Abstract: A flow sensor assembly including a top flowtube that defines an inlet port, an outlet port, and a main channel. An inlet flow channel fluidly may connect the inlet port of the flow sensor assembly to the main channel. An outlet flow channel fluidly may connect the main channel to the outlet port. The bottom flowtube may include a shroud which acts as a cover over an electronic circuit board. The shroud may eliminate a step, created by the flow sensor, to provide a continuous flow path over the sensor. The channels may be formed to utilize the entire footprint of the flow sensor assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a sensor device, method, and system are provided for housing a sensor. A pressure sensor assembly having a printed circuit board (PCB) with a pressure sensor and a ring mounted on the PCB. The pressure sensor assembly may include a force transmitting member positioned at least partially within the ring. The force transmitting member may transfer a force applied to a front side of the force transmitting member to a front side of the pressure sensor. A reservoir includes an extension that define an opening. The first side of the force transmitting member is exposed to the interior of the reservoir. The extension engages the first side of the force transmitting member to seal the opening.

Abstract: A mass flow sensor assembly that contains an absolute pressure sensor for compensating via electronics an output reading of mass flow of a fluid through a channel. The flow and pressure sensors may be built in close proximity to each other in the channel. The mass flow sensor assembly incorporating the absolute pressure sensor may be fabricated using MEMS techniques.

Abstract: A flow sensor assembly including a top flowtube that defines an inlet port, an outlet port, and a main channel. An inlet flow channel fluidly may connect the inlet port of the flow sensor assembly to the main channel. An outlet flow channel fluidly may connect the main channel to the outlet port. The bottom flowtube may include a shroud which acts as a cover over an electronic circuit board. The shroud may eliminate a step, created by the flow sensor, to provide a continuous flow path over the sensor. The channels may be formed to utilize the entire footprint of the flow sensor assembly.

Abstract: A pressure sensor assembly having a printed circuit board (PCB) with a pressure sensor and a ring mounted on the PCB. The pressure sensor assembly may include a force transmitting member positioned at least partially within the ring. The force transmitting member may transfer a force applied to a front side of the force transmitting member to a front side of the pressure sensor. For example, the force transmitting member may be exposed to a fluid within a reservoir or other sensed media and may transmit forces of the fluid and/or other sensed media to the pressure sensor. The force transmitting member may include a biocompatible material to facilitate use of the pressure sensor assembly in medical and/or food related applications. One example biocompatible material usable in the force transmitting member may be cured silicone elastomer.

Abstract: A flow sensor assembly includes a housing that defines an inlet port, an outlet port, a main channel and a bypass channel. An inlet flow channel fluidly connects the inlet port of the flow sensor assembly to the main channel and an outlet flow channel fluidly connects the main channel to the outlet port. A bypass feeder input channel fluidly connects the main channel to the bypass channel and a bypass feeder output channel fluidly connect the bypass channel to the main channel. In some instances, at least 40 percent of an input pressure differential applied between the inlet port and the outlet port of the flow sensor assembly drops across the inlet flow channel and the outlet flow channel collectively. A sensor is exposed to a fluid in the bypass channel and senses a measure related to a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the bypass channel.

Abstract: A sensor housing includes an inlet flow port, an outlet flow port, a flow sensing region, and a flow channel extending between the inlet flow port, the flow sensing region and the outlet flow port. The flow channel defines a flow path between the inlet flow port and the flow sensing region that is contorted in three-dimensions. The three-dimensional contorted flow path between the inlet flow port and a flow sensing region may include a particle collection region that is configured to decelerate a fluid and collect particles that are released from the fluid. The deceleration of the fluid flow and/or one or more changes in the direction of fluid flow along the contorted three-dimensional flow path may cause dust and/or other particulate matter to be released from the fluid prior to reaching a sensor in the sensing region.

Abstract: A flow sensor assembly includes a housing that defines an inlet port, an outlet port, a main channel and a bypass channel. An inlet flow channel fluidly connects the inlet port of the flow sensor assembly to the main channel and an outlet flow channel fluidly connects the main channel to the outlet port. A bypass feeder input channel fluidly connects the main channel to the bypass channel and a bypass feeder output channel fluidly connect the bypass channel to the main channel. In some instances, at least 40 percent of an input pressure differential applied between the inlet port and the outlet port of the flow sensor assembly drops across the inlet flow channel and the outlet flow channel collectively. A sensor is exposed to a fluid in the bypass channel and senses a measure related to a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the bypass channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to modular flow sensor assemblies and methods. The modular flow sensor assembly may include a main sensor body, a first end adapter having a first connection port configuration, and a second end adapter having a second connection port configuration. The main sensor body may include a main housing and a sensor, where the first end adapter is configured to engage the main housing and the second end adapter is configured to engage the main housing. The first end adapter and the second end adapter may be selected from a group of end adapters, wherein at least two of the end adapters has a different connection port configuration. The selected first end adapter and the selected second end adapters may have the same or different connection port configurations. The first end adapter and the second end adapter are configured to be interchangeable end adapters.

Abstract: A flow sensor assembly includes a flow sensor for sensing a flow parameter. The flow sensor may provide a flow sensor output signal that is related to the sensed parameter. A control block operatively connected to the flow sensor may receive a measure related to the flow rate of the fluid stream and drive the heater of the flow sensor to a heater temperature, such that the heater temperature may be dependent on the flow rate of the fluid stream, which causes the analog output of the flow sensor to be relatively linear over an expected operating range of flow rates.

