Fluid Pressure Gauge Patents (Class 73/700)
  • Patent number: 7296474
    Abstract: A sensor is provided for a fluid system having a tank and a source of pressurized fluid. The sensor has a sensor body enclosing a sensor element that is configured to sense a parameter of the pressurized fluid. The sensor also has a first passageway configured to fluidly communicate the sensor element with the pressurized fluid and a first sealing interface configured to seal the first passageway. The sensor further has a second passageway configured to allow fluid that has leaked past the first sealing interface to drain to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David Michael Shamine
  • Publication number: 20070220982
    Abstract: A sensor assembly suitable for a vehicle fuel module assembly includes a plastic body defining a bore therethrough and having a barrier with a continuous peripheral edge encapsulated in the body. An aperture extends through the plate. A sensor chip is bonded to the plate over the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Terry L. Robinson, Ronald M. Smith
  • Patent number: 7263890
    Abstract: When suction/release-passage-internal pressure Pin is equal to or less than a suction detection pressure Pj, a suction of a workpiece is detected and a transfer operation is started. As long as the suction/release-passage-internal pressure Pin does not rise to pressure having an upper limit value or more of the drop detection range during a transfer, it is recognized that the workpiece is not dropped from the sucker. The drop detection range is computed by adding predetermined allowable deflection width ?D to the suction/release-passage-internal pressure Pin that is read as reference pressure under the condition that the workpiece is sucked by the sucker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7260993
    Abstract: A pressure sensor (30) for harsh environments such as vehicle tires, the sensor having a chamber (58) partially defined by a flexible membrane (50), the chamber containing a fluid at a reference pressure. In use, the flexible membrane (50) deflects due to pressure differentials between the reference pressure and the fluid pressure, so that, associated circuitry (34) can convert the deflection of the flexible membrane (50) into an output signal indicative of the fluid pressure. The sensor is a MEMS device whereby the recess, the flexible membrane and the associated circuitry are formed using lithographically masked etching and deposition techniques. MEMS fabrication techniques can produce the sensor in such high volumes that the unit cost of each sensor is very low. The MEMS sensor is so small that it can be installed in very restricted areas such as the stem of the tire valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Samuel George Mallinson
  • Patent number: 7260992
    Abstract: An outer case connector portion, a gauge housing case, and the like for use with a pressure sensor, for example, are generally made of a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin. However, the resin physically causes curing shrinkage. Especially when a metal is insert molded with a resin, curing shrinkage of the resin generates a gap at the interface between the resin and the metal. By filling an anaerobic, high-permeability adhesive in the gap, hermetic sealing can be ensured and reliability can be enhanced. Inexpensive hermetic sealing and enhanced reliability are realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahide Hayashi, Katsuhiko Kikuchi, Hiromichi Ebine
  • Patent number: 7258013
    Abstract: A device to measure a fluid dynamic bearing system, particularly the inside diameter of the bearing bore of a bearing sleeve or the outside diameter of a shaft using a sensor element. A capacity acting sensor element is used to determine, for example, the inside diameter of the bearing bore, the sensor element being designed as part of the surface of a shaft prepared for measurement purposes. To determine the outside diameter of the shaft, the sensor element is correspondingly designed as part of the surface of the bearing bore of a bearing sleeve prepared for measurement purposes. Means of introducing a measuring fluid, preferably compressed air, into the bearing gap remaining between the bearing sleeve and the shaft are provided so that during the measurement process the shaft is automatically aligned and centered within the bearing bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Rudolf Neumann
  • Publication number: 20070180917
    Abstract: An electronic data input apparatus comprises a receptacle, a tube, a housing for electronic components, and a harness. The receptacle is operable for use in a user's mouth. The tube connects the receptacle to the housing, which is attached to the harness. A user wears the harness on the upper part of the torso, such that the receptacle is accessible to the mouth. A cable connects the electronic component housing to a computing element and establishes serial communication from the input apparatus to the computing element. The apparatus may provide the same function as a conventional mouse pointing device by allowing the user to control the motion of a pointer on an electronic display by breathing in to and out of the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: PIVOT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael G. Farnet, Harold R. McWilliams, John J. Stutz
