Strain Gauge Patents (Class 73/720)
  • Patent number: 11060936
    Abstract: A physical quantity measuring device includes a cylindrical case provided with a through hole, a sensor module, a joint, a cap member, a circuit board including an electronic circuit and an electronic adjuster, a sealing member attached to the through hole, and an adjuster member capable of adjusting the electronic adjuster. The electronic adjuster includes an engaged portion disposed to face the through hole. The sealing member is provided with a housing recess opened to an outside of the cylindrical case, and a communication hole for bringing the housing recess into communication with an interior of the cylindrical case. The adjuster member includes a shaft that is hermetically attached in the communication hole, an engagement portion provided at a first end of the shaft to be engageable with the engaged portion, and an operable portion provided at a second end of the shaft and housed in the housing recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Nagano Keiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuri Sugahara, Yasuhisa Tanaka, Hidebumi Seki
  • Patent number: 11047755
    Abstract: A physical quantity measuring device includes a cylindrical case provided with a through hole, a sensor module, a joint, a cap member, a circuit board including an electronic circuit and an electronic adjuster, a sealing member attached to the through hole, and an adjuster member capable of adjusting the electronic adjuster. The electronic adjuster includes an engaged portion disposed to face the through hole. The sealing member is provided with a housing recess opened to an outside of the cylindrical case, and a communication hole for bringing the housing recess into communication with an interior of the cylindrical case. The adjuster member includes a shaft that is hermetically attached in the communication hole, an engagement portion provided at a first end of the shaft to be engageable with the engaged portion, and an operable portion provided at a second end of the shaft and housed in the housing recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Nagano Keiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuri Sugahara, Yasuhisa Tanaka, Hidebumi Seki
  • Patent number: 10584309
    Abstract: A pressure-sensing system is presented. The pressure-sensing system comprises a single-use container. The pressure-sensing system comprises a disposable process connector configured to couple directly to the single-use container. The disposable process connector has a deflectable diaphragm. The pressure-sensing system comprises a pressure transducer. The pressure transducer is removably coupled to the disposable process connector. The pressure transducer comprises an isolation diaphragm positioned adjacent the deflectable diaphragm of the disposable process connector. The pressure transducer comprises a pressure sensor module operably coupled to the isolation diaphragm. The pressure transducer also comprises a controller coupled to the pressure sensor. The controller is configured to transmit a detected indication of pressure within the single-use container. A pressure transducer for a single-use container includes a polymeric housing and a base having an isolation diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Fadell, Michael Knopf, Jay I. Scheldorf
  • Patent number: 9804049
    Abstract: In a pressure detection device which is provided in an intake pressure measurement apparatus, a detection space surrounded by an outer wall portion is formed in a housing, and an inner wall portion is formed integrally in the detection space such that both end portions are connected to the outer wall portion. The inner wall portion has a cylindrical shape, and a sensor storage portion is formed between the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion. In the sensor storage portion, a pressure sensor is disposed in a region with the least influence of thermal stress at a position closer to the inner wall portion than the outer wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hisanobu Okawa, Yasuhiro Suda, Hiroshi Ishida, Hideki Kamimura
  • Patent number: 9759625
    Abstract: A pressure overload protector for a sensor includes a pressure-filled channel system fillable with fluid or gas, a first overload stop seated in an open position, a first diaphragm at the unseated end of the first overload stop, a second overload stop seated in an open position, a second diaphragm at the unseated end of the second overload stop, a sensor connected to a fluid channel, and a third and fourth overload stop connected by channels to the fluid channel of the sensor and terminating at a fluid exit. The overload protector provides bidirectional over and under pressure protection to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Tecsis GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Turner, Pavel Gvantmakher, Reinhold Ost, Bruce Yohr, Mark Jones
  • Patent number: 9759620
