Patent ID: 7100453
Filing Date: 2006-09-05
Classification: F04B,F15C,F16K,G01L

Abstract:
1. In a device for sensing pressure having a sealed chamber defining part, a first flexible diaphragm having two sides and mounted on one side in communication with said chamber in said sealed chamber defining part, said first flexible diaphragm having a conductive surface, an insulator mounted on said other side of said first flexible diaphragm, a second flexible diaphragm having two sides and mounted on one side in communication with said insulator, said second flexible diaphragm having a conductive surface, a sensor chamber defining part mounted on said other side of said second flexible diaphragm and having an opening for communication with a sensing atmosphere, whereby one of said first and second flexible diaphragms includes openings it its surface to permit fluid to flow through said openings and said other of said first and second diaphragms is solid and responds to change in pressure in said sensor chamber to move away from or toward said one of said flexible diaphragms, and electrical connections contacting said first and said second flexible diaphragms and adapted to measure the capacitance between said diaphragms as a function of said pressure in said sensor chamber introduced through said opening and causing said one flexible diaphragms to move with respect to said other of said flexible diaphragms, the improvement comprising: a spacer element positioned between said first and second diaphragms and aligned to positions said sealed chamber part and said insulator at a non parallel angle with respect to each other to cause said first and second diaphragms to be in linearly changing contact when pressure is sensed and provide a capacitive measure of pressure.