Abstract: An air conditioner which reduces an amount of an eddy generated in an outlet or prevents generation of the eddy, to increase a flow rate of discharged air and reduce the generation of noise. The air conditioner includes an indoor air inlet and an indoor air outlet formed in a main body, an air blast fan to inhale indoor air through the indoor air inlet and to discharge the indoor air through the indoor air outlet, and at least one partition to reduce an amount of an eddy generated in the indoor air outlet or to prevent generation of the eddy. The at least one partition is installed on a separation plate that separates from each other a suction channel to inhale the indoor air and a discharge channel to discharge the indoor air.

Abstract: A refrigerator door is provided. The refrigerator door has an outer case forming a shape of the refrigerator door, an inner case provided within the outer case to configure a backside of the refrigerator door wherein a space between the inner case and the outer case is charged with a foaming liquid, an ice making unit provided to one side of the inner case to make ice, a fixing unit provided to the space charged with the foaming liquid between the inner case and the outer case and fixing the ice making unit to the refrigerator door, and a dispenser provided to one side of the outer case to discharge the ice supplied by the ice making unit.

Abstract: An air cargo container temperature control system and method utilizing multiple refrigeration circuits and a controller that activates one or more of the refrigeration circuits in various modes to maintain temperature control. Each of the refrigeration circuits comprises a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator all in fluid communication to form each refrigeration circuit. Additionally, heating elements are positioned in an evaporator cell for heating load space air and/or defrosting evaporator coils. The system is also provided with a battery pack having a transformer and battery chargers for charging corresponding battery cells by transforming power from an external source. The method compares a measured temperature to a set point temperature and activates one or more refrigeration circuits depending on the temperature difference.

Abstract: A refrigerator, which stores water supplied from a water supply source, having: a water tank body with an inlet disposed at a bottom of the water tank body and connected with the water supply source, and an outlet, disposed at a top of the water tank body, communicating with a water dispenser of the refrigerator, and communicating with the inlet through a flow channel; and a bypass pipe having a bypass flow channel communicating with a top end of the water tank body and the outlet. A flow channel of the water tank body and the bypass flow channel are branched from each other at 90 degrees or less.

Abstract: In a cooling device for cooling an object to be cooled without using a forced cold air circulating system, which circulates cold air forcibly, a cooling device at a practical level is provided, and a cooling device capable of achieving a sufficient cooling effect is provided. A cooler 18 is provided in an interior that is insulated adiabatically from an exterior, a cooling fan 20 is disposed on a front surface of the cooler 18, a cooling chamber 22 in which an object to be cooled is placed is defined by a space in front of the cooling fan 20, a cooled air behind the cooling fan 20 is drawn with the fan and allowed to flow into the cooling chamber 22, and a/D=½ to ¼ is satisfied, where a indicates a dimension of a gap between the cooler 18 and the cooling fan 20 along a front-back direction and D indicates a diameter of the cooling fan 20.

Abstract: A garbage container having improved anti-odor and/or antibacterial properties, where the container includes refrigeration means for cooling garbage placed within the container. Also provided are kits including such a container and instructions for its use. Also provided are methods for reducing or preventing garbage smell by inserting garbage into such a garbage container.

Abstract: A container includes a primary compartment and a secondary compartment generally evenly opposed to and oppositely facing from the primary compartment. A lid is provided for each of the primary compartment and the secondary compartment. In use, the primary compartment is suited for storing food items and the like, and the secondary compartment is suited for storing a coolant such as an ice pack or the like.

Abstract: A thermodynamic system that can approximate the Ericsson or Brayton cycles and operated in reverse or forward modes to implement a cooler or engine, respectively. The thermodynamic system includes a device for compressing a first fluid stream containing a first gas-liquid mixture having a sufficient liquid content so that compression of the gas within the first gas-liquid mixture by the compressing device is nearly isothermal, and a device for expanding a second fluid stream containing a second gas-liquid mixture having a sufficient liquid content so that expansion of the gas within the second gas-liquid mixture by the expanding device is nearly isothermal. A heat sink is in thermal communication with at least the liquid of the first gas-liquid mixture for transferring heat therefrom, and a heat source is in thermal communication with at least the liquid of the second gas-liquid mixture for transferring heat thereto.

