Sealed pressure-measuring member

• US 9,476,789 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2010
• Issued: 10/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA
• Original Assignee: Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA, Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Inventors: Leman, Richard, Leman, Mark, Smith, Peter, Champredonde, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): BHAT, ADITYA S
• Application Number:
  US13/498,754
• Publication Number:
  US 20120239313A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,217 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0493 for attachment on the tyre
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 17/00 Devices or apparatus for measuring tyre pressure or the pressure in other inflated bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0645 using isolation membranes, specially adapted for protection
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/086 for remote indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/143 Two part housings
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/144 with dismountable parts, e.g. for maintenance purposes or for ensuring sterile conditions for detachable interface or adapter between the process medium and the pressure gauge G01L19/003

Abstract

A pressure-measurement device includes a pressure-measurement surface, which is functionally connected to a test body, and a sealed pressure-measurement housing in which the test body is arranged. The pressure-measurement surface is carried by a deformable wall of the sealed pressure-measurement housing lying at a distance from the test body. The sealed pressure-measurement housing delimits an internal space, which is a space internal to the sealed housing. The pressure-measurement device also includes a pressure-transmission object that transmits the pressure between the pressure-measurement surface and the test body. The pressure-transmission object includes a substantially incompressible material occupying all of the internal space. The pressure-measurement device further includes an energy source and a processor for processing pressure data detected by the test body. The processor is arranged in the sealed pressure-measurement housing.

Claims

1. A pressure-measurement member, comprising:

a pressure-measurement surface functionally connected to a test body;

a sealed pressure-measurement housing in which the test body is arranged, the pressure-measurement surface being carried by a wall of the sealed pressure-measurement housing and positioned at a distance from the test body, the sealed pressure-measurement housing and a support of the test body delimiting an internal space, which is a space internal to the sealed pressure-measurement housing, and which is a space in which the test body is arranged;

a pressure-transmission object that transmits a pressure between the pressure-measurement surface and the test body, the pressure-transmission object including a material that is in one or both of a liquid phase and a gel phase during a measurement, the material occupying all of the internal space; and

a processor for processing pressure data detected by the test body, the processor being arranged in the sealed pressure-measurement housing and being connected to an energy source.

2. The member according to claim 1, further comprising a radio frequency communications device that includes an antenna positioned outside of the internal space occupied by the material.

3. The member according to claim 2, wherein the sealed pressure-measurement housing includes a filling orifice for filling the sealed pressure-measurement housing, the filling orifice being configured to be plugged by an electrically conducting plugging member to which the antenna is connected.

4. The member according to claim 1, wherein the wall of the sealed pressure-measurement housing includes concentric grooves.

5. The member according to claim 4, wherein the concentric grooves are equidistant from one another in pairs.

6. The member according to claim 1, wherein the pressure-measurement surface is covered with an inert metal film.

7. The member according to claim 6, wherein the inert metal film includes at least one of:

gold, palladium, and platinum.

8. The member according to claim 1, further comprising a support for supporting the test body, the support forming one wall of the sealed pressure-measurement housing.

9. The member according to claim 8, wherein the support is formed of a ceramic material.

10. The member according to claim 1, wherein the material is in one or both of a liquid phase and a gel phase in a temperature range of between −

20°

C. and +150°

C.

11. The member according to claim 10, wherein the antenna is encapsulated in a material that has a dielectric constant of between 1 and 5.

12. The member according to claim 1, wherein the member is incorporated in a tyre.

13. A pressure-measurement device, comprising:

a pressure-measurement member; and

a protective housing to protect the pressure-measurement member,

wherein the pressure-measurement member includes;

a pressure-measurement surface functionally connected to a test body,

a sealed pressure-measurement housing in which the test body is arranged, the pressure-measurement surface being carried by a wall of the sealed pressure-measurement housing and positioned at a distance from the test body, the sealed pressure-measurement housing and a support of the test body delimiting an internal space, which is a space internal to the sealed pressure-measurement housing, and which is a space in which the test body is arranged,

a pressure-transmission object that transmits a pressure between the pressure-measurement surface and the test body, the pressure-transmission object including a material that is in one or both of a liquid phase and a gel phase during a measurement, the material occupying all of the internal space, and

a processor for processing pressure data detected by the test body, the processor being arranged in the sealed pressure-measurement housing and being connected to an energy source.

14. The device according to claim 13, further comprising a support for positioning the pressure-measurement member in the protective housing, wherein

the protective housing includes at least one protective wall facing the pressure-measurement surface, and

the protective housing and the support are arranged so that the pressure-measurement surface is positioned at a distance away from the at least one protective wall.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the protective housing includes first and second parts that are separable from one another and arranged so that they allow air to communicate between outside and inside of the protective housing.

16. The device according to claim 13, wherein the protective housing includes first and second parts that are separable from one another and arranged so that they allow air to communicate between outside of and inside of the protective housing.

17. The device according to claim 13, wherein the protective housing includes a filter for dimensional filtration of air entering the protective housing.

18. The device according to claim 13, wherein the device is incorporated in a tyre.