  • Patent number: 7252005
    Abstract: System and apparatus for measuring pressure including a microelectronic device, an interface member attached to the microelectronic device, a pressure sensor having a diaphragm responsive to external pressure exerted upon the diaphragm, wherein the interface member is positioned between the microelectronic device and the pressure sensor and is attached to the pressure sensor providing a first cavity between the pressure sensor diaphragm and the interface member and wherein the pressure in the first cavity is set at an initial predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research
    Inventor: Joseph H. Schulman
  • Patent number: 7254008
    Abstract: A microfluidic device and method for capacitive sensing. The device includes a fluid channel including an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end, a cavity region coupled to the fluid channel, and a polymer based membrane coupled between the fluid channel and the cavity region. Additionally, the device includes a first capacitor electrode coupled to the membrane, a second capacitor electrode coupled to the cavity region and physically separated from the first capacitor electrode by at least the cavity region, and an electrical power source coupled between the first capacitor electrode and the second capacitor electrode and causing an electric field at least within the cavity region. The polymer based membrane includes a polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jun Xie, Jason Shih, Yu-Chong Tai
  • Patent number: 7252006
    Abstract: A biocompatible, mechanical, micromachined pressure sensor and methods of manufacturing such a pressure sensor are provided. The pressure sensor of the current invention includes a high-aspect-ratio curved-tube structure fabricated through a one-layer parylene process. The pressure sensor of the current invention requires zero power consumption and indicates the pressure variation by changes of the in situ in-plane motion of the sensor, which can be gauged externally by a direct and convenient optical observation. In one embodiment, the pressure sensor of the current invention has been shown to work as an IOP sensor for eye implantation where the intraocular in-plane motion of the sensor can be recorded from outside of the eye, such that the intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients can be constantly monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Ellis Meng, Po-Jui Chen, Damien C. Rodger, Mark Humayun
  • Patent number: 7249501
    Abstract: A pressure distribution measurement system for measuring a pressure distribution on a measurement object. A flexible sheet-form pressure detection member includes a plurality of pressure passages extending in parallel and a pressure detection hole opened in each of the pressure passages is affixed to a surface of an outer plate of a main wing W of an airplane. Each of the pressure passages is connected to a pressure measurement device via a pressure pipeline. Because the pressure detection hole is opened in the pressure detection member, that is, the pressure detection hole is not required to be opened in the outer plate of the main wing, the outer plate is not damaged. Further, because the flexible sheet-form pressure detection member conforms well to the three dimensionally curved surface of the outer plate and has a small thickness, the airflow is hardly disturbed at all, thereby enhancing pressure distribution measurement accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Sawada
  • Patent number: 7225676
    Abstract: A method for detecting a high pressure condition within an interrupter includes measuring the intensity of light emitted from an arc created by contacts within the interrupter, comparing the measured intensity with a predetermined value, and providing an indication when the measured intensity exceeds the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Jennings Technology
    Inventor: Steven Jay Randazzo
  • Patent number: 7225677
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure gauge including a body forming an inlet, an outlet, and a shunt hole. A pressure meter is provided to the shunt hole. An inlet duct in connection with an inflation device is provided to the inlet. A check valve is arranged in the inlet duct. An outlet duct is connected to the outlet and is prepared with an inflation mouth for coupling with an intake nozzle of an object to be inflated. When an inflation device is operated to charge air into an object for inflation through the inlet duct, the body, and the outlet duct, a pressure measuring process can be performed concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventor: Ying-Che Huang
  • Patent number: 7208709
    Abstract: A pressure-measuring vessel system for microwave assisted chemical processes is disclosed. The vessel system includes a pressure resistant vessel that is otherwise transparent to microwave radiation, a pressure-resistant closure for the mouth of the vessel, with portions of the closure including a pressure resistant synthetic membrane, a pressure transducer external to the vessel, and a tube extending from the transducer, through the membrane and into the vessel for permitting the pressure inside the vessel to be applied against the transducer while the closure and membrane otherwise maintain the pressure resistant characteristics of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: CEM Corporation
