Sensor package and method

• US 7,021,147 B1
• Filed: 07/11/2005
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE Company, LLC (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Weaver, Stanton Earl Jr., Subramanian, Kanakasabapathi, Gowda, Arun Virupaksha, Haitko, Deborah Ann, Buckley, Donald Joseph Jr., Rubinsztajn, Slawomir, Craddock, Russell William
• Primary Examiner(s): OEN, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US11/178,128
• Time in Patent Office: 267 Days
• Field of Search: 737/06, 737/08, 73715-728, 737/56
• US Class Current: 73/708
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0645 using isolation membranes, specially adapted for protection

Abstract

A sensor package and method are described. The sensor package includes an enclosure, a diaphragm coupled to the enclosure. The diaphragm is configured to receive vibrations from an ambient environment. Further, the sensor package includes a pressure sensing element disposed inside the enclosure, and a pressure transfer medium disposed inside the enclosure and proximate the pressure sensing element, where the pressure transfer medium includes a fluid, and a plurality of filler particles suspended in the fluid. The filler particles serve to reduce a coefficient of thermal expansion of the pressure transfer medium.

Claims

1. A sensor package, comprising:

an enclosure;

a diaphragm coupled to said enclosure, wherein said diaphragm is configured to receive vibrations from an ambient environment;

a pressure sensing element disposed inside said enclosure; and

a pressure transfer medium disposed inside said enclosure and proximate said pressure sensing element, said pressure transfer medium comprising;

a fluid; and

a plurality of filler particles suspended in said fluid, wherein said filler particles serve to reduce a coefficient of thermal expansion of said pressure transfer medium.

2. The sensor package of claim 1, wherein said enclosure and said diaphragm comprise stainless steel.

3. The sensor package of claim 1, wherein a coefficient of thermal expansion of said pressure transfer medium is no greater than 500 ppm/°

C.

4. The sensor package of claim 1, wherein said fluid comprises silicone oil.

5. The sensor package of claim 1, wherein said fluid comprises polyethylene glycol.

6. The sensor package of claim 1, wherein a coefficient of thermal expansion of said plurality of filler particles is no greater than about 5 ppm/°

C.

7. The sensor package of claim 1, wherein said plurality of filler particles comprises fused silica particles, colloidal silica particles, organofunctionalized colloidal silica particles, hollow spheres of glass, solid spheres of glass, alumina particles, titania particles, zirconium tungstate particles or combinations thereof.

8. The sensor package of claim 1, wherein a size of said plurality of particles is no greater than about 20 microns.

9. The sensor package of claim 1, wherein said pressure sensing element comprises a resonant sensor.

10. The sensor package of claim 9, wherein said pressure sensing element comprises a micro electromechanical system.

11. A fluidic medium having a coefficient of thermal expansion no greater than 500 ppm/°

C., comprising;

a fluid; and

a plurality of filler particles suspended in said fluid, wherein a coefficient of thermal expansion of said plurality of filler particles is no greater than about 5 ppm/°

C.

12. The fluidic medium of claim 11, wherein a viscosity of said fluidic medium is in a range from about 5 centipoises to about 1000 centipoises.

13. The fluidic medium of claim 11, wherein a separation time of said fluid and said plurality of filler particles is in a range from about 2 weeks to about 5 weeks at standard gravity.

14. The fluidic medium of claim 11, wherein said fluidic medium is incompressible and inseparable in a temperature range from about 125°

C. to about −

55°

C.

15. The fluidic medium of claim 11, wherein said fluid comprises a silicone oil.

16. The fluidic medium of claim 11, wherein said fluid comprises a polyethylene glycol.

17. The fluidic medium of claim 11, wherein said plurality of filler particles comprises fused silica particles, colloidal silica particles, organofunctionalized colloidal silica particles, hollow spheres of glass, solid spheres of glass, alumina particles, titania particles, zirconium tungstate particles or combinations thereof.

18. The fluidic medium of claim 11, wherein a size of said plurality of filler particles is no greater than about 20 microns.

19. A method of manufacturing a sensor package, comprising:

providing an enclosure having a base;

coupling a pressure sensing element to said base;

disposing a pressure transfer medium in said enclosure proximate said pressure sensing element, wherein a coefficient of thermal expansion of said pressure transfer medium is no greater than 500 ppm/°

C.; and

disposing a diaphragm on said enclosure to seal said enclosure.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said step of disposing said pressure transfer medium comprises:

providing a fluid; and

suspending a plurality of filler particles in said fluid, wherein a coefficient of thermal expansion of said plurality of filler particles is no greater than about 5 ppm/°

C.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said step of coupling said pressure sensing element comprises disposing an epoxy between said pressure sensing element and said base.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising functionalizing said plurality of filler particles.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said step of functionalizing comprises treating said plurality of filler particles with organosilane.