    Abstract: A pressure sensor has a circuit arrangement supported by a sensor body and includes: a first electrical-circuit pattern, having respective tracks made of electrically conductive material deposited on a first face of an electrically insulating material, a second electrical-circuit pattern having respective tracks made of electrically conductive material deposited on a region of the second face of the material, and connection means, which electrically connect the first electrical-circuit pattern to the second electrical-circuit pattern. Tracks of the second electrical-circuit pattern have at least one first track defining a plurality of first pads and one second track defining a plurality of second pads, for connection of a first terminal and of a second terminal of the second circuit component, respectively. The first and second track are prearranged so that the first terminal and the second terminal can be connected to any one of the first pads and the second pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Metallux SA
    Inventor: Massimo Monichino
  • Patent number: 9677951
    Abstract: A conduit pressure sensor system and a process for non-intrusively determining the pressure within a conduit. In one example, the sensor system has a base section having an external surface and an internal region in fluid connection with the conduit. A strain sensor and a temperature sensor are positioned adjacent to the external surface of the base section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Zhen Li
  • Patent number: 9593995
    Abstract: A differential pressure sensor includes a pressure sensing die comprising a semiconductor die, having a thinned portion forming a diaphragm. The diaphragm includes piezo-resistive elements that exhibit varying resistance based on force exerted on the diaphragm. A first support structure is bonded to a first surface of the semiconductor die, having an aperture defined through the support structure such that a first surface of the diaphragm is exposed through the aperture. A second support structure is bonded to the opposite side of the semiconductor die having an aperture aligned with the opposing side of the diaphragm. Electrical components in electrical communication with the piezo-resistive elements are arranged outside the region defined by the bond between the first and second support structures and the semiconductor die. An oil-filled volume may be defined between the semiconductor die and a harsh medium which transmits a fluid pressure to the die without the harsh medium contacting the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Measurement Specialties, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Wagner, John J. Valentini
  • Patent number: 9316551
    Abstract: This disclosure provides example methods, devices and systems associated with a torque-insensitive header assembly. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, by a sensor, from an aperture defined by a shell, an environmental condition, wherein the sensor is coupled to a header and the header is coupled to the shell such that the sensor is isolated from a torque stress applied to the shell; measuring, by the sensor, the environmental condition to determine an environmental condition signal; and outputting, from the sensor, the environmental condition signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony D. Kurtz, Boaz Kochman, Adam Kane
  • Patent number: 9176020
    Abstract: A pressure sensor (20) includes a test cell (32) and sense cell (34). The sense cell (34) includes an electrode (42) formed on a substrate (30) and a sense diaphragm (68) spaced apart from the electrode (42) to produce a sense cavity (64). The test cell (32) includes an electrode (40) formed on the substrate (30) and a test diaphragm (70) spaced apart from the electrode (40) to produce a test cavity (66). Both of the cells (32, 34) are sensitive to pressure (36). However, a critical dimension (76) of the sense diaphragm (68) is less than a critical dimension (80) of the test diaphragm (70) so that the test cell (32) has greater sensitivity (142) to pressure (36) than the sense cell (34). Parameters (100) measured at the test cell (32) are utilized to estimate a sensitivity (138) of the sense cell (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Chad S. Dawson, Peter T. Jones
  • Patent number: 9127996
    Abstract: A sensor module includes a first member including a first recess in which a piezoelectric element including an electrode is arranged, a second member joined to the first member, a first plate in contact with the second member, a second plate in contact with the first member, and a fastening section configured to fasten the first plate and the second plate. A first projection projecting toward the second member is provided on the first plate. The internal height of the first recess of the first member is larger than the height of the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is in contact with the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Kawai, Toshiyuki Kamiya, Takanobu Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9113818
    Abstract: A pressure measuring System (11, 111, 211) is described comprising a sensor assembly (13, 113, 213) and a vessel adapter (17, 217), with the sensor assembly defining a compartment (19, 119, 219, 220), comprising a measurement port (29, 129, 229, 230), an actuator (21, 121, 221, 222) for enabling and disabling pressure transmission across the measurement port, and at least one pressure sensor (23, 123, 223, 224, 225) for measuring a pressure in the compartment relative to a reference pressure, and the vessel adapter defining a fluid chamber (47, 247, 248), said chamber being in pressure connection with the compartment by means of said measurement port, and characterized in that in-between the compartment and the fluid chamber at least one membrane (15, 215) is located which separates the medium in the compartment from the medium in the fluid chamber. The pressure measuring System is used to measure the pressure of a medium in a vessel adapter relative to a reference pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: SWISSTOM AG
    Inventors: Josef X. Brunner, Stephan H. Böhm
  • Publication number: 20150135843
    Abstract: Device for measurement of fluid pressure by means of an arrangement of strain gauges provided on a sensor head arranged on an item arranged to be exposed to a pressurized fluid against an external sensor head surface, where the sensor head comprises a fastening portion attached to the item, and a centre portion connected to the fastening portion by means of at least one flexible connecting element, the arrangement of strain gauges is attached to the centre portion of the sensor head on an internal assembly surface arranged in close proximity to a contact face on an end stopper which in an active condition encircles the arrangement of strain gauges, and the assembly surface is inexposable for the pressurized fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Egil Eriksen
  • Patent number: 8984949
    Abstract: A pressure sensor measuring element for a pressure sensor operates to detect pressure in a combustion space of an internal combustion engine. The pressure sensor measuring element includes a separating diaphragm, a plunger for the transmission of deflections of the separating diaphragm to a force measuring element, and with a sleeve which receives the plunger. The sleeve is closed by the separating diaphragm at a first end intended to face the combustion space and is designed to hold the force measuring element at the opposite second end. Accordingly, the pressure sensor measuring element can be produced more cost-effectively. Furthermore, the plunger can be produced in one piece with the separating diaphragm as a diaphragm/plunger unit, and the sleeve and the diaphragm/plunger unit can be formed from the same metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Trafag AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Staiger, Peter Dias-Lalcaca, Peter Hauri, Dieter Zeisel
  • Patent number: 8910524
    Abstract: A gage/differential pressure transducer assembly having enhanced output capabilities, comprising a first pressure port adapted to communicate a first pressure to a first sensor, the first sensor comprising a first Wheatstone bridge adapted to output a first signal indicative of the first pressure, wherein the first pressure is a main pressure; and a second pressure port adapted to communicate a second pressure to a second sensor, the second sensor comprising a second Wheatstone bridge adapted to output a second signal indicative of the second pressure, wherein the second pressure is a reference pressure; and an output port connected to the first Wheatstone bridge and the second Wheatstone bridge for outputting a third signal representative of the difference between the first and second pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Bemis, Timothy Nunn
  • Patent number: 8910525
    Abstract: A differential pressure sensor positioned adjacent a pressure chambers separated by a nozzle. Flow in a conduit is determined by detecting the pressure on either side of a nozzle. Changes in pressure are proportional to a change in flow. An integrated differential pressure sensor having different pressure detecting portions with strain gauges thereon detects differences in deflection of each pressure sensor portion resulting from change in fluid flow. A bridge circuit detects changes in the signals from the two different pressure sensor portions creating a differential which is proportional to a change in liquid flow. The present invention reduces the need for calibration of pressure sensors and improves the detection of fluid flow. The invention can detect small changes in fluid flow and is particularly applicable to the medical field where, small fluid flows must be measured or determined accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Strain Measurement Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Shapiro
  • Publication number: 20140251020
    Abstract: A strain gauge collar includes at least one strain gauge installed on a base and at least one clamp on the base. The at least one clamp is configured to attach the strain gauge collar to a main steam line (MSL) as a single unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Henry P. OFFER, Khaled M. EWIDA, Glenn SCHROEDER, Mike NEIHEISEL, Rabah HADJIT, Joel C. SCHNACKENBERG
  • Patent number: 8800376
    Abstract: There is disclosed a high pressure sensing header which is relatively insensitive to mounting torque. The header generally includes an outer torque isolating shell which has a “C” shaped cross section with the cylindrical shell surrounding an inner “H” section header. The inner “H” section header has a thick diaphragm and is at least partially surrounded by the torque isolating shell. In this manner, when the header is installed, the installation force is absorbed by the outer shell and there is relatively no installation force or torque exhibited by the inner “H” section which will respond only to stress due to pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Kane, Boaz Kochman, Nora Kurtz
