METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING A SENSOR INSIDE A WHEEL CAVITY

摘要

An apparatus and method for mounting a sensor having an antenna inside a wheel cavity is disclosed. The apparatus includes a body having a holder for holding the sensor. The apparatus also includes a passive antenna circuit electrically isolated from the antenna of the sensor. The passive antenna circuit includes a receiving antenna adjacent a first end of the holder, for receiving radio frequency energy radiated by the antenna of the sensor. The passive antenna circuit also includes a conductor electrically connected to the receiving antenna and extending inside the holder. The passive antenna circuit further includes a mount on a second end of the holder, opposite the first end, the mount being electrically connected to the conductor and operably configured to mechanically connect the conductor to an interior extending portion of an electrically conductive valve stem of the wheel and to electrically connect the conductor to the interior extending portion such that an exterior extending portion of the valve stem radiates at least some radio frequency energy coupled into the receiving antenna from the antenna of the sensor.