Electrical Patents (Class 73/753)
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Publication number: 20120079885Abstract: Provided are an electrode device, a pressure sensor and an electronic pressure meter. The electrode device may comprise: an electrode portion; and an elastically deformable portion arranged on a radial peripheral of the electrode portion. The electrode portion is integrated with the elastically deformable portion such that when a force is applied to the electrode device, the elastically deformable portion can be deformed correspondingly and the electrode portion can be displaced axially.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: Shenzhen Kingyield Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Nianping Zhang
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Publication number: 20120073381Abstract: An aspect of a pressure sensor package is that a condensed droplet can be prevented from solidifying and blocking the hole of a pressure inlet pipe, without increasing the external dimensions of the package. Aspects of the invention include a groove in a wall surface of a hole of a pressure inlet pipe, a droplet condensed on the wall surface spreads along the groove by a capillary action, and it is possible to prevent the hole of the pressure inlet pipe being blocked by the droplet.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventor: Kimihiro ASHINO
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Publication number: 20120067133Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a pressure sensor configuration includes a pressure sensor and a switchable valve coupled to the pressure sensor. The switchable valve enables the pressure sensor to measure pressure at multiple ports of a pressurized tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONInventors: Mark Stanley Waldrop, James Lee Geer
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Patent number: 8132465Abstract: Circuits, methods, and systems that calibrate or account for packaging and related stress components in a pressure sensor. Further examples provide an improved sensor element or device. One example provides one or more sensing elements on the diaphragm and near the diaphragm-bulk boundary. Sensors near the diaphragm-bulk are used to estimate package-induced stress. This estimation can then be used in calibrating package stress from pressure measurements.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Silicon Microstructures, Inc.Inventors: Michael B. Doelle, Joachim Bergmann
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Publication number: 20120055256Abstract: A ceramic component having at least one electrical feedthrough, comprising: a ceramic body, through which a bore extends; and a metal conductor, which is arranged at least sectionally in the bore and which is secured in the bore by means of an active hard solder, or braze, whereby the bore is sealed. The active hard solder fills an annular gap between the metal conductor and the ceramic body, characterized in that the active hard solder has a radially variable, chemical composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2010Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: ENDRESS + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventor: Ulfert Drewes
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Publication number: 20120048024Abstract: A novel flexible transducer structure is suitable for attaching to curved surface such as the leading edge of an aircraft wing. The structure comprises a thin flexible sheet of an insulating material with a leadless transducer secured to the sheet. The sheet is then placed over the curved surface and assumes the curvature of the surface. The transducer secured to the sheet provides an output of pressure according the pressure exerted on the sheet. The sheet basically is fabricated from a thin material such as Kapton and is flexible so as to assume the curvature of the surface with the transducer being exposed to pressure applied to the curved surface. The sensor in conjunction with the flexible sheet allows pressure to be measured without disturbing the air flow patterns of the measuring surfaces and because of its construction, is moisture resistant over a large variety of atmospheric conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.Inventors: ANTHONY D. KURTZ, Scott J. Goodman, Alexander A. Ned
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Publication number: 20120036938Abstract: An injection valve is hydraulically coupled to a high-pressure accumulator in order to supply a fluid. The injection valve has a longitudinal axis, an injection needle, and an actuator. The actuator is designed to act on the injection needle. A pre-defined amount of electrical energy is supplied to the actuator in order to modify an axial length of the actuator in such a way that the injection needle moves out of the closed position. Once the pre-defined amount of electrical energy has been supplied, a first voltage value and a second voltage value are detected and/or determined by the actuator at respectively different pre-defined moments. On the basis of the first and second voltage values, a differential voltage value is determined, on the basis of which a first pressure is determined, which represents a pressure in the high-pressure accumulator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2010Publication date: February 16, 2012Inventor: Martin Brandt
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Patent number: 8113059Abstract: A circuit module, in particular a tire sensor module, which at least includes: a substrate, on or in which at least one component is mounted, a piezoelement, which has at least one clamping region and at least one oscillatory region, the piezoelement being clamped in its clamping region on the substrate or on an arrangement secured to the substrate, and its oscillatory region being accommodated in a manner that permits oscillation, contacts provided on the piezoelement for tapping off a piezoelectric voltage, and a current-supply circuit, which receives the piezoelectric voltage generated by the piezoelement, being used as a voltage source for supplying power to the circuit module. The piezoelement is preferably clamped between at least two substrate elements, at least one cavity being formed within which the at least one oscillatory region of the piezoelement is accommodated in a manner that permits deflection, and is limited in its oscillation displacement.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Thomas Buck, Ralf Reichenbach
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Publication number: 20120031190Abstract: An improved capacitive manometer, the manometer comprises: a diaphragm including (a) a common electrode and (b) an electrode structure including a center electrode and ring electrode, wherein the diaphragm is movable between (i) a zero position when the pressure on each side of the diaphragm is the same and (ii) a maximum differential position when the maximum measurable differential pressure is applied to the diaphragm, and a support structure arranged so as to support the diaphragm so that the diaphragm is constrained relative to the electrode structure, and the common electrode is spaced from and axially aligned with the center and ring electrodes relative to an alignment axis of the manometer: wherein the electrode structure is secured relative to the diaphragm at at least three clamping locations angularly spaced around the alignment axis; and wherein the angle defined within each right plane containing a point of constraint of the diaphragm and the point of each clamping location relative to the plane oType: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.Inventor: Steven D. Blankenship
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Publication number: 20120017693Abstract: A pressure sensor of the MEMS and/or NEMS type is disclosed, including: at least one first deformable cavity (20) to receive pressure variations from an ambient atmosphere, this first deformable cavity being made in a first substrate and including at least one mobile or deformable wall (25), arranged at least partially in the plane parallel to the first substrate, called plane of the sensor, pressure variations from an ambient atmosphere being transmitted to said cavity, a detector (24, 24?) for detecting a displacement or deformation, in the plane of the sensor, of said mobile or deformable wall, under the effect of a pressure variation of the ambient atmosphere.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2011Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENE ALTInventors: Philippe ROBERT, Arnaud WALTHER
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Publication number: 20120017692Abstract: A peripheral pressure sensor for a motor vehicle has a sensor chip and a gasket sealing a sensing unit of the sensor chip from the surroundings, which gasket has a pressure channel through which pressure information is transmitted to the sensing unit of the sensor chip. The peripheral pressure sensor is made by an injection molding method in which an opening in the gasket is placed on the sensing unit of the sensor chip, and subsequently an assembly of the sensor chip and the gasket is surrounded by extrusion coating such that an outer edge opposite the sensing unit and/or an outer opening in the gasket remains at least partially free.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2011Publication date: January 26, 2012Inventors: Roland Seitz, Pete Kunert, Gustav Klett, Matthias Ludwig
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Publication number: 20110290033Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a physical and/or chemical, measured variable of a medium, including a housing, especially an elongated housing, and a sensor arranged in the housing. The sensor serves for registering the measured variable, wherein the housing has at least one opening, through which the sensor comes in contact with the medium. The housing has a first housing section, in which the sensor and a sensor electronics are arranged. The sensor electronics is arranged on a first carrier element. The sensor electronics serves for changing the measured variable into an analog electrical signal. An insert is applied in the first housing section, in which the sensor electronics is arranged. The insert is tubular.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2008Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Karl Flögel, Thomas Uehlin, Hansjörg Brock, Armin Rupp
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Publication number: 20110283803Abstract: There is disclosed an internally switched multiple range transducer. The transducer employs a plurality of individual pressure sensors or Wheatstone bridges fabricated from semiconductor materials and utilizing piezoresistors. Each sensor is designed to accommodate accurately a given pressure range, therefore, each sensor is selected to provide an output when an applied pressure is within its accommodated range. As soon as the pressure exceeds the range, then another sensor is employed to produce an output. Each of the sensors, or each separate transducer, is coupled to a switch or other device to enable the selection of one of the plurality of sensors to operate within its given pressure range when the applied pressure is in that range. In this manner one obtains pressure measurements with a high degree of accuracy across a relatively large pressure range.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.Inventors: Anthony D. Kurtz, Louis DeRosa
