Self-testing transducer curcuit
AssigneeKistler Instrument Corporation
InventorDonald J. Enzinna
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A transducer having a regulated power supply for the auxiliary circuits or additional stages using the available power in a transducer module. The voltage required for the regulator is less than lowest transducer circuit output signal as controlled by the output or driver stage. One auxiliary circuit is a self-testing circuit which is responsive to the power-up of the transducer for applying test signals to the transducer for a predetermined time. The tester would include an oscillator for generating test signals in response to a power-up and a disable circuit for disabling the oscillator after the predetermined time as determined by a count of the test signals.
Claims26
A self-testing transducer circuit comprising:
- transducer means for electrically sensing a physical parameter;
- driver means having an input connected to said transducer means and an output connected to a circuit output;
- testing means responsive to power-up of said transducer circuit for applying test signals to said transducer means for a predetermined period;
- and
- said self-testing transducer circuit is in a single transducer module.
A transducer module comprising:
- transducer means for electrically sensing a physical parameter;
- driver means having an input connected to said transducer means and an output connected to a module output for varying a signal on said module output in response to said transducer means;
- auxiliary means connected to said module output for performing additional functions in said transducer module;
- said driver means and said auxiliary means being powered by the signal on said module output;
- and
- said auxiliary means being capable of operating at a lowest module output signal as controlled by said driver means.
A transducer module comprising:
- output means for receiving power for said transducer module and sending output signals;
- transducer means for electrically sensing a physical parameter;
- driver means, having an input connected to said transducer means and an output connected to said output means and being powered from said output means, for varying said output signal on a module output in response to said transducer means;
- auxiliary means for performing additional functions in said transducer module;
- and
- regulator means, connected to said output means and said auxiliary means for providing regulated power for said auxiliary means from said output means.
A self-testing transducer circuit comprising:
- transducer means for electrically sensing a physical parameter;
- driver means having an input connected to said transducer means and an output connected to a circuit output;
- testing means for applying test signals to said transducer means for a predetermined period;
- and
- said driver means and said testing means are powered by signals on said circuit output.
A self-testing transducer circuit comprising:
- transducer means for electrically sensing a physical parameter;
- driver means having an input connected to said transducer means and an output connected to a circuit output;
- testing means for applying test signals to said transducer means for a predetermined period;
- and
- a voltage required for said testing means being less than a lowest circuit output signal as controlled by said driver means.
A transducer module comprising:
- transducer means for electrically sensing a physical parameter;
- driver means having an input connected to said transducer means and an output connected to a module output for varying a signal on said module output in response to said transducer means;
- auxiliary means connected to said module output for performing additional functions in said transducer module;
- and
- said driver means and said auxiliary means being powered by the signal on said module output.
A transducer module comprising:
- transducer means for electrically sensing a physical parameter;
- driver means having an input connected to said transducer means and an output connected to a module output for varying a signal on said module output in response to said transducer means;
- auxiliary means connected to said module output for performing additional functions in said transducer module;
- and
- said auxiliary means being capable of operating at a lowest module output signal as controlled by said driver means.
A transducer module comprising:
- transducer means including first and second terminal for electrically sensing a physical parameter;
- driver means having an input connected to said first terminal of said transducer means, an output connected to a module output for varying a signal on said module output in response to said transducer means and a terminal connected to a module ground;
- a resistance connecting said second terminal of said transducer means to said ground;
- and
- a test signal terminal connected to said second terminal of said transducer means between said second terminal and said resistance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.