Engine Combustion Analysis – Engine Pressure Measurement for Research and Development - KISTLER - #4

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4 www.kistler.com From Crystal to Sensor… At the core of a piezoelectric sensor is a crystal measuring element. Application of a mechanical force to this crystal generates, on its surfaces, a proportional electric charge that can be used as a measurement signal. Piezoelectric sensors are particularly suitable for precise measurement of highspeed phenomena over wide measuring ranges and at high temperatures. For each application Kistler offers optimized sensor packages manufactured from different crystal materials Sensitivity [pC/N] Polystable® quartz (1970) X-cut quartz PiezoStar® KI100 (2002) PiezoStar® KI85 (1990) GaPO4* 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Temperature [°C] 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 *Not a Kistler crystal PiezoStar® crystals are individually grown for combustion analysis Kistler predominantly uses quartz (silicondioxide (SiO2)) as its crystal material. However, for sensors to be used under extreme operating conditions, combustion analysis for example, Kistler grows it's own crystals and has done for approximately 10 years. Known as PiezoStar crystal, Kistler then produces customized measuring elements with bespoke characteristics. The manufacture of piezoelectric sensors has much in common with precision watchmaking. Sensor fabrication requires meticulous accurate assembly of individual parts, typically just a few millimeters in size, with up to 200 separate steps needed. These delicate manual operations culminate in precision Kistler measuring equipment that has been subjected to 100 % quality control at various stages. After all, these sensors have to yield reliable, accurate measurements over a long service life.