Packaging multiple measurands into a combinational sensor system using elastomeric seals

• US 20080314118A1
• Filed: 06/22/2007
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Speldrich, Jamie W., Becke, Craig S., Blumhoff, Christopher M., Bey, Paul P. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 7,832,269 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/29.02
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/02 Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass

Abstract

A combinational sensor system for measuring multiple measurands includes a flow transducer, a pressure transducer and a humidity transducer. The pressure and humidity transducers are provided with independent access to sensed media and are ratiometric to a supply voltage, whereas the flow sensor is sensitive to openings to the flow path. The combinational sensor system utilizes elastomeric seals that include patterned electrically conductive and non-conductive seals. An ASIC is generally associated with the combinational sensor, and is located on a patterned electrically conductive substrate lead frame or for signal conditioning in order to detect any of the sensed measurands. The transducers can be arranged in a manner that distributes the transducers to optimize the accuracy and response time of the combinational sensor system.

Claims

1. A combinational sensor system for measuring multiple measurands, comprising:

a plurality of transducer elements arranged apart from one another on a substrate of a sensor having a flow tube; and

a plurality of sampling ports positioned along the flow tube adjacent to the said substrate in order to provide said sensor with an ability to measure a plurality of measurands.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising an ASIC associated with said sensor, wherein said ASIC is placed on a patterned electrically conductive substrate or lead frame for signal conditioning in order to detect multiple measurands.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising:

a conductive elastomeric seal and a non-conductive elastomeric seal positioned on said plurality of transducers; and

a plurality of electrical connectors associated with said patterned electrically conductive substrate or lead frame, wherein said substrate or lead frame forms an electrical connection with said ASIC of said sensor.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said conductive elastomeric seal is adapted for use in electrically connecting said plurality of transducers to said substrate that connects to said ASIC.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein said non-conductive elastomeric seal is adapted for use in mechanically sealing said plurality of sensors within said sensor.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of transducers comprises a piezoresistive pressure transducer.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of transducers comprises a humidity sensor.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said ASIC comprises a temperature transducer.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of transducers comprises a temperature transducer.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said impedance circuit comprises a four-resistor Wheatstone bridge fabricated on a single monolithic die utilizing micromachining technology.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of transducers is ratiometric to a supply voltage.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said flow tube adapts to a flow channel that comprises a bi-directional air flow transducer.

13. A combinational sensor system for measuring multiple measurands, comprising:

a plurality of transducer elements arranged apart from one another on a substrate of a sensor having a flow tube;

a plurality of sampling ports positioned along the flow tube adjacent to the said substrate in order to provide said sensor with an ability to measure a plurality of measurands; and

an ASIC associated with said sensor, wherein said ASIC is placed on a patterned electrically conductive substrate or lead frame for signal conditioning in order to detect multiple measurands.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

a conductive elastomeric seal and a non-conductive elastomeric seal positioned on said plurality of transducers; and

a plurality of electrical connectors associated with said patterned electrically conductive substrate or lead frame, wherein said substrate or lead frame forms an electrical connection with said ASIC of said sensor.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said conductive elastomeric seal is adapted for use in electrically connecting said plurality of transducers to said substrate that connects to said ASIC.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein said non-conductive elastomeric seal is adapted for use in mechanically sealing said plurality of sensors within said sensor.

17. A combinational sensor system for measuring multiple measurands, comprising:

a plurality of transducer elements arranged apart from one another on a substrate of a sensor having a flow tube;

a plurality of sampling ports positioned along the flow tube adjacent to the said substrate in order to provide said sensor with an ability to measure a plurality of measurands;

an ASIC associated with said sensor, wherein said ASIC is placed on a patterned electrically conductive substrate or lead frame for signal conditioning in order to detect multiple measurands;

a conductive elastomeric seal and a non-conductive elastomeric seal positioned on said plurality of transducers; and

a plurality of electrical connectors associated with said patterned electrically conductive substrate or lead frame, wherein said substrate or lead frame forms an electrical connection with said ASIC of said sensor.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said plurality of transducers comprises a temperature transducer.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein said impedance circuit comprises a four-resistor Wheatstone bridge fabricated on a single monolithic die utilizing micromachining technology.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein said plurality of transducers is ratiometric to a supply voltage.