Dunan Sensing announces its tp series of integrated pressure and temperature sensors for reliable measurements in harsh media environments

DunAn Sensing, headquartered in San Jose, CA and a leader in industrial, consumer and medical pressure sensing products, has announced the availability of its TP Series of integrated pressure and temperature sensors.  The TP series uses DunAn’s proprietary DURAsenseâ unique packaging and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) pressure sensor integration strategy with a precision thermistor to provide highly accurate pressure and temperature outputs at a low cost.

The core of the TP Series is a ceramic packaged module…a.k.a. “button” comprised of a ceramic substrate on which the MEMS piezo resistive pressure sensor and the thermistor are mounted.  The button utilizes a media compatible rear- entry packaging strategy for media contact with the Silicon sensor thus eliminating the contact of bond wires and electrical signals to the media which also enhances reliability and the ability to operate in conductive media.  DunAn's approach significantly enables sensor chip and thermistor performance at reduced cost.

This packaging approach provides improved performance and lower price over those pressure sensors which use an oil-filled cavity and a metallic diaphragm. The pressure sensor and thermistor are eutectic bonded to the ceramic substrate which give the TP series enhanced ruggedness and reliability and avoids potential delamination.  Signal conditioning for the pressure measurement and performance compensation is provided by an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) mounted on a PCB.

The DunAn TP Series is available in pressure ranges from 0-15 to 0-750 psi in both absolute and sealed gage providing flexibility to address a wide number of applications.  Device accuracy at 25 degree C (combined linearity, hysteresis and repeatability) is +/- 0.5% span.  Accuracy over the -20 degree C to +125 degree C is +/- 1.5% of span.  The guaranteed proof pressure of 3X rated pressure (maximum of 1500 psi) and burst pressure of 5X rated pressure (maximum of 2500 psi) insures trouble- free operation in the most demanding applications.  The temperature thermistor accuracy at 25 degree C is 1.0%.  These devices will provide OEMs with superior reliability, accuracy and affordability. Their extended temperature range of -40 degree C to +125 degree C,  rugged hostile media package and lowest price in the industry are ideal for applications including HVAC, heat pumps, compressors, hydraulics, off-road vehicles and industrial equipment e.g. forklifts.

All elements are enclosed in sealed cavity with a plastic lid. The “button” is housed in either brass or aluminum with choice of Yazaki 4-pin or TE AMP-quadlock connector.  The finished device weighs less than 2 ounces and is 2 1/4 inches long by 1 inch in diameter.  The output signal level is 0-10V and power consumption is 3 mW 

Mr. Gary Winzeler, DunAn Sensing V.P. of Sales and Marketing said…” We listened to the voice of the customer to create the unique DURAsense design of the TP Series.   Because a great deal of the market for the product will be in highly cost sensitive consumer HVAC applications, price was of great importance in its design considerations.   However, even with the imposed price constraint, the customers required a highly robust product that could simultaneously measure both pressure and temperature accurately and be compatible with harsh media including refrigerant.  We developed our DURAsense technology to satisfy their needs.  Our design is especially unique since it integrates the pressure sensor and the thermistor internal to the package which provides exceptional reliability versus those competitors that use external temperature sensors.  Failure of a part immersed in a refrigerant-based system will contaminate the system leading to costly repair and very expensive down time.   Products that also employ a similar internal integration strategy sell for multiples of DunAn’s price.  In the application of Superheat measurement (measuring the change in state from liquid-to-gas and vice- versa) where very precise measurement of temperature and pressure are required to optimally control the systems fans, compressors and evaporators, our DURAsense technology provides customers the ability to achieve enhanced reliability and accuracy from their HVAC systems by enabling increases in their HVAC system seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) from an 8-10 level to upwards of 20-21.  This makes for a more energy efficient systems that our customers can sell at a higher price and consumers can purchase to reduce energy consumption.   We have thus created a situation where we can truly enable product differentiation for our customers in the market and provide their customers will energy efficient solutions for their homes and buildings”.

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The DunAn TP Series unit price is $74.00 in quantities from 1-499.   Evaluation units are available from stock.

Source:  Dunan Sensing