Sensata Technologies, Inc.

Texas Instruments Corporation

David J DiPaola

Hidde Walstra

Arnout Van Den Bos

Peter A Weise

Timothy M McBride

George P Krajewski

Erik Krommenhoek

Peter H Frackelton

David E Hyland

Nathan Smith

Bonnie L Moore

Chetak Reshamwala

William S Boyce

Denis J Villiard

Jonas M Bautista

Frank Gerald Daniel Morsink

Timothy J Breitenbach

Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for sensor systems for measuring pressure in an exhaust conduit of a combustion engine. The sensor system includes an electronics module assembly and a housing assembly for housing the electronics module assembly. The electronics module assembly can include several components such as sensing element carrier element with a sensing element, an electronics module carrier element carrying electronic components. Electrical connections can be provided between the electronic module carrier element and the sensing element carrier element. Another component includes a main carrier element for supporting the sensing element carrier element and the electronic module carrier element.

Sensor system for differential pressure measurement

A linear vehicle transmission switch () has first and second interfitting housing members () each having an electrically conductive lead frame () insert molded in electrically insulative material and formed with exposed segments () of lead frame material along linear tracks. An elongated actuator () is slidably received in a channel of one of the housing members and is disposed along a side of the tracks. A paddle () extends transversely across the tracks. Ribs are disposed between tracks and dimensioned to limit rotational movement of the paddle. A pair of stabilized contact switches is disposed on the paddle for each track. The housing members have a selected camber to lower the force required to move the actuator. The lead frames are plated to reduce contact resistance and improve wear.

Electrical switch system for use with vehicular transmissions

A compliant interface () for vehicular seat weight sensors minimizes parasitic stresses affecting sensor output. In one embodiment, an integral compliant interface () has an annular flange () attached to a post extending from the sensor body with a first compliant member () disposed between the annular flange and an upper elongated flange () of a mounting bracket () and a second compliant member () disposed between the annular plate and a lower elongated flange () to allow pivotal movement of the sensor limited by a motion stop member () of annular flange () engaging the lower flange. An overload cage () may be placed over the sensor and attached to an additional flange () to contain the sensor in the event of a failure of the mount in a catastrophic high speed crash. According to another preferred embodiment, an interface having upper and lower body members are formed with a sensor post receiving bore () for attachment to the post. The body members are formed with spaced apart, radially extending face surfaces, each formed with an annular recess aligned with each other and with a compliant member received therein and fixed to the respective body members and extending beyond the face surfaces. The interface is received through a bore of a support plate to which the sensor is mounted with the compliant members engaging opposite face surfaces of the support plate allowing limited pivotal motion and with a compliant member limiting lateral movement of the interface relative to the support plate.

Sensor mounting apparatus for minimizing parasitic stress

A port fitting is formed with a closed, pedestal end forming a diaphragm on which a strain gauge sensor is mounted. A support member is received on the pedestal end and is formed with a flat end wall having an aperture aligned with the sensor. A portion of a flexible circuit assembly is bonded to the flat end wall with a connector disposed over the support member. A tubular outer housing is fitted over the several components and its bottom portion is welded to the port fitting while its top portion places a selected load on an O-ring received about the connector as well as internal components of the transducer. In one embodiment, a loading washer ( ) is disposed over the O-ring on a first portion ( ) of a two portion connector ( ) and retained by a second connector portion ( ). Protrusions ( ) formed on the tubular housing ( ) pass through cut-outs in the second connector portion to place a load on the loading washer. To facilitate assembly, the connector is attachable to the support member in one embodiment by legs of an EMC shield ( ), with the shield coupled to the connector by wedging tabs ( ) and in another embodiment by direct engagement of legs of the connector. In one embodiment a shroud ( ) is removably received on the connector to protect elongated terminals extending therefrom. One embodiment is provided with an enhanced environmental seal including a resilient grommet ( ) retained by a snap cap ( ).

Hermetic pressure transducer

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Attleboro, MA, United States of America

David J DiPaola