    Inventors: William Edward Jennings, Wyatt Price Hargett, Jr., James Edward Thomas
  • Patent number: 7204149
    Abstract: A pressure indicating fitting for injection molding equipment comprises a fitting body with a fitting bore therethrough, the fitting body being installed in the equipment with the fitting bore open to the interior of a passage for conveying melt, an indicating member received within the fitting bore and being bonded thereto to be retained in a normal position and being displaced therefrom to an indicating position by force from melt applied to the indicating member sufficient to cause the bond to fail, the indicating position determined by abutting contact of a surface of the indicating member with a surface of the fitting body and exposing a portion of a stem of the indicating member. Advantageously, the indicating member is retained in an indicating position by a press fit between the indicating member and fitting body. An injection molding manifold comprises a pressure indicating fitting in accordance with the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: D-M-E Company
    Inventors: Frederick G. Steil, Trevor Pruden
  • Patent number: 7197934
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a temperature-compensated optical fiber pressure detector for detecting pressure variations in at least one medium in relation to a reference medium such as the atmosphere or a medium where a back pressure prevails. The detector essentially comprises a deformable element (2) such as a bellows (5) exposed on one side to the reference medium and on the opposite side to the pressure to be measured, an optical fiber portion (F1) including at least one optical grating such as a Bragg grating (B1), which is connected on one side to deformable element (2) and on the opposite side to a fixed point. The optical fiber portion is subjected to a prestress by a device (6, 15, 20, 21) and its elongation varies with the displacements of the deformable element. The device applies the prestress to optical fiber portion (F1) between deformable element (2) and another fixed element (15) isolated from the medium by a rigid housing (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignees: Institut Francais du Petrole, Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Christian Wittrisch, Laurent Maurin, Daniel Averbuch, Pierre Ferdinand
  • Patent number: 7174789
    Abstract: A system for sensing respiratory pressure includes a portable pressure transducer configured to be carried by or proximate to a respiratory conduit, such as a breathing circuit or a nasal canula. The portable pressure transducer may removably couple with a pneumotach, in the form of an airway adapter, disposed along the respiratory conduit. The pneumotach may include two pressure ports positioned at opposite sides of an obstruction, which partially blocks flow through a primary conduit of the pneumotach. Corresponding sample conduits of the portable pressure transducer removably couple with the pressure ports. The pressure ports may have sealing elements which are configured to seal against piercing members of the sample conduits upon introduction of the piercing members therethrough. Upon removal of the piercing members, the sealing elements substantially reseal. Methods for using the system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph A Orr, Scott A Kofoed, Kevin Durst
  • Patent number: 7176541
    Abstract: A pressure sensor chip includes a diaphragm and pads. A flexible printed circuit board (FPC) includes a resin sheet having a through-hole and wiring patterns that are formed within the resin sheet and sealed. The resin sheet is press-fitted to the pressure sensor chip such that the diaphragm is bared at the through-hole. The wiring patterns are connected to the pads, and junctions between the wiring patterns and the pads are sealed with the resin sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tanaka, Inao Toyoda, Ichiharu Kondo, Makoto Totani
  • Patent number: 7171855
    Abstract: A pressure sensor is provided incorporating a first chamber having a first flexible membrane exposed to fluid pressure and configured to deflect in response to changes in the fluid pressure and temperature within the first chamber, a second chamber having a second flexible membrane sealed from the fluid pressure and configured to deflect in response to changes in temperature within the second chamber, and associated circuitry for comparing the deflection of the first and second membranes to sense the fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Samuel George Mallinson
  • Patent number: 7165457
