Thermal Type Patents (Class 73/204.11)
  • Patent number: 11953357
    Abstract: A flow sensor chip includes a substrate in which a cavity having an opening is formed, a membrane provided on a surface of the substrate so as to cover the opening, a heater provided inside the membrane, a first thermopile and a second thermopile provided in the membrane, and a heat conduction member for heat conduction between the substrate and the membrane. A first hot junction and a first cold junction of a thermocouple provided in the first thermopile and a second hot junction and a second cold junction of a thermocouple provided in the second thermopile are arranged at positions overlapping with the opening in a plan view. The heat conduction member includes a first heat conduction member for heat conduction between the first cold junction and the substrate and a second heat conduction member for heat conduction between the second cold junction and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: MMI SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Kasai, Koji Momotani
  • Patent number: 11927466
    Abstract: A physical quantity measurement device is configured to seal a cavity portion on a back surface side of a diaphragm of a thermal air flow rate sensor while improving measurement accuracy. The device may include a lead frame having a mounting surface on which a flow rate sensor which is the thermal air flow rate sensor is mounted, and a flow passage forming member disposed on a back surface opposite to the mounting surface of the lead frame. A ventilation flow path is formed by a first through hole in communication with a cavity portion of the flow rate sensor, a second through hole provided in the lead frame and opened in the mounting surface, and a connection flow path that is defined between the lead frame and the flow passage forming member and connecting the first through hole and the second through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Yogo, Binti Haridan Fatin Farhanah, Hiroyuki Abe, Satoshi Ikeo, Yuta Chiba
  • Patent number: 11897138
    Abstract: An apparatus capable of smoothly injecting contents in an object into another object, an injection method, and an injection program. The apparatus includes a robotic arm device configured to grip a first container, and circuitry configured to recognize a flowrate of contents while injecting an amount of the contents from the first container into a second container, and control a tilt of the first container using the robotic arm device to inject the contents into the second container according to the recognized flowrate of the contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Tsuboi, Ryo Terasawa
  • Patent number: 11892331
    Abstract: A cartridge-style flow sensor for sensing fluid flow. The includes an exterior, interior, head, base, a circuit board, and first and second ports. The first and second ports permit fluid to flow into and out of the interior. A Hall Effect Sensor in the interior detects the number of revolutions of an impeller. An electric coupler interfaces with the sensor and a transmitter for communication of the revolutions of the impeller to a controller. The controller determines the rate of fluid flow in a conduit. The controller automatically issues a command signal to a component of a hydraulic system to alter the rate of fluid flow in the conduit. The cartridge hydraulic flow sensor is easily and releasably engaged to a cavity of a hydraulic circuit manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventor: Dale Dietel
  • Patent number: 11885657
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium including at least one sensor element and a unit at least partially including a material with anisotropic thermal conductivity. According to the present disclosure the unit is frictionally connected to the sensor element, and in particular the unit is frictionally fastened on a surface of the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Wetzer GmbH+Co. KG
    Inventor: Harald Bründl
  • Patent number: 11863123
    Abstract: A circuit device includes an oscillation circuit that generates an oscillation signal using a resonator, a temperature detection circuit that outputs temperature detection data, a temperature compensation circuit, and a temperature detection rate control circuit. The temperature compensation circuit performs temperature compensation on an oscillation frequency of the oscillation signal based on the temperature detection data. The temperature detection rate control circuit controls a temperature detection rate at which the temperature detection circuit executes temperature detection. At this time, the temperature detection rate control circuit controls the temperature detection rate based on a variation in the temperature detection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Hideo Haneda, Yuichi Toriumi
  • Patent number: 11761806
    Abstract: A thermal flowmeter for measuring the mass flow rate of a medium in a measuring tube, includes: a measuring tube having a measuring tube wall; a sensor having four probes that project into the measuring tube from a main sensor body; and an electronic measuring/operating circuit designed to operate at least three probes and to generate and provide flow measurement values by operating the probes, each probe having a main probe body and an active probe body, the active probe body designed to heat the medium, to determine the temperature of the medium and/or to influence a flow of the medium in the measuring tube, wherein the main probe bodies span a rhombus on a surface of the main sensor body, and the rhombus is defined by centroid points of cross-sections of the main probe bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alexander Grün, Mathieu Habert
