Pressure sensor
First Claim
1. A method for producing a pressure sensor comprising the steps of:
- (a) creating a via through a ceramic substrate, said via extending from a first aperture, defining a perimeter, on a top surface of said ceramic substrate to a second aperture on a bottom surface of said ceramic substrate;
(b) depositing a sacrificial layer on a portion of said top surface said ceramic substrate wherein said sacrificial layer covers said first aperture of said via;
(c) screen printing a diaphragm having an upper surface and side walls on said ceramic substrate wherein said diaphragm covers said sacrificial layer;
(d) depositing an upper sensor element on at least a portion of said upper surface of said diaphragm and extending to at least a portion of a second region of said top surface of said substrate;
(e) depositing a termination electrode on said second region of said substrate;
(f) introducing an etchant into said second aperture of said via; and
(g) etching said sacrificial layer with said etchant to release said upper surface of said diaphragm to allow said upper surface of said diaphragm to flex in response to an applied pressure differential across a portion of said diaphragm.
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Accused Products
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.
10 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for producing a pressure sensor comprising the steps of:
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(a) creating a via through a ceramic substrate, said via extending from a first aperture, defining a perimeter, on a top surface of said ceramic substrate to a second aperture on a bottom surface of said ceramic substrate; (b) depositing a sacrificial layer on a portion of said top surface said ceramic substrate wherein said sacrificial layer covers said first aperture of said via; (c) screen printing a diaphragm having an upper surface and side walls on said ceramic substrate wherein said diaphragm covers said sacrificial layer; (d) depositing an upper sensor element on at least a portion of said upper surface of said diaphragm and extending to at least a portion of a second region of said top surface of said substrate; (e) depositing a termination electrode on said second region of said substrate; (f) introducing an etchant into said second aperture of said via; and (g) etching said sacrificial layer with said etchant to release said upper surface of said diaphragm to allow said upper surface of said diaphragm to flex in response to an applied pressure differential across a portion of said diaphragm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification