Texas Instruments Corporation

Sensata Technologies, Inc.

Alan G Amore

Bryan J Dague

Steven Beringhause

Andrew F Willner

Eric J Giasson

Daniel Morin

Stephen P Greene

James I Ogilvie

David J Field

Vanvisa Attaset

A pressure sensing device () is shown having a ceramic capacitive sensing element () received in a chamber formed in a hexport housing (). The hexport housing has a fluid passageway () communicating with a recessed chamber () formed in a bottom wall circumscribed by an annular platform shoulder (). A thin flexible metal diaphragm () is hermetically attached to the bottom wall along the platform shoulder. A curable adhesive resin having a thermal coefficient of expansion and modulus of elasticity appropriately matching that of sensing element (), such as polyurethane, is cast between the sensing element () and the metal diaphragm () forming, when cured, a layer bonded to both members resulting in a sensor that is effective in monitoring negative as well as positive fluid pressures. In one embodiment a ring is used to define layerlaterally and in a second embodiment an insulator sleeve () and shield sleeve () which receives pressure sensing element () each have an open end with an inwardly extending lip () that define layerlaterally.

Hermetic pressure sensing device

A combined pressure responsive electrical switch and temperature sensor device ( ) is shown comprising a base member ( ) mounting an electrical switch actuatable by a pressure responsive snap-acting disc ( ) attached to a port fitting ( ) having an elongated temperature sensing portion ( &prime;) extending from the fitting within a threaded bore of the fitting adapted to be inserted in the bore of a fluid pressure source nipple ( ). A thermistor ( ) is disposed at the distal end ( &prime;) of the temperature sensing portion and is electrically connected to terminals ( ) of the base member.

Combined pressure responsive electrical switch and temperature sensor device

A pressure responsive electrical switch (,) has a base (,) formed with a bottom wall (,) having a top surface (,) formed with a generally disc seat (,). A recess (,) is formed in the bottom wall through the top surface within the area defined by the disc seat and with first and second bores (,) formed through the bottom wall aligned with the recess. Integrally formed combination terminal and movable contact arm members (,) each have a first portion (,) serving as a respective terminal and a second, movable contact arm portion (,) swaged to an attenuated thickness. The movable contact arm portions extend side by side transversely across the bottom surface of the recess in generally opposite directions and with a free distal contact end portion (,) extending slightly above a disc seat formed on the top surface. An electrically conductive, snap-acting disc (,) is disposed on the disc seat out of engagement with the contact end portions (,) when the disc placed in pressure receiving communication with a fluid pressure source to be monitored is in one dished configuration at pressures below a selected actuation level and in electrical engagement with the contact end portions when the pressure of the fluid exceeds the actuation level. An alternate embodiment includes a calibration beam (,) on at least one of first and second combination terminal, movable contact arm members (,) to allow adjustment of the release pressure level of the snap acting disc.

Pressure responsive electrical switch

A housing member (100, 100', 100', 100'') used to interface with a coupling of a fluid pressure source and to house a pressure sensing assembly is shown having a metallic tubular sidewall with a cylindrical first portion (102), a non-cylindrical second portion (108, 108') and intermediate third portion (112, 112',112') with a plastic body member (114, 114', 114') disposed, as by insert molding, within the tubular sidewall. The plastic body member has a base wall portion (116) extending across the sidewall at the intermediate, third portion (112) and has an elongated portion (120, 120') with a threaded bore. The second portion of the sidewall extends along a longitudinal axis at least as far as the elongated portion of the plastic body member. In one embodiment a metallic insert (152) forms a continuation of the molded plastic thread and in another embodiment inwardly extending groove (160) of second portion (108') of the tubular sidewall reinforces the molded plastic thread. The housing member is adapted to receive a pressure sensing mechanism within the first portion (102) which portion is attached to a connector or the like by clamping the outer distal end (106) thereto.

Condition responsive electrical apparatus having improved low cost

Growing community of inventors

Cumberland, RI, United States of America

Alan G Amore