PRESSURE MEASUREMENT TRANSDUCER WITH PROTECTIVE DEVICE
First Claim
1. A device for measuring pressure comprising:
- a diaphragm adapted to deform in response to a pressure applied thereto during periods of operation andfirst means for minimizing deformation in said diaphragm during periods of non-operation.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pressure measurement device with protection from long-term loads and pressure shocks. The novel device includes a diaphragm adapted to deform in response to a pressure applied thereto, and a retractable support adapted to support the diaphragm during periods of non-operation. A strain gauge is attached to the diaphragm for measuring the deformation and the retractable support is designed to minimize stress on the strain gauge during periods of non-operation. The support is retracted during periods of operation to allow the diaphragm and strain gauge to function normally in response to the applied pressure. The diaphragm is disposed within a housing to form a first cavity, which is coupled to media to be measured, and a second cavity, which is set at a reference pressure. In an illustrative embodiment, the retractable support is a threaded plug inserted into the second cavity.
12 Citations
33 Claims
-
1. A device for measuring pressure comprising:
-
a diaphragm adapted to deform in response to a pressure applied thereto during periods of operation and first means for minimizing deformation in said diaphragm during periods of non-operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A pressure transducer comprising:
-
a housing; a diaphragm disposed within said housing to form a first cavity and a second cavity, said diaphragm adapted to deform in response to a pressure difference between said first and second cavities; a strain gauge attached to said diaphragm such that a deformation of said diaphragm introduces a strain in said gauge, said strain gauge generating an electrical output signal in response to said strain; and a retractable support disposed within said second cavity and adapted to support said strain gauge during periods of non-operation and retract from said strain gauge during periods of operation. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
-
33. A method for protecting a pressure transducer from long term loads and pressure shocks including the steps of:
-
applying a pressure to be measured to said transducer such that a diaphragm in said transducer deforms in response to said pressure; providing a strain gauge attached to said diaphragm to measure a deformation in said diaphragm; supporting said diaphragm and strain gauge using a retractable support to minimize stress on said strain gauge during periods of non-operation; and retracting said support to allow said diaphragm to deform and said strain gauge to obtain deformation measurements during periods of operation.
-
Specification