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Patent number: 8061212Abstract: A method of forming a sensor for sensing a physical property of a media. A substrate is provided having circuitry thereon including at least one electrical contact and a die is provided having disposed thereon corresponding electrical contacts and a sensing element for sensing a physical property of a media applied to said sensing element. One or more bonding ring or portions are arranged on the die. The die electrical contact(s) and bonding ring(s) can be bonded substantially simultaneously, with conductive bonding material, to the corresponding substrate electrical contact(s) and a surface of said substrate, respectively, to thereby form a sensor. The bonding ring(s) form a pressure seal. The substrate can include corresponding bonding ring(s). The die can include an ASIC for compensating temperature effects on said pressure sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2009Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Paul C. Shubert
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Publication number: 20110270028Abstract: The present invention is related to a biocompatible and biostable implantable medical device. The present invention can include an implantable medical device including an electro-mechanical component. The electro-mechanical component can be coated with various novel and nonobvious coating combinations designed to promote biocompatibility and biostability.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: ALLERGAN, INC.Inventor: Babak Honaryar
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Publication number: 20110247425Abstract: There is provided a fluid transducer. The transducer housing includes a nose section, a middle section, and a rear section, with the nose section defining a through bore. A sensor is disposed in the nose section and is in fluid communication with the through bore. An electronic module is disposed in the middle section and is in electrical communication with the sensor. A cap is coupled to the real section of the transducer housing, with the cap configured to seal the rear section of the transducer housing. A conductor-insulator assembly is coupled to an outer surface of the transducer housing and the conductor of the conductor-insulator assembly is coupled to the electronic module. In one embodiment the conductor-insulator assembly is annular in shape, with an inside diameter corresponding to the outer surface of the transducer housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Inventor: Daniel Ervin Moldenhauer
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Patent number: 8024976Abstract: A combined wet-wet differential transducer and a gage pressure transducer located in the same housing, comprising a semiconductor chip which comprises a gage sensor chip on one section and a differential sensor chip on a second section. Each sensor chip has a Wheatstone bridge comprising piezoresistors and is responsive to an applied pressure. The gage chip and the differential chip are placed in a header having a front section and a back section adapted to receive a first and second pressure, respectively. The sensors are in communication with first and second pressure ports such that the absolute sensor provides an output indicative of a pressure applied to a first port and the differential sensor provides an output indicative of the pressure difference between the first and second pressure ports.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2010Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.Inventors: Anthony D. Kurtz, Nora Kurtz, legal representative
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Patent number: 8022806Abstract: A fluid pressure sensor package can be easily assembled to have different types of probe tubes depending upon different application environments. The sensor package includes a sealed casing accommodating a sensor chip for sensing a pressure of a fluid introduced into the casing. A probe tube extends from the casing for introducing the fluid into contact with the sensor chip. The casing has a top opening, and has a side wall formed on its interior surface with a stepped shoulder for bearing a flange at the lower end of the probe tube. The flange is sealingly bonded to the sidewall of the casing by a sealer. Since the probe tube is prepared as a separate member from the casing, the casing can be a common base for various probe tubes having fluid channels of different lengths or diameters.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuaki Nishimura, Naoki Yahata
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Publication number: 20110185819Abstract: A molten dielectric resin material is filled in a section of an inside of a hollow dielectric body, in which electrode wires are installed. The molten dielectric resin material is solidified to form filler resin, so that the hollow dielectric body has a sensor portion, in which the filler resin is not filled in the inside of the hollow dielectric body, and a non-sensor portion, in which the filler resin is filled in the inside of the hollow dielectric body. A power supply connector is installed to one end part of the hollow dielectric body located at the non-sensor portion side and includes a plurality of electrically conductive terminals that are electrically connected to the plurality of electrode wires.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: ASMO CO., LTD.Inventors: Masato HATTORI, Masaaki Shimizu
