Electrical Patents (Class 73/753)
  • Patent number: 11918319
    Abstract: Systems and method to measure pressure are described herein. The system can include a force sensor can that be implanted into a patient to measure, for example, cardiac pressure. The force sensor can include first and second film layers that can define a plurality of pressure cells. An external pressure can deform the pressure cells and change their resonant frequency. When exposed to an acoustic signal, the pressure cells can resonant at a pressure-dependent resonant frequency. The system can detect reflected acoustic waves generated by the resonance of the pressure cells. The system can convert the frequency readings into pressure values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: CORNELL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Seyedhamidreza Alaie, Amir Ali Amiri Moghadam, Subhi Al'Aref, James K. Min, Bobak Mosadegh, Simon Dunham
  • Patent number: 11909338
    Abstract: An electrical current generating device having a sound wave force magnifying structure in the form of a force transmission pin which is longitudinally slidable within a body bore and having a proximal end of a large area for receiving sound wave forces, and having a greatly reduced area distal end which bears on a piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: John M. Leslie
  • Patent number: 11898920
    Abstract: A connector for use with a sensor, such as a pressure sensor, has EMI absorbing capabilities. The connector includes a polymeric body configured for coupling to a sensor body and an EMI absorbing material. The EMI absorbing material may be entrained in the polymeric body, coated on the polymeric body, or otherwise integrated with the polymeric body. The EMI absorbing material may be carbon black or carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Sensata Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Engbertus Berkel, Thomas Gerjen Hendrik Kouwen, Jonathan M. Rigelsford
  • Patent number: 11788913
    Abstract: A pressure sensor (10) for a fluid circuit, in particular, of a motor vehicle, the sensor comprising a body (12) comprising a fluid inlet (14), a fluid outlet (16) and an internal chamber (18) for connecting the inlet to the fluid outlet for the fluid flow in said body, the sensor further comprising an elastically deformable membrane (20) located in said chamber and comprising a first face (20a) intended to be in contact with the fluid flowing in the body, wherein the sensor further comprises a resonant circuit (22) of the RLC type located in said chamber and associated with a readout circuit (23) located outside the chamber (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: HUTCHINSON
    Inventors: Brice Gabrielle, Thierry Benard
  • Patent number: 11750182
    Abstract: An integrated circuit having: a signal output circuit configured to output a first digital signal of a first logic level or of a second logic level in response to an analog signal; a first buffer circuit configured to raise and lower a voltage at a terminal of the integrated circuit in response to the first digital signal of a first logic level and a second logic level, respectively; a first digital delay circuit configured to receive a clock signal, and to delay the first digital signal, to output a resultant signal as a first delay signal, based on the received clock signal; and a second buffer circuit configured to raise the voltage at the terminal in response to the first delay signal of the first logic level, and lower the voltage at the terminal in response to the first delay signal of the second logic level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nakajima
  • Patent number: 11740149
    Abstract: The measuring device comprises a sensor element with an electrical transducer for providing a primary signal dependent on the measured variable and a sensor body with a flat surface portion. The measuring device also includes a measurement and operation circuit for driving the transducer and processing the primary signals. The measurement and operation circuit comprises at least one carrier, a plurality of circuit components including at least one integrated circuit, and passive components. The carrier comprises an electrically insulating carrier body and conductor paths which extend in the carrier body or on its surface. The integrated circuit and the passive component are arranged on the carrier body surface and contacted by the conductor paths. The carrier body is fixed to the surface portion, and the transducer is electrically connected to circuit components of the measurement and operation circuit via conductor paths, the components being encapsulated with a molding compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Romuald Girardey, Nils Ponath, Alexander Bannwarth
  • Patent number: 11603311
    Abstract: A MEMS switch is actuatable by a fluid, and includes a piezoelectric pressure sensor that detects the movement of a fluid generating a negative pressure. The piezoelectric pressure sensor is formed by a chip of semiconductor material having a through cavity and a sensitive membrane, which extends over the through cavity and has a first and a second surface. The piezoelectric pressure sensor is mounted on a face of a board having a through hole so that the through cavity overlies and is in fluid connection with the through hole. The board has a fixing structure, which enables securing in an opening of a partition wall separating a first and a second space from each other. The board is arranged so that the first surface of the sensitive membrane faces the first space, and the second surface of the sensitive membrane faces the second space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Enri Duqi, Fabrizio Cerini, Lorenzo Baldo
