Apparatus and method for determining pressure and vacuum

• US 20030122548A1
• Filed: 05/09/2002
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Raichle, Kurt, Kochie, Robert, Ermer, Corey, McGee, Phillip
• Granted Patent: US 6,931,936 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/401
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/08 Means for indicating or recording, e.g. for remote indication

Abstract

An apparatus and method for determining pressure and vacuum comprising an adapter that links to a digital tester. The adapter is comprised of at least one pressure sensor, a power source, converter and an interface cable. The pressure sensor attaches to the system to be measured. The detected pressure is transmitted to the adapter and then to the digital tester for displaying to the user. The apparatus can detect pressure beyond 500 pounds per square inch.

Claims

1. A tool for determining pressure and vacuum comprising:

a digital tester with a display; and

an adapter that is linked to the digital automotive tester, wherein the adapter is comprised of a power source and a converter; and

an interchangeable pressure sensor linked to the adapter.

2. The tool as in claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is a transducer.

3. The tool as in claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery.

4. The tool as in claim 1, wherein the adapter measures pressure beyond 500 pounds per square inch.

5. The tool as in claim 1, further comprising a switch for selecting between different standards of measurement.

6. The tool as in claim 5, wherein the standards of measurements are English and metric.

7. The tool as in claim 1, wherein the digital tester is a digital automotive tester.

8. The tool as in claim 1, wherein the digital tester is a digital multimeter.

9. The tool as in claim 1, wherein the digital tester comprises a selector for choosing the system for which pressure is being measured.

10. A method for measuring pressure and vacuum data in a system comprising:

connecting at least one interchangeable pressure sensor to the system to be measured;

detecting pressure in the system;

transmitting the pressure to an adapter;

converting the pressure to a signal to be read by a digital tester;

transmitting the signal to the digital tester; and

displaying the pressure detected by the sensor.

11. The method as in claim 10, further comprising zeroing the adapter.

12. The method as in claim 10, further comprising connecting the adapter to a power source.

13. The method as in claim 12, wherein the power source is a battery.

14. The method as in claim 10, wherein the pressure sensor is a transducer.

15. The method as in claim 10, wherein the pressure sensor detects pressure beyond 500 pound per square inch.

16. A tool for measuring pressure and vacuum data in a system comprising:

at least one means for detecting pressure in the system;

means for transmitting the pressure to an adapter;

means for converting the pressure to a signal to be read by a digital tester;

means for transmitting the signal to the digital tester;

means for displaying the pressure detected by the sensor.

17. The method as in claim 16, further comprising means for zeroing the adapter.

18. The method as in claim 16, further comprising means for connecting the adapter to a power source.

19. The method as in claim 17, wherein the power source is a battery.

20. The method as in claim 16, wherein the means for detecting pressure sensor is a transducer.

21. The method as in claim 16, wherein the means for detecting pressure detects pressure beyond 500 pound per square inch.

22. A pressure adapter for use with a digital tester comprising:

a power source;

a converter linked to the power source; and

an interchangeable pressure sensor linked to the power source and the converter, wherein a pressure is detected and transmitted to the converter.