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Patent number: 7987727Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensor is provided that includes a diaphragm, a resistive element arranged at an upper portion of the diaphragm, an insulating film arranged on an upper face of the resistive element and an upper face of the diaphragm, a via that penetrates through a portion of the insulating film and comes into contact with the resistive element, and wiring that is electrically connected to the resistive element through the via. The insulating film includes a concave portion having a bottom face that is substantially flat. The wiring is arranged on the bottom face of the concave portion, and the depth of the concave portion is substantially equal to the thickness of the wiring.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasuhide Fujioka
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Publication number: 20110179879Abstract: A multi-range pressure sensor apparatus and method that provide multiple signal paths for detecting a broad range of pressures with a high accuracy. A pressure transducer can be configured to include the use of a pressure sense die with piezoresistive elements integrated into the sensor die and in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. A sensed output signal from the sense die can be transferred to one or more amplifier circuits. A programmable compensation circuit can be utilized to multiplex different amplified output signals from each of the amplifier circuits and to provide a digital output. A memory associated with the programmable compensation circuit provides separate compensations, which are stored for each of the different signal paths and removes errors due to amplifier gain and offset.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2011Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventor: Ian Bentley
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Publication number: 20110174079Abstract: A miniature thermal conductivity gauge employs a carbon single-walled-nanotube. The gauge operates on the principle of thermal exchange between the voltage-biased nanotube and the surrounding gas at low levels of power and low temperatures to measure vacuum across a wide dynamic range. The gauge includes two terminals, a source of constant voltage to the terminals, a single-walled carbon nanotube between the terminals, a calibration of measured conductance of the nanotube to magnitudes of surrounding vacuum and a current meter in electrical communication with the source of constant voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2008Publication date: July 21, 2011Inventors: Harish Manohara, Anupama B. Kaul
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Publication number: 20110167919Abstract: An interoperable vacuum measuring device is presented, which automatically adjusts to one of two or more vacuum sensors having different electrical characteristics. The interoperable vacuum measuring device in a first step detects which type of vacuum sensor it is connected to. In a second step it controls and evaluates the vacuum sensor, using control parameters determined in response to the detection of the first step. Detection of a vacuum sensor type is achieved by measuring the electrical resistance between any two pins of a vacuum sensor's connector and comparing the measured resistance values with stored resistance values of known vacuum sensors. Further, a vacuum measuring device is presented, which automatically identifies a vacuum sensor, and associates a vacuum pressure measurement with a vacuum sensor. The identification of a vacuum sensor is facilitated by an identification disk, which is placed onto and operatively connected to the male terminals of a vacuum sensor's connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: PLOECHINGER PATENTInventors: Heinz Plöchinger, Georg Sickinger
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Publication number: 20110152825Abstract: An administering device for administering a fluid product through the use of pressure, the device being modular, including a base unit and a cartridge, the base unit containing driving components and the cartridge adapted to be connected detachably to the base unit, wherein the cartridge has a fluid reservoir and a pressure monitoring device having a pressure sensor and a transfer device operably coupled to the pressure sensor, wherein the pressure monitoring device can be activated by an externally applied, alternating electromagnetic field, whereby data can be read, without contact, using the fluid pressure. In one embodiment, the pressure sensor contains a snap disk and the transfer device is an RFID transponder, wherein the base unit comprises a pressure reading device, which is constructed for producing a corresponding alternating electromagnetic field and, depending on the response to the alternating field, for determining a fluid pressure-dependent property of the transfer device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventor: Rolf Marggi
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Patent number: 7958784Abstract: A pressure detector configured to detect a predetermined pressure includes a housing having a concave that includes a perforation hole that perforates the housing, a sheet configured to cover the concave and to rupture when placed in an environment of the predetermined pressure or higher, and a semipermeable membrane configured to cover one end of the perforation hole, and to allow air to pass through the semipermeable membrane, the semipermeable membrane being configured to prevent water from passing through the semipermeable membrane.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Kouhei Chouraku, Yasushi Yui, Shingo Yamaguchi, Satoshi Kanbayashi, Hayato Shida, Yasuhiro Ite