  • Patent number: 11525709
    Abstract: A circuit assembly for mounting on a vehicle assembly is provided. The circuit assembly may be a mountable sensor assembly. The assembly may include a housing with a cavity that houses a circuit, for example a sensor circuit. The circuit may be sealed in the cavity of the housing by epoxy. The housing may include a connector recess with terminals extending into the connector recess. The terminals may provide an electrical connection to the circuit. The housing may have openings between the cavity and the connector recess through which the terminals extend. One or more of the openings may have a cross sectional profile larger than the cross sectional profile of the terminal such that a passage is formed between the cavity and the recess after the terminal is inserted through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: VEONEER US, LLC
    Inventor: Jacob Pusheck
  • Patent number: 11519772
    Abstract: Pressure sensor systems for measuring a liquid pressure and deriving a liquid level from the measured pressure using gas pressure sensing devices. In one embodiment, liquid pressure results in compression or decompression of a trapped gas (as an example, air), wherein the gas pressure is detected by a gas pressure sensing device directly or a gas pressure sensing device that is protected inside a flexible pouch filled with a liquid. In another embodiment, a gas pressure sensing device is packaged in a flexible pouch filled with an inert liquid to protect the sensing device and circuit thereof from external contaminants while accurately transferring pressure from the liquid through a protective barrier. Application of such sensors in a wireless flood or a wireless liquid level measurement system is described as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Evigia Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Krammer, Siva Aduri, Navid Yazdi
  • Patent number: 11428588
    Abstract: Fully-passive sensor systems that receive an input electromagnetic signal and return an output electromagnetic signal are described. The sensor systems can be used to measure pressure in biological or non-biological systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Shiyi Liu, Junseok Chae
  • Patent number: 11399651
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure detection device configured to detect pressure intensity in a sealed cavity of a cooking appliance, comprising: a pressure sensing assembly comprising a fixed part and a movable part, in which the movable part moves relative to the fixed part when a pressure change in the sealed cavity is sensed, so as to cause a sensing parameter of the pressure sensing assembly to change; and a detecting unit connecting with the pressure sensing assembly and can acquire the pressure intensity in the sealed cavity according to a current sensing parameter of the pressure sensing assembly. The pressure sensing assembly further comprises a flexible sealing sheet disposed at an open end of the body portion to seal the open end, and configured to be deformed towards the pressure chamber when an air pressure in the sealed cavity is greater than an air pressure in the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventors: Shuyun Wu, Anping Gao, Xinjian Huang, Guilin Xiong
  • Patent number: 11370672
    Abstract: In a gas collecting method for collecting gas yielding from source material on a sea bottom, [1] releasing a collecting membrane into water, a fixture being connected with a lower end of the collecting membrane and the collecting membrane being flared downward from its top; [2] keeping a three-dimensional position of the fixture at a target position with its autonomous navigation by a position maintainer provided in the fixture; [3] based on vertical water temperature distribution, setting the lower end at a position that is higher than the sea bottom and shallower than a water depth where the source material separates from its solid state into water and gas and setting the top at a deeper position than a water depth where bubbles of the gas disappear due to mixture of the gas with seawater; and [4] collecting the gas released from the sea bottom by the collecting membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventor: Chiharu Aoyama
  • Patent number: 11221267
    Abstract: A pressure sensor device of a pressure sensor, in particular a low- or medium-pressure sensor, for example a tire-pressure sensor, includes a sensing device that has a sensing side that can be turned toward a sensing environment having a fluid to be sensed; and, directly and/or indirectly on the sensing side, a fluid-pressure transmitting device, through which a fluid pressure of the fluid to be sensed is transmittable to the sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Eckart Schellkes
  • Patent number: 11186478
    Abstract: A MEMS includes a substrate having a cavity, and a moveable element arranged in the cavity, the moveable element including a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode that is arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode and is fixed in an electrically insulated manner from the same at discrete areas. The moveable element is configured to perform a movement along a movement direction in a substrate plan in response to an electric potential between the first electrode and the third electrode or in response to an electric potential between the second electrode and the third electrode. A dimension of the third electrode perpendicular to the substrate plane is lower than a dimension of the first electrode and a dimension of the second electrode perpendicular to the substrate plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Sergiu Langa, Holger Conrad, Klaus Schimmanz
