Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100100052 | DIFFERENTIAL FORCE SENSOR - A differential force sensor method and apparatus for automatically monitoring manual injections through an intravenous line. The differential force sensor includes two piezoresistive sense die that are packaged in close proximity utilizing a number of packaging processes. The two piezoresistive sense die can be utilized to measure forces exerted on a diaphragm on either side of an orifice. The piezoresistive sense die can be packaged in close proximity to make intimate contact with the diaphragms on either side of the orifice. The differential force sensor further includes two plungers that make intimate contact with the diaphragm and transfer the force into the piezo-resistive sense dies. Additionally, one or more ASICs and microcontrollers can be utilized to provide thermal calibration and differential calculation. | 04-22-2010 |
20110000313 | DIFFERENTIAL FORCE SENSOR - A differential force sensor method and apparatus for automatically monitoring manual injections through an intravenous line. The differential force sensor includes two piezoresistive sense die that are packaged in close proximity utilizing a number of packaging processes. The two piezoresistive sense die can be utilized to measure forces exerted on a diaphragm on either side of an orifice. The piezoresistive sense die can be packaged in close proximity to make intimate contact with the diaphragms on either side of the orifice. The differential force sensor further includes two plungers that make intimate contact with the diaphragm and transfer the force into the piezo-resistive sense dies. Additionally, one or more ASICs and microcontrollers can be utilized to provide thermal calibration and differential calculation. | 01-06-2011 |
20110000318 | FORCE SENSOR APPARATUS - A force sensor apparatus and method of forming the same. The apparatus includes a force sense element that can be attached to a substrate. An actuator disposed in a hole formed within the cap is operably coupled to the force sense element for transferring force to the sense element in response to receiving a force from an external source. The force sense element is configured to sense the external force and generate an output signal representing the force. Preferably, one or more bond pads, associated with the force sense element and the substrate, can be electrically connected via wire bonding. A cover associated with an integrated flexible membrane can be mounted on the substrate in order to protect internal components associated with the force sensor apparatus from an external environment. | 01-06-2011 |
20120286872 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INCREASING THE EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION OF A SENSOR - Methods and devices for increasing a sensor resolution are disclosed. In one example, a two measurement process is used. A first measurement is used to effectively measure across a full range (e.g. 0 to 5 VDC) of the sensor. This first measurement may identify the current operating point of the sensor (e.g. 3.5 VDC). A second measurement may then be made to effectively measure across a sub-range of the sensor that encompasses the current operating point of the sensor (e.g. across a sub-range of 3.0 to 4.0 VDC for a current operating point of 3.5 VDC). The gain of the amplifier may be raised during the second measurement to produce a higher resolution measurement. In some cases, the first measurement may be used to determine an appropriate offset that may be applied so as to scale the amplifier to the desired sub-range of sensor that includes the current operating point of the sensor. In some cases, the two measurements may be used together to compute an effectively higher resolution measurement signal. In some cases, this may allow for a smaller and/or cheaper sensor to be used, while still achieving good results. | 11-15-2012 |
20120290268 | MODULAR SENSOR ASSEMBLY INCLUDING REMOVABLE SENSING MODULE - A modular sensor assembly in which a sensing module may be packaged and provided separately from a signal processing module and which, in some applications, may facilitate disposal and/or replacement of the sensing module when exposed to a “dirty” or “contaminated” environment without requiring disposal and/or replacement of the entire sensor assembly. In certain applications, the sensing module may include at least one transducer or sensor and a local memory containing a set of conditioning coefficients. The sensing module may be removably coupled to a signal processing module which, in some cases, may be configured to download the set of conditioning coefficients stored in the local memory of the sensing module, and to use the set of conditioning coefficients to produce a substantially linearized output signal. | 11-15-2012 |