    Abstract: A pressure sensitive sensor provided in at least one of an opening section and an opening and closing section for opening and closing the opening section and serving to detect pinching of an object between the opening section and the opening and closing section based on an output signal generated by deformation upon receipt of external force, including a pressure sensitive element 33 for generating an output signal corresponding to deformation and a support element 35 for supporting the pressure sensitive element 33 on at least one of the opening section and the opening and closing section, the support element 35 including at least a first deformation section 37 having a first elastic modulus and serving to increase deformation of the pressure sensitive sensor 17, and a second deformation section 39 having a second elastic modulus which is higher than the first elastic modulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ogino, Shigeki Ueda
  • Patent number: 7164262
    Abstract: A typical probe comprises a sensor, and a connection head that includes a conversion circuit for driving the sensor. The probe communicates with a controller via a two wire DC 4-20 mA link. The conversion circuit is also known as a two-wire transmitter. The conversion circuit and the sensor are connected to each other (and to the external link) via screw terminals usually located at the circuit top face. The invention provides a conversion circuit and a matching base forming plug and socket type connections. On the converter circuit, the connections are moved from the top of the circuit, to the bottom of the circuit, thus clearing space for an integral display. The sensor and the link wires are attached to the base socket. The conversion circuit fits into the socket in only a single orientation, thus ensuring correct coupling of the wires to the circuit elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventor: Ely Zacay
  • Patent number: 7152477
    Abstract: A pressure sensor having a measuring cell (1) and sensor electronics (13) connected with the measuring cell (1), wherein the sensor electronics (13) and its electrical connections are protected from external influences, wherein on front side of the measuring cell (1) a pressure sensitive element is arranged, on which a pressure (p) acts during operation, and wherein the sensor electronics is arranged on a rear side of the measuring cell (1). The sensor has connected with the measuring cell (1) a cap (19, 27), which encloses the sensor electronics (13), and at least one bushing (25), through which the connection lines (17) connected to the sensor electronics (13) pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Banholzer, Bernhard Gerdes
  • Patent number: 7143646
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor, with a sensor housing (8) whose through-hole is intended for a connecting cable (1) that is attached to the sensor (11, 12), such that the connecting cable (1) is surrounded by a pressure spring element (4). In accordance with the invention, a conical supporting sleeve (3) is positioned next to the pressure spring element (4); also furnished is a cable seat housing (2) of thermoplastic material with a conical hole. The conical supporting sleeve (3) engages with this conical hole. A cable jacket (1b) belonging to the connecting cable (1) is squeezed between the conical supporting sleeve (3) and the cable seat housing (2), while the pressure spring element (4) is encompassed by a spring housing, (5) and the cable seat housing (2) can be secured to the sensor housing (8) by means of a cap sleeve (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Thomas Kopp, Hermann Dieterle
  • Patent number: 7100450
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for correction with temperature in the pressure determination of a pressure gauge, comprising: measuring simultaneously with said gauge said pressure Pm(t) and said temperature Tm(t) during time, generating a signal Tf(t) of said measured temperature Tm(t), said measured temperature being filtered of the noise, (19) correcting said measured pressure Pm(t) with a correction function F(t) containing exclusively a dynamic part, said dynamic part containing a term a1 proportional to first derivative of said Tf(t) signal relative to time. In another aspect of the invention the dynamic part further comprises a second additional term a2 proportional to second derivative of said Tf(t) signal relative to time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre-Marie Petit, Stefan Moise
  • Patent number: 7077486
    Abstract: An enclosure for handling hazardous material includes a sealable housing which is configured with a first air inlet connected to a bubble gauge and a second air inlet disposed inside the housing for air evacuation from the housing is connected to a pump for maintaining subatmospheric pressure in the enclosure and for drawing a stream of air inwardly through the first air inlet via the bubble gauge into the housing and out the second air inlet. A filter interposed in the stream of air leading to the second inlet. At least one glove port is formed in the housing and has a flexible relatively gas impermeable glove connected thereto. An air exchange port in the housing is operably connected to a sealed bellows which provides for changes in air volume within the enclosure which occurs from moving the glove within the enclosure under subatmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Stephen F. Tattershall
  • Patent number: 7073386