  • Patent number: 11156524
    Abstract: An electronic control unit for a vehicle, including: a pressure-sensor-element (PSE); a housing having a pressure-guide by which the PSE has a pressure-medium applied to it under pressure; an evaluation-unit to generate a pressure-signal, dependent on the pressure detected by the pressure-sensor-element in the pressure-guide; and a circuit-carrier on which at least part of control-electronics of the control-unit is arranged; the pressure-signal of the evaluation-unit being put in the control-electronics, the pressure-guide making direct contact with the circuit-carrier and a sealing-element arranged in the contact-region between the pressure-guide and the circuit-carrier, the sealing-element sealing a region of the pressure-guide to which the pressure-medium is applied under pressure from the surroundings, the PSE being arranged directly on the circuit-carrier, such that the PSE is arranged in the region of the pressure-guide to which the pressure-medium is applied under pressure, and the evaluation-unit bein
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Huber, Klaus Lechner, Friedbert Roether, Karin Pohley, Amadeus Mlynarski, Stefan Niedermeier
  • Patent number: 11137292
    Abstract: A physical quantity detecting device includes a circuit board having a first support portion with a physical quantity detecting element, a second support portion with a temperature detecting element, and a housing molded by injection molding, the housing supporting the circuit board. The physical quantity detecting element is configured to detect a physical quantity of fluid and the temperature detecting element is configured to detect a temperature of the fluid. The second support portion protrudes from an edge of the circuit and has a third support portion supporting the second support portion in connection with the housing. The third support portion is located on a same side as the leading end portion, with respect to a base end portion, and located on a same side as the base end portion, with respect to an implementation portion on which the temperature detecting element is implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Nozomi Yatsumonji, Hiroaki Hoshika, Takayuki Yogo, Takahiro Miki, Hiroyuki Abe
  • Patent number: 11121150
    Abstract: A method for forming a gate structure of a 3D memory device is provided. The method comprises: forming an alternating layer stack on a substrate; forming a plurality of channel holes in the alternating layer stack, each penetrating vertically through the alternating layer stack; forming a functional layer including a storage layer on a sidewall of each channel hole, wherein the storage layer has an uneven surface; forming a channel layer to cover the functional layer in each channel hole; and forming a filling structure to cover the channel layer and fill each channel hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li Hong Xiao, Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 10976206
    Abstract: A device for measuring the preloading of a screw during a screwing operation including a container body in which a support is inserted, inside which there is a leadscrew into which such screw is screwed by a tightening tool, at the bottom of such support and connected thereto a transducer being arranged, capable of measuring the traction generated on itself as a result of the compression created by the screwing of the screw into the leadscrew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO INDUSTRIAL TECHNIQUE AB
    Inventor: Attilio Alessandro Interdonato
  • Patent number: 10969290
    Abstract: A cold cathode ionization gauge (CCIG) includes an extended anode, a cathode surrounding the anode along a length of the anode, and a feedthrough insulator supporting the anode. The cathode forms a discharge space around the anode to enable formation of a plasma between the anode and the cathode and a resultant ion current flow into the cathode. The CCIG further includes a magnet applying a magnetic field through the discharge space to lengthen free electron paths to sustain the plasma. A shield is electrically isolated from the insulator and shields the insulator from electrons of the plasma. The shield may be mounted to the cathode and surrounds and is spaced from the anode. An electric controller applies voltage between the anode and the cathode to create ionization with plasma discharge between the anode and the cathode, the controller determining pressure based on measured ion current flow to the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerardo A. Brucker, Timothy C. Swinney
  • Patent number: 10948319
    Abstract: An electrical process control sensor assembly 10 for sensing a process or machine parameter, the assembly 10 including a sensor body 12 and a head 14, the body 12 defining a body interior 20. The assembly includes a sensing device 22 at least partially located in the body interior 20. The head 14 defines a head interior 24 which communicates with the body interior 20. The assembly 10 includes a connector arrangement 26 located in the head interior 24. The assembly 10 includes internal communicating members 28 extending between the sensing device 22 and the connector arrangement 26, the connector arrangement 26 connecting, in an installed condition, the internal communicating members 28 to external communicating members 30 to permit electrical communication therebetween. The head 14 defines a port 34 through which the external connecting members 30 are located in the installed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: LONGVALE LIMITED
    Inventors: Ben Hiron-Jones, Nathan Dear
  • Patent number: 10830656
    Abstract: A process of forming an overmolded lead frame assembly for a pressure sensing application includes clamping both sides of a lead frame to performing a primary overmolding operation to prevent resin flash on wire bonding areas on the lead frame. The process also includes performing the primary overmolding operation to form a primary mold that covers selected portions of the lead frame on first and second sides of the lead frame assembly. The primary mold forms an electronics cavity on the first side of the lead frame assembly to enable subsequent wire-bonding of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensing element to the wire bonding areas. The process further includes performing a secondary overmolding operation to form a secondary mold on the second side of the lead frame assembly. The secondary mold covers an exposed portion of the lead frame beneath the wire bonding areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jun H. Bae, David T. Brown, Andrew C. Herron
  • Patent number: 10816428
    Abstract: A field device assembly includes an industrial process field device, a flange and a sealing and electrically insulating system. The field device includes a pressure sensor and a housing containing the active component. The housing includes a base having a base interface, which includes a first base process opening. The flange is attached to the base of the housing and includes a coplanar interface having a first flange process opening. The sealing and electrically insulating system includes a gasket that includes a dielectric material. A first process opening in the gasket is aligned with the first base process opening and the first flange process opening. A first surface of the gasket engages the base interface, and a second surface of the gasket that is opposite the first surface engages the coplanar interface. The gasket electrically insulates the housing of the field device from the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT INC.
    Inventors: Andrew John Wagener, Trevor Thomas Stroth, Sarah Ellen LaCroix
  • Patent number: 10651609
    Abstract: A first connector pin to a third connector pin have a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional shape formed by a horizontal part embedded in the top of an inner housing part by resin molding and a vertical part continuous with and protruding upwardly orthogonal to the horizontal part. A fourth connector pin has a substantially I-shaped cross-sectional shape having only the vertical part. The horizontal part of the first connector pin is provided so as to surround the first end of the first connector pin, the horizontal part and the first end of the second connector pin, the horizontal part and the first end of the third connector pin, and is integrated and connected to the fourth connector pin. A chip capacitor is attached to the connector pins by a joining member. Thus, the connector pins are connected to each other via the chip capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumiya Ueno, Kimihiro Ashino
  • Patent number: 10549900
    Abstract: A thermal storage system includes a thermally insulated storage container and a payload container adapted to retrievably house a temperature sensitive payload. The system includes layers of first and second phase change materials arranged in a stack with the payload container. The first phase change material has a phase change temperature within a target temperature range of the payload, and the second phase change material has a phase change temperature outside the target temperature range. The layers are arranged to isolate the payload from the second phase change material. In the case of biological materials that must not freeze while stored in the container, this arrangement enables a cold pack containing the layers of phase change materials to be placed in direct contact with the contents container even with a cold pack starting temperature well below the freezing point of the contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: SAVSU TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Bruce McCormick
  • Patent number: 10274388
    Abstract: A sensor module and a joint are made of different metal materials. The sensor module includes a first portion located near a diaphragm and a second portion having a large-diameter portion whose diameter is larger than that of the first portion. A step engaged with a peripheral edge of the large-diameter portion is formed on the joint. The large-diameter portion and the joint are mutually bonded through a bonding portion. The bonding portion is bonded by a plastic deformation bonding that is so-called metal flow. A space is defined between the joint and the module body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: NAGANO KEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Sekiya, Shuji Tohyama, Nobuhiko Akimoto
  • Patent number: 10260974
    Abstract: An electronic part (air pressure detecting device) 1 includes a sensor element (air pressure sensor element) 2 that includes an ambient air contacting surface S including an ambient air contacting region Sa to be exposed to ambient air, and a supporting substrate 4, arranged to support the sensor element 2. The sensor element 2 is bonded to one surface 4a of the supporting substrate 4 in a state where its ambient air contacting surface S faces the one surface 4a of the supporting substrate 4 and a gap, through which the ambient air flows, is formed between the ambient air contacting surface S and the one surface 4a of the supporting substrate 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Sakuragi
  • Patent number: 9880034
    Abstract: Provided is a low-cost flow sensor which improves productivity while maintaining high quality and high reliability. This flow sensor is provided with a housing, a cover, a circuit chamber sealed between these and housing electronic components or wiring, and a subpassage through which the fluid flows that is to be detected, and is characterized in that the welding width of a first welded portion forming the circuit chamber is greater than the welding width of a part of the second welded portion forming the subpassage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Arai, Shigeharu Tsunoda, Shinobu Tashiro, Takeshi Morino
  • Patent number: 9841340
    Abstract: Pressure measurement apparatus, assemblies and methods are described. According to one aspect, a pressure sensor assembly includes a substrate, a first adhesive member adhered to the substrate, a sensor support adhered to the first adhesive member, a second adhesive member adhered to the sensor support, and a pressure sensor adhered to the second adhesive member and aligned with apertures of the substrate, first adhesive member, and second adhesive member, and the pressure sensor is configured to vary an output signal as a result of changes in pressure of a received air stream, and the output signal is indicative of the changes in pressure of the air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Scanivalve Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher John Harthan, Blair Randall Chalpin
  • Patent number: 9835510
    Abstract: A ceramic pressure sensor is described which is produced using an alternative production method and has a ceramic base body, a ceramic measuring membrane which is disposed on the base body and is to be charged with a pressure to be measured, and a pressure measuring chamber enclosed in the base body below the measuring membrane. A method to produce the pressure sensor by means of which, in particular, more complex shapes of the measuring membrane and/or the base body are producible with minimal pores wherein the base body and/or the measuring membrane have layers applied on each other in a 3-D printing method and produced by the selective laser melting of nanopowder layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Anh Tuan Tham
  • Patent number: 9746390
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a microfused silicon strain gauge pressure sensor. A pressure sensor package includes a sense element configured to be exposed to a pressure environment, the sense element including at least one strain gauge, an electronics package disposed on a carrier and electrically coupled to the sense element, the carrier disposed on a port that includes the sense element, the port enabling a decoupling feature for sealing and parasitic sealing forces and a reduction of a port length, a housing disposed about the sense element and electronics package, and a connector joined to the housing and electrically connected to the electronics package, the connector including an external interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ernie Johannus Antonius Schoot Uiterkamp, Dedde Hedzer Wiersma, Frank Hendri Jacobs
  • Patent number: 9664575
    Abstract: A variable resistance flexure sensor, and a system and method of controlling an appliance using a variable resistance flexure sensor are provided. The sensor can include a substrate having a flexible portion and a non-flexible portion. A plurality of electrically resistive elements, such as a first resistive element and a second resistive element, can be disposed on the substrate where at least one resistive element is exclusively within the non-flexible portion of the substrate and at least one resistive element is within the flexible portion of the substrate. The resistive element within the non-flexible portion of the substrate can act as a reference resistance for the flexure sensor and can be used as, or as part of, a biasing network for the electrically resistive element within the flexible portion of the substrate. The flexure sensor can be used within an appliance to detect various conditions such as temperature, moisture, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliances Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: James Carter Bach
  • Patent number: 9157392
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining both pressures and temperatures in a high temperature environment. The present invention also relates to a method of determining temperatures about a pressure-sensing element using a bi-functional heater. In addition, the present invention preferably relates to a pressure sensor with the pressure-sensing element and a heating element both integrated into the sensor's packaging, preferably onto the diaphragm of the pressure sensor, and particularly to such a pressure sensor capable of operating at high or elevated temperatures, and even more particularly to such a pressure sensor wherein the heating element is capable of both heating, at least in part, the pressure-sensing element and monitoring the temperature of the application area. Preferably, the pressure-sensing element is formed from shape memory alloy (SMA) materials that can be used at high or elevated temperatures as a pressure sensor with high sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Orbital Research Inc.
