Texas Instruments Corporation

Sensata Technologies, Inc.

Eric J Giasson

Joseph M Gondusky

Alfred J White

Kevin J Laboe

Andrew F Willner

Narendra R Zaveri

Alan G Amore

George Verras

Stephen P Greene

James I Ogilvie

David J Field

Vanvisa Attaset

Phillip J Leipf

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 flow regulating valve (100) for an air conditioning system is shown in which a body member (104) is provided with a fixed passageway (104a) and a variable passageway (104b) which results in regulating flow of refrigerant into the evaporator of the air conditioning system. Under high ambient and low or idle speeds, the system refrigerant pressure rises. This increases pressure in the evaporator and an increase in the saturation temperature of refrigerant in the evaporator. This increase in temperature is sensed by a helical thermostatic metal element (110) which moves to rotate an inlet sleeve (112) having a web (104c) formed between first and second windows (112a, 112b) to move into alignment with the inlet port (104c) of passageway (104b) to increase restriction to the flow of the refrigerant fluid through the valve thereby decreasing pressure of the refrigerant entering the evaporator. Upon continued increase in ambient temperature, the web continues to rotate bringing window (112b) into alignment with the inlet (104c) to increase refrigerant flow to prevent excessive pressure build-up in the compressor with resulting compressor cycling.

Flow regulating valve apparatus for air conditioning systems

A flow regulating valve for air conditioning systems is shown in which a body member (26, 26a-26e) is provided with a passageway (28, 28a-28f) which results in regulating flow of refrigerant into the evaporator of the air conditioning system under normal conditions. Under severe operating conditions, e.g., high ambient temperature and low or idle speeds, the system refrigerant pressure rises. This increases pressure in the evaporator and an increase in the saturation temperature of refrigerant in the evaporator. This increase in temperature is sensed by a thermostatic metal element (44, 80, 88) of the regulating valve which moves to increase restriction to the flow of the refrigerant fluid through the valve thereby decreasing pressure of the refrigerant entering the evaporator. In several embodiments the thermostatic metal element is in the form of a helix (44) with one end fixed to the body member and the opposite end attached to a sleeve (38, 38d) in certain embodiments and an end cap (54, 60, 68) in other embodiments to rotate the sleeve or end cap to restrict fluid flow in an auxiliary passage. In other embodiments the thermostatic metal element is a relatively straight strip (80, 88) having one end fixed to the body member and its opposite end, in one embodiment, movable toward and away from an auxiliary inlet port (34) and in another embodiment the opposite end is attached to a block (94) having a relatively smaller effective passage (29e) movable into and out of alignment with a larger passage (31e) to change the effective level of flow restriction.

A fluid level control valve has a base with a precisely controlled aperture formed therein which mounts on a transmission oil reservoir. A cover is pivotably disposed over the aperture and is biased by a thermostatic element in a direction tending to close the aperture. The thermostatic element is an elongated flat strip having each end captured by a bracket formed in each end of the base. A calibration post is precisely positioned on the cover to work with the brackets to place the thermostatic element in the desired position to provide a preselected force on the cover. The base has legs extending from the periphery of the controlled aperture for precisely attaching the valve to the housing of the transmission oil reservoir.

Automotive oil level control valve apparatus

A fluid level control valve has a base with an aperture formed therethrough. A cover is movably disposed over the aperture and is biased by a thermostatic element in a direction tending to close the aperture. The thermostatic element is a generally U-shaped strip having one end mounted on the base with its opposite end biased against the cover. The cover is adapted to pivot about one hinge at temperatures below a selected temperature value and pivot about a second hinge at temperatures above the selected value. A second embodiment particularly adapted to accommodate different flow rates employs a movable first hinge location.

Growing community of inventors

Somerset, MA, United States of America

Eric J Giasson