    Abstract: A pressure sensing probe having a probe body defining at least two bores communicating with respective bore entrance openings and bore exit openings therein for receiving a fluid flow into the bore entrance openings and through the bores. The bore entrance openings are aligned along an axis parallel with a longitudinal axis of the probe body for permitting alignment of the plurality of bore entrance openings along the plane of a longitudinal flow being sensed. The bore exit openings are adapted for communication with respective sensors for sensing the fluid flow and converting the fluid flow into a signal for downstream signal processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Hyoun-Woo Shinn
  • Patent number: 7073385
    Abstract: A pressure sensor having a radially tensioned diaphragm for measuring fluid pressure. The pressure sensor includes a first generally concave metal body member and a second generally concave metal body member, and a radially tensioned flexible metal diaphragm disposed therebetween that is tensioned by heating the sensor. The first and second body members are formed from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion in the range of approximately 0.0000056 inch/inch/° F. to 0.0000064 inch/inch/° F. The diaphragm is formed from a precipitation hardening metal material having a coefficient of thermal expansion of approximately 0.0000060 inch/inch/° F. The first body member and the second body member are formed from a ferromagnetic metal material such that the first and second body members shield the diaphragm from magnetic fields which may otherwise cause movement of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Dwyer Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Terrence J. Troyer
  • Patent number: 7066032
    Abstract: A pressure converter insusceptible to the error of hydraulic pressure introducing position or the interference of installation depth of water and producing a signal corresponding to the effective soil pressure accurately while realizing cost reduction. Since filters are provided in an air gap defined by two rigid plates receiving the soil pressure, a hydraulic pressure is applied but sand pressure is not applied. A load gauge insensitive to the hydraulic pressure detects only the effective soil pressure. Since a signal cable can be passed through the air gap, a plurality of pressure converters can be coupled efficiently and since the signal cable can be inserted internally, a pressure distributed in the depth direction can also be measured accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Educational Foundation Nihon University
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Maeno, Koichi Yabe
  • Patent number: 7055390
    Abstract: A seal assembly includes a first body and a second body. A primary seal is disposed between the first body and the second body. A secondary seal is disposed between the first body and the second body in spaced relation to the primary seal. A pressure port extends through one of the first body and the second body between the primary seal and the secondary seal. A pressure sensor is provided for detecting a pressure increase within the pressure port, thereby indicating a failure of the primary seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventors: Dean Foote, Clayton Delbridge, Scott Delbridge
  • Patent number: 7055391
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a sensor chip for detecting pressure; a casing for accommodating the sensor chip; and an atmosphere introduction port for introducing an atmosphere pressure as a reference pressure into the sensor chip. The atmosphere introduction port is disposed on the casing. The casing includes a groove for discharging a water drop adhering around the atmosphere introduction port to an outside of the casing. The sensor without any filter can prevent the water drop from penetrating into the atmosphere introduction port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Minoru Tokuhara
  • Patent number: 7051594
    Abstract: Pressure gauges used to indicate the pressure of the air being supplied to a patient during resuscitation should be able to indicate the pressure quickly and simply. In the present disclosure, a medical apparatus includes an apparatus body defining a fluid cavity that is fluidly connected to an expandable pressure chamber of a pressure gauge. The pressure chamber, a battery and at least one pressure indicator are, at least partially, positioned within a gauge body of the pressure gauge. An electrical conductor is moveable with the expandable pressure chamber among a plurality of positions and with respect to the gauge body. When the electrical conductor is in a first position, the battery is out of electrical connection with the at least one pressure indicator. When in the second position, the electrical conductor electrically connects the battery with the at least one pressure indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Mohamed Fazni Aziz
  • Patent number: 7043991
    Abstract: A damper for protecting a gauge sensor measuring the pressure of a dry etch chamber. The damper includes a vacuum tube for connecting the gauge with the chamber and at least one plate for blocking the plasma of the chamber from directly striking against the sensor. The at least one plate is disposed at the inner wall of the vacuum tube to effectively prevent the plasma from attaching onto the sensor so as to maintain the sensitivity of the sensor and prolong the lifetime of the gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Shun-Huang Peng, Shih-Shiung Yang, Chung-Chi Liang, Ming-Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 7043994
