Abstract: A system for sensing at least one physical characteristic associated with an engine including a turbine having a plurality of blades turning inside a casing, the system including: a pressure sensor coupled substantially adjacent to the casing and including at least one output; a port in the turbine casing for communicating a pressure indicative of a clearance between the blades and casing to the pressure sensor; a cooling cavity substantially surrounding the pressure sensor; and, an inlet for receiving fluid from the engine and feeding the fluid to the cooling cavity to cool the pressure sensor; wherein, the pressure sensor output is indicative of the clearance between the blades and casing.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods of signal transmission and measuring for sensors employing a transmission medium are provided. In one embodiment, a method may comprise measuring a first monitored condition to generate a first monitored condition signal; converting the first monitored condition signal to a first frequency modulated signal having a first frequency; generating a second frequency modulated signal having a reference frequency; transmitting the first frequency modulated signal and the second frequency modulated signal using time division multiplexing; and wherein a first ratio of the first frequency and the reference frequency is associated with the first pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a two lead electronic switch adapted to replace a mechanical switch are provided.

Abstract: A tunable pressure transducer assembly that comprises a sensing element disposed within a housing, wherein the sensing element is adapted to output a signal substantially indicative of an applied pressure, and a filter assembly also disposed within the housing. In one example embodiment, a method includes receiving, at a filter assembly having a tube, a cap and a cavity defined by a housing, a pressure, wherein the cap is positioned to set a predetermined volume of the cavity and the tube is associated with an application of the pressure to the cavity, wherein the pressure includes a static pressure component and a dynamic pressure component; filtering, by the tube and the cavity, at least a portion of the dynamic pressure component of the pressure to obtain a filtered pressure; outputting, from the filter assembly, the filtered pressure; and wherein the filtered pressure is used to determine the static pressure component of the pressure.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a differential pressure transducer that comprises first and second diaphragms of different configurations, i.e., different diameters and/or thicknesses. The pressure transducer provides more versatility over prior art designs as the diaphragms can be of different configurations yet still maintain substantially similar back pressures. Therefore, the errors commonly associated with back pressures are eliminated because the back pressures from the diaphragms ultimately cancel out in the sensor's differential pressure measurement.

Abstract: A flexible transducer structure suitable for attaching to a curved surface such as the leading edge of an aircraft wing is provided. In one example embodiment, a method may include receiving, at a sensor disposed on a flexible sheet, a pressure, wherein the sensor is electrically coupled to a conductive trace disposed on the flexible sheet; measuring, by the sensor, the pressure to generate a pressure signal; outputting, by the sensor, to the conductive trace, the pressure signal, wherein the conductive trace extends away from the sensor on the flexible sheet; and wherein the flexible sheet is adaptable to conform to a contour of a curved surface.

Abstract: A pressure transducer comprising a corrosion resistant metal diaphragm, having an active region, and capable of deflecting when a force is applied to the diaphragm; and a piezoresistive silicon-on-insulator sensor array disposed on a single substrate, the substrate secured to the diaphragm, the sensor array having a first outer sensor near an edge of the diaphragm at a first location and on the active region, a second outer sensor near an edge of the diaphragm at a second location and on the active region, and at least one center sensor substantially overlying a center of the diaphragm, the sensors connected in a bridge array to provide an output voltage proportional to the force applied to the diaphragm. The sensors are dielectrically isolated from the substrate.

Abstract: This disclosure provides example methods, devices and systems associated with flat covered leadless pressure sensor assemblies suitable for operation in extreme environments. In one embodiment, a system may comprise a semiconductor substrate having a first side and a second side; a diaphragm disposed on the first side of the semiconductor substrate; a first cover coupled to the first side of the semiconductor substrate such that it overlays at least the diaphragm, wherein a pressure applied at the first cover is transferred to the diaphragm; and a sensing element disposed on the second side of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the sensing element is used to measure the pressure.

Abstract: A tunable pressure transducer assembly that comprises a sensing element disposed within a housing, wherein the sensing element is adapted to output a signal substantially indicative of an applied pressure, and a filter assembly also disposed within the housing. The filter assembly comprises a cap and a tube, wherein the cap is spaced from the sensing element within the housing such that it encloses a set volume around the sensing element, and wherein the tube controls access of the applied pressure to the set volume. The filter assembly is operative to substantially reduce high frequency pressure ripples and allow static and quasi-static pressures to pass through to the sensing element, and may be manipulated to tune the pressure transducer assembly to achieve a desired dampening frequency. The filter assembly therefore enables one pressure transducer assembly outline to accurately measure pressure in various systems.

