Abstract: The invention involves a pressure fault device for indicating a threshold pressure or a threshold differential pressure. The present invention provides a cost effective way to determine where a pressure problem has occurred. The device includes a housing having at least one inlet aperture and an indicator aperture and having first and second bores in fluid communication respectively with one inlet aperture and the indicator aperture. The device further includes a magnetic piston which is biased in the first bore toward one inlet aperture and moveable a predetermined distance in another direction in the first bore in response to inlet threshold pressure. The device further includes a magnetic responder which is moveable toward the indicator aperture in the second bore in response to movement of the magnetic piston. The device further includes a latching plate in magnetic relationship to the magnetic responder when the piston moves the predetermined distance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assigning identifiers, contained in signals emitted by transmitters in a tire pressure control system, to the position of the wheels where the transmitters are located. Said system comprises a pressure sensor, a transmitter and a transmit antenna on each of a plurality of wheels of a vehicle, one or more receive antennas on the vehicle body, and receiving and evaluating units connected to this body via cables. In this method, the signals containing the identifier are intercepted by the receive antenna(s) and transmitted to the receiving and evaluating units, where they are evaluated in accordance with their identifiers. The invention is characterized in that, for the monitored wheels, not just the air pressure in the tires, but also the acceleration obtained from the movement of the wheel is measured.

Abstract: In a proportioner for proportioning a fluid flow (&phgr;) from an input side of a first proportioning element (10) to an output side of a second proportioning element (10), the first and second proportioning elements comprise a membrane (12) provided with at least one opening (16) acting as a flow resistor for a medium to be proportioned, and a pressure sensor (14) integrated in the membrane (12) and used for detecting a pressure difference between the input side and the output side of the proportioning element (10). The proportioner comprises a pressure transducer for input-side application of a pressure to the medium to be proportioned. The first and the second proportioning element (10) are arranged in succession so as to permit, on the basis of the pressure drop across the membranes (12) of the two proportioning elements (10), the detection of clogging or blocking of the respective flow resistor provided in these membranes (12).

Abstract: A variable support mechanism includes a plurality of pneumatic bladders and an electronic control system for controlling the inflation and deflation thereof. Each of the bladders communicates through a valve with a common manifold. The operations of the valves are individually controlled by a microprocessor. A pressure sensor communicates with the manifold and generates electrical signals that are representative of the magnitude of the fluid pressure in the manifold to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is also connected to a vent valve that provides selective fluid communication between the manifold and the atmosphere. The microprocessor is further connected to a pressure valve that provides selective fluid communication between the manifold and a pump. Initially, the magnitude of the pressure in each of the bladders is sampled, measured, and stored by the electronic control system.

Abstract: A sensor plug for use in sensing a plurality of operating conditions of a gearbox is disclosed. The sensor plug includes a body defining an axis. A probe end is formed at one end of the body and is particularly adapted for attaching to an oil drain plug of the gearbox. A plurality of sensors are located within the body for sensing operating conditions of the gearbox through the probe end. Examples of the sensors located within the body include a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor is described which includes a first electrode remote from a second electrode, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode form a measurement capacitance. The first electrode is arranged on a first substrate member and the second electrode is arranged on a second substrate member. At least one of the electrodes has a spatially resolved structure which allows a spatially resolved measurement of the capacitance. The spatial structure of the electrode may be implemented in form of several mutually parallel stripe-shaped elements or in form of a plurality of spaced-apart elements that are arranged in a two-dimensional pattern. Associated with the electrodes are electronic processing units integrated in the substrate members.

Abstract: A variable support mechanism includes a plurality of pneumatic bladders and an electronic control system for controlling the inflation and deflation thereof. Each of the bladders communicates through a valve with a common manifold. The operations of the valves are individually controlled by a microprocessor. A pressure sensor communicates with the manifold and generates electrical signals that are representative of the magnitude of the fluid pressure in the manifold to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is also connected to a vent valve that provides selective fluid communication between the manifold and the atmosphere. The microprocessor is further connected to a pressure valve that provides selective fluid communication between the manifold and a pump. Initially, the magnitude of the pressure in each of the bladders is sampled, measured, and stored by the electronic control system.