    Inventors: Greg S Shaw, Troy Prince, Joseph Snyder, Michael C Willett, Frederick J Lisy
  • Patent number: 9157823
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure gauge for measuring a pressure of a source. The pressure gauge includes a case, a flexible film, a magnetic device, a coil, a processor, and a screen. The case has a bore connecting the source. The coil is provided in the case. The flexible film is provided on an inner side of the case to cover the bore that the flexible film is expandable by the pressure of the source. The magnetic device is received in the case to be moved relative to the coil by the flexible film. The movement of the magnetic device causes the coil to generate an induced electromotive force, and the processor may find the gas pressure according to the induced electromotive force, and show it on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: GRAND MATE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Chin Huang, Chin-Ying Huang, Hsin-Ming Huang, Hsing-Hsiung Huang, Kuan-Chou Lin, Yen-Jen Yen, Chiang-Wen Lai
  • Patent number: 9122920
    Abstract: A digital manifold gauge having a gauge assembly with a display, one or more selectors, and a circuit board wherein the gauge assembly is rotatably disposed within a gauge housing and adapted to rotate to provide a plurality of viewing positions for the user. The circuit board is in electrical communication with a sensor port and the sensor port is adapted to receive a sensor transducer, such as a pressure transducer. The gauge includes internal software and logic for data processing and manipulation. The gauge includes a software algorithm adapted to convert pressure data transmitted to the circuit board from the pressure transducer into temperature data. The temperature and pressure data can be displayed on the display in real time and the gauge can also provide graphing and charting of the pressure-temperature relationship. The gauge is compatible with a variety of refrigerants and other fluids flowing through HVAC systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: CPS Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose L. Sacerio, Juan Saluzzio, Michael Pruszynski, Hung Luu, Karl Russell
  • Patent number: 9074952
    Abstract: A sensor for measuring pressures in low-viscosity media for use in injection molding includes a housing with an axis A, a flat end face to be exposed to a pressure space, and a diaphragm that is arranged on the end face and is permanently connected to the housing. A measuring element that can infer a pressure prevailing in the pressure space on the basis of deflection of the diaphragm is arranged behind the diaphragm. A pressure sleeve that is tightly connected to the sensor on the end face and is arranged at a distance from the housing with a gap behind this connection is arranged coaxially with the housing axis A outside the housing. The gap extends axially further across the measuring element than the region of the force path in the direction away from the pressure space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: KISTLER HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Ernst Pletscher
  • Patent number: 9063027
    Abstract: A method, device and system for a gage pressure transducer including the making thereof are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, at a first diaphragm, a first pressure, wherein the first diaphragm is composed of metal; transferring, from the first diaphragm, to a first sensor, the first pressure using a first oil region, wherein the first oil region is disposed between the first diaphragm and the first sensor; receiving, at the first sensor, the first pressure; measuring, by the first sensor, the first pressure to generate a first pressure signal; and outputting, from the first sensor, to a first header pin, the first pressure signal, wherein the first header pin is electrically coupled to the first sensor using a first conductive glass frit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: KULITE SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Nora Kurtz
  • Patent number: 9048901
    Abstract: A process transmitter is configured to measure a process variable of an industrial process. The process transmitter includes a process variable sensor which senses the process variable and responsively provides a process variable sensor output. Sensor circuitry is coupled to the process variable sensor. A housing to encloses the sensor circuitry and the output circuitry. The sensor circuitry electrical couples to the housing. The sensor circuitry wirelessly communicates with the output circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene Korolev
  • Publication number: 20150107366
    Abstract: A sensor including a buffer material layer configured to at least partially deflect when a force or pressure is imparted on the buffer material layer; and an electroactive polymer (EAP) cartridge in operative contact with the buffer material layer, wherein the EAP cartridge is configured to generate an output signal that corresponds to an amount of strain imparted on the EAP cartridge. The EAP cartridge may be used in a variety of sensing applications including as a pressure sensor integrated into a fluid connector. One aspect of the invention provides for selection of a buffer material layer based upon a desired pressure range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Jason Thomas Dunn, Shawn D. Ellis, Roger W. Briese, Tad N. Orstad, Todd D. Lambert, John E. Page, Mario A. Calvo, Timothy Skwiot
