Disclosed is an apparatus for determining physiological parameter. The apparatus has an elongated magnetic probe, a driver coil arranged partially to surround the elongated magnetic probe, a measurement coil with at least a first section and a second section and a controller. The controller is configured to selectively energize the driver coil to create a magnetic force to initiate movement of the elongated magnetic probe to a direction of the first end, measure a first induced voltage and common induced voltage values, determine locator values as a function of time, map the locator values as a function of time from the time domain to a spatial domain and calculate from the spatial domain locator values, a first velocity profile of the elongated magnetic probe, and use the calculated first velocity profile of the elongated magnetic probe to determine the physiological parameter.

Disclosed is an apparatus for determining physiological parameter. The apparatus has an elongated magnetic probe, a driver coil arranged partially to surround the elongated magnetic probe, a measurement coil with at least a first section and a second section and a controller. The controller is configured to selectively energize the driver coil to create a magnetic force to initiate movement of the elongated magnetic probe to a direction of the first end, measure a first induced voltage and common induced voltage values, determine locator values as a function of time, map the locator values as a function of time from the time domain to a spatial domain and calculate from the spatial domain locator values, a first velocity profile of the elongated magnetic probe, and use the calculated first velocity profile of the elongated magnetic probe to determine the physiological parameter.

A potentiometric sensor, comprising: a potentiometer track; a collector track opposite the potentiometer track; a conductive magnetic cushion slider coupled to the potentiometer track and the collector track; and a sealed body housing the potentiometer track, the collector track, and the conductive magnetic cushion is disclosed. The potentiometric sensor may provide a variable output voltage indicative of a level of liquid in a container. The output voltage of the potentiometric sensor may be based on a position of a magnet, which may determine a position of the conductive magnetic cushion or a ferromagnetic spring. The magnet may be outside of the sealed body. As the sensor will be more cost effective and less space consuming, the totally sealed sensor incorporating the conductive magnetic cushion or a ferromagnetic spring may replace many applications that allow a hysteresis of less than 1 mm. Additionally, these applications may be used on rotary systems.

A potentiometric sensor, comprising: a potentiometer track; a collector track opposite the potentiometer track; a conductive magnetic cushion slider coupled to the potentiometer track and the collector track; and a sealed body housing the potentiometer track, the collector track, and the conductive magnetic cushion is disclosed. The potentiometric sensor may provide a variable output voltage indicative of a level of liquid in a container. The output voltage of the potentiometric sensor may be based on a position of a magnet, which may determine a position of the conductive magnetic cushion or a ferromagnetic spring. The magnet may be outside of the sealed body. As the sensor will be more cost effective and less space consuming, the totally sealed sensor incorporating the conductive magnetic cushion or a ferromagnetic spring may replace many applications that allow a hysteresis of less than 1 mm. Additionally, these applications may be used on rotary systems.

A sensor is disclosed. In an embodiment, the sensor includes a fixed structure, a movable structure movable relative to the fixed structure, a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field and a first magnetically sensitive element configured to determine the magnetic field at a position of the first magnetically sensitive element. The magnet is fastened to the fixed structure and the first magnetically sensitive element is fastened to the movable structure. Alternatively, the magnet is fastened to the movable structure and the first magnetically sensitive element is fastened to the fixed structure.

A system and method detect the presence of an unacceptable quantity of gas molecules in the reference vacuum cavity of a capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG). An independent pressure transducer has an active portion exposed to the reference vacuum cavity. The transducer includes a ring anode, a cylindrical inner wall surface that forms at least one cathode, and a magnet positioned with respect to the ring anode such that the magnetic flux of the magnet is generally aligned with the central axis of the ring anode. A high voltage source applies a voltage between the ring anode and the cathode. A current sensor senses a magnitude of any current flowing between the ring anode and the cathode via ionized gas molecules. A monitoring unit monitors the magnitude of the current sensed by the current sensor and activates an alarm when the magnitude of the current exceeds an acceptable magnitude.

A system and method detect the presence of an unacceptable quantity of gas molecules in the reference vacuum cavity of a capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG). An independent pressure transducer has an active portion exposed to the reference vacuum cavity. The transducer includes a ring anode, a cylindrical inner wall surface that forms at least one cathode, and a magnet positioned with respect to the ring anode such that the magnetic flux of the magnet is generally aligned with the central axis of the ring anode. A high voltage source applies a voltage between the ring anode and the cathode. A current sensor senses a magnitude of any current flowing between the ring anode and the cathode via ionized gas molecules. A monitoring unit monitors the magnitude of the current sensed by the current sensor and activates an alarm when the magnitude of the current exceeds an acceptable magnitude.

A pressure gauge of which the presence or absence of a measurement error can be easily checked is provided. A pressure gauge includes: a piston; a first conversion mechanism converting a linear motion of the piston against an elastic force of a spring into a rotating motion about a first rotation shaft, the linear motion being caused by the pressure transmitted from a target to be measured; an index that is fixed to one end side of the first rotation shaft; a dial; momentum detecting means for detecting momentum indicating an amount of movement of the piston; and a pressure sensor measuring a pressure value or the pressure acting on the internal space of the cylinder. Determining means determines whether a difference between a first measurement value and a second measurement value exceeds a predetermined value, the first measurement, value being estimated from the momentum detected toy the momentum detecting means, the second measurement value being measured by the pressure sensor. Notifying means notifies a user if the difference between the first measurement value and the second measurement value exceeds the predetermined value.

A pressure gauge of which the presence or absence of a measurement error can be easily checked is provided. A pressure gauge includes: a piston; a first conversion mechanism converting a linear motion of the piston against an elastic force of a spring into a rotating motion about a first rotation shaft, the linear motion being caused by the pressure transmitted from a target to be measured; an index that is fixed to one end side of the first rotation shaft; a dial; momentum detecting means for detecting momentum indicating an amount of movement of the piston; and a pressure sensor measuring a pressure value or the pressure acting on the internal space of the cylinder. Determining means determines whether a difference between a first measurement value and a second measurement value exceeds a predetermined value, the first measurement, value being estimated from the momentum detected toy the momentum detecting means, the second measurement value being measured by the pressure sensor. Notifying means notifies a user if the difference between the first measurement value and the second measurement value exceeds the predetermined value.

A pressure transducer is disclosed wherein no wetted areas have been welded. A cavity is milled into the back of each of the blocks of a material which will make up the body of the transducer. Pickup coils are placed into these cavities and are held in place generally with epoxy cement. With the coils mounted within the sensor body, the surface which will be exposed to the sample or reference fluids is comprised of a single, solid material with no welding joints. Further, as the sensor block half is made of a single, solid material, fluid fitting connections may be machined directly into the body. The pickup coil placed within the improved sensor body may be wound on an open frame of nickel superalloy (NiSA). Another embodiment involves coating or encapsulating the sensing membrane within a soft, non-magnetic material protecting it from corrosion.