Abstract: An object is to provide a refrigerant compressor which solves a disadvantage that an oil flows into a refrigerant circuit in the outside of the refrigerant compressor during introduction of the oil and which minimizes an amount of the oil to be introduced and which can secure a sufficient amount of the oil, and a refrigerant cycle device including the refrigerant compressor. A rotary compressor (refrigerant compressor) comprises, in a sealed container, an electromotive element as a driving element, and a rotary compression mechanism part driven by this electromotive element and constituted of first and second rotary compression elements, and discharges a refrigerant compressed by the rotary compression mechanism part from the sealed container, the compressor further comprising an oil reservoir constituted in a bottom part of the sealed container; and a servicing pipe 100 attached to the sealed container to introduce the refrigerant and the oil into the sealed container.

Abstract: A compressor system has a compression stage, a coolant circuit and a refrigerant circuit. The compression stage compresses ambient air and generates compressed air and heat. A coolant removes heat from the compression stage and the heat is transferred from the coolant to a refrigerant. A refrigerant expansion device is incorporated into the refrigerant circuit. The expansion device expands the pressurized refrigerant utilizing a rotary expander. Energy generated during refrigerant expansion is captured and used to drive components of the cooling system.

Abstract: A refrigeration system having a primary refrigerant path including a compressor, a condenser, a primary expansion device, and an evaporator connected together to form a closed loop system with a refrigerant circulating therein; and a bypass path coupled to an outlet of the condenser. The bypass path includes a secondary expansion device; and a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the primary refrigerant path between the condenser outlet and the primary expansion device inlet to remove heat from the refrigerant discharged from the condenser. The condenser is downsized such that lacks the heat transfer capacity to provide some or all of the required subcooling as provided according to conventional practice, and the heat exchanger provides some or all the required subcooling according to the capacity of the condenser.

Abstract: A system for cooling a medium includes a line having coolant flowing therein, and a sub-cooling unit in fluid communication with the line. The sub-cooling unit receives a portion of the coolant diverted from the line to cool coolant flowing in the line. A method of cooling a medium is further disclosed.

Abstract: A refrigeration cycle device includes a double tube for exchanging heat between a high-pressure refrigerant to be decompressed by a decompressor and a low-pressure refrigerant to be drawn by a compressor. The decompressor controls a dryness and a superheat degree of an outlet side refrigerant flowing from an outlet of the low-pressure side heat exchanger to the double tube in accordance with a temperature of the outlet side refrigerant or a suction side refrigerant flowing from the double tube to a suction port of the compressor. Thus, the dryness of the outlet side refrigerant is equal to or larger than 0.9 and the superheat degree of the outlet side refrigerant is equal to or lower than 5° C.

Abstract: Portable snow and dry ice production system for use and handling individuals in home and recreational applications, rather than experts skilled in the field of manufacture of dry ice, and more specifically to a portable container for manufacturing solid carbon dioxide particles in the form of a tubular member having peripheral slits there around as well as to a method and apparatus for facilitating the formation, capture and compression of snow-like carbon dioxide in a portable environment conducive to efficient formation of dry ice.

Abstract: Techniques for producing a glass structure having interconnected macroscopic pores, including providing a polymeric structure having interconnected macroscopic pores; providing polymerizable glass precursors; filling pores in the polymeric structure with the polymerizable glass precursors; polymerizing the polymerizable glass precursors to yield a filled polymeric structure; and decomposing the filled polymeric structure to produce a glass structure having interconnected macroscopic pores. Techniques for filling pores of such glass structure with a material having a high refractive index, and for then removing the glass structure. Structures can be produced having interconnected macroscopic pores and high refractive index contrasts, which can be used, for example, as photonic band gaps.

Abstract: The invention relates to synthesis of germanium sulphide glasses and optical devices formed therefrom. In a chemical vapour deposition process, germanium tetrachloride is reacted with hydrogen sulphide at temperatures in the range 450-700° C. to form germanium sulphide. Lower temperatures within this range of 450-550° C. directly produce a glass, whereas higher temperatures within the range of 600-700° C. produce a crystalline powder which can then be reduced to a glass by subsequent melting and annealing. The reaction is preferably carried out at atmospheric pressure or slightly higher. Thin films and bulk glasses suitable for optical waveguides can be formed directly in one processing step as can powders and microspheres. The materials synthesised are of a high purity with low oxide impurities and only trace levels of transition metal ions.