  • Patent number: 8671768
    Abstract: A remaining lifetime of a pressure vessel mounted on a fuel cell vehicle or the like and comprises a liner at its inner side and a reinforcing layer at its outer side can be predicted with high precision and in short time. An artificial imperfect structure is formed at an outer surface of the liner in a size capable of being maintained by a weakest part of a hydrogen gas tank throughout the total period of use of the hydrogen gas tank. A detector is, for example, comprised of a crack gauge intervening between the liner and the reinforcing layer, and is fixed to the outer surface of the liner close to the artificial imperfect structure. A crack length increases accompanying the increase of a pressure cycle of an internal pressure caused by usage of the hydrogen gas tank. The detector increases a resistance value accompanying a crack growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Kanezaki, Kazuo Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 8596133
    Abstract: A vertical pressure sensor having a fluid deforming pressure application unit, a sensor housing, a socket, a circuit board, a plurality of electrode terminals, and a plurality of electrical signal transmitting electrode rods. The pressure application unit includes a diaphragm to which strain gauges are attached. The socket surrounds a circumference of the diaphragm of the pressure application unit and includes a receiving passageway. The plurality of electrode terminals are provided at the upper end of the socket in a Wheatstone bridge circuit pattern. The plurality of electrode terminals protrude from the upper end of the socket to constitute an electrode tip. The circuit board connects to the plurality of electrode terminals to convert a pressure value into an electrical signal, and the plurality of electrode rods are connected to the circuit board to transmit the electrical signal outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Amp Korea Ltd.
    Inventors: Chul-Sub Lee, Young-Deok Kim, Eul-Chul Byeon, Yong Hun Lee
  • Publication number: 20130239694
    Abstract: A pressure sensor chip includes a sensor diaphragm that outputs a signal in accordance with a pressure differential, and first and second holding members that face, on peripheral edge portions thereof, one face and another face of a sensor diaphragm, and are in contact therewith. In the peripheral edge portion of the first holding member, in a region that faces the one face of the sensor diaphragm, a region on an outer peripheral side is a region that is bonded to the one face of the sensor diaphragm, and a region on an inner peripheral side is a region that is not bonded to the one face of the sensor diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: AZBIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuki SETO, Tomohisa TOKUDA
  • Patent number: 8474322
    Abstract: A differential pressure sensor positioned adjacent a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber separated by a nozzle. Flow in a conduit is determined by detecting the pressure on either side of a nozzle. Changes in pressure are proportional to a change in flow. An integrated differential pressure sensor having different pressure detecting portions with strain gauges thereon detects differences in deflection of each pressure sensor portion resulting from change in fluid flow. A bridge circuit detects changes in the signals from the two different pressure sensor portions creating a differential which is proportional to a change in liquid flow. The present invention reduces the need for calibration of pressure sensors and improves the detection of fluid flow. The present invention has many applications and can detect small changes in fluid flow and is particularly applicable to the medical field where in many procedures, small fluid flows must be measured or determined accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Strain Measurement Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Shapiro
  • Publication number: 20130145854
    Abstract: A gage/differential pressure transducer assembly having enhanced output capabilities, comprising a first pressure port adapted to communicate a first pressure to a first sensor, the first sensor comprising a first Wheatstone bridge adapted to output a first signal indicative of the first pressure, wherein the first pressure is a main pressure; and a second pressure port adapted to communicate a second pressure to a second sensor, the second sensor comprising a second Wheatstone bridge adapted to output a second signal indicative of the second pressure, wherein the second pressure is a reference pressure; and an output port connected to the first Wheatstone bridge and the second Wheatstone bridge for outputting a third signal representative of the difference between the first and second pressures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: ANDREW BEMIS, Timothy Nunn
  • Patent number: 8438913
