor, a radio, a memory including program instructions, and a controller operably connected to the pressure sensor, the radio, and the memory and configured to execute the program instructions to (i) receive at least one signal from a reference beacon of a plurality of beacons, (ii) determine a reference relationship curve correction based upon the received at least one signal, and (iii) determine an altitude of the navigation device based upon the reference relationship curve correction, and a signal from the pressure sensor.

A control device for an internal combustion engine is provided that can detect the adherence of deposits to a cylinder pressure sensor without subjecting the internal combustion engine to an impact or the like. A control device for an internal combustion engine equipped with a cylinder pressure sensor detects changes in the sensitivity of the cylinder pressure sensor. If the control device detects a decrease in the sensitivity of the cylinder pressure sensor after detecting an increase in the sensitivity of the cylinder pressure sensor, the control device determines that deposits are adhered to the cylinder pressure sensor.

A controller configured for detecting a disturbance using a comparison of outputs of at least two sensors and for determining a pressure from the outputs of the at least two sensors. A ratio of the measurement sensitivity and the disturbance sensitivity should be different for the at least two sensors. A method for monitoring disturbances of a sensor assembly includes comparing the outputs of the at least two sensors. The controller and related method provide, while requiring only two sensors, a redundant system that is also able to detect excessive disturbances on a sensor assembly.