  • Publication number: 20150101412
    Abstract: The invention concerns a pressure sensor including means of sensing pressure and converting pressure into an electrical signal able to be transmitted by an electrical circuit to an control interface circuit of an indicator device, wherein said sensing and conversion means include: a closed volume and a liquid contained in the closed volume, said liquid being electrically conductive and capable of moving inside said closed volume, at least one sensing member arranged inside the closed volume in a given position in said volume, said sensing member including at least one pair of electrodes and cooperating with the liquid when said liquid moves in the closed volume, so that said electrical circuit is closed when the liquid passes said sensing member. The pressure sensor is intended to be integrated in a pressure measuring device, particularly a timepiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: THE SWATCH GROUP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LTD
    Inventor: Gian-Carlo POLI
  • Patent number: 8960010
    Abstract: A system for controlling the position of a diaphragm in a diaphragm-containing pressure pod, is provided. The system can include a peristaltic pump, a pressure pod having a flow-through fluid side and a gas side that are separated by a diaphragm, and a pressure sensor operatively connected to the gas side. The pressure sensor is configured to sense pulses of pressure resulting from movement of the diaphragm and caused by the action of the peristaltic pump. A gas source and a valve can be in fluid communication with the gas side of the pressure pod and can be configured to provide gas to, or vent gas from, the gas side. A controller receives pressure signals from the pressure sensor and controls the valve in response, and in so doing, controls the position of the diaphragm. Methods for positioning the diaphragm are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Crnkovich, Lee Tanenbaum, Michael Emmanuel Kotsos, Fei Wang, Alex Brown
  • Patent number: 8955385
    Abstract: A pressure monitoring system (200) is provided. The pressure monitoring system (200) includes a housing (201) and a fluid port (202) formed in the housing (201). The pressure monitoring system (200) also includes a first pressure switch (204) positioned within at least a portion of the housing (201). The first pressure switch (204) is in fluid communication with the fluid port (202). The pressure monitoring system (200) also includes a second pressure switch (205) positioned within at least a portion of the housing (201). The second pressure switch (205) is also in fluid communication with the fluid port (202).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Norgren GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Baier, Stefan Pfund
  • Patent number: 8935961
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a rectangular-shaped pressure sensor element and an electronic circuitry coupled to receive a signal from the pressure sensor element. An open-ended fluid-tight passageway of the sensor assembly conveys fluid from a portal opening of the sensor assembly to a surface of the rectangular-shaped pressure sensor element. The sensor assembly further includes a closed-ended fluid-tight passageway, at least a portion of which is fabricated from metal. The closed-ended fluid tight passageway extends from at least from the portal opening of the sensor assembly to the electronic circuitry on at least a portion of a path adjacent to the rectangular-shaped ceramic pressure sensor element. The sensor assembly includes a temperature sensor element disposed in an end of the closed-ended fluid-tight passageway. Conductive links disposed in the closed-ended fluid tight passageway electrically couple the temperature sensor element to the electronic circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Sensata Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas G. Papadeas, Jeffrey Peter Silveria, Omar Rashid Ghani, Jared E. Girroir, Albert Ferdinand Zwijze, Paulus Thomas Johannes Gennissen, Edward Norberg
  • Patent number: 8934263
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sensors including pressure sensors, humidity sensors, flow sensors, etc. In some cases, a cover for use with a sensor assembly may include an electrically insulating body having perimeter features extending a majority of the way around perimeters of upper and lower printed circuit boards that the cover may vertically separate. In one example, the body of the cover may include support features that extend from a lower side of the cover and those support features may contact the lower printed circuit board in at least two locations. The support features of the cover may be separated by a gap and a sensor connected to the lower printed circuit board may be situated within the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Eckhardt, Jim Machir, Palani Thanigachalam, Sunil Job
  • Publication number: 20150000423