    Abstract: A clog resistant wing union pressure sensor is provided that includes a transmitter housing and a flange section. The flange section is coupled to the transmitter housing and has a pressure port formed therein that includes an open first end, a closed second end, and an inner surface that defines a bore between the open first end and the closed second end. The closed second end is defined by a pressure sensitive diaphragm and has a diameter. The pressure port has a depth defined between the open first end and the closed second end, the bore is tapered between the open first end and the closed second end, and is further defined by a rounded transition between the inner surface and the closed second end, and the diameter of the closed second end is greater than twice the depth of the pressure port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Richards, Tom Yang
  • Patent number: 8410801
    Abstract: A pressure detection apparatus has a pressure-sensitive resistor whose first resistance varies according to pressure and a change of its own temperature, a temperature-sensitive resistor which has a same resistance-temperature coefficient as the pressure-sensitive resistor and whose second resistance varies according to the change of the temperature, a current source supplying first and second constant-currents to the pressure-sensitive and temperature-sensitive resistors respectively, and a pressure signal generation output section. The current source adjusts the first and second constant-currents so that when the pressure is an initial pressure, a reference first voltage appearing across the pressure-sensitive resistor and a reference second voltage appearing across the temperature-sensitive resistor become equal to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., LGD
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Matsuoka, Yuzo Higuchi, Yoshinori Tsujimura, Takio Kojima
  • Publication number: 20130036826
    Abstract: A hydraulic solenoid assembly for complex vehicle-borne control systems, such as automatic transmissions, includes a solenoid body or unitary housing operatively enclosing two or more solenoid valves. Each valve has a pressure port extending to an outer surface of the housing, emerging in a spaced-apart matrix. A metal (stainless steel or aluminum) sensor plate is mounted to the outer surface of the housing so as to sealingly overlay the pressure ports. A diaphragm is formed in the sensor plate for each solenoid valve and registers with its associated pressure port. Electrical components, such as thick file resistors arranged in a Wheatstone bridge network are printed or mounted to an outer surface of each diaphragm. The bridge networks are electrically connected to a control circuit and function to output signals as a function of hydraulic pressure induced displacement of the associated diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Dahlgren, Daniel A. Lawlyes, Markus Naegeli, John K. Isenberg, Lewis Henry Little
  • Publication number: 20130036825
    Abstract: A pressure sensor for measuring gage pressure in relatively high temperature environments is provided. The sensor includes a housing that is configured to couple to a source of pressurized fluid and has an inner surface that defines a inner volume. A pressure sensitive device is coupled to the sensor housing and is configured define a reference chamber in at least a portion of the inner volume. The reference chamber is fluidly isolated from the source of pressurized fluid. An atmospheric reference port is formed in the sensor housing and is in fluid communication with the reference chamber for maintaining the reference chamber at ambient atmospheric pressure. A porous metallic plug is disposed within the atmospheric reference pressure port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Michael Moran, Sivaprakash Eswaran
  • Patent number: 8359928
    Abstract: A pressure sensor of the present invention includes a substrate inside which a reference pressure chamber is formed, a closing body filled in a through-hole formed in the substrate such that the closing body penetrates through a portion between the surface of the substrate and the reference pressure chamber, and hermetically closes the reference pressure chamber, and a strain gauge provided inside the substrate between the surface of the substrate and the reference pressure chamber, and the electric resistance thereof being capable of changing by strain deformation of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Goro Nakatani
  • Publication number: 20120297886
    Abstract: A vertical pressure sensor having a fluid deforming pressure application unit, a sensor housing, a socket, a circuit board, a plurality of electrode terminals, and a plurality of electrical signal transmitting electrode rods. The pressure application unit includes a diaphragm to which strain gauges are attached. The socket surrounds a circumference of the diaphragm of the pressure application unit and includes a receiving passageway. The plurality of electrode terminals are provided at the upper end of the socket in a Wheatstone bridge circuit pattern. The plurality of electrode terminals protrude from the upper end of the socket to constitute an electrode tip. The circuit board connects to the plurality of electrode terminals to convert a pressure value into an electrical signal, and the plurality of electrode rods are connected to the circuit board to transmit the electrical signal outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Chul-Sub Lee, Young-Deok Kim, Eul-Chul Byeon, Yong Hun Lee
  • Patent number: 8297124
