GE Introduces New Pressure Sensor in Response to
2002 TREAD Act; NPX Sensor to Warn Drivers of Dangerously Low Tire
Pressures
FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 2, 2003--GE NovaSensor, a
unit of GE Industrial Systems, and a leading provider of silicon
pressure sensors and microstructures, announced today that it has
developed a low-cost tire pressure sensor that uses non-proprietary,
field proven technology that meets the requirements of the U.S.
Congressional TREAD (Tire Recall Enhanced Accountability and
Documentation) Act.
GE is very excited to be introducing such an important new
safety-enhancing product into the automotive industry , said Kermit B.
Hoffman, president of GE Thermometrics and GE NovaSensor. The GE NPX
sensor is the next generation of tire pressure sensing technology.
After several years of fatal rollover accidents that were traced
to improper tire inflation, the U.S. Congress passed the TREAD Act to
protect the general public. One of the TREAD Act's provisions mandates
vehicle manufacturers develop technology for warning drivers of
dangerously low tire pressures. The Act requires automotive suppliers
to start offering remote tire pressure monitoring (RTPM) systems in
late 2003 with a four-year phase-in period, after which all
automobiles sold in the United States must incorporate such systems.
The GE NPX sensor is part of a next generation direct measurement
system that places a pressure sensor module in each of the car tires.
A radio frequency links the car tire sensors to a dashboard display.
This method of tire pressure measurement has been shown to be more
accurate than competing techniques. By combining a sensor and the
compensating electronics in a single package, the NPX is more compact,
with fewer redundant components than other sensors. In addition, an
internal program that can turn off the sensor to conserve power and
extend battery life controls the pressure sensor.
The GE NPX meets or exceeds the U.S. Congressional TREAD Act
specification for accuracy. The NPX is delivered as a fully calibrated
and programmed pressure transducer where the automotive supplier adds
their program, a battery and a transmitter chip. GE will incorporate
customer-specific software on board to provide programming that
controls the inputs, manages the operation, and specifies the data
output format. The vehicle manufacturer mounts the component in the
car tire and installs the base receiver unit. Sample units are
currently available with Product Validation (PV) units available in Q1
2004.
The GE NPX uses the same field-proven pressure-sensing element
that can be found in GE NovaSensor's NPP-301 sensor. The NPP-301
represents the first generation of RTPM sensors, which provided a
low-level millivolt output. The sensor's lightweight and small size
are ideal characteristics for a reliable device that will be rotating
with a car tire at the equivalent of 2000 g's. The NPP-301 uses a
QS-9000 quality system and over 10 million devices have been shipped
to date.
GE NovaSensor is an operating unit within GE's Measurement
business.
About GE Industrial Systems
GE Industrial Systems spans the globe as an industry leader in
integrated industrial equipment, systems and services. The business
brings to customers the latest technological products used to
distribute, protect and control electrical power and equipment, and
provides innovative product and service solutions for commercial,
industrial, residential and utility applications. For more information
visit the website at
http://www.geindustrial.com/presscenter/pressroom.htm.
About GE Measurement
GE Measurement, an operating unit within GE Industrial Systems, is
an industry leader in the design and manufacture of precision
temperature, humidity and pressure sensors, field calibrators and
measurement instrumentation. With operations around the world, GE
Measurement develops technologies and solutions using thermal
validation, dew point measurement, gas flow measurement, control
circuit protection, liquid level detection, and microstructure design
for products and services in applications such as environmental,
marine, meteorology, aerospace, defense, medical, pharmaceutical,
biotechnology, automotive, industrial, commercial, petrochemical,
power generation and transportation.
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CONTACT: GE Measurement
Gary Pacilio, +1. 732.287.2870
Email: [email protected]