Abstract: A drum type washing machine is disclosed. The drum type washing machine of the present invention includes a tub having a fastening part formed on a rear wall thereof, a stator fastened to the fastening part of the tub, the stator having a core part having teeth formed thereon, a coil wound around each tooth, a first insulator for covering a front surface of the core part and a second insulator for covering a rear surface of the core part, a rotor provided in an outer portion of the stator to be comprised in a motor together with a stator, a stator rib formed on an inner front surface of the first insulator with respect to the radial direction of the portion of the first insulator where the coil is wound, and a supporting part provided on a rear wall of the tub to support the stator rib when the stator is fastening to the fastening part of the tub.

Abstract: A bearing housing assembly and drum-type washing machine with the same are disclosed, in which bearings are received in the bearing housing assembly. The bearing housing assembly may be formed by insert injection molding, and a damper for damping vibration of a drum is connected to a tub through a damper bracket.

Abstract: An accessory basket for a washing machine includes a substantially cylindrical basket member having a bottom end with a centrally disposed aperture thereon. A plurality of slots radially extend from the aperture allowing the basket to be placed over a washing machine agitator. The top end of the basket is open allowing accessory articles such a shoes to be placed within the basket. A lid a placed over the top end of the basket to secure the accessory items therein. Accordingly, operation of the washing machine will result in the articles being shifted about within the basket thereby minimizing noise and damage to the washing machine or article.

Abstract: There is provided portable apparatus capable of maintaining a function of preventing accidental operation of a push button when the apparatus is carried on the wearer's body. The apparatus includes a watch enclosure body (apparatus enclosure body), a pipe, a push button, a biasing member, a locking member, and a whirl-stop. The pipe is fixed to the enclosure body by inserting it into a through hole in the enclosure body. A retainer tube of the pipe has a female thread formed thereon and is disposed outside the enclosure body. The push button has a shaft passed through the pipe, a detent for preventing the push button from being pulled out of the pipe, and a manipulator head disposed outside the enclosure body. The biasing member biases the push button outward with respect to the enclosure body. The locking member has an inner wall with a male thread and a stopper projection that comes into contact with and moves away from the head, and an outer wall that fits on the tube.

Abstract: A lock guard is provided which is particularly well suited to protect a padlock employed to secure a stanchion lever securing one or more doors of a cargo container, trailer truck or moving van. The lock guard includes an interior locking tab with a vertical opening through which a hinged leg of a padlock shackle extends when the unhinged leg of the shackle is passed through an opening in a component of the stanchion door and the shackle is closed by abutting it against an abutment on the underside of the roof of the guard. The lock guard, which provides a protective housing or shield for the shackle of the padlock when the padlock is in its installed locking position, is particularly compact thereby minimizing access of cutting tools to the padlock shackle.

Abstract: A lock structure suited for locating on a casing is provided. The casing is coupled to a Kensington Lock through the lock structure. The lock structure includes a position limit portion and a protrusion portion. The position limit portion has a position limit hole. The protrusion portion is formed as a part of structure of the position limit portion and is located around the position limit hole. After coupling the Kensington Lock with the lock structure, the Kensington Lock is fixed to the casing through the lock structure.

Abstract: A locking mechanism, designed specifically for cargo vehicles (e.g., cargo trucks) is provided for use with one sliding door, the mechanism comprising of one “control box” and at least one optional, remote electrical operating device. The operating device may be manually operated, e.g., by a truck operator, from outside the cargo vehicle, to unlock the door. In a typical context, the control box comprises a microchip controlled magnetic lock.

Abstract: A steering wheel lock has a hollow locking shaft with two hooks, a locking base slidably mounted on a middle section of the locking shaft and having a bar corresponding to the two hooks, a retractable rod engaged the locking rod and having a positioning device at one end and a loop lock at the other end, and an interior shaft received inside the retractable rod and having an abutting head at one end and a clamping device at the other end. Thereby, the positioning device is secured by the clamping device on the interior shaft in normal condition so that the retractable rod is temporarily held. Moreover, the loop lock and the hooks on the locking rod respectively detachably mounted on two opposite sides of the steering wheel to provide excellent burglarproof efficiency.

Abstract: A lock comprises a shield in the form of a cover (1) which extends over the mechanism of the lock and a staple (7) engaged by the lock, preventing access to the mechanism of the lock and to the staple by tools such as bolt cutters. The lock is preferably electronically operated containing electronic circuitry therein and the cover provides a protective housing for the circuitry, battery and an antenna (6) associated with the circuitry.

