Patent ID: 9394896
Filing Date: 2016-07-19
CPC Classification: F04B,G01F,G01L

Claim Text:
1. A sensor for measuring fluid pressure in a fluid passage member, the sensor comprising: a fluid passage member; a plurality of electroactive polymer strips spaced apart and circumferentially mounted across at least a portion of the fluid passage member, wherein each of the electroactive polymer strips output an output signal based on an amount of fluid pressure detected in the fluid passage member, and a controller coupled to the plurality of electroactive polymer strips, wherein the controller is configured to selectively supply a substantially constant electric charge to one or more of the plurality of electroactive polymer strips for a prescribed period of time to provide a pumping action and the controller is further configured to measure an output signal of the selected electroactive polymer strip to determine an output pressure due to deformation in the fluid passage member over at least a portion of the prescribed time.