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes: a housing; a pressure receiver which seals an opening of the housing and transmits pressure from outside the housing to the inside of the housing; and a pressure sensing element having a pressure sensing portion and a pair of base portions which are respectively coupled to both ends of the pressure sensing portion. In the pressure sensor, a force detecting direction is set to be a detection axis, a line connecting the pair of base portions and a displacement direction of the pressure receiver are arranged in parallel, one of the base portions is coupled to a central region, which is displaced by the pressure, of the pressure receiver, and the other of the base portions is coupled to a marginal region, which is at a fixing side, of the pressure receiver through a connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Watanabe, Masanobu Fujisaki, Hisao Motoyama
  • Patent number: 8297126
    Abstract: A high pressure tank that has particular application for storing hydrogen gas on a vehicle for a fuel cell system. The tank includes a gas tight inner liner layer and a fiber bundle outer composite structural layer. A first strain gauge is provided in the outer layer and a second strain gauge is provided in the inner liner layer both proximate a transition between the layers. The strain gauges are calibrated relative to each other to identify the pressure where the inner liner layer begins to shrink and separate from the outer composite layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Christoph Kuebel
  • Patent number: 8291769
    Abstract: A multipurpose transducer for an appliance using water, like a washing machine, a dishwasher or a hot-water tank converts physical parameters like water temperature, cleanness and pressure in said appliance into electric signals. It is provided with a temperature transducer (TT), a turbidity transducer (TurbT) and a pressure transducer (PT), all of them being fixed on an electrically insulating mounting support (MS). The pressure transducer (PT) is made as an uncompensated strain gauge in a thick film technology. The temperature transducer (TT) made as a termistor is also manufactured in the thick film technology. The multipurpose transducer (MPT) of the invention requires less work steps to be manufactured, mounted and connected in the appliance of said type than earlier transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Klemen Dobravec
  • Patent number: 8281665
    Abstract: A pressure sensor assembly having a pressure tube, in which a diaphragm is situated as a pressure pickup, and having means for detecting the diaphragm deformations, which allow a spatial separation between the measuring medium acting on the diaphragm and the means for detecting the diaphragm deformations. The diaphragm of this pressure sensor assembly includes at least two diaphragm sections oriented at an angle to one another. A first diaphragm section is situated as a partition diaphragm in the cross-section of the pressure tube, while at least one second diaphragm section forms an area of the wall of the pressure tube as a side wall diaphragm. The means for detecting diaphragm deformations are situated on the outer side of the pressure tube on the side wall diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Anton Dukart, Gilbert Moersch
  • Patent number: 8256300
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a sense element port, a support ring and a plurality of interference fit slits to provide a flexible interference fit between the sense element port and the support ring to form a substantially flush lap joint. The sensor also includes an electronics board inside the support ring and attached to planar mounting tabs which provide a stable mounting. Gel flow barriers protect electronics board features from unwanted non-conductive gel. Double-ended symmetrical, tapered contact springs provide manufacturing cost savings and contribute to improved alignment of an interface connector of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sensata Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew F. Willner, Louis Tomasso, Giovanni Fraone, Prasanth Ambady
  • Patent number: 8182435
    Abstract: An implantable intraocular pressure sensor system has a sealed geometric shape with an internal pressure at a first value. A strain gauge wire is embedded in a surface of the sealed geometric shape. When the surface is deflected by intraocular pressure, a measured resistance of the strain gauge wire indicates the intraocular pressure. The system also has a processor coupled to a power source and memory. The processor is configured to read the measured resistance and write values corresponding to intraocular pressure to the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruno Dacquay, Matthew J. A. Rickard
  • Patent number: 8161820
    Abstract: A pressure sensor according to the present invention comprises: a differential pressure diaphragm; a static pressure diaphragm, which is provided to an outer perimeter part of the differential pressure diaphragm; a first static pressure gauge pair that is formed in the end part of the static pressure diaphragm and comprises two static pressure gauges, which are disposed such that they sandwich the differential pressure diaphragm; and a second static pressure gauge pair that is formed in the center part of the static pressure diaphragm and comprises two static pressure gauges which are disposed such that they sandwich the differential pressure diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Yamatake Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Yoneda, Tomohisa Tokuda