Abstract: Improved Key Ring: consists of a casing that contains a number of keys that are made available by the action of pressing one of a number of buttons, each button is associated with a particular key; the mechanism, that allows the release or extraction of each key, by means of the pressing an assigned button, comprises of an automatic system of folding the key, or piston arm, and a mechanical system of fixing and releasing the key or track.

Abstract: A cylinder lock provided with a thick key including an elongated base having two surfaces. A serrated wall extends from one surface of the base. A key groove is formed by the serrated wall. A rib is formed on the other surface of the base. The cylinder lock is further provided with a rotatable rotor including a keyway into which the thick key is inserted. A first cavity is formed in the keyway and shaped to enable insertion of the base of the thick key. A second cavity is formed in the keyway and shaped to enable insertion of the serrated wall of the thick key. A third cavity is formed in the keyway and shaped to enable insertion of the rib of the thick key. The keyway enables insertion of a thin key in lieu of the thick key.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a novelty in the distribution of locking pins in locks and other systems that employ locking pins and unblocking keys that prevent the rotation of the wrong key. Additionally, they make the break-in action difficult. The invention discloses a lock (1), provided with a rotating cylinder (2) receiving a key (3), the inner portion of the rotating cylinder (2) receives attenuating locking pins (4) that run supported by counter-locking pins inside grooves (6), being actuated by springs (7), in addition to one or more neutral pins (8) always positioned between the attenuating locking pins (4). The neutral pin (8), under its normal condition, without being actuated by the key (3) or picklock (10), is aligned with the tangency line (9) of lock (1) and does not prevent, alone, the rotation of cylinder (2).

Abstract: A self indexing portable automated tenon peening device including: a peening machine in operable communication with a mounting arm; a circumferential slide assembly including a circumferential rail in operable communication with the mounting arm; an axial slide assembly including a axial slide rail in operable communication with the circumferential slide assembly; a base in operable communication with the axial slide assembly; and a programmable logic controller for controlling a position of the circumferential slide assembly and the axial slide assembly.

Abstract: A detachable type metal plate bending angle accuracy adjusting device capable of securing the bending accuracy of a metal plate by simply, easily, accurately, and stably adjusting the height of a die when the metal plate is bent according to the states of defects and inconvenient portions. A support plate is fixed to a lower holding frame, an wedge plate is slidably disposed in the groove of the support plate, and the adjust screw of a rotary dial fitted to the upper holding frame is inserted into the recessed part of the wedge plate. A lifting plate fixed to the upper holding frame is vertically movably disposed on the wedge plate, the adjust screw of the rotary dial is rotated to slide the wedge plate forward and backward so as to vertically move the lifting plate. Thus, the die of a metal plate bending device mounted on the lifting plate can be vertically moved.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a press with dies configured to deform a strip of material by drawing material primarily from a width direction, a slitter set to cut the deformed strip to a uniform desired width dimension, and a roll-former with rolls configured to shape linear portions of the deformed and now uniform-width strip into a continuous beam. The apparatus further includes a welder for welding abutting edges of the sheet together to form a permanent tube, a sweep station for imparting a longitudinal shape to the continuous beam, and a cut-off for cutting the continuous beam into segments useful as vehicle bumper beams. A controller controls timing of various components. The beam segments are optimized in specific regions for local strength and minimized weight, and features can be incorporated into the beam segments such as coplanar mounting surfaces.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an annular component part is disclosed wherein press forming is carried out to prepare an annular body having a cylindrical wall, having a root portion and a distal end, and an annular flange portion. The fabricating method comprises expanding an inner circumferential periphery of the cylindrical wall to an inner diameter corresponding to an inner diametric concave portion formed on the inner circumferential periphery and squeezing the cylindrical wall in a tapered profile such that the inner diameter of the cylindrical wall gradually decreases. During inner diametric expanding operation, an annular shoulder is formed on the inner circumferential periphery of the cylindrical wall and plays a role as an undercut of the annular component.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a plate material cutting method prepares a plate material including a joining member that joins a main body portion to a throw-out portion, sets the plate material on a die including an opening section, and pushes a punch against the joining member. The punch includes a first end portion corresponding to a first end of the joining member which is connected to the main body portion. The punch also includes a second end portion corresponding to a second end of the joining member which is connected to the throw-out portion. A gap smaller than thickness of the plate material is defined between the first end portion of the punch and an inner surface of the opening section. A gap larger than the thickness of the plate material is defined between the second end portion of the punch and the inner surface of the opening section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the tool for working tubes, the tool comprising: a body having hinged thereto a trigger for moving back-and-fourth, and connected to a support member supporting a working head; a drive device for driving the support member mounted on the body and connected to the trigger; the support member comprising a toothed rack, the drive device comprising a first toothed gearwheel having a first module and meshing with the rack, a drive pawl serving to advance the rack forwards, and a retaining pawl preventing it from moving backwards. The drive device includes a second toothed gearwheel having a second module smaller than the first module, the second gearwheel being secured to the first gearwheel, the drive pawl and the retaining pawl being engaged with the second gearwheel.

