Sensors and sensor interface systems

Abstract

An apparatus, comprising a housing; a first connector coupled to the housing and having a first plurality of contacts; a second connector coupled to the housing and having a second plurality of contacts; and a circuit electrically connected to at least one of the first contacts and at least one of the second contacts. The circuit is encapsulated within the housing. The circuit is configured to generate an output signal in response to a resistance sensed at the at least one of the first contacts.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A sensor, comprising:
 a first housing;   a sensor element disposed in the first housing;   a second housing;   a conductor coupled to the first housing and the second housing;   a connector coupled to the second housing, the connector including a contact;   a buffer electrically connected to the sensor element through the conductor;   wherein:
 the second housing encapsulates the buffer; and 
 the buffer is electrically connected to the contact of the connector. 
   
     
     
         8 . The sensor of  claim 7 , wherein at least part of the connector is part of the second housing. 
     
     
         9 . The sensor of  claim 7 , wherein the conductor is coupled to the second housing by a strain relief. 
     
     
         10 . The sensor of  claim 7 , wherein the buffer is configured to generate an output signal in response to a resistance of the sensor element. 
     
     
         11 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The sensor of  claim 7 , wherein the sensor element is a resistive sensor element. 
     
     
         16 . The sensor of  claim 7 , wherein the buffer is a circuit that includes an input conditioning. 
     
     
         17 . The sensor of  claim 16 , wherein the circuit includes an amplifier. 
     
     
         18 . The sensor of  claim 17 , wherein the circuit includes a filter. 
     
     
         19 . The sensor of  claim 7 , wherein the sensor element is a particulate matter sensor element. 
     
     
         20 . A sensor, comprising:
 a first housing;   a resistive sensor element disposed in the first housing;   a second housing;   a circuit encapsulated in the second housing;   a conductor coupled to the first housing and the second housing, wherein the conductor electrically connects the circuit to the resistive sensor element; and   a connector coupled to the second housing, wherein the connector includes a contact that is electrically connected to the circuit   
     
     
         21 . The sensor of  claim 20 , wherein at least part of the connector is part of the second housing. 
     
     
         22 . The sensor of  claim 20 , wherein the conductor is coupled to the first housing by a strain relief. 
     
     
         23 . The sensor of  claim 20 , wherein the conductor is coupled to the second housing by a strain relief. 
     
     
         24 . The sensor of  claim 20 , wherein the buffer is configured to generate an output signal in response to a resistance of the sensor element.