초록 ▼

A magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor includes annular inner and outer cylinders, a first connector, annular second and third connectors, and first and second coils. The inner cylinder surrounds a fluid-receiving bore. At least one of the cylinders is a magnetostrictive cylinder. The first connec

A magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor includes annular inner and outer cylinders, a first connector, annular second and third connectors, and first and second coils. The inner cylinder surrounds a fluid-receiving bore. At least one of the cylinders is a magnetostrictive cylinder. The first connector connects the first ends of the cylinders and has a first portion extending radially inward of the inner cylinder. The second connector connects the second ends of the cylinders and defines a fluid inlet. The third connector connects the cylinders and is positioned longitudinally between the first and second connectors. The first coil is positioned radially between the inner and outer cylinders and longitudinally between the first and third connectors. The second coil is positioned radially between the inner and outer cylinders and longitudinally between the second and third connectors.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor comprising: a) an annular inner cylinder having a longitudinal axis, surrounding a fluid-receiving bore, and having first and second ends; b) an annular outer cylinder substantially coaxially aligned with the inner cylinder, spa

The invention claimed is: 1. A magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor comprising: a) an annular inner cylinder having a longitudinal axis, surrounding a fluid-receiving bore, and having first and second ends; b) an annular outer cylinder substantially coaxially aligned with the inner cylinder, spaced radially outward from the inner cylinder, and having first and second ends, wherein at least one of the inner and outer cylinders is a magnetostrictive cylinder; c) a first connector connecting the first ends of the inner and outer cylinders and having a first portion extending radially inward of the inner cylinder; d) an annular second connector connecting the second ends of the inner and outer cylinders and surrounding a fluid inlet of the bore; e) an annular third connector connecting the inner and outer cylinders and disposed longitudinally between the first and second connectors; f) a first coil surrounding the fluid-receiving bore, disposed radially between the inner and outer cylinders and longitudinally between the first and third connectors, and substantially coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, wherein the first coil when activated generates a solid first magnetic flux circuit in connecting portions of the inner and outer cylinders and the first and third connectors; and g) a second coil surrounding the fluid-receiving bore, disposed radially between the inner and outer cylinders and longitudinally between the second and third connectors, and substantially coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, wherein the second coil when activated generates a solid second magnetic flux circuit in connecting portions of the inner and outer cylinders and the second and third connectors, and wherein the second magnetic flux circuit is opposite in flux direction to the first magnetic flux circuit in the third connector. 2. A method for determining a pressure of a fluid using the magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor of claim 1, comprising the steps of: a) exposing the fluid inlet to the fluid wherein the fluid enters the bore and contacts the first portion of the first connector; b) measuring an inductance of the first and second coils; and c) determining the pressure of the fluid using at least the measured inductance of the first and second coils. 3. The magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor of claim 1, wherein each of the inner and outer cylinders is a magnetostrictive cylinder. 4. The magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor of claim 3, wherein the first and second magnetic flux circuits each are essentially devoid of any joint air gaps. 5. The magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor of claim 4, wherein the first connector defines a substantially complete barrier between the first ends of the inner and outer cylinders, wherein the second connector defines a substantially complete barrier between the second ends of the inner and outer cylinders, and wherein the third connector defines a substantially complete barrier between the inner and outer cylinders. 6. The magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor of claim 5, wherein the second connector is an end plate, and wherein the third connector is a plate. 7. The magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor of claim 6, wherein the first connector is an end plate. 8. A method for determining a pressure of a fluid using the magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor of claim 7, comprising the steps of: a) exposing the fluid inlet to the fluid wherein the fluid enters the bore and contacts the first portion of the first connector; b) measuring an inductance of the first and second coils; and c) determining the pressure of the fluid using at least the measured inductance of the first and second coils. 9. The magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor of claim 1, wherein the first and second magnetic flux circuits each are essentially devoid of any joint air gaps. 10. The magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor of claim 1, wherein the first connector defines a substantially complete barrier between the first ends of the inner and outer cylinders, wherein the second connector defines a substantially complete barrier between the second ends of the inner and outer cylinders, and wherein the third connector defines a substantially complete barrier between the inner and outer cylinders. 11. The magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor of claim 1, wherein the second connector is an end plate, and wherein the third connector is a plate. 