Abstract: The loadcell live idler platform scale has an idler to support a conveyor belt and a frame on which the rollers are mounted. The weighbridge has four load cells connected perpendicular to each end of the frame, strain gauges to receive deflections from each pair of load cells, a speed detector for the material passing upon the conveyor, and a controller for converting the signals of the strain gauges and the speed detector to the desired weight and volume data along with calibrating the scale. Beneath the idler, the scale has a calibration weight resting in a tray. Two cables, attached to the idler and its mounts, suspend the calibration weight and an activator raises and lowers the calibration weight. The calibration weight and activator are generally cylindrical and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the idler.

Abstract: A system for measuring the permeance of a material. The permeability of the material may also be derived. The system provides a liquid or high concentration fluid bath on one side of a material test sample, and a gas flow across the opposing side of the material test sample. The mass flow rate of permeated fluid as a fraction of the combined mass flow rate of gas and permeated fluid is used to calculate the permeance of the material. The material test sample may be a sheet, a tube, or a solid shape. Operational test conditions may be varied, including concentration of the fluid, temperature of the fluid, strain profile of the material test sample, and differential pressure across the material test sample.

Abstract: An oil quality sensor system comprise an acoustic wave viscosity and an etch rate sensor. The etch rate sensor system includes a piezoelectric substrate and one or more sensing layers configured upon the piezoelectric substrate. A layer of gold is generally configured above the sensing layer(s), such that the gold layer provides protection to the sensing layer(s), thereby extending the operating life of the resulting etch rate sensor system. The sensing layer(s) generally comprises one or more reactive electrodes. The etch rate sensor system can be adapted for use in a permanent oil quality sensor application.

Abstract: A viscosity and corrosivity sensor apparatus includes a substrate upon which one or more electrodes are configured. The electrode(s) are exposed to a liquid, such as automotive oil. An oscillator can be connected to the electrode, wherein the oscillator assists in providing data indicative of the corrosivity and data indicative of the viscosity of the liquid in contact with the electrode(s). A viscosity and corrosivity sensor is therefore provided in the same package.

Abstract: This is a device for the automatic maintenance of minimum tire pressure. The device is a self contained unit placed inside the cavity of a tire and affixed to the wheel. The unit determines the pressure therein and correlates for temperature. The device also contains an array of elements comprised of an encapsulated propellant and an igniter. If the device detects an under-pressure condition it initiates a reaction within an element. Each element, through this reaction, changes the liquid or solid propellant to a gas, thus increasing the volume of the material and therefore increasing the pressure of the gas in the tire. This process is repeatable up to the number of elements in the array.

Abstract: A system is provided for full-vehicle analytical road-loads prediction, which reduces the time and cost of modeling tires and tire-road interface, using road load simulations rather than actual measurements. The system includes a method to perform tire tests in a virtual environment, a road-load tire model for simulations in multibody environments; a tire model for FE simulations; and a comprehensive graphical user interface to support the user in all the steps of the analytical process.

Abstract: A method of powering one or more electronic devices in a tire monitoring system using a tire pressure based energy scavenger is provided. With this method, a tire is rotated on a surface to generate pressure changes within the tire. These pressure changes are then converted into electrical energy with a transducer and the energy is stored. The electrical energy or stored electrical energy can then be used to power one or more electronic devices in a tire monitoring system, such as a tire pressure sensor, temperature sensor, acceleration profile sensor, and/or a tire wear monitor. A tire monitoring system with a tire pressure based energy scavenger is also provided.

Abstract: An air pressure inside a tire is positively adjusted in an optimum state. In a wheel assembly, a tire is attached to a wheel. A pressurizing means is provided in the wheel assembly for pressurizing air inside the tire. A depressurizing means is also provided in the wheel assembly for depressurizing the air inside the tire. A pressurization limiting means is provided in the wheel assembly for limiting an operation of the pressurizing means in accordance with a pressure of the air inside the tire.

