Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090056461 | Signal transmission system - A single wire interface for a transducer transmits the transducer output as a frequency modulated signal over one single wire during one interval. During a second interval a reference signal is transmitted as a frequency modulated signal. Both the transducer output and the reference signal output are processed by the same circuitry during the respective intervals to provide both frequency modulated signals. The frequencies of the two signals are measured and then the ratio of the two periods which is the reciprocal of the two frequencies is calculated. This ratio is the direct measure of the output of the transducer and when provided eliminates sources of errors. | 03-05-2009 |
20100063749 | GAS DENSITY TRANSDUCER WITH A MICROPROCESSOR EXECUTING AN ALGORITHM SOLVING VAN DER WAALS EQUATION - A gas density transducer including: a piezoresistive bridge sensor operative to provide an output indicative of an applied pressure, a computing processor having multiple inputs and at least one output, with the output of the bridge sensor coupled to an input of the processor; a temperature sensor coupled to an input of the processor for providing at an output a signal indicative of a temperature of the bridge sensor, the output of the temperature sensor coupled to an input of the processor; and, at least one memory accessible by the processor and having stored therein: compensation coefficients for compensating the output of the bridge sensor for temperature variation; an algorithm for solving Van der Waal's equation; and, code for providing at an output of the processor a signal indicative of a gas density when the bridge is subjected to a gas containing environment. | 03-11-2010 |
20100125426 | High temperature transducer using SOI electronics - There is disclosed a high temperature pressure sensing system which includes a SOI Wheatstone bridge including piezoresistors. The bridge provides an output which is applied to an analog to digital converter also fabricated using SOI technology. The output of the analog to digital converter is applied to microprocessor, which microprocessor processes the data or output of the bridge to produce a digital output indicative of bridge value. The microprocessor also receives an output from another analog to digital converter indicative of the temperature of the bridge as monitored by a span resistor coupled to the bridge. The microprocessor has a separate memory coupled thereto which is also fabricated from SOI technology and which memory stores various data indicative of the microprocessor also enabling the microprocessor test and system test to be performed. | 05-20-2010 |
20100332179 | Wireless interface for a plurality of transducers - A wireless interface system can interface with any one of a plurality of transducers of different types, such as pressure sensors, temperature sensors, current probes and so on. In the system, all such transducers employ identical connectors with a common connecting scheme. In this manner, any transducer can be connected to a wireless interface which has the same input connection scheme. When the wireless interface is connected to the transducer, a rechargeable battery, which is associated with the wireless interface, is activated. The wireless interface then determines the type of transducer being utilized and provides sufficient circuitry as well as determining the requirements of the connected transducer. In this manner, the wireless interface, besides recognizing and determining the type of transducer, can determine the range of the sensor, and depending on the type and range of the sensor, can provide specific circuitry to be activated to supply power and to read data from the sensor via common output pins. | 12-30-2010 |
20110118997 | HIGH TEMPERATURE TRANSDUCER USING SOI ELECTRONICS - There is disclosed a high temperature pressure sensing system which includes a SOI Wheatstone bridge including piezoresistors. The bridge provides an output which is applied to an analog to digital converter also fabricated using SOI technology. The output of the analog to digital converter is applied to microprocessor, which microprocessor processes the data or output of the bridge to produce a digital output indicative of bridge value. The microprocessor also receives an output from another analog to digital converter indicative of the temperature of the bridge as monitored by a span resistor coupled to the bridge. The microprocessor has a separate memory coupled thereto which is also fabricated from SOI technology and which memory stores various data indicative of the microprocessor also enabling the microprocessor test and system test to be performed. | 05-19-2011 |
20110267134 | TWO LEAD ELECTRONIC SWITCH SYSTEM ADAPTED TO REPLACE A MECHANICAL SWITCH SYSTEM - A system adapted to replace a mechanical switch with an electronic switch, without the need of additional wiring. The electronic switch includes a bridge array for sensing a characteristic, e.g., temperature or pressure, and an electronic circuit having a switch. As the characteristic of the bridge array varies a switch changes states. | 11-03-2011 |
20120024072 | SIGNAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM - A single wire interface for a transducer transmits the transducer output as a frequency modulated signal over one single wire during one interval. During a second interval a reference signal is transmitted as a frequency modulated signal. Both the transducer output and the reference signal output are processed by the same circuitry during the respective intervals to provide both frequency modulated signals. The frequencies of the two signals are measured and then the ratio of the two periods which is the reciprocal of the two frequencies is calculated. This ratio is the direct measure of the output of the transducer and when provided eliminates sources of errors. | 02-02-2012 |
20120200425 | WIRELESS INTERFACE FOR A PLURALITY OF TRANSDUCERS - A wireless interface system that interfaces with any one of a plurality of transducers of different types, such as pressure sensors, temperature sensors, and current probes. The transducers employ identical connectors with a common connecting scheme. In this manner, any transducer can be connected to a wireless interface which has the same input connection scheme. When the wireless interface is connected to the transducer, a rechargeable battery, which is associated with the wireless interface, is activated. The wireless interface then determines the type of transducer being utilized and provides sufficient circuitry as well as determining the requirements of the connected transducer. In this manner, the wireless interface, besides recognizing and determining the type of transducer, can determine the range of the sensor and can provide specific circuitry to be activated to supply power and to read data from the sensor via common output pins. | 08-09-2012 |
