US 5,343,755 A · Strain gage sensor with integral temperature signal

Abstract

A strain gage pressure sensor having a resistive bridge circuit from which is measured both the applied pressure and the temperature of the pressure sensor. A constant voltage is provided across the bridge circuit such that any temperature caused changes in the resistance of the bridge circuit are reflected in the flow of a bridge current through the bridge circuit. A sense resistor is electrically coupled to the bridge circuit such that any change in the bridge current causes a change in the voltage drop across the sense resistor. The voltage drop and the pressure output signal are digitized and suitably processed resulting in a highly accurate, corrected pressure output for use with suitable pressure instrumentation.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A pressure sensor comprising:

a resistive bridge circuit having output terminals for providing a pressure output signal and power terminals for receiving power;
power supply means for providing power to the resistive bridge circuit at a substantially constant voltage across the power terminals such that temperature caused variations in the resistance of the bridge circuit are reflected in the current flowing through the resistive bridge circuit;
a resistive element having a first end electrically coupled to the bridge circuit and having a second end electrically coupled to the power supply to carry at least a known portion of the current through the bridge circuit;
and
a first amplifier electrically coupled to the resistive element for amplifying the voltage drop across the resistive element to provide a temperature output signal.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Strain gage sensor with integral temperature signal

Life of this patent

Strain gage sensor with integral temperature signal

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12