Pressure sensor package and method of making the same

• US 5,811,684 A
• Filed: 10/10/1996
• Issued: 09/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SSI Technologies, Inc. (Amphenol Corporation)
• Original Assignee: SSI Technologies, Inc. (Amphenol Corporation)
• Inventors: Sokn, Erick Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): FELBER, JOSEPH LEON
• Application Number:
  US08/728,661
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 73/723, 73/724, 73/725, 73/726, 73/727, 73/706, 29/511, 29/516, 29/520
• US Class Current: 73/706
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0645 using isolation membranes, specially adapted for protection
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/142 Multiple part housings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49918 At cup or tube end
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49927 Hollow body is axially joined cup or tube

Abstract

A method of securing a pressure sensor diaphragm to a pressure sensor base, including the steps of positioning the pressure sensor diaphragm over the pressure sensor base, placing a pressure sensor cap over the pressure sensor diaphragm, applying a tensile force to at least a portion of the cap, and deforming a portion of the cap around a portion of the base. The applying step can occur before the deforming step by engaging a portion of the cap and advancing the base toward the cap to create tension in a portion of the cap. This creates a tensile preload in the cap. The applying step can instead be performed during the deforming step by engaging a first portion of the cap and advancing a second portion of the cap toward the first portion of the cap and around a portion of the base. This can create tension in a portion of the cap when the deformation operation is being performed.

Claims

1. A method of securing a pressure sensor diaphragm to a pressure sensor base comprising the steps of:

positioning the pressure sensor diaphragm over the pressure sensor base;

placing a pressure sensor cap over the pressure sensor diaphragm;

applying a tensile force to at least a portion of the cap; and

deforming a portion of the cap around a portion of the base after said step of applying a tensile force to at least a portion of the cap.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said applying step comprises the steps of:

engaging a portion of the cap; and

advancing the base toward the cap to create tension in a portion of the cap.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said engaging step includes the step of engaging a portion of the cap that is spaced from the diaphragm.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cap is deformed at a deformed portion of the cap, and wherein said engaging step includes the step of engaging a portion of the cap that is closer to the deformed portion than to the diaphragm.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said applying and deforming steps include the steps of:

engaging a first portion of the cap; and

advancing a second portion of the cap toward the first portion of the cap and around a portion of the base.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said engaging step includes the step of engaging a portion of the cap that is spaced from the diaphragm.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cap is deformed at a deformed portion of the cap, and wherein said engaging step includes the step of engaging a portion of the cap that is closer to the deformed portion than to the diaphragm.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

moving the pressure sensor cap toward the pressure sensor base; and

deforming a portion of the pressure sensor diaphragm between the pressure sensor cap and the pressure sensor base.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said step of deforming comprises the step of deforming the pressure sensor diaphragm along a line of deformation.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of applying a compression force to the pressure sensor base before said step of deforming a portion of the cap around a portion of the base.

11. A method of securing a pressure sensor diaphragm to a pressure sensor base, the method comprising:

positioning the pressure sensor diaphragm over the pressure sensor base;

placing a pressure sensor cap over the pressure sensor diaphragm;

applying a tensile force to at least a portion of the cap;

deforming a portion of the cap around a portion of the base; and

removing said tensile force to allow elastic expansion of a portion of said cap.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said applying step occurs before said deforming step.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said applying step comprises the steps of:

engaging a portion of the cap; and

advancing the base toward the cap to create tension in a portion of the cap.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said engaging step includes the step of engaging a portion of the cap that is spaced from the diaphragm.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cap is deformed at a deformed portion of the cap, and wherein said engaging step includes the step of engaging a portion of the cap that is closer to the deformed portion than to the diaphragm.

16. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said applying step occurs during said deforming step.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein said applying and deforming steps include the steps of:

engaging a first portion of the cap; and

advancing a second portion of the cap toward the first portion of the cap and around a portion of the base.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said engaging step includes the step of engaging a portion of the cap that is spaced from the diaphragm.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the cap is deformed at a deformed portion of the cap, and wherein said engaging step includes the step of engaging a portion of the cap that is closer to the deformed portion than to the diaphragm.

20. A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

moving the pressure sensor cap toward the pressure sensor base; and

compressing a portion of the pressure sensor diaphragm between the pressure sensor cap and the pressure sensor base.

21. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein said step of compressing comprises the step of compressing the pressure sensor diaphragm along a line of compression.

22. A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the step of applying a compression force to the pressure sensor base before said step of deforming a portion of the cap around a portion of the base.