Patent · US Expired

Pressure-sensitive switch, its method of calibration and use in a hydrophone array

US6318497A · kind A · utility

11Cited by
12References
35Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 15, 2000
Grant dateNov 20, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 15, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H35/346
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A pressure-sensitive switch comprises a base member having a mounting surface formed of electrically-insulating material; two electrodes mounted on the base member and each having an electrically-conductive contact surface, and a flexible diaphragm having its periphery secured in a fluid-tight manner to the mounting surface with its electrically-conductive central portion overlying the contact surfaces of the electrodes. The diaphragm, which is formed with plural corrugations, is exposed to the external pressure. When the switch is exposed to atmospheric pressure, the central portion of the diaphragm does not touch the contact surfaces of said electrodes, but when the switch is exposed to a super-atmospheric pressure, this central portion is forced into contact with both contact surfaces, thus electrically connecting the two electrodes. This pressure-sensitive switch is especially useful for use with hydrophones, as in seismic streamer cables.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.