Abstract:
A low range pressure sensor includes a base plate of brittle material, and a diaphragm plate assembly mounted on the base plate and sealed around a periphery to the base plate. Pressures are introduced to cause a center diaphragm section to deflect toward the base plate, and the deflection of the diaphragm is sensed through strain gauges to provide an indication of the pressure. The diaphragm is provided with a plurality of individual support posts on a side facing the base plate so that when the diaphragm is deflected toward the base plate under high over-pressures the support posts will support the diaphragm against movement to avoid failure or breakage of the diaphragm. The number of support posts can be varied as desired. In a preferred form of the invention, the base plate is provided with a very thin layer of silicon dioxide, which is a good electrical insulator and which also serves to help accomodate slight movement of the support posts as they touch the surface of the base plate to reduce stress buildup in the diaphragm as the overpressure increases.
Abstract:
A pressure sensor (100, 222) integrally formed in the shape of a beam (102) around a central channel. The beam (102) has an integral blind end (104) that is pressurized by the fluid. The beam has an opposite end (106) that is shaped to provide a stepped corner (107) with a gap (108) opening at the base of the stepped corner (107), where the gap (108) and isolated from the fluid. A sensing film (112) in the channel adjacent the blind end (104) has an electrical parameter that varies with pressure and electrical leads (110) that extend from the channel and out the gap. A seal (115) fills the gap (108) around the leads (110) and the seal (115) fills a portion of the stepped corner (107). The sensor (100) is preferably formed by direct bonding of single crystal alumina layers (114, 116). Applications include industrial pressure transmitters, aerospace and turbine engine pressure sensing.
Abstract:
A low range pressure sensor includes a base plate of brittle material, and a diaphragm plate mounted on the base plate and sealed around a periphery to the base plate. Pressures are introduced to cause the diaphragm to deflect toward the base plate, and the deflection of the diaphragm is sensed through strain gauges to provide an indication of the pressure. The diaphragm is provided with a plurality of individual support posts on a side facing the base plate, so that when the diaphragm is deflected toward the base plate under high overpressures the support posts will support the diaphragm against movement to avoid failure or breakage of the diaphragm. The number of support posts can be varied as desired. In a preferred form of the invention, the base plate is provided with a very thin layer of silicon dioxide, which is a good electrical insulator and which also serves to help accommodate slight movement of the support posts as they touch the surface of the base plate to reduce stress buildup in the diaphragm as the overpressure increases.
Abstract:
A low range pressure sensor includes a base plate of brittle material, and a diaphragm plate mounted on the base plate and sealed around a periphery to the base plate. Pressures are introduced to cause the diaphragm to deflect toward the base plate, and the deflection of the diaphragm is sensed through strain gauges to provide an indication of the pressure. The diaphragm is provided with a plurality of individual support posts on a side facing the base plate, so that when the diaphragm is deflected toward the base plate under high overpressures the support posts will support the diaphragm against movement to avoid failure or breakage of the diaphragm. The number of support posts can be varied as desired. In a preferred form of the invention, the base plate is provided with a very thin layer of silicon dioxide, which is a good electrical insulator and which also serves to help accommodate slight movement of the support posts as they touch the surface of the base plate to reduce stress buildup in the diaphragm as the overpressure increases.
Abstract:
A sensor has an electrical interconnect grown in a cavity between first and second layers that are bonded together. Electrically conductive grain growth material is selectively deposited on at least one of two electrically conductive film interconnect regions that face one another across the cavity. The grain growth material is then grown upon predetermined conditions to form the electrical interconnect between the two interconnect regions. A sensor element deposited in the cavity is electrically coupled between the layers by the interconnect. The grain growth material can be tantalum that is heated after the layers are bonded to grow grains that interconnect the electrically conductive films.