  • Patent number: 11543274
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for determining a flow of a medium through a pipe, as well as a method for operating the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a heating element at least partially in thermal contact with the medium and which is heatable by means of a heating signal, and a first temperature sensor for registering a temperature of at least one component of the apparatus or the temperature of the medium. The heating element and the first temperature sensor are arranged outside of the pipe. The apparatus includes at least one coupling element, which is at least partially in thermal contact with the heating element, the first temperature sensor and/or a portion of the pipe or tube and serves to assure a thermal coupling between the heating element and the first temperature sensor and between the heating element and the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Wetzer GmbH+Co. KG
    Inventors: Alfred Umkehrer, Marc Schalles
  • Patent number: 11512811
    Abstract: A gearbox includes a housing including a lubricant reservoir, at least one gear system arranged in the housing, at least one lubricant delivery passage operable to direct a flow of lubricant from a lubricant reservoir onto the at least one gear system, at least one lubricant return passage operable to guide the flow of lubricant to the lubricant reservoir, and a lubricant-out sensor fluidically connected to the at least one lubricant return passage. The lubricant-out sensor is operable to detect a non-pressure based parameter of the lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adam R. Glasser, Dwaine Wint, John J. Baldyga, Michael F. Mullen, David M. Lutian, Lindsey McKan
  • Patent number: 11466691
    Abstract: A fault control protects a pump-motor assembly from monitored faults. The pump-motor assembly includes an electrical motor mechanically coupled to a pump. The fault control determines a speed of the motor. If the speed is determined to be less than a minimum speed, the fault control generates a fault signal to affect the operation of the motor. The fault control can also determine if a phase of the power provided to the motor is missing based on vibrations sensed by a vibration transducer. The fault control can also determine temperature faults based on signals from two thermocouples, including determination of loss of inlet or discharge flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Michael Fox, Amjad Masood, Benjamin W. Schafer, Russell Jonathan Bookout, Andrew Justin Buuck, Zachary Keith Foster
  • Patent number: 11204270
    Abstract: A flow measuring device comprising a measurement signal-generating sensor element and a metal connection element, especially one manufactured in a generative manufacturing method, for connecting the measurement signal-generating sensor element with an opening or sensor nozzle of a tube, where the connection element is connected with a pressure-bearing component comprising a sleeve and a wall, which extends over the entire cross section in parallel projection in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the sleeve, wherein the pressure bearing component has at least one electrical cable guide and a potting compound, wherein the potting compound fills the sleeve partially or completely, and wherein the pressure bearing component is arranged in the opening or in the sensor nozzle of the tube radially behind the connection element with reference to the longitudinal axis of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Stephan Gaberthüel, Alexander Grün
  • Patent number: 11199465
    Abstract: A method of distributed fibre optic sensing is described. In an example, a series of interrogations are launched into an optical fibre, each interrogation comprising interrogating radiation in at least one pulse pair, wherein the pulses of a pulse pair are introduced to the optical fibre with a time interval therebetween. Radiation backscattered therefrom is sampled, so as to obtain at least one sample from each interrogation. Phase modulation in the samples is determined and components of the phase modulation which are below a threshold frequency are isolated. Such a method of sensing could be used, for example, to monitor changes in temperature of the optical fibre.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventors: Roger Crickmore, Andrew Ridge
  • Patent number: 11175167
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a thermal flowmeter comprising at least one measurement sensor having at least one sensor element for determining a measured value for determining the flow rate of a medium. A measurement transducer determines the flow rate using the determined measured value. A tubular connecting element connects the measurement sensor to the measurement transducer and a protective sleeve is provided, which is mechanically connected to the tubular connecting element. The protective sleeve has a sleeve casing having at least two openings, an inflow opening through which the medium can be delivered to the measurement sensor and an outflow opening through which the medium can flow out of the measurement sensor. The connection between the protective sleeve and the tubular connecting element is a connection which is positively engaged at least in part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Stephan Gaberthüel