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Patent number: 7954369Abstract: A tire pressure measurement system (TPMS) includes a capacitor and an integrated circuit configured to receive a supply voltage. The integrated circuit includes a voltage regulator and a measurement unit. The voltage regulator is configured to be turned on and off for predetermined periods of time such that the capacitor is charged and discharged, respectively. The voltage regulator and the capacitor are connected to the measurement unit in order to selectively provide electric charge at a voltage between predetermined upper and lower limits.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2008Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Infineon Tecnologies AGInventors: Jan Einar Nornes, Bjorn Blixhavn
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Patent number: 7950286Abstract: A multi-range pressure sensor apparatus and method that provide multiple signal paths for detecting a broad range of pressures with a high accuracy. A pressure transducer can be configured to include the use of a pressure sense die with piezoresistive elements integrated into the sensor die and in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. A sensed output signal from the sense die can be transferred to one or more amplifier circuits. A programmable compensation circuit can be utilized to multiplex different amplified output signals from each of the amplifier circuits and to provide a digital output. A memory associated with the programmable compensation circuit provides separate compensations, which are stored for each of the different signal paths and removes errors due to amplifier gain and offset.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2009Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Ian Bentley
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Patent number: 7948830Abstract: In an electronic device that includes a first display unit (28) and a second display unit (29) that differs from the first display unit (28) in at least a type, a driving method to perform a display control, and a mode of driving to perform the display control, and that displays a plurality of functions using the first display unit (28) and the second display unit (29), a change request to change from a display in a normal mode (11) to a function mode (13) is acquired, and only a display mode of the second display unit (29) is changed, when the change request is made, to a preparation mode (12) without changing a display mode of the first display unit (28) that is in the normal mode (11) when the display modes of the first display unit (28) and the second display unit (29) are to be changed based on the acquired change request.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2006Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventors: Noritoshi Suzuki, Takashi Ihara
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Patent number: 7930944Abstract: An ASIC compensated pressure sensor includes a sense die, an ASIC chip, and supporting elements. The sense die includes a metallized surface for attaching the sense die to a mounting surface. The resulting solder joint provides a hermetic seal that is resistant to a wide range of media associated with different environmental conditions. The mounting surface can contain the ASIC and electronics for compensation or can be attached to another mounting surface, which contains the ASIC and electronics. Either configuration can include collars of different styles for ease of assembly and in turn can be attached to a mating connector. The mounting surface can possess a closely matched coefficient of thermal expansion to the sense die in order to enhance electrical stability of the output signal over a wide temperature and pressure ranges.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2008Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Jim Machir, Todd Eckhardt, Paul Rozgo, William S. Hoover
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Publication number: 20110088480Abstract: A pressure sensor in contact with an aggressive fluid for a pressure measurement has a board with a pressure passage. The pressure passage is closed on one side by a sensor chip as a pressure sensing element. The board also mounts an integrated circuit and electrical contacts for electrical contacting of the pressure sensor. At least the on board arranged pressure sensing element as well as the integrated circuit are tightly enclosed by a capper made of a fluid resistant material in connection with the board, and are arranged in an encasing cavity formed by the capper and the board for fluid resistant protection.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: SILICON MICRO SENSORS GMBHInventors: Jens KOEHLER, Lars PETERSEN, Sebastian HAGEDORN
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Patent number: 7900518Abstract: A variable capacitor, a microfabricated implantable pressure sensor including a variable capacitor and an inductor, and related pressure measurement and implantation methods. The inductor may have a fixed or variable inductance. A variable capacitor and pressure sensors include a flexible member that is disposed on a substrate and defines a chamber. Capacitor elements extend indirectly from the flexible member. Sufficient fluidic pressure applied to an exterior surface of the flexible member causes the flexible member to move or deform, thus causing the capacitance and/or inductance to change. Resulting changes in resonant frequency or impedance can be detected to determine pressure, e.g., intraocular pressure.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2007Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Inventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Po-Jui Chen, Damien C. Rodger, Mark S. Humayun
