Strain gage beam having integral overload protection
AssigneeSolartron Electronics, Inc.
InventorsWalter H. Eisele, Peter C. Tack
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sensitive deflector beam having an integral deflectable element utilizes an immobilization pin and a limit pin to prevent damage to the deflectable element during fabrication and use. The immobilization pin is inserted through the beam and to the deflectable element to hold the element rigidly in place during fabrication. Thus, relatively rigorous operations such as polishing and circuit deposition may be accomplished without damage to the element.
Claims11
An improved deflector beam of the type including a block, a deflectable element formed integrally within the block, and means for detecting deformation of the block resulting from a force applied to the deflectable element, said improvement comprising means on the block for selectively limiting motion of the deflectable element relative to the block wherein said means for limiting the motion of the deflectable element is adjustable over a range of deflections.
A pressure transducer comprising:
- a frame;
- a deflector beam mounted on the frame, said deflector beam comprising a block and a deflectable element formed integrally within the block, said block having a passage therethrough and said deflectable element having a receptacle aligned with the passage;
- a limit pin received by the passage and receptacle, said pin being axially adjustable within the passage and having a preselected geometry such that maximum lateral deflection of the deflectable element may be adjusted by axially positioning the pin;
- a pressure-responsive diaphragm mounted on the frame;
- a link between the diaphragm and the deflectable element of the deflector beam;
- and
- means for detecting deformation of the block resulting from pressure changes on the diaphragm.
A method for fabricating a deflector beam, said method comprising:
- forming a deflectable element within a block;
- forming a passage within the block;
- forming a receptacle in the deflectable element aligned within the passage in the block;
- placing an immobilization pin into the passage and engaging the receptacle to immobilize the deflectable element relative to the block;
- finishing the outer surfaces of the block;
- and
- forming a circuitry on the block to measure deformation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.