The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 04, 2012
Filed:
Jun. 23, 2009
Paul Rosenau, Santa Ana, CA (US);
Charles J. Heiden, Mission Viejo, CA (US);
Paul Rosenau, Santa Ana, CA (US);
Charles J. Heiden, Mission Viejo, CA (US);
Balboa Water Group, Inc., Tustin, CA (US);
Abstract
An exemplary embodiment of an inductive electrical sensor assembly includes a hollow housing structure defining an open space within the housing structure and a circuit board mounted in the open space. The circuit board includes an inductive sense area. A flexible metal domed spring structure is mounted over the inductive sensor area. A stem portion extends from a actuator area of the housing structure and having a distal end disposed adjacent to or in contact with the spring structure. The domed spring structure is adapted to be flexed toward the inductive sensor area by force exerted by the stem portion when a user exerts force on the actuator area, the flexing of the domed spring structure resulting in a change of inductance of the inductive sensor area which may be sensed to indicate an actuator push. An exemplary embodiment of the sensor assembly may include a resiliently deformable potting material substantially filling open spaces in the hollow housing structure between the top surface and the circuit board, and an open space below the circuit board, enabling flexure of the domed spring structure while providing environmental protection.