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Publication number: 20110051775Abstract: The present invention, in one embodiment, provides a method of measuring pressure or temperature using a sensor including a sensor element composed of a plurality of carbon nanotubes. In one example, the resistance of the plurality of carbon nanotubes is measured in response to the application of temperature or pressure. The changes in resistance are then recorded and correlated to temperature or pressure. In one embodiment, the present invention provides for independent measurement of pressure or temperature using the sensors disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2009Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLCInventors: Ilia N. Ivanov, David Bruce Geohegan
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Patent number: 7895898Abstract: A negative pressure gauge includes a body and a multi-stage positioning means. The body is provided with an airflow passage. The multi-stage positioning means includes a rotary piece and a cover plate. The rotary piece is pivotally connected to the body and is provided with positioning recesses and venting troughs. The cover plate covers the rotary piece and is fixedly connected to the body. The cover plate extends to form a positioning protrusion corresponding to the positioning recesses. When the rotary piece rotates with respect to the cover plate, the positioning recesses allow the positioning protrusion to be selectively positioned therein and control the communication or obstruction between the venting troughs and the airflow passage.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2009Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Pacific Hospital Supply Co., Ltd.Inventor: Donny Chung
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Patent number: 7886610Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the differential pressure of fluid in filter. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a pressure chamber. A differential pressure gauge divides the pressure chamber into first and second fluid chambers. The differential pressure gauge is arranged to measure a differential pressure between fluid in the first chamber and fluid in the second chamber. The differential pressure gauge has a variable output.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2005Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael Jon Gustafson, John R. Hacker
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Publication number: 20110016981Abstract: A pressure measuring module for recording an absolute pressure or a relative pressure. Pressure measuring module includes a housing produced preferably as a premold, in which a pressure measuring chip is accommodated. The latter is contacted electrically either to a lead frame or to at least one printed circuit trace, at least one electronic component being provided, which is connected to a section of the lead frame or of the at least one printed circuit trace, exiting laterally from the housing that is produced as a premold, and is covered by a partition of a cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2008Publication date: January 27, 2011Inventors: Jan Gebauer, Masoud Habibi
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Patent number: 7863519Abstract: The invention relates to electrical sensors, which are tight against longitudinal water, and to a process for a simple and cost efficient manufacture, with a tightly closed housing, a sensor element, at least one cable leading out of the housing, wherein the electrical conductors of the cable in the housing comprise a massive cross section without a cavity at least in one longitudinal section, a conductor seal seals the massive cross section against the lead insulation, a lead seal seals the lead insulation against the jacket of the cable, and against all other jackets, and a jacket seal seals the cable jacket against the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2007Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: ASM Automation Sensorik Messtechnik GmbHInventor: Klaus Manfred Steinich
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Patent number: 7841238Abstract: The invention provides for a pressure sensor with compensation for temperature variations. The sensor has CMOS layers deposited on a substrate, a conductive layer connected to the CMOS and a passivation layer deposited on the CMOS layers. The arrangement also includes a conductive active membrane spaced from the conductive layer to form an active chamber, and a conductive reference membrane spaced from the conductive layer to form a sealed reference chamber. Further included is a cap which covers the membranes, said cap exposing the active membrane to an outside fluid pressure. The active membrane further defines a foot which is located between the substrate and cap with a leg extending away from the substrate and terminating in a substantially planar deflectable portion, which deflects due to differential pressure stresses so that an active capacitance is developed between the active membrane and the conductive layer depending on the electrical permittivity e of the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2009Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Samuel George Mallinson
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Patent number: 7841241Abstract: A SAW based pressure sensor having a base 2a with an aperture 3 formed therein and a substrate 4 mounted on the base so as to completely overlie the aperture. The substrate 4 is adhered to base 2a so as to form a fluid tight seal around the periphery of the aperture 3. A first SAW resonator 5 is mounted on the substrate 4 wholly within the region overlying the aperture 3, with two further SAW resonators 6, 7 being mounted on the substrate wholly within a region which is stiffened by adhesion to the underlying base 2a , such that the two further SAW resonators 6, 7 are completely decoupled from the strain field arising in the substrate due to deflections thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2006Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Transense Technologies PLCInventors: Arthur Leigh, Paul Edward Vickery
