Abstract: A pressure difference sensor includes a measuring membrane, which is arranged between two platforms and connected pressure-tightly with the platforms, in each case, via a first insulating layer for forming pressure chambers between the platforms and the measuring membrane. The insulating layer is especially silicon oxide, wherein the pressure difference sensor further includes an electrical transducer for registering a pressure dependent deflection of the measuring membrane. The platforms have support positions, against which the measuring membrane lies at least partially in the case of overload, wherein the support positions have position dependent heights, characterized in that the support positions are formed in the first insulating layer by isotropic etching, and the particular height h of a support position, in each case, is a function of a distance from a base of the support position in the reference plane.

Abstract: A method for the compensating temperature gradient influences on a pressure measuring transducer, comprising the steps of: registering a pressure signal Sp(t); registering a temperature signal T(t); ascertaining a pressure measured value ps(Sp(t), T(t)); determining the time derivative of the temperature signal dT/dt; correcting the pressure measured value with a correction function, which depends on the time derivative, wherein, as a function of the sign of the time derivative, another correction function is selected, or other coefficients in a function of equal type are selected.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for transmitting electrical pulses from a signal line into and out of a vessel to measure a process variable. The sensor apparatus includes a mounting section configured to be coupled to the vessel, a conductive probe element, a dielectric insert located within the mounting section, a conductive pin coupled to the top end of the probe element, and an electrical connector coupled to the conductive pin. The conductive probe element has a predetermined diameter and is formed to include a section having a reduced diameter adjacent a top end of the probe element and a tapered section providing transition from the probe element to the reduced diameter section. The dielectric insert includes an inwardly tapered section to prevent movement of the probe element in a direction toward the mounting section and an outwardly tapered section.