Patent ID: 9671250
Date: 2017-06-06
CPC Classifications: E21B,F04D,G01B,G01D,G01L,H02K

Claim:
1. A pressure-compensated proximity sensor assembly, comprising: a proximity sensor tip assembly including a proximity sensor cap at an end thereof and a sensing element disposed at least partially within the proximity sensor cap, the sensing element configured to produce a signal indicative of a distance between a reference point on the proximity sensor tip assembly and a reference point on a target proximate the proximity sensor cap; and a sensor housing connected to the proximity sensor cap, the sensor housing defining a fluid reservoir containing an incompressible fluid therein, the fluid reservoir in fluid communication with interior portions the proximity sensor cap such that at least a portion of an internal pressure on the incompressible fluid within the fluid reservoir is applied to the interior portions of the proximity sensor cap; and wherein the sensor housing is configured such that the internal pressure on the sensor housing and the incompressible fluid contained therein increases in response to an increase in an external pressure on the sensor housing.