20130031984 | INTERCHANGEABLE PRESSURE SENSOR ASSEMBLY AND METHODS OF ASSEMBLY - The present disclosure relates to sensors including pressure sensors, humidity sensors, flow sensors, etc. In some cases, a sensor unit subassembly for installation in or use with a pressure sensor housing may include at least one pressure sensor signal output terminal supported by a printed circuit board, a pressure input port, and a pressure sense element secured relative to one or more printed circuit boards. The printed circuit board(s) may include circuitry configured to format pressure output signals provided by the pressure sense element into a particularly chosen output format, and may provide the formatted pressure output signal(s) to an attached electrical connector of the pressure sensor housing. In some cases, the sensor unit subassemblies can be mixed with a multitude of different electrical connectors and/or with a multitude of different port connections to from a wide array of pressure sensor assemblies. | 02-07-2013 |
20130031985 | PRESSURE SENSOR ASSEMBLY - The present disclosure relates to sensors including pressure sensors, humidity sensors, flow sensors, etc. In some cases, a sensor assembly may include a pressure port connected to a sensor unit, an electrical connector connected to the sensor unit and an outer housing encompassing at least portions of the pressure port, sensor unit and electrical connector. In some instances, the sensor unit may include pressure signal output terminals electrically connected to electrical terminals of the electrical connector. | 02-07-2013 |
20130033830 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR A SENSOR - The present disclosure relates to sensors including pressure sensors, humidity sensors, flow sensors, etc. In some cases, a connector assembly for a sensor assembly may include an electrical connector, a printed circuit board and a conductive outer housing. The electrical connector may include a mechanical connector and electrical terminals exposed at a first end and at a second end of the mechanical connector. The electrical connector, printed circuit board and conductive outer housing may all be electrically connected to one another. In some instances, a plurality of electrical connectors having different mechanically shaped second ends and similarly shaped first ends may be provided, from which one electrical connector may be chosen for use in the connector assembly. | 02-07-2013 |
20130098160 | SENSOR WITH FAIL-SAFE MEDIA SEAL - The present disclosure relates to sensors that are exposed to media during use. In some cases, a sensor assembly includes a sensor element positioned on a substrate, where the sensor element may be mechanically and electrically connected to the substrate and may be in fluid communication with a media inlet port. The sensor assembly may include a cover sealed to the substrate of the sensor assembly to enclose the sensor element in a sealed chamber. In some instances, the sensor assembly may include a bonding layer on the substrate of the sensor assembly, and the cover may be sealed to the bonding layer to form the sealed chamber. In some instances, the sealed chamber may help provide a fail-safe media seal for the sensor assembly in the event the sensor element forms a leak during use. | 04-25-2013 |
20130214369 | PRESSURE SENSOR - The present disclosure relates to pressure sensor assemblies and methods. The pressure sensor assembly may include a first substrate, a second substrate and a sense die. The first substrate may be connected to the second substrate, such that an aperture in the first substrate is in fluid communication with an aperture in the second substrate. The second substrate may be connected to the sense die, such that the aperture in the second substrate is in fluid communication with a sense diaphragm on the second substrate. The pressure sensor assembly may include a media path that extends through the aperture in the first substrate, through the aperture in the second substrate, and to the sense die. In some cases, the first substrate, the second substrate and the sense die may be connected in a manner that does not include an adhesive. | 08-22-2013 |
20140144244 | INTERCHANGEABLE PRESSURE SENSOR ASSEMBLY AND METHODS OF ASSEMBLY - The present disclosure relates to sensors including pressure sensors, humidity sensors, flow sensors, etc. In some cases, a sensor unit subassembly for installation in or use with a pressure sensor housing may include at least one pressure sensor signal output terminal supported by a printed circuit board, a pressure input port, and a pressure sense element secured relative to one or more printed circuit boards. The printed circuit board(s) may include circuitry configured to format pressure output signals provided by the pressure sense element into a particularly chosen output format, and may provide the formatted pressure output signal(s) to an attached electrical connector of the pressure sensor housing. In some cases, the sensor unit subassemblies can be mixed with a multitude of different electrical connectors and/or with a multitude of different port connections to from a wide array of pressure sensor assemblies. | 05-29-2014 |