  • Patent number: 11002617
    Abstract: A physical quantity measurement device that measures a physical quantity of a fluid has an inflow port and an outflow port, and includes a passage flow channel, a branch flow channel, and a physical quantity detector. An inner peripheral surface of the passage flow channel extends over a pair of facing surfaces, which face each other across the flow passage boundary portion and the inflow port on an upstream side of the flow channel boundary portion. The inner peripheral surface further includes an inflow step surface which forms a step facing the inflow port side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noboru Kitahara
  • Patent number: 10976287
    Abstract: One or more embodiments relates a single port surface acoustic wave sensor (SAW) device adapted for use in a wide range of operational temperatures and gas phase chemical species. The device includes a piezoelectric crystal substrate; at least one interdigitated electrode/transducer (IDT) positioned on the piezoelectric crystal substrate; and at least one conducting metal oxide film positioned on the piezoelectric crystal substrate and in communication with at least the IDT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Paul R Ohodnicki, Jr., Robert Fryer, Jagannath Devkota
  • Patent number: 10971748
    Abstract: A system for controlling airflow through a fuel cell circuit includes a fuel cell stack. The system also includes a valve having a valve position that affects a pressure of the gas and a valve area corresponding to a cross-sectional area of the valve through which the gas may flow. The system also includes a memory designed to store a map or function that correlates the valve area to the valve position. The system also includes an ECU to determine or receive a desired mass flow rate of the gas through the valve, and calculate a desired valve area to achieve the desired mass flow rate. The ECU is also designed to compare the desired valve area to the map or function to determine a desired valve position that provides the desired valve area, and to control the valve to have the desired valve position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Jared Farnsworth, Daniel Folick, Shigeki Hasegawa, Naoki Tomi
  • Patent number: 10753300
    Abstract: A flow rate detector includes a detection circuit, which is configured to output as an analog signal a voltage in accordance with a flow rate of air flowing through an intake pipe, and a conversion circuit, which is configured to convert the analog signal input from the detection circuit to a digital signal based on an analog-to-digital conversion characteristic to output the digital signal. The analog signal that corresponds to a forward flow direction and is input to the conversion circuit is set to have a value larger than an input voltage range in which a missing code may occur in the analog-to-digital conversion characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Morinaga, Yuji Ariyoshi, Masahiro Kawai, Shinichiro Hidaka
  • Patent number: 10655995
    Abstract: A method of deriving a conclusion of the condition of slurry flow in a non-vertical conduit includes artificially generating a first locally heated spot on an interior surface of the conduit at the invert of the conduit and artificially generating a second locally heated spot on the interior surface of the conduit at a location angularly spaced from the first heated spot at an angular spacing of at least 90°. The temperatures of the heated spots are measured, obtaining first and second temperature values T1, T2. Electronically generated signals carrying the values T1, T2 are communicated to an electronic computing device. The computing device automatically calculates a first temperature difference T1 minus T2 and automatically derives a conclusion of the condition of slurry flow prevailing in the conduit based on the relationship between the value of the first temperature difference and a first reference parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: CSIR
    Inventor: Hartmut Johannes Ilgner
  • Patent number: 10337898
    Abstract: A sensor unit for measuring a mass flow rate of a liquid hot-melt adhesive is disclosed. The sensor unit includes a flow channel for the hot-melt adhesive, a first temperature measurement device positioned at a first position in the flow channel, a second temperature measurement device positioned at a second position in the flow channel and a heating device assigned to the second temperature measurement device, and a control unit for controlling the heating device and for measuring the mass flow rate. The controller is configured to adjust the temperature of the heating device assigned to the second temperature measurement device to a value, to determine the heating power for heating the heating device assigned to the second temperature measurement device, and to calculate the mass flow rate in the flow channel. The first and second temperature measurement devices are arranged substantially parallel to each other in the flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Sven Röhring, Ralf Mohrdieck, Helge Lippelt, Andreas Bornkessel
  • Patent number: 10288464
