Patent ID: 8567495

Claim:
A system configured to sense a pressure in a subterranean environment, the system comprising: a signal generator configured to generate an electromagnetic signal; a sensor probe configured to be located within a region of the subterranean environment, the sensor probe including a resonant circuit portion that includes a capacitive element, the resonant circuit portion being further configured to receive energy from the electromagnetic signal and to generate a resonant signal in response to the electromagnetic signal, wherein the capacitive element of the sensor probe is responsive to a pressure condition in the region of the subterranean environment to modulate the resonant signal in accordance therewith; the capacitive element comprising: a deformable element being configured to undergo physical deformation responsive to changes in pressure within the region of the subterranean environment; a stator; a rotor mechanically coupled to the deformable element and configured to rotate with respect to the stator responsive to deformation of the deformable element; a first capacitor having portions carried by the rotor and the stator such that capacitance of the first capacitor varies based on the rotational orientation of the rotor with respect to the stator, the capacitance of the first capacitor thereby being indicative of pressure within the region of the subterranean environment; and wherein the capacitive element further comprises a second capacitor connected in series with the first capacitor, the second capacitor having portions carried by the rotor and the stator such that capacitance of the second capacitor varies based on the rotational orientation of the rotor with respect to the stator, the capacitance of the second capacitor thereby being indicative of pressure within the region of the subterranean environment; a receiver configured to receive the modulated resonant signal; and one or more processors configured to process the modulated resonant signal to obtain a measurement of the pressure condition.