Variable resistance pressure transducer

摘要

A variable resistance pressure transducer having high resolution, a wide resistance range and usable in conjunction with a limited linear actuation movement is provided. The transducer basically comprises a helical resistance element and a circular ring shaped contact arm which are mounted around a central axis and are slideably movable with respect to each other in directions parallel to the central axis. The ring contact essentially forms the wiper arm of a potentiometer assembly and the ring is dimensioned and positioned so that varying portions of its inner circumferential surface will contact the resistive element during relative linear axial movement between the ring and resistive element. This results in moving the effective point of contact between the ring and resistive element continously along the surface of the helical resistive element in response to the relative axial movement. The pressure transducer includes a pressure sensing diaphragm assembly which is linearly displaced by an amount related to the magnitude of the pressure being sensed. The diaphragm displacement results in changing the relative position of the ring contact with respect to the resistive element. Thus a pressure transducer has been provided in which a pressure sensing diaphragm has produced a linear movement that results in a variable resistance being produced in response thereto.