Electronic vacuum sensor
US5517846A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 18, 1994 |
| Grant date | May 21, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B17/3401
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A disposable electronic vacuum sensor capable of detecting a relatively low vacuum pressure of about 0.04 to 0.05 inches of water. The sensor includes a body having an LED and an opening at one end, and a channel extending longitudinally into the body from the opening. A power source is housed within the body, and a pair of generally parallel first and second contact blades extend longitudinally through the channel. The first contact blade is attached to the upper surface of the channel and coupled to the LED, the LED is coupled the power source, and the power source is coupled to the second contact blade. The LED is activated by a high-sensitivity vacuum switch comprising the first and second contact blades and a thin flexible diaphragm extending longitudinally through the channel between the second contact blade and the lower surface of the channel. When the opening comes in contact with vacuum pressure, the pressure travels along the diaphragm and raises the diaphragm so that it contacts the second contact blade. The second contact blade is then moved upward by the diaphragm until it contacts the first contact blade, thereby completing a circuit between the LED and the power sou…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.