Apparatus with flexible member for sensing fluid pressure
One embodiment relates to a pressure sensor apparatus, including a housing with a flexible member and an aperture configured to receive a fluid. The pressure sensor apparatus further includes a first member disposed on the flexible member, a second member removeably coupled to the first member configured to move in response to a pressure of the fluid and a sensor configured to detect the movement of the second member. The pressure sensor apparatus generates a pressure signal for the fluid based on the displacement of the second member.
1. A pressure sensor apparatus, comprising:
a housing, comprising:
a flexible member, and
an aperture configured to receive a fluid, the flexible member configured to move in response to a change in pressure of the fluid;
a second member removeably coupled to the flexible member and configured to move together with the flexible member; and
a sensor configured to sense a movement of the second member, the sensor separated from the second member by an air gap and configured to sense the movement of the second member across the air gap;
wherein the pressure sensor apparatus generates a pressure signal for the fluid based on the movement of the second member.
2. The pressure sensor apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flexible member is coupled to the second member with a vacuum coupling.
3. The pressure sensor apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a rigid member disposed on the flexible member, the second member removeably coupled to the rigid member.
4. The pressure sensor apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the rigid member comprises a ferrous metal.
5. The pressure sensor apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the second member is magnetically coupled to the rigid member.
6. The pressure sensor apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor does not contact the second member.
7. The pressure sensor apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the sensor comprises a magnetic field sensor.
8. The pressure sensor apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor.
9. The pressure sensor apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a third member, wherein the second member is threadably coupled to the third member.
10. The pressure sensor apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the sensor detects a linear movement of the second member via a rotational movement of the third member.
11. The pressure sensor apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a spring coupled to a second housing configured to bias the second member toward the flexible member against the force of the pressure of the fluid.