Making sense of engines

Heavy-duty equipment is known for its ruggedness in harsh environments, but vehicles are not neglecting their sensitive side.

Sensors are seeing solid growth as they give digital controls information about their environment. The shift to electronically controlled engines typifies the significant improvements for vehicle makers.

“OEMs have a whole palette of things they didn't have before,” said Matthew Schneider, Cummins' Chief Sensor Technology and Architecture Engineer. In engines and elsewhere, many enhancements require pressure or temperature sensors, as well as speed sensors for tasks such as cam and crank monitoring. They provide the data needed so electronic control units can improve precision.