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Publication number: 20100242618Abstract: A diaphragm made of a polysilicon film is provided above a first main surface of a silicon substrate. Four gauge resistors are provided on the top face of the diaphragm. A through hole for exposing the bottom face of the diaphragm is formed in the silicon substrate. An anchor portion for mounting the diaphragm on the silicon substrate is provided between the diaphragm and the silicon substrate in a manner surrounding circumferentially an opening end of the through hole located at the side facing the first main surface. Accordingly, a semiconductor pressure sensor having a diaphragm of reduced and less varied thickness can be obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventor: Kimitoshi Sato
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Patent number: 7803628Abstract: In a device for measuring the pressure of a medium, in particular a liquid medium, the device including a measuring chamber through which the medium can flow and which has at least one elastically deformable wall, at least one wall that is more rigid by comparison to the elastically deformable wall, and an inlet and outlet for the medium, at least one excitation electrode is provided in or on the at least one more rigid wall of the measuring chamber, and at least one signal electrode is provided on the elastically deformable wall, for impedance measurement.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: MHM Harzbecher Medizintechnik GmbHInventor: Raymond Glocker
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Publication number: 20100219789Abstract: An apparatus using reconfigurable integrated sensor elements with an efficient energy harvesting capability is described. Each sensor element has sensing and energy harvesting mode. In the sensing mode, the sensor element measures an environmental characteristic by generating electrical charge and outputs a time-encoded signal indicative of the measurement. In the energy harvesting mode, the sensor element itself is used to harvest energy from ambient energy source and makes it available to other sensor elements or circuit components. The sensing element is switched from the sensing mode to the energy harvesting mode when the electrical charge reaches a predetermined threshold. An image sensor device using asynchronous readout for harvesting energy from incident light while generating images is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: The Hong Kong University of Science and TechnologyInventors: Amine Bermak, Chao Shi, Man Kay Law
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Publication number: 20100206086Abstract: A negative pressure gauge includes a body and a multi-stage positioning means. The body is provided with an airflow passage. The multi-stage positioning means includes a rotary piece and a cover plate. The rotary piece is pivotally connected to the body and is provided with positioning recesses and venting troughs. The cover plate covers the rotary piece and is fixedly connected to the body. The cover plate extends to form a positioning protrusion corresponding to the positioning recesses. When the rotary piece rotates with respect to the cover plate, the positioning recesses allow the positioning protrusion to be selectively positioned therein and control the communication or obstruction between the venting troughs and the airflow passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2009Publication date: August 19, 2010Inventor: Donny CHUNG
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Patent number: 7775115Abstract: A device for detecting a measured quantity has a sensor chip for detecting the measured quantity, a supply for providing a power supply, and an injection-molded enclosure for accommodating the sensor chip and the supply, the injection-molded enclosure including integrated conductive traces providing an electrical connection between the sensor chip and the supply.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2007Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Horst Theuss, Thomas Herndl, Werner Weber, Joachim Weitzel, Albert Auburger
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Publication number: 20100192695Abstract: An apparatus for remote inspection of fire extinguishers at one or a system of fire extinguisher stations includes, e.g., at each fire extinguisher station: a detector for lack of presence of a fire extinguisher in its installed position at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for out-of-range pressure of contents of the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for an obstruction to viewing of or access to the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; and a device for transmission of inspection report information from the fire extinguisher station to a remote central station.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventors: John McSheffrey, JR., Brendan T. McSheffrey
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Patent number: 7765866Abstract: A pressure sensor is provided. The pressure sensor includes a sensing element, a case, a line element, an insect entering restriction element. The case has a space for receiving the sensing element. The case includes a pressure introduction passage, which is in communication with the space to introduce a pressure medium into the sensing element. The line element has a first portion electrically connected with the sensing element and a second portion to be electrically connected to an external element. The insect entering restriction element extends across a path on the exterior surface of the case, the path interconnecting between the second portion of the line element and the open end of pressure introduction passage.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Kouji Uchida
