Sensor and method for determining the pressure in a fluid

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This patent describes a sensor and method for determining the pressure of a fluid (gas or liquid) by measuring heat transfer between two contact areas on elastic membranes within a vacuum-tight housing. The device operates by detecting changes in thermal conductance at a mechanical interface that varies with the pressure applied by the fluid, allowing accurate pressure measurement even in harsh environments like high radiation or temperature.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Pressure monitoring in nuclear reactors or radiation-heavy environments
• Measuring gas or liquid pressure in scientific research setups, such as particle accelerators or spallation sources
• Industrial process control where conventional pressure sensors degrade due to temperature, radiation, or chemical exposures
• Pressure monitoring in high-temperature processes, such as metal smelting or furnace operations
• Leak detection or pressure regulation in sealed or vacuum systems

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Exceptional resistance to ionizing radiation and high temperatures thanks to the all-metal, welded design
• Requires no sensitive electronics at the measurement site, increasing durability and reliability in hostile environments
• Improved accuracy and reproducibility due to calibration and use of thermal conductance principle
• Capability to self-validate measurements by cross-checking multiple temperature sensors
• Can be tailored for a wide pressure and temperature range, including operation at very low and very high pressures
• Cost-effective compared to specialized, radiation-resistant pressure sensors
• Reduced risk of measurement drift or failure due to chemical inertness and robust construction

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

A method and an apparatus for determining a pressure (p Probe ) of a fluid (F Probe ), comprising the steps of: a) providing a vacuum tight welded housing (10, 12); b) providing within the housing (10, 12) a first membrane (16) enclosing a part of a first inner volume; said first membrane (16) having a first contact area (18) associated with a first temperature sensor (20) and a heater (22); c) further providing within the housing (10, 12) a second membrane (14) enclosing also a part of the first inner volume; said second membrane (14) having a second contact area (24) associated with a second temperature sensor (26) and being disposed opposite to said first contact area (18), wherein one of said first membrane (16) and said second membrane (14) being elastic at least in part of the area around its respective contact area (18, 24), d) providing an access (6) of said first inner volume to the fluid (F Probe ); e) designing the first and second membrane (14, 16) in a way that they hermetically seal a second inner volume (V Ref ) being held at a reference pressure, preferably being held under vacuum condition, f) wherein the first and second contact areas (18, 24) touch each other at its respective default positions and wherein the first and second contact areas (18, 24) will determine the mechanical and thermal contact due to the elasticity of one of said first and said second membrane (14, 16) ) when the first inner volume (V Probe ) is connected to the fluid (F Probe ), g) connecting said first inner volume (V Probe ) to the fluid F( Probe ), and f) measuring the intensity and/or the time gradient of the heat transfer from the first contact area (18) to the second contact area (24).