Differential pressure transducer assembly

Abstract

A transducer assembly for measuring the pressure difference between first and second pressures comprises a differential pressure transducer and a valve coupled to the differential pressure transducer. The differential pressure transducer has a first pressure region and a second pressure region and generates an electrical signal in response to a pressure differential between the first and second pressure regions. The valve is arranged to connect the first and second pressure regions when the pressure differential exceeds a first value. One embodiment of the valve comprises a chamber and a poppet. The chamber has a first port, a second port, and a wall. The cross sectional flow area of the chamber is larger than the cross sectional flow area of the first or second port. The poppet is disposed in the chamber and movable between a first position in which the first port of the chamber is closed by the poppet, a second position in which the second port of the chamber is closed by the poppet, and an intermediate position in which the wall of the chamber and the poppet comprise a flow restriction. The valve further comprises an element such as a spring for biasing the poppet toward the first seat.