Pressure transducer having a tensioned diaphragm
US6019002A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 2, 1997 |
| Grant date | Feb 1, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 2, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/43
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A capacitive pressure transducer includes a conductive diaphragm positioned between pneumatically separated chambers. The diaphragm is fixed and sealingly coupled at its periphery to the peripheral rim of a concave body member. The diaphragm is supported in tension by the peripheral rim of the body member. An electrode assembly, supported by the body member establishes a substantially planar conductive surface opposite to and spaced apart by a nominal gap from the conductive diaphragm. The body member includes a yieldable portion that is adapted to radially expand its peripheral rim in response to forces applied to the body member. When the forces are applied, the body member becomes strained beyond its elastic limit and takes a permanent set whereby the peripheral rim is expanded and the diaphragm becomes tensioned. The tension in the diaphragm can be determined as a function of the geometry of the body member and deformation resulting from the forces applied. Additional forces can be applied at a later point in time in order to change or adjust the tension in the diaphragm.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.