Multi sensor transducer and weight factor

US6757641B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Christopher Darby Immer · Niskayuna, US
• John Lane · Melbourne, US
• Anthony Eckhoff · Cocoa, US
• Jose M. Perotti · Merritt Island, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 28, 2002
• Grant date: Jun 29, 2004
• Expiry date: Aug 16, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01D3/08
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A multi-sensor transducer and processing method allow insitu monitoring of the senor accuracy and transducer ‘health’. In one embodiment, the transducer has multiple sensors to provide corresponding output signals in response to a stimulus, such as pressure. A processor applies individual weight factors to reach of the output signals and provide a single transducer output that reduces the contribution from inaccurate sensors. The weight factors can be updated and stored. The processor can use the weight factors to provide a ‘health’ of the transducer based upon the number of accurate versus in-accurate sensors in the transducer.