    Abstract: A variable capacitance measuring device can comprise any one or more features in various different embodiments allow a reliable, compact device to be achieved. A capacitor electrode, a gettering housing, and pinch-off connector may be aligned along a common axis may reduce width dimensions without a substantial increase in length. Temperature-induced variations may be reduced by selecting materials that have coefficients of thermal expansion relatively closer to one another. Substantially varying topologies for ceramic-metal interfaces may reduce the likelihood of external contaminants from reaching the evacuated portion of the device. A tube can be used between the capacitor portion and a gettering housing to isolate external forces and getter activation heat from the sensor. The same tube also reduces heat loss from a heated sensor and protects the electronics from overheating. Embodiments also include processes for using and forming the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Mykrolis Corporation
    Inventor: Hai Mei
  • Patent number: 7028467
    Abstract: An engine exhaust emission control device determines a differential pressure across a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to enable regeneration of the DPF at optimal timing. An ECU estimates the temperature of a differential pressure sensor provided for the DPF from the output of an intake air temperature sensor when the engine is not running, and determines an offset correction factor for correcting the sensor's offset error. The factor is set using the sensor output at this time as sensor's offset error, and stored in a memory. When detecting the differential pressure across the DPF, the temperature of the sensor at this time is estimated, and an offset correction factor that corresponds to this estimated temperature is selected. The sensor outputs are adjusted with this offset correction factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Tsukasa Kuboshima, Shinichiro Okugawa, Hironobu Baba
  • Patent number: 7004032
    Abstract: A method for measuring multiple pressures by a single gauge (6) for simultaneously measuring separate pressures by respective pressure sensing elements (7, 8); and simultaneously indicating measurements of the separate pressures by respective pointers (11, 12) along a single gradient scale (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Johnson Lien, Cheng Chun Chung
  • Patent number: 7000483
    Abstract: An inflatable air cell pressure transducer. The air cell has a concavity formed therein. The concavity has two edges, wherein increased pressure within the air cell causes contraction of the concavity moving the two edges closer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Dielectrics Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Pekar, Adam S. Epstein, Scott R. Cadwallader
  • Patent number: 6993973
    Abstract: The disclosed transducer includes a housing, a diaphragm, an inner conductor, an outer conductor, and a first baffle. The housing defines an interior volume. The diaphragm is disposed in the housing and divides the interior volume into a first chamber and a second chamber. The diaphragm flexes in response to pressure differentials in the first and second chambers. The inner conductor is disposed in the first chamber. The outer conductor is disposed in the first chamber around the inner conductor. The first baffle is disposed in the second chamber and defines an inner region, a middle region, and an outer region. The inner region underlies the inner conductor. The middle region underlies the outer conductor. The outer region underlies neither the inner conductor nor the outer conductor. The first baffle defines apertures in at least two of the inner, middle, and outer regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Jeffrey Lischer, Robert Traverso
  • Patent number: 6973834
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring the pressure of a fluid medium, by immersing within the fluid medium an electrical resistor having a resistance varying with temperature; applying electrical current through the electrical resistor to heat it to a predetermined temperature above that of the fluid medium; and measuring the rate of change in resistance of the electrical resistor to produce a measurement of the rate of thermal heat dissipation, varying with the density of the fluid medium in which the electrical resistor is immersed, and thereby a measurement of the pressure of the fluid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: A.T.C.T. Advanced Thermal Chips Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Gady Golan
  • Patent number: 6971269
    Abstract: In a sensor device having a pressure detecting element and a temperature detecting element, a port portion has an opening portion from which a pressure medium is introduced to a pressure introduction passage of the port portion, and a lead wire connected to the temperature detecting element is disposed in the port portion to be fixed by a fixing portion at a tip end portion of the port portion. Furthermore, the temperature detecting element is disposed such that the pressure medium introduced from the opening portion passes the temperature detecting element and is conducted to the pressure detecting element through the pressure introduction passage. Because the temperature detecting element is disposed in the pressure introduction passage, a diameter of the port portion can be made small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Nomura