  • Patent number: 8156816
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a sense element port, a support ring and a plurality of interference fit slits to provide a flexible interference fit between the sense element port and the support ring to form a substantially flush lap joint. The sensor also includes an electronics board inside the support ring and attached to planar mounting tabs which provide a stable mounting. Gel flow barriers protect electronics board features from unwanted non-conductive gel. Double-ended symmetrical, tapered contact springs provide manufacturing cost savings and contribute to improved alignment of an interface connector of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sensata Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew F. Willner, Giovanni Fraone, Prasanth Ambady, Lauren Snedeker
  • Publication number: 20120060618
    Abstract: There is disclosed a high pressure sensing header which is relatively insensitive to mounting torque. The header generally includes an outer torque isolating shell which has a “C” shaped cross section with the cylindrical shell surrounding an inner “H” section header. The inner “H” section header has a thick diaphragm and is at least partially surrounded by the torque isolating shell. In this manner, when the header is installed, the installation force is absorbed by the outer shell and there is relatively no installation force or torque exhibited by the inner “H” section which will respond only to stress due to pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony D. Kurtz, Adam Kane, Boaz Kochman
  • Patent number: 8127619
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first sensor element in a first branch of a Wheatstone bridge and a second sensor element in a second branch of the Wheatstone bridge. The semiconductor device includes a first reference element in the first branch and a second reference element in the second branch. The semiconductor device includes a circuit configured to switch the first sensor element to the second branch and the second sensor element to the first branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Publication number: 20110303017
    Abstract: A high pressure tank that has particular application for storing hydrogen gas on a vehicle for a fuel cell system. The tank includes a gas tight inner liner layer and a fiber bundle outer composite structural layer. A first strain gauge is provided in the outer layer and a second strain gauge is provided in the inner liner layer both proximate a transition between the layers. The strain gauges are calibrated relative to each other to identify the pressure where the inner liner layer begins to shrink and separate from the outer composite layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Christoph Kuebel
  • Publication number: 20110290030
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a sense element port, a support ring and a plurality of interference fit slits to provide a flexible interference fit between the sense element port and the support ring to form a substantially flush lap joint. The sensor also includes an electronics board inside the support ring and attached to planar mounting tabs which provide a stable mounting. Gel flow barriers protect electronics board features from unwanted non-conductive gel. Double-ended symmetrical, tapered contact springs provide manufacturing cost savings and contribute to improved alignment of an interface connector of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew F. Willner, Louis Tomasso, Giovanni Fraone, Prasanth Ambady
  • Publication number: 20110290029
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a sense element port, a support ring and a plurality of interference fit slits to provide a flexible interference fit between the sense element port and the support ring to form a substantially flush lap joint. The sensor also includes an electronics board inside the support ring and attached to planar mounting tabs which provide a stable mounting. Gel flow barriers protect electronics board features from unwanted non-conductive gel. Double-ended symmetrical, tapered contact springs provide manufacturing cost savings and contribute to improved alignment of an interface connector of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew F. Willner, Giovanni Fraone, Prasanth Ambady, Lauren Snedeker
  • Patent number: 8033009
    Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a force sensor including: a force sensor chip; and an attenuator, in which the force sensor chip and the attenuator are joined at joint portions with a glass layer sandwiched therebetween. The method includes: a film forming step in which a glass film as the glass layer is formed on regions of the attenuator containing the joint portions or on regions of the force sensor chip containing the joint portions; and an anodic bonding step in which the force sensor chip and the attenuator are stacked as a stacked body in close contact with each other at the joint portions, and the glass film and the force sensor chip, or the glass film and the attenuator, are joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Nariaki Kuriyama, Jun Sasahara, Tadahiro Kubota, Daisuke Okamura, Takeshi Ohsato