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Patent number: 7759945Abstract: A sensor incorporates a dual range ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) for accurately sensing and measuring sensor input over extensive range along with an improved resolution. The sensor can incorporate an ASIC utilizing signals from a MEMS-based piezoresistive Wheatstone bridge. Signals can also come from capacitive pressure measurement sources. The signals can be converted to digital bit counts where calibration coefficients can be implemented to achieve high precision. The calibration coefficients corresponding to bit counts can be compared with transition points that are recorded into ASIC for effectively distinguishing different sensor ranges. The transition points can be stored in an EEPROM fabricated to suit ASIC applications.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2007Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Richard A. Wade
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Patent number: 7735372Abstract: An electronic pressure switch has only two terminals, a resistance measuring bridge pickup, an amplifier unit downstream of the resistance measuring bridge, a comparator connected to the amplifier unit and a switching stage downstream of the comparator achieves a lower residual current in the blocked state and a lower voltage drop in the switched state. The resistance measuring bridge has a high internal resistance and the amplifier unit supplies both an analog measurement signal corresponding to the analog measured value of the resistance measuring bridge and a threshold value to the comparator at low resistance. A high-resistance balancing network is assigned to the resistor network, and an in-phase regulator on the input side limits and controls the supply voltage of the resistance measuring bridge, the amplifier unit, the comparator and the balancing network and the switching stage is made as a shunt controller triggered by the output of the comparator.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2007Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: i f m electronic GmbHInventor: Heinz Walter
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Patent number: 7730772Abstract: A wireless and batteryless pressure sensor apparatus comprises of a SAW sensor and an antenna mounted on a printed circuit board. Optionally, and RFID tag in used in combination with the SAW sensor. A sensor antenna and a RFID antenna can be located on the printed circuit board such that the antennas communicate electrically with the sensor and the RFID device. The sensor can be interrogated utilizing a radio frequency, which is used to excite a SAW crystal inside the sensor. The interrogation signal causes the SAW to resonate wherein a resonant frequency changes with the pressure and temperature that is applied to the sensor. An interrogator can receive a return (echo) signal representing a change in SAW sensor properties (e.g., diaphragm change). A printed circuit board can be mounted on a stainless steel port and overpackaged with standard processes for hermetically sealing the sensor, or sensor and RFID device with at least one antenna.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: James D. Cook, Brian J. Marsh, Mohammed A J Qasimi, Daniel Dixon, Sachin Kumar
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Patent number: 7698950Abstract: An absolute pressure transducer for outputting a signal indicative of an absolute pressure of a process to be measured is provided. The pressure transducer consists of a pressure-tight pressure port, which is connectable to the process, a housing accommodating pressure sensors and a common circuit board, a first pressure sensor, which analogically detects a difference between the process pressure and an ambient pressure inside the housing, a second pressure sensor, which detects the ambient pressure inside the housing as an absolute pressure, and the common circuit board, which is connected to both the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor and furthermore has a data processing unit. Here, the second pressure sensor is adapted to issue an electronic signal indicative of the ambient pressure.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: WIKA Alexander Wiegand GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Alexander Kraatz
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Patent number: 7690262Abstract: A pressure sensor device includes a temperature sensor mounted on a common housing composed of a resin head and a resin pipe both hermetically connected to each other. The pressure sensor device is mounted on, for example, on an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine to measure an amount of air supplied to the engine based on detected pressure and temperature of the air. A pressure sensor is mounted on the resin head, and a temperature sensor element is supported in the resin pipe. A lead wire of the temperature sensor element such as a thermistor is electrically connected to a conductor bar embedded in the resin pipe. The temperature sensor is directly exposed to the air in the intake manifold, and a size of the temperature sensor and the lead wire is made small to make a response speed of the temperature sensor element high.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Hideki Nakabayashi