Abstract:
A method for forming a pressure sensor 100 includes forming a base 122 of a sapphire material, the base including a cavity 12 formed therein; forming a sapphire membrane 104 on top of the base 122 and over the cavity 12; forming a lower electrode 108 on top of the membrane 104; forming a piezoelectric material layer on an upper surface of the lower electrode 108, the piezoelectric material layer being formed of aluminum nitride (AIN); and forming at least one upper electrode 112 on an upper surface of the piezoelectric material layer.
Abstract:
Apparatus and associated methods relate to an accelerometer (10, 40, 70) having first and second piezoelectric transducers (28a, 28b, 30a, 30b) that are electrically isolated but mechanically coupled one to another via a coupling member (14a, 14b, 44). The first piezoelectric transducer (28a, 28b) is configured to induce a mechanical deformation of the coupling member in response to an electrical excitation signal received by the first piezoelectric transducer. The second piezoelectric transducer (30a, 30b) is configured to generate an electrical response signal in response to mechanical deformation of the coupling member. The accelerometer has a self-test module (104) configured to generate the electrical excitation signal and to receive the electrical response signal. The self-test module (104) is further configured to generate a sensor test result based upon a comparison between the received electrical response signal and a reference signal. The self-test module (104) may advantageously detect changes in an excitation/response relation due to time and/or environmental conditions, for example.
Abstract:
Apparatus and associated methods relate to maximizing a signal to noise ratio of an accelerometer by inhibiting signals arising from movements of a proofmass (12) in directions perpendicular to a direction of intended sensitivity. The direction of intended sensitivity of the accelerometer is along an axis of the proofmass (12). The accelerometer is rendered substantially insensitive to lateral accelerations of the proofmass by making the accelerometer axially symmetric. Two axially-asymmetric acceleration sensing devices (10) are axially engaged in such a manner as to render the coupled sensing devices substantially axially-symmetric. In some embodiments, each acceleration sensor (10) has an axially-thin membrane portion (14a, 14b, 14c) extending from a proofmass portion (12). The two acceleration sensors (10) can be engaged in an antiparallel fashion at projecting ends of the proofinass portions. An engagement surface will be located about halfway between the axially-thin membrane portions of the two acceleration sensors, thereby causing mechanical symmetry about the engagement surface.
Abstract:
A packaged pressure sensor assembly is disclosed that includes a pressure sensor (100, 200) including an upper substrate and a lower substrate bonded to one another by way of a first glass frit having a first bonding temperature, so as to define a hermetically sealed pressure sensing chamber therebetween, and a housing defining an internal cavity having a base with a support surface for supporting the pressure sensor (100, 200), wherein the pressure sensor (100, 200) is bonded to the support surface of the base by a second glass frit having a second bonding temperature that is lower than the first bonding temperature.
Abstract:
A high temperature capacitive pressure sensor (10; 10A; 10B) includes a first sapphire wafer (12; 12A; 12B) having a first exterior wafer surface (26; 26A; 26B) and a first interior wafer surface (28; 28A; 28B), a recess (32; 32A; 32B) extending into the first sapphire wafer (12; 12A; 12B), a second sapphire wafer (18; 18A; 18B) having a second exterior wafer surface (40; 40A; 40B) and a second interior wafer surface (42; 42A; 42B), a first hole (30; 30A; 30B) extending through the first sapphire wafer (12; 12A; 12B), a second hole (44; 44A; 44B) extending through the first sapphire wafer (12; 12A; 12B) or the second sapphire wafer (18; 18A; 18B), a first via (14; 14A; 14B) that solidly fills the first hole (30; 30A; 30B), the first via (14; 14A; 14B) including a first interior via surface (36; 36A; 36B) aligned with the first interior wafer surface (28; 28A; 28B), a second via (20; 20A; 20B) that solidly fills the second hole (44; 44A; 44B), the second via (20; 20A; 20B) including a second interior via surface (48; 48A; 48B) aligned with the interior wafer surface of the sapphire wafer within which the second via (20; 20A; 20B) extends, a first electrode (16; 16A; 16B) deposited on the first interior wafer surface (28; 28A; 28B) covering and contacting the first interior via surface (36; 36A; 36B).
Abstract:
A packaged pressure sensor assembly is disclosed that includes a pressure sensor (100, 200) including an upper substrate and a lower substrate bonded to one another by way of a first glass frit having a first bonding temperature, so as to define a hermetically sealed pressure sensing chamber therebetween, and a housing defining an internal cavity having a base with a support surface for supporting the pressure sensor (100, 200), wherein the pressure sensor (100, 200) is bonded to the support surface of the base by a second glass frit having a second bonding temperature that is lower than the first bonding temperature.
Abstract:
A pressure sensor comprising a housing (62, 64), a diaphragm wafer (68), and an isolator (66) configured to absorb lateral stress. The diaphragm wafer (68) includes a fully exposed diaphragm (69), a fluid contact surface, a sensing element (74), and a support portion, where the support portion and the contact surface define a cavity. The isolator (66) extends laterally from the support portion to the housing (62, 64). The pressure sensor is easily drainable, eliminating the buildup of particulates, and the diaphragm (69) can be directly wire-bonded to printed circuit boards, eliminating the need for extensive electrical feedthrough.
Abstract:
Apparatus and associated methods relate to generating a signal indicative of a differential pressure using a first absolute pressure sensor (10') and a second absolute pressure sensor (10"), each having a positive relation transducer configured to generate an electrical signal that increases in response to increasing pressure and a negative relation transducer configured to generate an electrical signal that decreases in response to increasing pressure. The first and second positive relation transducers of the first and second absolute pressure sensors, respectively, are electrically connected as a first leg of a Wheatstone bridge (40) at a first output node. The first and second negative relation transducers of the first and second absolute pressure sensors, respectively, are electrically connected as a second leg of a Wheatstone bridge at a second output node. Both positive and both negative relation transducers are connected to a first and a second bias node of the Wheatstone bridge, respectively.
Abstract:
Apparatus and associated methods relate to maximizing a signal to noise ratio of an accelerometer by inhibiting signals arising from movements of a proofmass (12) in directions perpendicular to a direction of intended sensitivity. The direction of intended sensitivity of the accelerometer is along an axis of the proofmass (12). The accelerometer is rendered substantially insensitive to lateral accelerations of the proofmass by making the accelerometer axially symmetric. Two axially-asymmetric acceleration sensing devices (10) are axially engaged in such a manner as to render the coupled sensing devices substantially axially-symmetric. In some embodiments, each acceleration sensor (10) has an axially-thin membrane portion (14a, 14b, 14c) extending from a proofmass portion (12). The two acceleration sensors (10) can be engaged in an antiparallel fashion at projecting ends of the proofinass portions. An engagement surface will be located about halfway between the axially-thin membrane portions of the two acceleration sensors, thereby causing mechanical symmetry about the engagement surface.