  • Patent number: 8001844
    Abstract: A high-temperature pressure sensor element for power units includes a substrate, in which an interior space is developed, a deformable membrane, which separates the interior space from the exterior space in order to deform when the exterior pressure changes, and a strain measuring element, which is arranged on the membrane, for measuring the deformation of the membrane. The substrate, the membrane, and the strain measuring element are manufactured from the same high-temperature-stable material, such as an alloy. By way of example a nickel base alloy may be used. A component for a power unit, such as a turbine blade for an airplane or rocket engine, includes an integrated high-temperature pressure sensor element of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Soeren Fricke, Gerhard Mueller, Alois Friedberger, Eberhard Rose, Thomas Ziemann, Ulrich Schmid, Dimitri Telitschkin, Stefan Ziegenhagen
  • Publication number: 20110167918
    Abstract: A pressure sensor assembly having a pressure tube, in which a diaphragm is situated as a pressure pickup, and having means for detecting the diaphragm deformations, which allow a spatial separation between the measuring medium acting on the diaphragm and the means for detecting the diaphragm deformations. The diaphragm of this pressure sensor assembly includes at least two diaphragm sections oriented at an angle to one another. A first diaphragm section is situated as a partition diaphragm in the cross-section of the pressure tube, while at least one second diaphragm section forms an area of the wall of the pressure tube as a side wall diaphragm. The means for detecting diaphragm deformations are situated on the outer side of the pressure tube on the side wall diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Anton Dukart, Gilbert Moersch
  • Patent number: 7942069
    Abstract: A fluid handling device includes a body portion defining a flow passage and an impulse chamber extending from the flow passage. The impulse chamber is fluidly coupled with the flow passage and has a pair of opposing ends defining a length dimension therebetween. The impulse chamber further presents a diameter dimension transverse to the length dimension, wherein the length dimension is at least 3 times and not greater than 10 times the diameter dimension. The device further includes at least one sensor operably coupled with the body portion. The sensor is disposed proximate the end of the impulse chamber opposite the flow passage and presents a sensing face facing into the impulse chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Peterson
  • Patent number: 7926353
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first sensor element in a first branch of a Wheatstone bridge and a second sensor element in a second branch of the Wheatstone bridge. The semiconductor device includes a first reference element in the first branch and a second reference element in the second branch. The semiconductor device includes a circuit configured to switch the first sensor element to the second branch and the second sensor element to the first branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Patent number: 7748276
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a pressure sensor that includes a pressure detector having a bottomed cylindrical member with a bottom including a thin-wall portion and a strain detecting mechanism provided on one side of the bottom for detecting a strain of the bottom and a pressure-introducing joint for introducing the fluid to be measured into the bottomed cylindrical member is provided. The method includes: first welding for butt-welding an end of the cylindrical portion of the bottomed cylindrical member and an end of the pressure-introducing joint; and second welding for welding the pressure-introducing joint in parallel to a first weld bead formed by the first welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Nagano Keiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Kaneko, Hiroshi Kodama, Hiroshi Wakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20100132472
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a fill tube which is arranged to couple to a process pressure. A sensor is coupled to the fill tube and is configured to measure pressure of fluid in the fill tube as a function of a change of a physical property of the fill tube. Circuitry is provided to measure pressure using the pressure sensor, and to measure pressure based upon the change of the physical property of the fill tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Charles R. Willcox, Robert C. Hedtke, Liangju Lu
  • Patent number: 7555958
    Abstract: A physical quantity detector includes a pressure-responsive bridge circuit that outputs a detection voltage including a voltage component corresponding to atmospheric pressure and a voltage component corresponding to a change quantity from the atmospheric pressure, a filter that eliminates the voltage component corresponding to the change quantity from the atmospheric pressure, and a variable gain unit that amplifies a voltage difference between the detection voltage outputted from the bridge circuit and the filter output voltage that is free form the change quantity from the atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hajime Ito