Abstract:
A low range pressure sensor includes a base plate of brittle material, and a diaphragm plate mounted on the base plate and sealed around a periphery to the base plate. Pressures are introduced to cause the diaphragm to deflect toward the base plate, and the deflection of the diaphragm is sensed through strain gauges to provide an indication of the pressure. The diaphragm is provided with a plurality of individual support posts on a side facing the base plate, so that when the diaphragm is deflected toward the base plate under high overpressures the support posts will support the diaphragm against movement to avoid failure or breakage of the diaphragm. The number of support posts can be varied as desired. In a preferred form of the invention, the base plate is provided with a very thin layer of silicon dioxide, which is a good electrical insulator and which also serves to help accommodate slight movement of the support posts as they touch the surface of the base plate to reduce stress buildup in the diaphragm as the overpressure increases.
Abstract:
A low range pressure sensor includes a base plate of brittle material, and a diaphragm plate mounted on the base plate and sealed around a periphery to the base plate. Pressures are introduced to cause the diaphragm to deflect toward the base plate, and the deflection of the diaphragm is sensed through strain gauges to provide an indication of the pressure. The diaphragm is provided with a plurality of individual support posts on a side facing the base plate, so that when the diaphragm is deflected toward the base plate under high overpressures the support posts will support the diaphragm against movement to avoid failure or breakage of the diaphragm. The number of support posts can be varied as desired. In a preferred form of the invention, the base plate is provided with a very thin layer of silicon dioxide, which is a good electrical insulator and which also serves to help accommodate slight movement of the support posts as they touch the surface of the base plate to reduce stress buildup in the diaphragm as the overpressure increases.
Abstract:
A low range pressure sensor includes a base plate of brittle material, and a diaphragm plate mounted on the base plate and sealed around a periphery to the base plate. Pressures are introduced to cause the diaphragm to deflect toward the base plate, and the deflection of the diaphragm is sensed through strain gauges to provide an indication of the pressure. The diaphragm is provided with a plurality of individual support posts on a side facing the base plate, so that when the diaphragm is deflected toward the base plate under high overpressures the support posts will support the diaphragm against movement to avoid failure or breakage of the diaphragm. The number of support posts can be varied as desired. In a preferred form of the invention, the base plate is provided with a very thin layer of silicon dioxide, which is a good electrical insulator and which also serves to help accommodate slight movement of the support posts as they touch the surface of the base plate to reduce stress buildup in the diaphragm as the overpressure increases.
Abstract:
A low range pressure sensor includes a base plate of brittle material, and a diaphragm plate mounted on the base plate and sealed around a periphery to the base plate. Pressures are introduced to cause the diaphragm to deflect toward the base plate, and the deflection of the diaphragm is sensed through strain gauges to provide an indication of the pressure. The diaphragm is provided with a plurality of individual support posts on a side facing the base plate, so that when the diaphragm is deflected toward the base plate under high overpressures the support posts will support the diaphragm against movement to avoid failure or breakage of the diaphragm. The number of support posts can be varied as desired. In a preferred form of the invention, the base plate is provided with a very thin layer of silicon dioxide, which is a good electrical insulator and which also serves to help accommodate slight movement of the support posts as they touch the surface of the base plate to reduce stress buildup in the diaphragm as the overpressure increases.
Abstract:
A low range pressure sensor includes a base plate of brittle material, and a diaphragm plate mounted on the base plate and sealed around a periphery to the base plate. Pressures are introduced to cause the diaphragm to deflect toward the base plate, and the deflection of the diaphragm is sensed through strain gauges to provide an indication of the pressure. The diaphragm is provided with a plurality of individual support posts on a side facing the base plate, so that when the diaphragm is deflected toward the base plate under high overpressures the support posts will support the diaphragm against movement to avoid failure or breakage of the diaphragm. The number of support posts can be varied as desired. In a preferred form of the invention, the base plate is provided with a very thin layer of silicon dioxide, which is a good electrical insulator and which also serves to help accommodate slight movement of the support posts as they touch the surface of the base plate to reduce stress buildup in the diaphragm as the overpressure increases.