Abstract: The invention relates to a level transmitter, having a lever arm which carries a float at one end and is received by a bracket at its other end, a support made of synthetic material, a bearing arranged on the support for the brackets and/or the lever arm, a level sensor arranged on the support and comprising a cover and a substrate, a resistor network arranged on this substrate and associated with a contact structure, with the electrical connection of the contact structure generating, with the resistor network and as a function of the pivotal position of a lever arm, an electrical signal indicating the level, and having at least one permanent magnet for actuating the contact structure. The bracket is made of an electrically conductive synthetic material and, at least in the region between the bearing and the cover, the support is made of an electrically conductive synthetic material.

Abstract: A humidity sensing apparatus and method include a substrate and a MEMS structure, wherein the MEMS structure is supported by the substrate. The MEMS structure comprises a humidity-sensitive material in association with a movable member such that when the humidity-sensitive material changes with humidity, the MEMS structure moves the movable member, thereby providing an indication of humidity based on a stress within the MEMS structure.

Abstract: An inertial measurement unit (IMU) is provided that includes a container that defines a cavity. A sensor suit or ISA having a housing is provided in the container of the IMU. A dampening material is provided between the housing of the ISA and the container of the IMU. The dampening material may be applied by coating, spraying, or dipping, or may be separately molded and then inserted, if desired. A sway space may also be provided between the ISA and the IMU container.

Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement instrument comprises a housing including a pair of spaced apart legs to define a gap therebetween. Each leg includes an interior cavity. An ultrasonic circuit comprises a transmit circuit for driving a transmit crystal receive in the interior cavity of one of the legs and a receive circuit for receiving signals from a receive crystal in the interior cavity of the other of the legs. A measurement circuit is connected to the ultrasonic circuit to periodically generate pulses in the transmit crystal and to sense pulses from the receive crystal to detect presence of a material in the gap. A self test circuit is operatively associated with the measurement circuit and electrically connected to the ultrasonic circuit for periodically testing operation of the ultrasonic circuit.

Abstract: An ultrasound system for inspecting an object is provided. The ultrasound system includes an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) and a pulser-receiver system. The EMAT is configured to generate acoustic signals representative of the area being inspected and comprises a flux concentrating non-conductive pole piece separating a radio frequency (RF) coil and a magnet. The pulser-receiver system is coupled to the EMAT and configured to receive the acoustic signals and convert the acoustic signal to electrical signals.

Abstract: Ultrasonic head for pulse-echo multichannel inspection applied to flat and curved surfaces, which is connected to a displacement system (3), and which comprises a chassis (1) housing a tilting frame (4) joined to said chassis via a first point of rotation (1a) and a second point of rotation (1b) which define a main tilting axis (1c) around which the tilting frame (4) rotates, said tilting frame (4) presenting a set of feeler-carriers (2) in its central opening (4h) which carry an array of ultrasonic feelers (12), said array of feel-carriers (2) being able to rotate around at least one axis of rotation (5, 5a, 5b) transverse to the main tilting axis (1c) in an independent movement to that made by the tilting frame (4), the tilting frame (4) being able to be divided into two secondary frames (6, 8) which rotate independently of the rotation of the tilting frame (4).

Abstract: A pressure sensor is disclosed for measuring fluid pressure comprising a pressure sensing structure comprising a mass target suspended on a spring mechanism, wherein the mass target and the spring mechanism together exhibit high Q mechanical resonance, wherein the mass target has an area which is presented in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the mechanical oscillation of the structure, and further wherein the mass target and the spring mechanism are in the form of a membrane, and transducer means for measuring the fluid pressure by characterizing the effects that the fluid molecules produce on the motion of the structure.

Abstract: A device for invasively measuring fluid pressure is disclosed. The device includes a disposable housing having a fluid contacting area and a non-fluid contacting area. A disposable diaphragm in a substantially non-elastic state is disposed within the housing and separates the fluid contacting area from the non-fluid contacting area. A side of the diaphragm is adapted to contact the fluid, and the diaphragm has sufficient flexibility to move a distance axially within the non-fluid contacting area in response to fluid contact. The distance is substantially proportional to the fluid pressure. An electronic sensing device is removably attached adjacent the non-fluid contacting area of the housing, and is spaced from the diaphragm. The electronic sensing device is capable of determining the fluid pressure.