  • Patent number: 6968741
    Abstract: A system for sensing respiratory pressure includes a portable pressure transducer configured to be carried by or proximate to a respiratory conduit, such as a breathing circuit or a nasal canula. The portable pressure transducer may removably couple with a pneumotach, in the form of an airway adapter, disposed along the respiratory conduit. The pneumotach may include two pressure ports positioned at opposite sides of an obstruction, which partially blocks flow through a primary conduit of the pneumotach. Corresponding sample conduits of the portable pressure transducer removably couple with the pressure ports. The pressure ports may have sealing elements which are configured to seal against piercing members of the sample conduits upon introduction of the piercing members therethrough. Upon removal of the piercing members, the sealing elements substantially reseal. Methods for using the system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Respironics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Orr, Scott A. Kofoed, Kevin Durst
  • Patent number: 6968745
    Abstract: A method for obtaining an accurate ambient air pressure load on each outer wall of a building places a plurality of pressure sensors on each outside external wall of the building. The pressure reading from each pressure sensor on a given wall is obtained and averaged with the result being the approximate average ambient air pressure load on that wall. The method can be further refined to obtain the average maximum, the maximum, the average minimum and/or the minimum, pressure load for each wall, and/or for each floor and/or for each wall of each floor and/or for the building as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Inventor: J. Patrick Fex, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6966226
    Abstract: A pressure-measuring vessel system for microwave assisted chemical processes is disclosed. The vessel system includes a pressure resistant vessel that is otherwise transparent to microwave radiation, a pressure-resistant closure for the mouth of the vessel, with portions of the closure including a pressure resistant synthetic membrane, a pressure transducer external to the vessel, and a tube extending from the transducer, through the membrane and into the vessel for permitting the pressure inside the vessel to be applied against the transducer while the closure and membrane otherwise maintain the pressure resistant characteristics of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: CEM Corporation
    Inventors: William Edward Jennings, Wyatt Price Hargett, Jr., James Edward Thomas
  • Patent number: 6964197
    Abstract: A testing apparatus for testing the level of retained gas at elevated pressure in plastic containers for carbonated beverages includes a manifold assembly for engaging the mouth of a test set of the containers. The apparatus additionally includes a gas supply for supplying a desired quantity of a selected gas to each container, the gas preferably helium. The apparatus further includes pressure measuring units for measuring the pressure in each container, and a data collection system coupled to the pressure measuring units for periodically collecting pressure data along with ambient temperature data as a function of time. The collected data can be analyzed to determine shelf life of the containers. Using helium, the shelf life determination can be accomplished in about 1/7th the time of conventional shelf life tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Craig P. Davis, Stephen C. Ramey, Mary L. Hughes-Olson, Edward R. Roberts, Mihaela Penescu
  • Patent number: 6941812
    Abstract: A pressure sensor 10 included an upper substrate 30 having a detection face 30A, a diaphragm 20 provided with a space from the detection substrate 30 and displaceable to and from the upper substrate 30, fixed electrodes 32, 33 provided on the detection face 30A of the upper substrate 30, and a first signal fetching section 22 electrically connected to the diaphragm 20, and the diaphragm 20 is formed by dry-etching single-crystal silicon with the specific resistance lowered to 1.0 ?·cm or below by mixing dopant lowering the resistance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Nagano Keiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukimitsu Sekimori, Daiji Uehara
  • Patent number: 6940414
    Abstract: In a pressure switch, which emits an electrical switching signal as a function of the magnitude of a pressure which is supplied to it, which electrical switching signal assumes a first value when the pressure is less than the threshold value and which assumes a second value when the value is greater than the threshold value, the threshold value is adjusted—assuming that this is provided at all—by hand, for example by moving a cam disk which is coupled to a rotary knob. In order to adjust the threshold value by an electrical signal, the pressure is supplied to a pressure sensor, which emits an electrical output signal, which is a measure of the pressure which is supplied to the pressure sensor. The pressure switch is supplied with an electrical input signal which is a measure of the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AG