    Abstract: A mass flowmeter includes a flow sensor having a first sensor part and a second sensor part formed on both sides of a heater part. The flow sensor is formed of a thermoplastic resin, and is configured of a multi-layer substrate including a plurality of stacked insulating layers, and a first conductor and a second conductor and formed on these insulating layers and connected to each other. The multi-layer substrate is formed by pressurizing and heating the plurality of insulating layers for integration. When a fluid having heat released from the heater part is moved along the one face of the flow sensor, the first and the second sensor parts and generate electromotive forces in the level corresponding to temperature differences generated between the one face and the other face in the first and the second sensor parts. The flow sensor has a structure manufactured by pressurizing and heating the plurality of insulating layers for integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshikazu Harada, Atusi Sakaida
  • Patent number: 9944868
    Abstract: Processes for producing jet fuel are disclosed. In one embodiment, syngas is converted to methanol, and a first portion of the methanol is converted to olefins using a methanol-to-olefins catalyst. The olefins are then oligomerized under conditions that provide olefins in the jet fuel range. The olefins can then optionally be isomerized and/or hydrotreated. A second portion of the methanol is converted to dimethyl ether, which is then reacted over a catalyst to form jet fuel-range hydrocarbons and aromatics. All or part of the two separate product streams can be combined, to provide jet fuel components which include isoparaffins and aromatics in the jet fuel range. The syngas is preferably derived from biomass or another renewable carbon-containing feedstock, thereby providing a biorefining process for the production of renewable jet fuel. In another embodiment, the process starts with methanol, rather than producing the methanol from syngas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: David Bradin
  • Patent number: 9939300
    Abstract: In order to achieve measurement with high precision by suitably correcting a measurement error, a hot-type fluid measurement device includes a module having a passage section and a circuit chamber, a sensor element disposed in the passage section, and a circuit element disposed in the circuit chamber. The circuit element includes a correction section that corrects flow rate information detected by the sensor element from temperature difference information of a temperature of a fluid and a temperature of the module, and at least one temperature of the temperature of the fluid or the temperature of the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Asano, Masahiro Matsumoto, Hiroshi Nakano, Ryo Sato
  • Patent number: 9829462
    Abstract: A gas sensor element includes a laminate formed of a detecting element section and a heater section, and a porous protection layer covering a forward end portion of the laminate. The detecting element section has one or more cells having a solid electrolyte body and a pair of electrodes. The heater section has a heater. Side surfaces of the solid electrolyte bodies in parallel with the direction of lamination are covered with dense insulating members. The cell-to-be-controlled is temperature controlled by the heater to 600° C. to 830° C. The porous protection layer is formed on the laminate from a forward end portion to a region which has a temperature of 500° C. or higher when the temperature control is performed, and the porous protection layer is not formed in a region which has a temperature of 300° C. or lower when the temperature control is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Syun Sakuma, Masaki Onkawa, Yuta Oishi, Nobuo Furuta, Masaki Mizutani
  • Patent number: 9766106
    Abstract: A thermal air flow sensor that produces less measurement error is provided. The thermal air flow sensor includes: a semiconductor substrate; a heating resistor, resistance temperature detectors, and an electrical insulator that includes a silicon oxide film, wherein the heating resistor, the resistance temperature detectors, and the electrical insulator are formed on the semiconductor substrate; and a diaphragm portion formed by removing a portion of the semiconductor substrate. The heating resistor and the resistance temperature detectors are formed on the diaphragm portion. The thermal air flow sensor further includes a silicon nitride film formed as the electrical insulator above the heating resistor and the resistance temperature detectors. The silicon nitride film has steps conforming to the patterns of the heating resistor and the resistance temperature detectors. The silicon nitride film has a multilayer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Ishitsuka, Keiji Hanzawa, Yasuo Onose, Noriyuki Sakuma
  • Patent number: 9719824
    Abstract: A thermal air flow sensor that offers high flow rate measurement accuracy is provided. The thermal air flow sensor includes a measuring element. The measuring element includes: a semiconductor substrate; a heating resistor and a temperature measuring resistor both formed as a result of thin films being stacked over the semiconductor substrate; an electronic insulator including a silicon oxide film; and a diaphragm portion formed after part of the semiconductor substrate is removed. The heating resistor and the temperature measuring resistor are formed over the diaphragm portion. In the thermal air flow sensor, a ratio of an area occupied by the thin films to an area of the measuring element ranges between 40% and 60%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Ishitsuka, Yasuo Onose, Noriyuki Sakuma, Hiroshi Nakano
