Pressure sensor
First Claim
1. A pressure sensor for measuring an external pressure, comprising:
- a ceramic substrate with a top surface and a bottom surface and a thickness;
a via with side walls extending through said ceramic substrate from a first aperture on said top surface of said ceramic substrate to a second aperture on said bottom surface of said ceramic substrate;
a sacrificial layer deposited above said top surface of said ceramic substrate and covering said first aperture of said via;
a diaphragm with an upper surface, deposited above said top surface of said ceramic substrate such that said diaphragm covers said sacrificial layer; and
an upper sensor element deposited on said upper surface of said diaphragm;
wherein said via is adapted to accept the introduction of an etchant to release said diaphragm such that upon said release of said diaphragm, said diaphragm deflects in response to the external pressure.
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Abstract
A pressure sensor for measuring an external pressure fabricated upon a ceramic substrate penetrated by a via extending from the top to the bottom of the ceramic substrate is disclosed. A sacrificial layer is deposited on a portion of the top of the ceramic substrate in communication with a via. A diaphragm material is then deposited on the sacrificial layer, thereby creating a diaphragm surface. A sensor element for transducing a mechanical deflection into an electrical signal is applied to the diaphragm surface. When the sacrificial layer is removed, the diaphragm is able to deflect in response to the external pressure, which is sensed by the sensor element in order to measure the external pressure.
31 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A pressure sensor for measuring an external pressure, comprising:
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a ceramic substrate with a top surface and a bottom surface and a thickness; a via with side walls extending through said ceramic substrate from a first aperture on said top surface of said ceramic substrate to a second aperture on said bottom surface of said ceramic substrate; a sacrificial layer deposited above said top surface of said ceramic substrate and covering said first aperture of said via; a diaphragm with an upper surface, deposited above said top surface of said ceramic substrate such that said diaphragm covers said sacrificial layer; and an upper sensor element deposited on said upper surface of said diaphragm; wherein said via is adapted to accept the introduction of an etchant to release said diaphragm such that upon said release of said diaphragm, said diaphragm deflects in response to the external pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A pressure sensor for measuring an external pressure comprising:
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a substrate with a top surface and a bottom surface and a thickness; a via formed with side walls extending through said ceramic substrate from a first aperture on said top surface of said ceramic substrate to a second aperture on said bottom surface of said ceramic substrate; a means for depositing a diaphragm on said top surface of said ceramic substrate, wherein said diaphragm substantially surrounds a sacrificial layer, such that said sacrificial layer is only in communication with said via and said diaphragm is held substantially rigid by said sacrificial layer; a means for releasing said diaphragm thereby enabling a portion of said diaphragm to deflect in response to the external pressure; and a transducer means for measuring a deflection of a portion of said diaphragm in response to the external pressure which creates a measurable change in electronic properties of said transducer means. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification