Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the actuation energy generated by a bimetallic actuator during transit between first and second states of stability. The apparatus and method further determining the threshold or set-point temperature of the bimetallic actuator during transit between bi-stable states. Accordingly, the apparatus and method directly measure both the snap force F and the set-point temperature of the bimetallic actuator during transit.

Abstract: A tire condition sensing apparatus and a mounting method thereof are disclosed for adjusting the angle and length of a valve stem to be mounted on various types of rims. The tire condition sensing apparatus comprises a housing and a valve assembly, wherein the housing comprises a pair of wing plates having first contact surfaces, and an open end is formed between the wing plates, and the valve assembly is pivotally connected in the open end of the wing plates, and the valve assembly includes a ring pad having second contact surfaces corresponding to the first contact surfaces, thereby providing a connection mechanism for greatly adjusting the angle between the valve assembly and the housing, and firmly securing the tire condition sensing apparatus on a rim.

Abstract: A sensor and guide wire assembly (21) for intravascular measurements of physiological variables in a living body includes a core wire (22; 32) and a sensor element (23; 33). The sensor element (23; 33) includes basically a mounting portion (12; 34), which is mounted to the core wire (22; 32), and a pressure sensitive end portion (25; 35) whose upper side is provided with a pressure sensitive device, such as a membrane (26; 36). A recess (27; 37), which is provided between the mounting portion (24; 34) and the pressure sensitive portion (25; 35), provides the sensor element (23; 33) with an articulated action when the core wire (22; 32) is bent.

Abstract: The invention concerns a hydraulic expansion process for tubes. With this process it is possible to increase the number of hydraulic tube expansions that can be implemented using an expansion device. The hydraulic expansion process in accordance with the invention is highly optimized with regard to control times, pressures and flows. In this process, pressure is produced in the pressure medium with hydraulic oil via a medium separator and a pressure intensifier. In addition, the invention specifies a device for implementing the expansion process and a process for determining the maximum number of hydraulic tube expansions that can be performed with a probe. Finally, the maximum number of expansions is determined taking into account the deformations of the expanded tubes.

Abstract: A sensor package and method are described. The sensor package includes an enclosure, a diaphragm coupled to the enclosure. The diaphragm is configured to receive vibrations from an ambient environment. Further, the sensor package includes a pressure sensing element disposed inside the enclosure, and a pressure transfer medium disposed inside the enclosure and proximate the pressure sensing element, where the pressure transfer medium includes a fluid, and a plurality of filler particles suspended in the fluid. The filler particles serve to reduce a coefficient of thermal expansion of the pressure transfer medium.

Abstract: A micro-mechanical pressure transducer is disclosed in which a capacitive transducer structure is integrated with an inductor coil to form a LC tank circuit, resonance frequency of which may be detected remotely by imposing an electromagnetic field on the transducer. The capacitive transducer structure comprises a conductive movable diaphragm, a fixed counter electrode, and a predetermined air gap between said diaphragm and electrode. The diaphragm deflects in response to an applied pressure differential, leading to a change of capacitance in the structure and hence a shift of resonance frequency of the LC tank circuit. The resonance frequency of the LC circuit can be remotely detected by measuring and determining the corresponding peak in electromagnetic impedance of the transducer.

Abstract: A pressure sensor (52) for a harsh environment such as the combustion chamber (58) of a gas turbine engine (50). The pressure sensor includes an acoustic waveguide (60) having a sensing portion (66) exposed to the combustion gas in the combustion chamber. Modulations in an acoustic signal passing through the acoustic waveguide are sensed and correlated to pressure fluctuations in the combustion gas. The sensing portion of the waveguide includes a core acoustic waveguide element (42) covered by a coating material (44). The coating material not only protects the core from the harsh environment, but it also improves the efficiency of the transfer of energy from the combustion gas into the waveguide because it provides a stepped transition from the acoustic impedance of the gas to the acoustic impedance of the core material. The protective coating may have a plurality of layers (46, 48) and/or it may include a graded material (78, 80) having an acoustic impedance value that varies across its depth.

Abstract: An entirely surface micromachined free hanging strain-gauge pressure sensor is disclosed. The sensing element consists of a 80 ?m long H-shaped double ended supported force transducing beam (16). The beam is located beneath and at one end attached to a square polysilicon diaphragm (14) and at the other end to the cavity edge. The sensor according to the invention enables a combination of high pressure sensitivity and miniature chip size as well as good environmental isolation. The pressure sensitivity for the sensor with a H-shaped force transducing beam, 0.4 ?m thick was found to be 5 ?V/V/mmHg.

Abstract: A remote sensor (100) is remotely placed within a vessel containing a fluid in order to sense a pressure generated by the fluid. The sensor includes an antenna (10) for capturing an externally-generated interrogation signal and for transmitting a response signal, a response circuit (20, 30) coupled to the antenna (10) for receiving the interrogation signal and for generating the response signal, and a sensor element (40) coupled to the response circuit. One or more electrical characteristics of the response circuit (20, 30) change in relation to the sensed pressure, thereby determining measurable characteristics of the response signal. Importantly, the response circuit (20, 30) operates to delay the transmission of the response signal to a time separated from and following transmission of artifacts of the interrogation signal.

Abstract: A silicon resonant type pressure sensor has a sensing diaphragm to which a measuring pressure is to be applied; and a vibrating beam which is embedded on the sensing diaphragm, and which is made of a semiconductor, wherein the vibrating beam further has a vibrating beam body having first and second vibrating beams which are allocated in parallel each other, and at least one connecting beam portion which couples the first vibrating beam and the second vibrating beam, a driving vibrating beam portion which is fabricated on a side of at least one side face in an axial direction of the first and second vibrating beams, and which is made of a conductor, and detection vibrating beam portions which are fabricated on sides of another side face in the axial direction of the first and second vibrating beams respectively, and which are made of a conductor.

