Powertrains Texense Sensors
Conventional Powertrains – Texense Sensors
Motorsport powertrains are becoming increasingly sophisticated, especially with the shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. and its partners are at the forefront of this evolution, constantly innovating to provide advanced data acquisition solutions through core-brand Texense sensors since 1999. Their focus on reducing weight and packaging size is crucial for performance. Texys’ R&D department consistently develops smaller, lighter, and more efficient systems dedicated to powertrains.
Here are some of the cutting-edge Texense sensors for conventional powertrains:
Texense INF-CLT Infrared Clutch Temperature Sensor
- A primary sensor in top-tier motorsport for clutch temperature measurement.
- Available in multiple temperature ranges for high accuracy.
- Features amplification electronics mounted up to 700mm away from the sensing head for reliability in harsh environments.
- Operating temperature up to 180°C
- Range 500 to 1200°C
Texense IFbN Fibre Optic Sensor
- Uses a fast photodiode with a reaction time of < 1 ms.
- Customizable fibre optic cables are made in-house.
- Can measure temperatures in environments up to 200°C.
- EMI/RFI resistant, ideal for clutch temperature, turbocharger bearings, and KERS MGU, as well as EV powertrains.
- Range 200°C to 1200°C
Texense GSTR-2 Gear Shift Tension and Compression Sensor
- Facilitates ignition cuts for gear changes in motorsport applications like WRC, WRX, and MotoGP.
- Developed from extensive 20-year strain gauging experience.
- Digital and analogue output.
- ±500 to ±2000 N
Other advanced Texense sensors include fluid temperature sensors and thermocouple amplifiers for various powertrain applications. Partner company Sensorade offers unique miniature pressure sensors, designed for harsh environments with robust stainless-steel packaging, perfect for measurement within high-performance powertrains and gearboxes. Reliable and accurate measurement solutions are crucial for pushing performance boundaries.
EV Powertrains
The shift towards hybrid and EV powertrains is well underway, with Formula E leading the charge as the premier pure EV series. Manufacturers use this platform for control strategy development and component innovation. Key advancements include:
Texense WTS Wireless Torque Sensor
- Ideal for driveshafts and propshafts with a fast-sampling frequency of 200Hz.
- Utilizes award-winning wireless technology with data transmitted to the GenWM master receiver.
- Proven critical in Formula E, allowing drivers to adjust powertrain torque dynamically.
Texense Current Monitoring Sensor
- Measures currents from -1275 to +1275 amps using non-contact Hall effect technology.
- Easy to install in any EV electrical system.
- Provides a standard 0-5V analogue signal with a high sampling frequency of 22kHz.
Through its subsidiary Optel-Texys, Texys Group offers a brand-new torque meter, as well as sensors for torque and torsional vibration, including high-speed optical sensors for measuring acyclism, torsional vibrations, and tachymetry in motorsport, boasting a 600KHz bandwidth and TTL output. These advancements are vital for monitoring transmission vibrations and turbocharger vibrations which can cause fatigue, power loss, noise, and vibration.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powertrains
Texys Group is also advancing sensor technology for hydrogen fuel cell powertrains, focusing on precise monitoring and control of various parameters inside the hydrogen ecosystem, applicable not only for motorsport but also for a vast number of applications such as Aeronautics and light mobility:
Texense PTH-CAN Sensor
- Monitors and controls pressure, temperature, and humidity levels in hydrogen fuel cell systems.
- Suitable for applications like air intake pipes in hydrogen-powered engines.
- Flight-proven device used in-flight on the ‘Blériot’ hybrid hydrogen-electric powertrain
- Proven in dyno tests with our H2-K hydrogen fuel cell racing motorcycle POC.
Texense EC-CAN Electrical Conductivity Sensor
- Measures electrical conductivity accurately.
- Ideal for projects requiring high-precision measurements in confined spaces.
- Flight-proven device used in aviation on the ‘Blériot’ hybrid hydrogen-electric powertrain
- Proven in dyno tests with our H2-K hydrogen fuel cell racing motorcycle POC.
Through its subsidiary H2 Motronics, Texys Group has developed its very own hydrogen fuel cell powertrain solution for its H2-K hydrogen-powered racing motorcycle POC. Texys then became the supplier to a company developing a light aircraft POC called ‘Blériot’ which flew in February 2024. This cutting-edge hybrid propulsion system combines both hydrogen tanks and batteries to power the aircraft’s propeller-driven thrust system.
The constant shift towards EV technology and the evolution of the hydrogen fuel cell in motorsport is here to stay, with significant investments driving innovation. Texys Group’s advancements in sensor technology are paving the way for more efficient and powerful motorsport powertrain sensing solutions.