Abstract: A pressure sensor (40) useful as a vacuum manometer. A reference pressure cavity (50) of the sensor is evacuated through an evacuation opening (72) located behind a plate portion (54) of the sensor electrode (52) having a non-planar surface for supporting the diaphragm (44) during an overpressure event. The electrode is hermetically sealed to the body (42) of the sensor by a brazed joint with a ceramic seal member (60) disposed there between. The brazed joint may include a layer of buffer material (79) which provides a degree of malleability to the joint to avoid cracking of the ceramic seal member. The brazed ceramic/metal joint permits the selection of materials such that differential thermal expansion effects can be passively minimized. The electrode is connected to the sensor circuitry (84) by a wire having a spring section (53), thereby providing a stress free interconnection.

Abstract: A pressure sensor (40) useful as a vacuum manometer. A reference pressure cavity (50) of the sensor is evacuated through an evacuation opening (72) located behind a plate portion (54) of the sensor electrode (52) having a non-planar surface for supporting the diaphragm (44) during an overpressure event. The electrode is hermetically sealed to the body (42) of the sensor by a brazed joint with a ceramic seal member (60) disposed there between. The brazed joint may include a layer of buffer material (79) which provides a degree of malleability to the joint to avoid cracking of the ceramic seal member. The brazed ceramic/metal joint permits the selection of materials such that differential thermal expansion effects can be passively minimized. The electrode is connected to the sensor circuitry (84) by a wire having a spring section (53), thereby providing a stress free interconnection.

Abstract: A surface mounted instrument (20) that is easily installed to seal (110, 120) against a mounting surface (150) in spite of imprecise installation of a standard rough-in box (145) or irregularities in the surface. A cover plate (60) overlays the installed instrument housing (10) without the use of outwardly visible mechanical connectors by use of a pawl (65) that engages the housing. An oversized display (50) is mounted for easy replacement on a moveable display module (45) for unobstructed access to the interior (35) of the housing. Subsurface channels (90) formed in the housing are used to deliver a working fluid from a measured location to a sensor (85) inside the housing.

Abstract: An environmental condition monitor (200) configured for simple upgrade from analog signal output to any of a plurality of digital communication protocols. A display board (202) includes the analog signal acquisition and processing elements of the device and also includes a pre-positioned but initially inoperative digital communication output connector (214). A connector board (204) associated with the display board includes a connector (212) to which any one of a plurality of digital communication boards (210) may be selectively connected, depending upon which of a plurality of digital communication protocols is desired. Selective connection of a digital communication board completes a circuit whereby an analog output signal is converted to the desired digital output format and is then communicated back to the now-activated digital communication output connector (214).

Abstract: An environmental condition monitor (200) configured for simple upgrade from analog signal output to any of a plurality of digital communication protocols. A display board (202) includes the analog signal acquisition and processing elements of the device and also includes a pre-positioned but initially inoperative digital communication output connector (214). A connector board (204) associated with the display board includes a connector (212) to which any one of a plurality of digital communication boards (210) may be selectively connected, depending upon which of a plurality of digital communication protocols is desired. Selective connection of a digital communication board completes a circuit whereby an analog output signal is converted to the desired digital output format and is then communicated back to the now-activated digital communication output connector (214).

Abstract: A surface mounted instrument (20) that is easily installed to seal (110, 120) against a mounting surface (150) in spite of imprecise installation of a standard rough-in box (145) or irregularities in the surface. A cover plate (60) overlays the installed instrument housing (10) without the use of outwardly visible mechanical connectors by use of a pawl (65) that engages the housing. An oversized display (50) is mounted for easy replacement on a moveable display module (45) for unobstructed access to the interior (35) of the housing. Subsurface channels (90) formed in the housing are used to deliver a working fluid from a measured location to a sensor (85) inside the housing.

Abstract: A pressure monitoring apparatus (10) including features that simplify in-situ calibration procedures. A pressure monitoring module (12) of the apparatus is coupled to external pressure lines (14, 16) and an external electrical interface (24) via an easily removable monitoring module plug (32). The monitoring module can be disconnected from the pressure lines and external interface and then connected to a portable calibration module (42) by simply replacing the monitoring module plug with a calibration module plug (50). The calibration module plug provides an electro-pneumatic interface between the monitoring module and the calibration module. The monitoring module may be electronically interrogated and automatically calibrated via a processor of the calibration module. The monitoring module plug may be inserted onto the calibration module plug to provide actual system pressures to the now-calibrated apparatus for final documentation.

Abstract: A fuel filler door actuator including a motor, a gear train coupled to the motor and to a latch arm, and a locking cam coupled to the gear train. The locking cam resists movement of the latch arm from an unlocked condition to a locked condition. A manual override cable is disclosed for manually moving the latch arm from the locked condition to an unlocked condition. A push—push mechanism is disclosed for allowing facile opening of a fuel filler door, and a quick connect/disconnect feature is disclosed for allowing facile assembly of the actuator to a fuel filler door housing.

Abstract: A fuel filler door actuator including a motor, a gear train coupled to the motor and to a latch arm, and a locking cam coupled to the gear train. The locking cam resists movement of the latch arm from an unlocked condition to a locked condition. A manual override cable is disclosed for manually moving the latch arm from the locked condition to an unlocked condition. A push-push mechanism is disclosed for allowing facile opening of a fuel filler door, and a quick connect/disconnect feature is disclosed for allowing facile assembly of the actuator to a fuel filler door housing.

Abstract: A potentiometric position sensor (16, 40) is shown having first and second electrical contact wipers (24, 26; 24', 26') mechanically coupled to the control rod (14) of an automotive manual transmission. An electrical resistive circuit is formed on a flexible substrate (28, 28') which is mounted on the inside cylindrical surface (28a, 46a) of a housing (18, 46). The first contact wiper is adapted to wipe over a first set of resistive elements (28a, 28b, 28c; 28a', 28b', 28c') and the second contact wiper is adapted to wipe over a second set of resistive elements (28f, 28g, 28h; 28f', 28g', 28h) to provide unique analog voltage outputs dependent upon the position of the control rod along a translational and rotational axis (14a). In one embodiment the contact wipers (24, 26) are mounted on a rotor (22) which in turn is mounted directly on the control rod (14).