Abstract: A sensor housing includes an inlet flow port, an outlet flow port, a flow sensing region, and a flow channel extending between the inlet flow port, the flow sensing region and the outlet flow port. The flow channel defines a flow path between the inlet flow port and the flow sensing region that is contorted in three-dimensions. The three-dimensional contorted flow path between the inlet flow port and a flow sensing region may include a particle collection region that is configured to decelerate a fluid and collect particles that are released from the fluid. The deceleration of the fluid flow and/or one or more changes in the direction of fluid flow along the contorted three-dimensional flow path may cause dust and/or other particulate matter to be released from the fluid prior to reaching a sensor in the sensing region.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sense element for sensing a sensed parameter. The sense element may provide a sense element output signal that is related to the sensed parameter. A control block may include a first input port for receiving the sense element output signal, a second input port for receiving a scale input adjustable by a user, and an output port for providing a sensor assembly output signal. The control block may be configured to take in the sense element output signal via the first input port and produce the sensor assembly output signal at the output port, wherein the sensor assembly output signal at the output port is related to the sense element output signal and corresponds to a user selected range of the sensed parameter. The user selected range may be determined, at least in part, by the scale input received via the second input port.

Abstract: A flow sensor assembly includes a flow sensor for sensing a flow parameter. The flow sensor may provide a flow sensor output signal that is related to the sensed parameter. A control block operatively connected to the flow sensor may receive a measure related to the flow rate of the fluid stream and drive the heater of the flow sensor to a heater temperature, such that the heater temperature may be dependent on the flow rate of the fluid stream, which causes the analog output of the flow sensor to be relatively linear over an expected operating range of flow rates.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sense element for sensing a sensed parameter. The sense element may provide a sense element output signal that is related to the sensed parameter. A control block may include a first input port for receiving the sense element output signal, a second input port for receiving a scale input adjustable by a user, and an output port for providing a sensor assembly output signal. The control block may be configured to take in the sense element output signal via the first input port and produce the sensor assembly output signal at the output port, wherein the sensor assembly output signal at the output port is related to the sense element output signal and corresponds to a user selected range of the sensed parameter. The user selected range may be determined, at least in part, by the scale input received via the second input port.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to modular flow sensor assemblies and methods. The modular flow sensor assembly may include a main sensor body, a first end adapter having a first connection port configuration, and a second end adapter having a second connection port configuration. The main sensor body may include a main housing and a sensor, where the first end adapter is configured to engage the main housing and the second end adapter is configured to engage the main housing. The first end adapter and the second end adapter may be selected from a group of end adapters, wherein at least two of the end adapters has a different connection port configuration. The selected first end adapter and the selected second end adapters may have the same or different connection port configurations. The first end adapter and the second end adapter are configured to be interchangeable end adapters.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to flow sensors, and more particularly, to methods and devices for reducing variations in fluid flow across the flow sensor for increased accuracy and/or reliability. In one illustrative embodiment, a flow sensor assembly includes a housing with an inlet flow port and an outlet flow port. The housing defines a fluid channel extending between the inlet flow port and the outlet flow port, with a flow sensor positioned in the housing and exposed to the fluid channel. The flow sensor is configured to sense a measure related to the flow rate of a fluid flowing through the fluid channel. A porous insert is situated in the fluid channel, sometimes upstream of the flow sensor. When so configured, and during operation of the flow sensor assembly, a fluid may pass through the inlet flow port, through the porous insert, across the flow sensor, and through the outlet flow port.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to flow sensors, and more particularly, to methods and devices for reducing variations in fluid flow across the flow sensor for increased accuracy and/or reliability. In one illustrative embodiment, a flow sensor assembly includes a housing with an inlet flow port and an outlet flow port. The housing defines a fluid channel extending between the inlet flow port and the outlet flow port, with a flow sensor positioned in the housing and exposed to the fluid channel. The flow sensor is configured to sense a measure related to the flow rate of a fluid flowing through the fluid channel. A porous insert is situated in the fluid channel, sometimes upstream of the flow sensor. When so configured, and during operation of the flow sensor assembly, a fluid may pass through the inlet flow port, through the porous insert, across the flow sensor, and through the outlet flow port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, wherein a die is attached to a supporting base structure utilizing a rigid bond adhesive for a SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) sensor. A rigid bond adhesive with a preferably high glass transition temperature (Tg) can be applied directly between the die and the die supporting structure in a pattern to eliminate time dependent gradual stress effects upon SAW sensor. The rigid bond adhesive can then be cured, which results in a high yield strength and a high young's modulus. The supporting base and the die material comprise a same co-efficient of thermal expansion in order to avoid die displacement over temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, wherein a die is attached to a supporting base structure utilizing a rigid bond adhesive for a SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) sensor. A rigid bond adhesive with a preferably high glass transition temperature (Tg) can be applied directly between the die and the die supporting structure in a pattern to eliminate time dependent gradual stress effects upon SAW sensor. The rigid bond adhesive can then be cured, which results in a high yield strength and a high young's modulus. The supporting base and the die material comprise a same co-efficient of thermal expansion in order to avoid die displacement over temperature.