Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.

Borg-warner Automotive Gmbh

Lecroy Corporation

Bitronics, Inc.

Benz Companies, Inc.

Wolf S Landmann

Anthony D Kurtz

Joseph R VanDeWeert

Alexander A Ned

Amnon Brosh

Louis DeRosa

Richard Martin

John R Hayer

Gene C Berrier

Gunther Martin

Lourens Van Der Jagt

A pressure transducer is disclosed that includes an absolute pressure sensor assembly, a differential pressure sensor assembly, a main pressure port in communication with the absolute pressure sensor assembly and the differential pressure sensor assembly, a reference pressure port in communication with the differential pressure sensor assembly, and a compensation circuit in communication with the absolute pressure sensor assembly and the differential pressure sensor assembly. The compensation circuit is configured to reduce an error in an output of the differential pressure sensor assembly (due to absolute pressure) by at least a portion of an output received from the absolute pressure sensor assembly.

Systems and methods for compensating the effects of absolute pressure in differential pressure sensors

Systems and methods are disclosed for a two lead electronic switch adapted to replace a mechanical switch. In one embodiment, a device is provided that includes a sensor and an electronic circuit having a voltage limiting circuit. The electronic circuit is configured to deactivate/activate the voltage limiting circuit to operate the electronic circuit in a first/second state in response to determining that an output of the sensor is less/more than a threshold voltage. The circuit includes first and second terminals configured to receive a switch voltage used to provide power for the device. The device sets the switch voltage to a first voltage level operative to power the electronic circuit and the sensor while the electronic circuit is operating in the first state and to a second voltage level operative to power the electronic circuit and the sensor while the electronic circuit is operating in the second state.

Two lead electronic switch system adapted to replace a mechanical switch system

The present invention provides a self-heated pressure sensor assembly and method of utilizing the same. The self-heated pressure sensor assembly regulates and maintains the temperature of the pressure sensor, regardless of the external temperature environment, without an external heater as in prior art embodiments. Exemplary embodiments of the pressure sensor assembly incorporate a resistance heater that is built into the sensing chip of the pressure sensor assembly. The pressure sensor assembly also utilizes the resistance of the pressure sensing elements to monitor the temperature of the assembly, which works alongside the resistance heater to maintain a stable temperature within the pressure sensor assembly.

Self-heated pressure sensor assemblies

Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems, methods, and apparatus for assigning a distinct identifier (ID) to a pressure transducer based on resistor values. Embodiments include electrically identifying the distinct ID, and compensating the pressure transducer based on the distinct ID. According to an example implementation, a method is provided that can include coupling a transducer ID measurement assembly with a transducer assembly; measuring, by the transducer ID measurement assembly, a plurality of divided voltages between a plurality of configurable ID switches and a reference resistor; determining, with a processor, a distinct ID associated with the transducer assembly based on the plurality of measured divided voltages; retrieving one or more compensation parameters based on the distinct ID; and compensating, with the one or more compensation parameters, a measurement signal of the transducer assembly.

Systems and methods for electrically identifying and compensating individual pressure transducers

Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems and methods for multibit code communications that can provide more than one bit per input port. In an example implementation, a method is provided that can include measuring an input voltage at an input port in communication with a device. The method can include comparing the measured input voltage with a plurality of predetermined reference voltage levels, and determining, based on the comparing, a device ID. The method can further include outputting the device ID. Certain implementations may further include compensating a signal associated with the device based on the identified device ID.

Systems and methods for multibit code communications

Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems, methods, and apparatus for a sealed transducer with an adjustment port. The sealed transducer may include one or more terminals. A first terminal may include electrical connections for connecting to an input voltage source, a ground, and for providing a transducer output signal. A second terminal, for example, may include an electrical port for connecting to an external and separately sealed adjustment network. In one example implementation, the adjustment network can include one or more components configured to couple with internal circuitry of the transducer to alter a response of the transducer.

Sealed transducer with external adjustment port

There is disclosed a high temperature pressure sensing system which includes a SOI, silicon carbide, or gallium nitride Wheatstone bridge including piezoresistors. The bridge provides an output which is applied to an analog to digital converter also fabricated using SOI, silicon carbide, or gallium nitride materials. The output of the analog to digital converter is applied to microprocessor, which microprocessor processes the data or output of the bridge to produce a digital output indicative of bridge value. The microprocessor also receives an output from another analog to digital converter indicative of the temperature of the bridge as monitored by a span resistor coupled to the bridge. The microprocessor has a separate memory coupled thereto which is also fabricated from SOI, silicon carbide, or gallium nitride materials and which memory stores various data indicative of the microprocessor also enabling the microprocessor test and system test to be performed.

High temperature transducer using SOI, silicon carbide or gallium nitride electronics

This disclosure provides example methods, devices, and systems for a three-lead electronic switch system adapted to replace a mechanical switch. A device is disclosed that includes a sensor, a current limiting circuit, an output switching circuit comprising a first switching device and a second switching device, and a three lead interface circuit in communication with the output switching circuit and the current limiting circuit. The device includes an electronic switching circuit in communication with the sensor, the current limiting circuit, and the output switching circuit. The electronic switching circuit is configured to drive the first and second switching devices in complementary conduction states responsive to determining the output of the sensor relative to a threshold voltage. The output switching circuit includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a return terminal that are configured to provide power to the electronic switching circuit while providing an indication of the conduction states.

Three-lead electronic switch system adapted to replace a mechanical switch

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides systems and methods of compensating sensor drift. In one example embodiment, a system may comprise a primary sensor having a primary full-scale range and configured to output a primary environmental condition signal indicative of an environmental condition; a reference sensor having a reference full-scale range and configured to output a reference environmental condition signal indicative of the environmental condition, wherein the reference full-scale range is less than the primary full-scale range; and a drift compensation system configured to determine a drift compensation signal using the primary environmental signal and the reference environmental condition signal responsive to the reference environmental conditional signal being in the reference full-scale range and compensate the primary environmental condition signal using the drift compensation signal.

Systems and methods for sensor drift compensation

The present invention describes systems and methods of providing a pressure switch with temperature enable function. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a pressure sensor for providing a pressure signal having a first voltage level that is proportional to a pressure applied to the pressure sensor; a temperature sensor for providing a temperature signal having a second voltage level where the second voltage level is proportional to a temperature measured by the pressure sensor; and a control circuit for receiving the pressure signal from the pressure sensor and the temperature signal from the temperature sensor and activating a load when the first voltage level exceeds a threshold voltage level.

Growing community of inventors

Fair Lawn, NJ, United States of America

Wolf S Landmann