Abstract: A fiber grating pressure sensor includes an optical sensing element 20, 600 which includes an optical fiber 10 having a Bragg grating 12 impressed therein which is encased within and fused to at least a portion of a glass capillary tube 20 and/or a large diameter waveguide grating 600 having a core and a wide cladding and which has an outer transverse dimension of at least 0.3 mm. Light 14 is incident on the grating 12 and light 16 is reflected from the grating 12 at a reflection wavelength &lgr;1. The sensing element 20, 600 may be used by itself as a sensor or located within a housing 48, 60, 90, 270, 300. When external pressure P increases, the grating 12 is compressed and the reflection wavelength &lgr;1 changes. The shape of the sensing element 20, 600 may have other geometries, e.g., a “dogbone” shape, so as to enhance the sensitivity of shift in &lgr;1 due to applied external pressure and may be fused to an outer shell 50.

Abstract: A tire pressure indicator carried on a tire being monitored for inflation pressure. The indicator includes a housing enclosing an indicating member bearing color coding corresponding to proper inflation. Preferably, additional color coding is provided corresponding to excessive tire pressure and to low or inadequate tire pressure. The indicating member occupies a chamber and air pressure from the tire acting on the indicating member, and is moved in response to tire pressure such that the appropriate color coding is revealed through a window formed in the housing.

Abstract: A mechanical weight bearing indicator produces a tactile signal which is felt by the wearer's foot. The signal is generated when the user exerts more than a predetermined amount of weight on the indicator, giving the user, who may be an orthopedic patient, immediate feedback concerning the amount of force applied. The indicator automatically resets and has no power source, but is purely mechanical. In one version of the invention, a domed metal disk is used as part of the indicator which snaps from a stable position to an unstable position in the way the bottom of an oil can operates, to produce the tactile signal and also for producing a sound as an audible signal. In another version of the invention, a piston and cylinder are used with the piston moving under the influence of a threshold of pressure exerted by the deformation of a compressible cavity member on which the user steps.

Abstract: A method for measuring multiple pressures and a pressure sensing system for accomplishing the same. The method for measuring a plurality of pressures includes, exposing each of a plurality of pressure sensors to a corresponding plurality of environments each having a corresponding pressure to be measured, determining how frequently to measure each of the plurality of pressures, determining a sequence for utilizing the pressure sensors to measure the corresponding plurality of pressures, the sequence being dependent upon the determined frequency for each of the plurality of pressures and selectively utilizing each of the plurality of pressure sensors according to the determined sequence to measure the pressure to which it is exposed.

Abstract: A rain sensor is described comprising a tray for the collection of rain water provided on top with evaporation and overflow side windows covered by a perforated cover. A finned float is housed in said tray so as to be able to move vertically as a function of the level of the water present in the tray. A permanent magnet supported by said float cooperates with an electric magneto-sensitive switch that is fixed to the tray in order to switch it between a first and a second electric state as a function of the vertical position of the float.

Abstract: A pressure sensing apparatus for operative arrangement within an environment, having: a sensor comprising a hermetically-sealed receptacle, at least one side of which has an flexible membrane to which a magnetically hard element is attached. Enclosed within the receptacle is a magnetostrictive element that vibrates in response to a time-varying magnetic field. Also included is a receiver to measure a plurality of successive values for magneto-elastic emission intensity of the sensor taken over an operating range of successive interrogation frequencies to identify a resonant frequency value for the sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure sensor component comprising a base body and a pressure connection element. The base body comprises a chip carrier, onto which a semiconductor chip with an integrated pressure sensor is mounted. Contact is made with the semiconductor chip by means of connection, which are routed laterally out from the base body. The base body is open on one side, and the opening is bounded by side parts of the chip carrier. The pressure connection element is placed onto the upper end regions of the side parts. The invention is distinguished by the fact that the filler, with which the inner space of the base body is filled and the semiconductor chip is covered, is simultaneously used to connect and seal the pressure connection element and the base body. The ends of the pressure connection element are preferably configured in such a way that the filler is drawn by capillary forces into the interspace between side parts and pressure connection element.