    Inventors: Rainer Drechsler, Wolfgang Lukasczyk
  • Patent number: 6935170
    Abstract: A tire inspection apparatus for detecting defects in tubeless truck tires. The apparatus includes a support base having first, second and third supports, the first and third supports being pivotable between a first position and a second position. A wheel assembly is rotatably supported on each of the first and third supports of the support base with each wheel assembly having an upper portion and a removably interconnected, axially aligned second portion. A connector arrangement is provided on each wheel assembly for removably interconnecting together the first and second portions of the assembly and a lifting apparatus is mounted on the second support of the support base for lifting the first portion of the wheel assembly and for moving the first portion of the wheel assembly into and out of alignment with the second portion of the wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventors: Bruce L Saunders, Jerry M. Hignight
  • Patent number: 6935179
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure measuring arrangement comprising a pressure measuring cell which is fed by a pressure corresponding to the pressure which is to be measured by a pressure tube filled by a pressurised liquid; at least one pressure recording unit is arranged separately from said cell, said unit being impinged upon by a pressure which is to be measured during operation, producing a pressure corresponding to the pressure which is to be measured via a pressure line filled by a liquid; a connection between the pressure tube and the pressure line. A modular design and a large amount of flexibility is obtained in respect of the spatial arrangement of the pressure measuring cell and the pressure recording unit. The connection consists of a base body wherein at least one end section of the pressure line is arranged, in addition to a pressure screw through which the pressure tube passes and is secured by a fixing element arranged on a side which is oriented towards the base body of the pressure screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Banholzer, Karl Flögel, Frank Hegner, Bernd Rosskopf
  • Patent number: 6931936
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining pressure and vacuum comprising an adapter that links to a digital tester. The adapter is comprised of at least one pressure sensor, a power source, converter and an interface cable. The pressure sensor attaches to the system to be measured. The detected pressure is transmitted to the adapter and then to the digital tester for displaying to the user. The apparatus can detect pressure beyond 500 pounds per square inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Raichle, Corey Ermer, Phillip McGee, Robert Kochie
  • Patent number: 6928879
    Abstract: A method for making a pressure sensor by providing a wafer including a base silicon layer, a buried sacrificial layer, and a top silicon layer. The top silicon layer is arranged over the buried sacrificial layer and the buried sacrificial layer is arranged over the base silicon layer. Etching vents through the top silicon layer to the buried sacrificial layer and removing a portion of the buried sacrificial layer. Depositing silicon to seal the vents and arranging a strain gauge or a capacitance contact on the wafer. A method for making a pressure sensor including providing a bulk wafer and depositing a sacrificial layer on the bulk wafer. Depositing silicon on the sacrificial layer and the bulk wafer to form an encapsulation layer. Etching vents through the encapsulation layer to the sacrificial layer and removing the sacrificial layer. Closing the vents with a silicon deposition and arranging a strain gauge or a capacitance contact on the encapsulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Aaron Partridge, Markus Lutz
  • Patent number: 6915698
    Abstract: A small-sized pressure sensor having smaller numbers of parts and assembling steps, a simple structure, a high assembly precision, and little dispersion in the operation characteristics, and a method for manufacturing the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor comprises: a base member; a stationary electrode molded so integrally as is exposed from the bottom face of a recess formed in the upper face of the base member; moving electrode receiving portions and molded so integrally in the bottom face of the recess of the base members as are arranged in the periphery of the stationary electrode and as are higher by a predetermined inter-electrode gap than the upper face of the stationary electrode; a moving electrode opposed to the upper face of the stationary electrode through a predetermined inter-electrode gap; and a diaphragm fixed of the open edge portion of the recess of the base member and adhered integrally at the central portion of its lower face to the upper face of the moving electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Shimomoto, Kenji Shinohara, Osamu Kishimoto, Kazuhira Izawa