Abstract: A method in which thermal mass and manufacturing differences are compensated for in thermometry probes by storing characteristic data relating to individual probes into an EEPROM for each probe which is used by the temperature apparatus.

Abstract: An improved two loop capacitive sensor oscillator circuit converts a transducer capacitance to a frequency and includes a first loop to create an oscillatory waveform having a frequency related to a capacitance of the capacitive transducer. The first loop includes a resistor. The resistor is electrically coupled to a capacitor. The resistor is also electrically coupled to the capacitive transducer. The capacitive transducer is electrically coupled to an input of a first inverter gate. A second loop oscillates at the frequency of the first loop and further generates a second waveform of a substantially square wave shape at the same frequency. The second loop is electrically coupled to the first loop and the output of a third inverter gate is substantially a square wave at the frequency related to the capacitance of the capacitive transducer.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor is disclosed that includes a variable capacitor transducer that varies its capacitance with changes in an environmental parameter. The present invention is adapted to measure any linear parameter such as pressure, force, or distance. The sensor of the present invention is compact, inexpensive to make, and easily fabricated using commonly available components. Furthermore, it is not susceptible to errors caused by vibration, acceleration, and its orientation to the earth's gravitational field. The output of the capacitive sensor does not substantially drift with changes in temperature.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor is disclosed that includes a variable capacitor transducer that varies its capacitance with changes in an environmental parameter. The present invention is adapted to measure any linear parameter such as pressure, force, or distance. The sensor of the present invention is compact, inexpensive to make, and easily fabricated using commonly available components. Furthermore, it is not susceptible to errors caused by vibration, acceleration, and its orientation to the earth's gravitational field. The output of the capacitive sensor does not substantially drift with changes in temperature.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor is disclosed that includes a variable capacitor transducer that varies its capacitance with changes in an environmental parameter. The present invention is adapted to measure any linear parameter such as pressure, force, or distance. The sensor the present invention is compact, inexpensive to make, and easily fabricated using commonly available components. Furthermore, it is not susceptible to errors caused by vibration, acceleration, and its orientation to the earth's gravitational field. The output of the capacitive sensor does not substantially drift with changes in temperature.