12. The magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor of claim 1, wherein the first connector is an end plate. 13. A magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor comprising: a) an annular inner cylinder having a longitudinal axis, surrounding a fluid-receiving bore, and having first and second ends; b) an annular outer cylinder substantially coaxially aligned with the inner cylinder, spaced radially outward from the inner cylinder, and having first and second ends, wherein at least one of the inner and outer cylinders is a magnetostrictive cylinder; c) a first connector connecting the first ends of the inner and outer cylinders and having a first portion extending radially inward of the inner cylinder and sealing the first end of the inner cylinder; d) an annular second connector connecting the second ends of the inner and outer cylinders and surrounding a fluid inlet of the bore; e) an annular third connector connecting the inner and outer cylinders and disposed longitudinally between the first and second connectors; f) a first coil surrounding the fluid-receiving bore, disposed radially between the inner and outer cylinders and longitudinally between the first and third connectors, and substantially coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, wherein the first coil when activated generates a solid first magnetic flux circuit in connecting portions of the inner and outer cylinders and the first and third connectors; and g) a second coil surrounding the fluid-receiving bore, disposed radially between the inner and outer cylinders and longitudinally between the second and third connectors, and substantially coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, wherein the second coil when activated generates a solid second magnetic flux circuit in connecting portions of the inner and outer cylinders and the second and third connectors, and wherein the second magnetic flux circuit is opposite in flux direction to the first magnetic flux circuit in the third connector. 14. The magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor of claim 13, wherein the first connector defines a substantially complete barrier between the first ends of the inner and outer cylinders, wherein the second connector defines a substantially complete barrier between the second ends of the inner and outer cylinders, and wherein the third connector defines a substantially complete barrier between the inner and outer cylinders. 15. The magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor of claim 14, wherein each of the inner and outer cylinders is a magnetostrictive cylinder. 16. A method for determining a pressure of a fluid using the magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor of claim 15, comprising the steps of: a) exposing the fluid inlet to the fluid wherein the fluid enters the bore and contacts the first portion of the first connector; b) measuring an inductance of the first and second coils; and c) determining the pressure of the fluid using at least the measured inductance of the first and second coils. 17. A magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor comprising: a) an annular inner cylinder having a longitudinal axis, surrounding a fluid-receiving bore, and having first and second ends; b) an annular outer cylinder substantially coaxially aligned with the inner cylinder, spaced radially outward from the inner cylinder, and having first and second ends, wherein at least one of the inner and outer cylinders is a magnetostrictive cylinder; c) an annular first connector connecting the first ends of the inner and outer cylinders and having a first portion extending radially inward of the inner cylinder and surrounding a fluid outlet of the bore; d) an annular second connector connecting the second ends of the inner and outer cylinders and having a second portion extending radially inward of the inner cylinder and surrounding a fluid inlet of the bore; e) an annular third connector connecting the inner and outer cylinders and disposed longitudinally between and longitudinally spaced apart from the first and second connectors; f) a first coil surrounding the fluid-receiving bore, disposed radially between the inner and outer cylinders and longitudinally between the first and third connectors, and substantially coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, wherein the first coil when activated generates a solid first magnetic flux circuit in connecting portions of the inner and outer cylinders and the first and third connectors; and g) a second coil surrounding the fluid-receiving bore, disposed radially between the inner and outer cylinders and longitudinally between the second and third connectors, and substantially coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, wherein the second coil when activated generates a solid second magnetic flux circuit in connecting portions of the inner and outer cylinders and the second and third connectors, and wherein the second magnetic flux circuit is opposite in flux direction to the first magnetic flux circuit in the third connector. 18. The magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor of claim 17, wherein the first connector defines a substantially complete barrier between the first ends of the inner and outer cylinders, wherein the second connector defines a substantially complete barrier between the second ends of the inner and outer cylinders, and wherein the third connector defines a substantially complete barrier between the inner and outer cylinders. 19. The magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor of claim 18, wherein each of the inner and outer cylinders is a magnetostrictive cylinder. 20. A method for determining a pressure of a fluid using the magnetostrictive fluid-pressure sensor of claim 19, comprising the steps of: a) exposing the fluid inlet to the fluid wherein the fluid enters the bore at the fluid inlet and exits the bore at the fluid outlet, and wherein the fluid contacts within the bore the first portion of the first connector and the second portion of the second connector; b) measuring an inductance of the first and second coils; and c) determining the pressure of the fluid using at least the measured inductance of the first and second coils.