Patent ID: 6041658
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: B60N,G01L

Abstract:
A pressure sensor system comprising:a bag substantially filled with a fluid, said bag including an outer surface; andat least one pressure sensor including a diaphragm, said pressure sensor being mounted to said outer surface with said diaphragm being positioned against said outer surface such that said pressure sensor directly measures the pressure of said fluid without physically contacting said fluid;said pressure sensor being a capacitive pressure sensor with said diaphragm having a central area which deflects relative to the periphery of said diaphragm with varying pressure applied to said diaphragm, to change the capacitance of the sensor;said bag having predetermined areas of the surface thereof which are substantially flat, and said sensor being coupled to said bag with said diaphragm being in engagement with one of said predetermined areas;said sensor being coupled to provide an output indication of the deflection of the diaphragm corresponding to the pressure level in said bag; andsaid sensor being securely bonded to said bag around the periphery of said diaphragm, wherein changes in pressure within the bag will not change the area of the bag secured to said sensor.