Michael A Willett

US Patent:

8006564, Aug 30, 2011

Filed:

Aug 11, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/539358

Inventors:

Greg S. Shaw - Shaker Heights OH, US
Troy Prince - Cleveland OH, US
Joseph Snyder - Novelty OH, US
Michael C. Willett - Akron OH, US
Frederick J. Lisy - Euclid OH, US

Assignee:

Orbital Research Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

G01L 19/04

US Classification:

73708

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a method of determining both pressures and temperatures in a high temperature environment. The present invention also relates to a method of determining temperatures about a pressure-sensing element using a bi-functional heater. In addition, the present invention preferably relates to a pressure sensor with the pressure-sensing element and a heating element both integrated into the sensor's packaging, preferably onto the diaphragm of the pressure sensor, and particularly to such a pressure sensor capable of operating at high or elevated temperatures, and even more particularly to such a pressure sensor wherein the heating element is capable of both heating, at least in part, the pressure-sensing element and monitoring the temperature of the application area. Preferably, the pressure-sensing element is formed from shape memory alloy (SMA) materials that can be used at high or elevated temperatures as a pressure sensor with high sensitivity.