    Abstract: One or more electroactive polymer (EAP) strips are circumferentially or lengthwise embedded or mounted around the fluid passage member. The EAP strips are configured to function as a pump when a prescribed electrical charge is applied and removed from the EAP strips, which causes the EAP strips to expand and constrict accordingly. A series of these strips may be mounted along a portion of the fluid passage member and electrically actuated in a prescribed manner to exert a squeezing force around the fluid passage member, which functions to pump fluid through the fluid passage member. The EAP strips also change electrical characteristics (e.g., capacitance, resistance) independent of the applied actuation as they are stretched, so they may be used to measure fluid pressure and/or fluid flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason T. Dunn, Mario A. Calvo, Andrew Brenner, Kenji A. Kingsford
  • Patent number: 8915142
    Abstract: A ceramic component having at least one electrical feedthrough, comprising: a ceramic body, through which a bore extends; and a metal conductor, which is arranged at least sectionally in the bore and which is secured in the bore by means of an active hard solder, or braze, whereby the bore is sealed. The active hard solder fills an annular gap between the metal conductor and the ceramic body, characterized in that the active hard solder has a radially variable, chemical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Ulfert Drewes
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140360598
    Abstract: A reading and adjustment tool for use with a valve having a pressure or flow setting adjustable to a plurality of pressure or flow settings is disclosed. The tool includes a signal generator and an excitation coil coupled to the signal generator. The signal generator includes an adjustment interface configured to generate an adjustment signal to adjust the pressure or flow setting and a reading interface to generate a reading signal to read the pressure or flow setting of the valve. At least one excitation coil is connected to the signal generator and configured to generate an oscillating electromagnetic field based on one of the adjustment signal and reading signal. A sense coil can include two portions positioned on either side of the at least one excitation coil to determine the pressure or flow setting of the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: John R. Prisco, John Murdock Murphy, Jamie Hei, Laetitia Mayor, Pierre Jaquier
  • Patent number: 8904876
    Abstract: Flexible force/pressure sensors for producing electrical output signals proportional to forces or pressures exerted on the sensor include a thin, elastically deformable foam pad laminated between a pair of electrically conducive fabric sheets. A piezocapacitive embodiment of the sensor utilizes an elastically deformable perforated open-cell polyurethane foam pad preferably saturated with glycerin to increase the capacitance of the sensor. The piezocapacitive sensor section is preferably stacked onto a piezoresistive section having a second open-cell foam pad containing piezoresistive carbon particles to form a hybrid piezocapacitive/piezoresistive sensor. A third, “leaky dielectric” embodiment of a sensor includes a single open-cell foam pad which contains both a dielectric liquid and conductive particles. A low frequency such as d.c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey L. Taylor, William L. Chapin
  • Patent number: 8893554
    Abstract: A temperature-compensated pressure sensor system includes a pressure sensing element, a temperature sensing device, and a temperature compensation network. The pressure sensing element provides a first voltage output representative of a sensed pressure value. The temperature sensing device provides a second voltage output representative of a sensed temperature value. The temperature compensation network is connected to receive the first voltage output provided by the pressure sensing element and the second voltage output provided by the temperature sensing device. The temperature compensation network provides a temperature compensated voltage representative of sensed pressure, wherein the second voltage output passively biases the temperature compensation network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Craig T. Stambaugh
  • Patent number: 8887574
    Abstract: A measurement system for measuring a pressure of a fluid is provided. The measurement system includes a sensing module and a liquid electrical circuit. The sensing module includes a flexible film and a liquid electronic device. The flexible film has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The fluid is disposed on the first side of the flexible film, and the liquid electronic device is disposed on the second side of the flexible film. The flexible film converts the pressure of the fluid into a parameter of the liquid electronic device. The liquid electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the liquid electronic device. The liquid electronic device and the liquid electrical circuit output a measurement signal corresponding to the parameter in response to an applied electrical energy. A manufacture method of a measurement system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Academia Sinica
    Inventors: Yi-Chung Tung, Chueh-Yu Wu, Wei-Hao Liao