Innovative Sensors Reduce Emissions and Optimize Engine Performance
BERU, a BorgWarner Business, Supplies Customized Temperature, Movement and Smart Sensor Solutions
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 18 -- BERU, a BorgWarner business, is developing innovative sensor solutions for powertrains and exhaust systems, including temperature, motion and smart sensors with intelligent electronics. Designed to exacting tolerances, these ultra-precise sensors provide customized measurements to reduce emissions and optimize engine performance. BERU expects the global market for these types of advanced sensors to grow significantly over the next five years.
"Today's cars and commercial vehicles rely on up to 30 sensors performing a wide variety of functions in the powertrain and exhaust system alone," said Dr. Thomas Waldhier, BERU Chairman and CEO. "Sensors are taking an increasingly important role in optimizing engine performance and reducing emissions. With years of experience in sensor technology and expertise in metal processing and plastics engineering, BERU is positioned to offer innovative solutions for this growing technology market."
For the 1.3-liter diesel Fiat 500 and Grande Punto, BorgWarner's variable turbine geometry (VTG) turbocharger features a motion sensor from BERU. The sensor measures the position of the pneumatic actuators responsible for adjusting the turbine blades to optimize boost pressure. Because the sensors are calibrated to the turbocharger instead of the vehicle, automakers avoid expensive incremental calibration of the engine control unit.
BERU's high temperature sensors (HTS) are used with turbochargers, diesel particle filters and a number of catalytic emissions filter systems. HTS sensors detect the loading rate of particle filters, constantly providing data to the engine control unit (ECU) to calculate when to start the regeneration process. During this process, temperatures can increase to over 1700 degrees F (926 degrees C). When the HTS sensor detects these high temperatures, the ECU ends the regeneration process to reduce temperatures and protect turbocharger blades from damage. With a platinum sensor element, the HTS sensor achieves a measurement range of 104 degrees F - 1742 degrees F (40 degrees C - 950 degrees C). The closed sensor also offers short response time, plug-and-play capability, flexible dimensions and high resistance to exhaust gas.
In California, consumers receive tax incentives for buying vehicles with catalytic-coated radiators and using this ozone reduction technology for the lifetime of the vehicle. To help automakers meet the requirement to ensure that these devices continue to work throughout the vehicle's lifetime, BERU has developed smart sensors, called radiator identification sensors (RIS), to alert the driver if a non-catalytic coated radiator is installed in the vehicle. Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are using the RIS sensor in series production.
BERU is a worldwide leading supplier of diesel cold start technology and manufacturer of ignition technology for gasoline vehicles. Its electronics and sensor technology provide more comfort and safety for applications in various engine and vehicle functions with products such as direct-measuring tire pressure monitoring systems and sensors for applications in engines, powertrain and exhaust systems.
Auburn Hills, Michigan-based BorgWarner Inc. is a product leader in highly engineered components and systems for vehicle powertrain applications worldwide. The FORTUNE 500 company operates manufacturing and technical facilities in 60 locations in 18 countries. Customers include VW/Audi, Ford, Toyota, Renault/Nissan, General Motors, Hyundai/Kia, Daimler, Chrysler, Fiat, BMW, Honda, John Deere, PSA, and MAN. The Internet address for BorgWarner is: http://www.borgwarner.com/.
Statements contained in this news release may contain forward-looking statements as contemplated by the 1995 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act that are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. Words such as "outlook", "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed, projected or implied in or by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include: fluctuations in domestic or foreign vehicle production, the continued use of outside suppliers, fluctuations in demand for vehicles containing our products, changes in general economic conditions, and other risks detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Risk Factors, identified in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
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