TDK-Epcos' latest product is a new type of negative temperature coefficient (NTC) sensor element designed to measure temperatures up to 650C.
The device is based on a high-temperature ceramic sensor element that is connected to a metalized alumina rod and then glass-encapsulated. The sensor element provides a high-precision measurement with a temperature tolerance of c. ± 1K at 200 ° C. This component obtains special robustness from a glass package. Optionally, it can be welded to an alumina rod. The module is 16mm long and the diameter of the glass package is 2mm.
The high temperature sensor meets AEC-Q200 requirements and is designed for particularly demanding automotive electronics applications such as exhaust gas recirculation systems. These are mainly used in diesel engines to reduce excess oxygen in the combustion gases, thereby minimizing the formation of nitrogen oxides at high combustion temperatures. In recirculation systems, NTC sensors measure exhaust temperature, which helps protect the engine from overheating, especially the cylinder heads and valve seats.
In electric vehicle applications, new sensors can monitor the temperature of fuel cells used in electric vehicle drive systems to generate electricity directly from hydrogen. Applications can also be found in household appliances, such as in self-cleaning ovens that operate on the principle of pyrolysis. These methods work by heating the interior of the oven to a temperature of about 500 ° C, which breaks down the long chain molecules of food residues and reduces most of them to gas and ash. The company says that the necessary temperature is regulated and stabilized by NTC sensors.