20130112992 | HIGH TEMPERATURE TRANSDUCER USING SOI, SILICON CARBIDE OR GALLIUM NITRIDE ELECTRONICS - There is disclosed a high temperature pressure sensing system which includes a SOI, silicon carbide, or gallium nitride Wheatstone bridge including piezoresistors. The bridge provides an output which is applied to an analog to digital converter also fabricated using SOI, silicon carbide, or gallium nitride materials. The output of the analog to digital converter is applied to microprocessor, which microprocessor processes the data or output of the bridge to produce a digital output indicative of bridge value. The microprocessor also receives an output from another analog to digital converter indicative of the temperature of the bridge as monitored by a span resistor coupled to the bridge. The microprocessor has a separate memory coupled thereto which is also fabricated from SOI, silicon carbide, or gallium nitride materials and which memory stores various data indicative of the microprocessor also enabling the microprocessor test and system test to be performed. | 05-09-2013 |
20130241614 | TWO LEAD ELECTRONIC SWITCH SYSTEM ADAPTED TO REPLACE A MECHANICAL SWITCH SYSTEM - Systems and methods for a two lead electronic switch adapted to replace a mechanical switch are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises, in an electronic switch having a sensor, an electronic circuit, a first terminal and a second terminal, receiving, by the electronic circuit, from the sensor, a sensed voltage proportional to an amount sensed by the sensor; operating the electronic circuit in a first state when the sensed voltage is greater than or equal to a threshold voltage associated with a threshold pressure sensed by the sensor; operating the electronic circuit in a second state when the sensed voltage is less than the threshold voltage associated with the threshold pressure sensed by the sensor; receiving, across the first terminal and the second terminal, an input voltage used to provide power for the electronic switch; and wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are also used to couple the electronic switch to a device. | 09-19-2013 |
20140077965 | SIGNAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM - Systems and methods of signal transmission and measuring for sensors employing a transmission medium are provided. In one embodiment, a method may comprise measuring a first monitored condition to generate a first monitored condition signal; converting the first monitored condition signal to a first frequency modulated signal having a first frequency; generating a second frequency modulated signal having a reference frequency; transmitting the first frequency modulated signal and the second frequency modulated signal using time division multiplexing; and wherein a first ratio of the first frequency and the reference frequency is associated with the first pressure. | 03-20-2014 |
20140278185 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SENSOR DRIFT COMPENSATION - An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides systems and methods of compensating sensor drift. In one example embodiment, a system may comprise a primary sensor having a primary full-scale range and configured to output a primary environmental condition signal indicative of an environmental condition; a reference sensor having a reference full-scale range and configured to output a reference environmental condition signal indicative of the environmental condition, wherein the reference full-scale range is less than the primary full-scale range; and a drift compensation system configured to determine a drift compensation signal using the primary environmental signal and the reference environmental condition signal responsive to the reference environmental conditional signal being in the reference full-scale range and compensate the primary environmental condition signal using the drift compensation signal. | 09-18-2014 |
20140306550 | TWO LEAD ELECTRONIC SWITCH SYSTEM ADAPTED TO REPLACE A MECHANICAL SWITCH SYSTEM - Systems and methods are disclosed for a two lead electronic switch adapted to replace a mechanical switch. In one embodiment, a device is provided that includes a sensor and an electronic circuit having a voltage limiting circuit. The electronic circuit is configured to deactivate/activate the voltage limiting circuit to operate the electronic circuit in a first/second state in response to determining that an output of the sensor is less/more than a threshold voltage. The circuit includes first and second terminals configured to receive a switch voltage used to provide power for the device. The device sets the switch voltage to a first voltage level operative to power the electronic circuit and the sensor while the electronic circuit is operating in the first state and to a second voltage level operative to power the electronic circuit and the sensor while the electronic circuit is operating in the second state. | 10-16-2014 |
20150035383 | Three-Lead Electronic Switch System Adapted to Replace a Mechanical Switch - This disclosure provides example methods, devices, and systems for a three-lead electronic switch system adapted to replace a mechanical switch. A device is disclosed that includes a sensor, a current limiting circuit, an output switching circuit comprising a first switching device and a second switching device, and a three lead interface circuit in communication with the output switching circuit and the current limiting circuit. The device includes an electronic switching circuit in communication with the sensor, the current limiting circuit, and the output switching circuit. The electronic switching circuit is configured to drive the first and second switching devices in complementary conduction states responsive to determining the output of the sensor relative to a threshold voltage. The output switching circuit includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a return terminal that are configured to provide power to the electronic switching circuit while providing an indication of the conduction states. | 02-05-2015 |