Abstract: A sound pressure sensing device comprises a piezoelectric substrate, an input interdigital transducer, a first output interdigital transducer, a second output interdigital transducer, a diaphragm, a liquid tank, and a signal analyzer. All the input-, the first output-, and the second output interdigital transducers are formed on one end surface of the piezoelectric substrate. The liquid tank has a liquid in contact with the other end surface of the piezoelectric substrate and an inner surface of the diaphragm. If an input electric signal is applied to the input interdigital transducer, an elastic wave is excited in the piezoelectric substrate. A leaky component of the elastic wave is radiated effectively in the form of a longitudinal wave into the liquid. The longitudinal wave is reflected in the liquid by the diaphragm. A reflected longitudinal wave is detected at the first output interdigital transducer as a first delayed electric signal.

Abstract: A pressure-detecting device in which a pressure sensor unit having the same specifications can be used even when there are numerous different forms of an outside member to which connection leads of the pressure sensor unit are to be electrically connected. A pressure sensor unit has four connection leads exiting a sensor housing. A coupling member has a terminal holding part and a connector part molded integrally from an insulating material and having insert-molded coupling leads. The coupling leads have terminal plates, all exposed on the same side, and terminal pieces projecting outwardly. Multiple versions of the coupling member are made by integrally joining connector parts of different shapes to terminal holding parts all having terminal plates disposed in the same state. The pressure sensor unit is assembled to a coupling member selected from among these and the connection leads are electrically connected to an outside member by way of this coupling member.

Abstract: A probe and gauge system for determining the need for a simple one piece patch-plug, or a complex two piece repair. The probe is inserted into an injury in a tire such as a puncture hole and the angle of the hole, known as the injury angle, is calculated on the gauge to determine the need for a simple one piece patch-plug, or a complex two piece repair.

Abstract: A pressure gauge device that is operated as a thermal conduction manometer contains a measuring resistor (131) that is arranged in layer form on a self-supporting carrier foil and is in defined thermal contact with a gas whose pressure is to be measured. The thermal contact with the gas is through the carrier foil (11), a thermal conducting layer (123) and optionally through an extra absorber layer (124). The resistance, dependent on gas pressure, of the measuring resistor (131) is detected by a bridge circuit in which each measuring resistor (131) is assigned a reference resistor (136) whose resistance itself is dependent on or independent of pressure.

Abstract: The electrodes of these pressure or differential pressure sensors are formed using a technique other than silk-screen printing or sputtering: The pressure sensor (10) has a substrate (1) and a first major surface (11), a second major surface (12) and a circumferential surface (13. A plate-shaped electrode (14) of electrically conductive material is secured in a recess (15) in the major surface (11) in a high-pressure-resistant and high-vacuum-tight manner by a joining material (16). A through connection (17) is provided from the electrode (14) through the substrate (1) to the major surface (12) or the circumferential surface (13). A diaphragm (2) of ceramic, glass, or single-crystal material is attached to the substrate (1) outside the recess (15) along a joint (18) by a joining material (26), and forms itself a further electrode or is covered, on a surface facing the electrode (14), with a further electrode (24) which is contacted through the joint (18).

Abstract: A tire pressure gauge apparatus for securing to a vehicle tire valve stem mounted to a tire valve stem port in a vehicle tire, the valve stem including a tubular stem body containing a valve assembly having a valve opening mechanism, the stem body having a stem connection end fitting sealingly to the tire valve stem port, and having a stem air receiving end, the apparatus including a housing for placement in fluid communication with received air from within the tire contained within the tire valve stem; a structure for opening the valve opening mechanism; and a pressure equilibration structure dividing the housing into a received air chamber and a biasing air chamber and including a pressure indicator element, the pressure equilibration structure and the pressure indicator element being movable relative to the housing, and the pressure indicator element displaying a pressure reading of received air from within the tire which varies with the position of the pressure equilibration structure relative to the hous