Abstract: A method for determining the load exerted on the tire of a motor vehicle or to monitor the tire pressure, wherein during operation of the vehicle the pressure in the individual wheels is detected and the rotational behavior of the individual wheels is monitored, and wherein load distribution characteristic quantities are determined by comparing the rotational behavior or changes in said rotational behavior of the individual wheels during given driving conditions taking onto account preset or learned variables. Ultimately, the load exerted on the tires or pressure loss is determined from the tire pressure and the load distribution characteristic quantities.

Abstract: For measuring the pressure and tread depth of a tire, an electronic measuring device is disclosed to include a housing, a tread scale, which has a sliding block coupled to the housing and movable along an elongated sliding slot and a measuring tip fixedly connected to the sliding block and movable in and out of the housing, a variable resistor mounted inside the housing for outputting a variation of resistance value indicative of movement of the measuring tip relative to the housing, a pressure sensor mounted in the housing for detecting the pressure of a tire, a display, and a circuit board mounted inside the housing and electrically connected with the variable resistor, the pressure sensor and the display for converting the variation of resistance value received from the variable resistor into a readable distance value and the signal outputted from the pressure sensor into a readable pressure reading for display on the displays.

Abstract: Systems and methods for digitally controlling sensors. In one embodiment, a digital controller for a capacitance diaphragm gauge is embedded in a digital signal processor (DSP). The controller receives digitized input from a sensor AFE via a variable gain module, a zero offset module and an analog-to-digital converter. The controller automatically calibrates the received input by adjusting the variable gain and zero offset modules. The controller also monitors and adjusts a heater assembly to maintain an appropriate temperature at the sensor. The controller utilizes a kernel module that allocates processing resources to the various tasks of a gauge controller module. The kernel module repetitively executes iterations of a loop, wherein in each iteration, all of a set of high priority tasks are performed and one of a set of lower priority tasks are performed. The controller module thereby provides sensor measurement output at precisely periodic intervals, while performing ancillary functions as well.

Abstract: A tire monitor for use in conjunction with a remote tire monitoring system of a vehicle includes in one embodiment a dual-axis accelerometer and a control circuit. The control circuit determines position information such as the right/left position of the tire monitor on the vehicle in response to an acceleration signal from the dual axis accelerometer. The tire monitor transmits tire data and the position information to a control unit of a remote tire monitor system. The control unit determines additional position information such as front/rear position of the transmitting tire monitor by detecting signal strength of the transmission. This allows the system to automatically re-learn the position of tire monitors on the vehicle, even after tire rotation.

Abstract: A system and method of horizontal wave measurement is disclosed. The system for measuring the directional spectrum of waves in a fluid medium having a substantially planar surface may include a sonar system having a plurality of transducers for generating respective acoustic beams and receiving echoes from one or more range cells located substantially within the beams, at least one of the plurality of acoustic beams being angled non-orthogonally to at least one other of the plurality of acoustic beams. The method may calculate the directional spectrum associated with the waves from the received echoes.

Abstract: Implantable pressure sensors and methods for making and using the same. A feature of of at least some of the subject pressure sensors is that they are low-drift sensors. Additional features of representative pressure sensors include the presence of first and second strain transducers that are associated with a compliant member so that their outputs respond oppositely to deflection of the compliant member resulting from differential pressure across the compliant member but respond similarly to deformation of a substrate on which the compliant member is mounted. The subject pressure sensors find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for detecting, e.g., an intake manifold pressure of an internal combustion engine is composed of a resin casing, a sensing member contained in the casing and conductor members embedded in the resin casing. The conductor members are disposed around the sensing member, and the sensing member is electrically connected to the conductor members by wire-bonding. Boundaries between the resin casing and the conductor members are sealed with an encapsulating member which is applied to the position at liquid state and dried thereafter. To prevent the liquid encapsulating member from flowing out of the applied position toward the sensing member, a bank is formed between the sensing member and the position where the encapsulating member is applied. A depressed portion for retaining the encapsulating member therein may be additionally formed next to the bank.

Abstract: A pressure sensor may include a first membrane that flexes in response to pressure, a reference cavity covered by the first membrane where the reference cavity contains a vacuum and a second membrane, adjacent to the first membrane, the first and second membranes forming a capacitor having a capacitance that varies in accordance with the flexing of the first membrane and the pressure.

Abstract: A system for air pressure electric switch adjustment comprises a frame. A pressure port is mounted to the frame for connection to a source of fluid under pressure to be monitored. An actuator is movably mounted relative to the frame responsive to fluid pressure at the pressure port. A switch includes a fixed contact and a movable contact. The fixed contact is fixedly mounted relative to the frame. A differential mechanism comprising a pair of linked levers is hingedly mounted to the frame. One of the linked levers is driven by the actuator. The other lever carries the movable contact. A snap spring links the two levers so that the other lever is normally in a first position with the switch in a normal state. The other lever is toggled responsive to pivotal movement of the one lever by the snap spring to a second position with the switch in an actuated state.

Abstract: In general, a pressure rail having a top surface and a bottom surface and one or more pressure inlets to a pressure channel can be located within the pressure rail. The pressure channel can be drilled into the pressure rail. A plurality of patch depressions can be formed into a plurality of sealing surfaces on the top surface of the pressure rail upon which a patch is positioned. A plurality of antenna blocks is generally disposed upon the pressure rail, wherein each antenna block thereof includes at least two antennas. Two antennas can be connected to a respective antenna block among the plurality of antenna blocks utilizing a silicone adhesive. Each antenna block is respectively located on the pressure rail in order to provide wireless data indicative of pressure and temperature conditions associated with each patch among the plurality of patches.