Abstract: An interconnect assembly that operates in environments well exceeding 200° C. without degradation and/or failure. The interconnect assembly of the present invention eliminates the incompatible metal interfaces of the prior art and relies on aluminum first-metal wire to electrically connect to first-metal pads on a chip and a second-metal wire to electrically connect to second-metal plated contacts on a package. Both wire types are then electrically connected together utilizing a high temperature transition pad disposed between the chip and contacts on the package, therefore eliminating incompatible metal interfaces of the prior art.

Abstract: This disclosure provides example methods, devices and systems associated with filter structures employed with sensors. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, at a first filter having a plurality of pores, a pressure, wherein the pressure includes a static pressure component and a dynamic pressure component; filtering, by the first filter, at least a portion of the dynamic pressure component of the pressure; outputting, from the first filter, a filtered pressure; and wherein the filtered pressure is used to determine the dynamic pressure component.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an internally switched multiple range transducer are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, at a first sensor, a pressure, wherein the first sensor is associated with a first pressure range; measuring, at the first sensor, the pressure to generate a first pressure signal; in response to determining that the first pressure signal is not associated with the first pressure range, activating a second sensor, wherein the second sensor is associated with a second pressure range that is different from the first pressure range; and measuring, at the second sensor, the pressure to generate a second pressure signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods of signal transmission and measuring for sensors employing a transmission medium are provided. In one embodiment, a method may comprise measuring a first monitored condition to generate a first monitored condition signal; converting the first monitored condition signal to a first frequency modulated signal having a first frequency; generating a second frequency modulated signal having a reference frequency; transmitting the first frequency modulated signal and the second frequency modulated signal using time division multiplexing; and wherein a first ratio of the first frequency and the reference frequency is associated with the first pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-heated pressure sensor assembly and method of utilizing the same. The self-heated pressure sensor assembly regulates and maintains the temperature of the pressure sensor, regardless of the external temperature environment, without an external heater as in prior art embodiments. Exemplary embodiments of the pressure sensor assembly incorporate a resistance heater that is built into the sensing chip of the pressure sensor assembly. The pressure sensor assembly also utilizes the resistance of the pressure sensing elements to monitor the temperature of the assembly, which works alongside the resistance heater to maintain a stable temperature within the pressure sensor assembly.

Abstract: A semiconductor filter is provided to operate in conjunction with a differential pressure transducer. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, at a filter, a pressure, wherein the pressure includes a static pressure component and a dynamic pressure component; filtering, by the filter, at least the dynamic pressure component of the pressure; outputting, from the filter, a filtered pressure; receiving, at a first surface of a diaphragm, the pressure; receiving, at a second surface of the diaphragm, the filtered pressure, wherein the second surface of the diaphragm is operatively coupled to the filter; and measuring, at a sensor operatively coupled to the diaphragm, a difference between the pressure and the filtered pressure.

Abstract: A method, device and system are provided for measuring multiple pressures under severe conditions. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, by a processor, from a first sensor, a first pressure signal; receiving, by the processor, from a second sensor, a second pressure signal; receiving, by the processor, from a first memory, a first correction coefficient for the first sensor; receiving, by the processor, from a second memory, a second correction coefficient for the second sensor; modifying, by the processor, the first pressure signal using the first correction coefficient to generate a first corrected pressure signal; modifying, by the processor, the second pressure signal using the second correction coefficient to generate a second corrected pressure signal; and outputting, by the processor, the first corrected pressure signal and the second corrected pressure signal.

Abstract: A pressure transducer assembly that uses static pressure compensation to capture low-level dynamic pressures in high temperature environments. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, at a first tube, a pressure, wherein the pressure includes a static pressure component and a dynamic pressure component; receiving, at a micro-filter, the pressure; filtering, by the micro-filter, at least a portion of the dynamic pressure component of the pressure; outputting, from the micro-filter, a filtered pressure; receiving, at a first surface of a first sensing element, the pressure; receiving, at a second surface of the first sensing element, the filtered pressure; measuring, by the first sensing element, a difference between the pressure and the filtered pressure, wherein the difference is associated with the dynamic pressure component of the pressure; and outputting, from the first sensing element, a first pressure signal associated with the dynamic pressure component of the pressure.

Abstract: An enclosed, flat covered leadless pressure sensor assembly suitable for extreme environment operation including dynamic, ultra-high temperature heating, light and heat flash, and high-speed, flow-related environments. The pressure sensor assembly comprises a substrate comprising a micromachined sensing diaphragm defined on a first side. A cover is attached to the first side of the substrate such that it covers at least the sensing diaphragm. The top surface of the cover is substantially flat, thereby promoting uniformity in the distribution of stress and thermal effects across a top surface of the cover.