Abstract:
A method and apparatus, wherein a die is attached to a supporting base structure utilizing a rigid bond adhesive for a SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) sensor. A rigid bond adhesive with a preferably high glass transition temperature (Tg) can be applied directly between the die and the die supporting structure in a pattern to eliminate time dependent gradual stress effects upon SAW sensor. The rigid bond adhesive can then be cured, which results in a high yield strength and a high young's modulus. The supporting base and the die material comprise a same co-efficient of thermal expansion in order to avoid die displacement over temperature.
Abstract:
A quartz sensor method and system are disclosed in which a plurality of SAW sensing resonators can be mechanically simulated for implementation upon a quartz wafer substrate. The quartz wafer substrate can thereafter be appropriately etched to produce a quartz diaphragm from the quartz wafer substrate. A plurality of SAW sensing resonators (e.g., pressure, reference and/or temperature SAW resonators) can then be located upon the quartz wafer substrate, which is based upon the previously mechanically simulated for implementation upon the substrate to thereby produce a quartz sensor package from the quartz wafer substrate.
Abstract:
The SAW sensor in a stainless steel button package having a diaphragm and mounted on a threaded port. Package can hermetically seal a sensor and RFID-antenna assemblies from media. Sensor diaphragm is exposable to media. Sensor and RFID antennas communicate electrically with SAW sensor and RFID device, respectively, for sensor measurements and identification. Antennas receive RF interrogation signal from a nearby interrogator/transceiver and send reflected RF signals back to the interrogator unit containing sensor measurement and sensor ID. TRF signal excites a SAW resonator inside the sensor and causes the SAW to resonate wherein resonant frequency changes with pressure and temperature applied to the sensor. Antennas could be printed circuit board antennas, helical antennas, loop antennas, any other commercially available off-the-shelf antennas or a combination of these.
Abstract:
A sensor apparatus and method are disclosed herein. A base is generally located proximate to a cover. A sensor element (e.g., quartz, silicon, ceramic, and the like) can be located on the base, such that the cover and the base form a clearance between the cover and the base. The clearance can be configured such that when the cover is at its smallest dimension within the tolerance range thereof and the base is at its largest dimension within the tolerance range thereof there is a clearance between them. Additionally, a sensor diaphragm and a dimple can be incorporated into the cover, wherein the dimple is in intimate contact with the sensor element at all pressure levels and temperatures thereof.
Abstract:
A wireless sensor is disclosed, which includes a substrate upon which the wireless sensor can be configured. The wireless sensor includes a plurality of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensing elements configured in parallel with one another upon the substrate, wherein one or more of the SAW sensing elements is responsive to a wireless frequency range that differs from that of a wireless frequency range of at least one other SAW sensing element among the group of SAW sensing elements. It is this parallelism that permits all of the SAW sensing elements to receive the same strain when pressure is applied thereon. In doing so, the capability for three separate interrogators to measure strain is provided. At any one location, however, only one style of interrogators can be employed, rendering two of the three SAW sensing elements useless, without interfering with the one SAW sensing element that is useful in order to permit a wireless interrogation of the wireless sensor despite varying international frequency standards thereof.
Abstract:
A sensor pre-load and welding apparatus and method are disclosed. A weld fixture apparatus includes a fixture base upon which a sensor package having a sensor base and a sensor cover is located, and a load bar associated with a spring, wherein the load bar provides a specific weight to the fixture base in order to assist in maintaining the sensor cover and the sensor base parallel to one another upon the fixture base. An adjustable load foot is generally located above the fixture base, such that the adjustable load foot applies a pre-determined load with a specific weight to the sensor base in order to maintain the sensor cover and the sensor base securely in place as the sensor base and the sensor cover are welded to one another in order to configure the sensor package.
Abstract:
A pre-load weld fixture apparatus and method are disclosed, which include a stationary pivot block attached to a base, wherein the stationary pivot block is located adjacent to a nest for maintaining an object to be welded. Additionally a pivot arm is associated with a pivot arm insert, wherein the pivot arm rotates about a pivot point provided by a pin press component associated with the stationary pivot block, such that the pivot point is fixed to the stationary pivot block in relation to the object to be welded and wherein the pivot arm is positioned parallel to the nest. A spring block can be connected to the stationary pivot block, wherein the spring block provides tension to the pivot arm in order to permit a user to maintain the object upon the base with a desired tension for welding thereof. Finally, a torsion spring can be maintained by the spring block, wherein the torsion spring allows the spring block to provide tension to the pivot arm.
Abstract:
A wireless and batteryless pressure sensor apparatus comprises of a SAW sensor and an antenna mounted on a printed circuit board. Optionally, and RFID tag in used in combination with the SAW sensor. A sensor antenna and a RFID antenna can be located on the printed circuit board such that the antennas communicate electrically with the sensor and the RFID device. The sensor can be interrogated utilizing a radio frequency, which is used to excite a SAW crystal inside the sensor. The interrogation signal causes the SAW to resonate wherein a resonant frequency changes with the pressure and temperature that is applied to the sensor. An interrogator can receive a return (echo) signal representing a change in SAW sensor properties (e.g., diaphragm change). A printed circuit board can be mounted on a stainless steel port and overpackaged with standard processes for hermetically sealing the sensor, or sensor and RFID device with at least one antenna.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus, wherein a die is attached to a supporting base structure utilizing a rigid bond adhesive for a SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) sensor. A rigid bond adhesive with a preferably high glass transition temperature (Tg) can be applied directly between the die and the die supporting structure in a pattern to eliminate time dependent gradual stress effects upon SAW sensor. The rigid bond adhesive can then be cured, which results in a high yield strength and a high young's modulus. The supporting base and the die material comprise a same co-efficient of thermal expansion in order to avoid die displacement over temperature.