Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes pressure and temperature sensors for measuring the pressure and temperature of high-pressure fluid media within a vessel. The pressure sensor is disposed in a sensor cavity that is coupled to a measurement port, and the leads of a temperature sensor that is disposed in the measurement port pass through the body of the sensor apparatus to a termination cavity that is physically isolated from the sensor cavity.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes pressure and temperature sensors for measuring the pressure and temperature of high-pressure fluid media within a vessel. The pressure sensor is disposed in a sensor cavity that is coupled to a measurement port, and the leads of a temperature sensor that is disposed in the measurement port pass through the body of the sensor apparatus to a termination cavity that is physically isolated from the sensor cavity.

Abstract: An improved self-retaining pressure sensor assembly includes a pressure sensor having a housing, a depending ported stem terminated in an enlarged foot, and a flanged resilient seal disposed about the stem between the pressure sensor housing and foot, with the seal flange having one or more notches about its circumferential periphery to ease insertion and extraction of the assembly with respect to a circular opening formed in a pressure vessel. The notches reduce the effective area of the flange, proportionately decreasing the force (insertion force) needed to insert the assembly at the time of installation and the force (extraction force) needed to subsequently remove the assembly for repair or replacement. The number and size of the notches can be adjusted to provide acceptable insertion and extraction forces, without lubricant, while not significantly compromising the self-retention capability of the assembly.

Abstract: An improved self-retaining pressure sensor assembly includes a pressure sensor having a housing, a depending ported stem terminated in an enlarged foot, and a flanged resilient seal disposed about the stem between the pressure sensor housing and foot, with the seal flange having one or more notches about its circumferential periphery to ease insertion and extraction of the assembly with respect to a circular opening formed in a pressure vessel. The notches reduce the effective area of the flange, proportionately decreasing the force (insertion force) needed to insert the assembly at the time of installation and the force (extraction force) needed to subsequently remove the assembly for repair or replacement. The number and size of the notches can be adjusted to provide acceptable insertion and extraction forces, without lubricant, while not significantly compromising the self-retention capability of the assembly.

Abstract: An improved low-cost pressure sensor assembly incorporates a stainless steel sensor element welded to an outboard face of a stainless steel insert captured in a low-cost metal pressure port adapted for attachment to a pneumatic valve. The pressure port includes outboard and inboard cavities separated by neck portion; the stainless steel insert is captured in the outboard cavity, while the inboard cavity is adapted for attachment to the pneumatic valve. The stainless steel insert includes a base portion that seats against an O-ring in a floor of the outboard cavity, and a stem portion within the O-ring that extends axially through the neck portion of the pressure port and into its inboard cavity. The insert has a first bore that extends axially from its outboard face into, but not through, the stem portion, and a second bore that intersects the first bore and opens into the inboard cavity of the pressure port.

Abstract: A three-piece pressure sensor assembly includes a one-piece pressure port formed of cold rolled steel, a stainless steel sensor element having an elongated annular side-wall, and an O-ring. The pressure port has a threaded slug at one end for attaching the sensor assembly to the wall of a pressure vessel and an annular cup at the other end. The annular cup has side-walls defining a cavity, and an annular axial recess formed in the center of the cavity receives the O-ring and a lower portion of the sensor element side-wall. A central post of the pressure port supports the inner periphery of the sensor element side-wall, and a portion of the pressure port material surrounding the recess is displaced radially inward against the sensor element side-wall, staking the sensor element in the cavity and compressing the O-ring between the sensor element and the bottom of the axial recess.

Abstract: A three-piece pressure sensor assembly includes a one-piece pressure port formed of cold rolled steel, a stainless steel sensor element having an elongated annular side-wall, and an O-ring. The pressure port has a threaded slug at one end for attaching the sensor assembly to the wall of a pressure vessel and an annular cup at the other end. The annular cup has side-walls defining a cavity, and an annular axial recess formed in the center of the cavity receives the O-ring and a lower portion of the sensor element side-wall. A central post of the pressure port supports the inner periphery of the sensor element side-wall, and a portion of the pressure port material surrounding the recess is displaced radially inward against the sensor element side-wall, staking the sensor element in the cavity and compressing the O-ring between the sensor element and the bottom of the axial recess.

Abstract: An improved pressure sensor assembly incorporates a stainless steel pressure sensing element that is welded to a stainless steel pressure port insert-molded into a molded plastic pressure vessel. Sealing between the pressure port and the pressure vessel is enhanced by a O-ring seated in a groove on the outer periphery of the pressure port, or by a sealant applied to the periphery of the pressure port prior to the insert molding operation. The pressure port is insert-molded with the pressure vessel so as to expose an axial end of the pressure port having a stepped annular surface, and the pressure sensor element is welded to the exposed end of the pressure port. The plastic material of the pressure vessel extends into a central axial bore of the pressure port to minimize leakage by maximizing a potential leakage path for the medium contained by the pressure vessel, and over a shoulder of the pressure port to secure the pressure port in the body of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: An improved pressure sensor assembly incorporates a stainless steel pressure sensing element that is welded to a stainless steel pressure port insert-molded into a molded plastic pressure vessel. Sealing between the pressure port and the pressure vessel is enhanced by a O-ring seated in a groove on the outer periphery of the pressure port, or by a sealant applied to the periphery of the pressure port prior to the insert molding operation. The pressure port is insert-molded with the pressure vessel so as to expose an axial end of the pressure port having a stepped annular surface, and the pressure sensor element is welded to the exposed end of the pressure port. The plastic material of the pressure vessel extends into a central axial bore of the pressure port to minimize leakage by maximizing a potential leakage path for the medium contained by the pressure vessel, and over a shoulder of the pressure port to secure the pressure port in the body of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A pressure sensor connector (10) for use with a pressure sensor element (12) that includes a plurality of pressure sensor terminals (13). The pressure sensor connector (10) includes a housing (18), a plurality of connector terminals (20) and a flexible circuit (22). A plurality of electrical pathways (24), formed on the flexible circuit (22), connect each of the plurality of connector terminals (20) to a corresponding pressure sensor terminal (13).