  • Patent number: 9719823
    Abstract: A gas meter is provided. The gas meter has a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a measuring section. A measuring device for thermal flow measurement can be arranged in the measuring section. A filtering device for removing particulate impurities is arranged downstream of the gas inlet. Gas diverted from the main gas flow is supplied to the filtering device for purifying the gas. After the purification, the purified gas is fed to the measuring device arranged downstream of the filtering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: HYDROMETER GMBH
    Inventor: Hans-Michael Sonnenberg
  • Patent number: 9243943
    Abstract: An air-flow sensor is configured to be positioned in an air-flow and attached to a surface in a manner that allows air to flow over an extremity of the sensor. The air-flow sensor includes a base plate, a first heater, a first temperature sensor, a spacer, a second heater, a second temperature sensor, and a cap. The base plate is configured to be the coupled to the surface. The first heater is positioned on the base plate and is configured to heat the base plate. The first temperature sensor is positioned to measure a first temperature of the first heater. The spacer is positioned on the first heater and the second heater is positioned on the spacer. The second temperature sensor is positioned to measure a second temperature of the second heater. The cap is positioned on the second heater, which is configured to heat the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Arden L. Moore, Katie L. Pizzolato, Carrie Sitten Westmark
  • Publication number: 20150122009
    Abstract: Systems and methods for temperature compensated flow sensing are provided. One system includes a flow disturber disposed in a flow conduit, wherein the flow disturber is configured to impart a flow disturbance to the fluid flow. The system further includes a plurality of flow sensors disposed in the flow conduit, wherein the plurality of sensors are responsive to flow characteristics in the flow conduit. The system also includes at least one temperature sensor disposed in the flow conduit, wherein the at least one temperature sensor is responsive to temperature characteristics in a vicinity of the plurality of flow sensors. The system additionally includes a measurand separator configured to generate an output signal based on at least one of the flow characteristics or temperature characteristics. The system includes a processor configured to determine a temperature compensated flow rate of the fluid flow in the flow conduit using the output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Ertugrul Berkcan, Ibrahim Issoufou Kouada, Michael Klitzke, Nannan Chen
  • Patent number: 9021878
    Abstract: The present invention is flow rate meters which are able to accurately measure the volumetric rate of flow of a liquid through a conduit without requiring foreknowledge of the physicochemical characteristics of the liquid, e.g., for the purpose of calibration of the thermal mass flow rate. One application of the flow meters of the invention is to incorporate them in a system for measuring the flow rate of urine excreted by a catheterized patient. The invention also provides methods for using the flow rate meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Renalsense Ltd.
    Inventors: Mor Grinstein, Jack Yehoshua Mantinband, Shmuel Bentov, Michael Adler
  • Publication number: 20150096365
    Abstract: A pair of half hollow members are mated to each other at mating surfaces to form a resin filling space between the mating surfaces. The resin filling space is charged with melting resin, and the melting resin is solidified. Each of the mating surface has a groove. The groove has a bottom surface in which a hole opens. The groove and the hole form the resin filling space between the mating surfaces when the half hollow members are mated to each other. A wall surface of the groove and an inner circumferential periphery of the hole are equipped with a melting projection, which are configured to be melted with heat of the melting resin and to be solidified with the melting resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Takashi Ooga, Akiyuki Sudou
  • Patent number: 9000944
    Abstract: A mechanical fluid meter, for liquid or gas, includes an electronic device (E) that has means for metering, and generally also displaying, consumption, said fluid meter including: at least one fluid temperature sensor (3) near the meter and at least one ambient temperature sensor (4) where the meter is installed; a connection means between the temperature sensors (3, 4) and the electronic device (E); and analysis means (5) for establishing the temperature difference (??) between the fluid temperature and the ambient temperature and for taking into account the fluid flow rate value supplied by the meter, said analysis means being programmed so as to display and/or transmit information indicating a meter blockage when the temperature difference (??) is higher than a predetermined limit and the flow rate value supplied by the meter is zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Suez Environnement
    Inventor: Jean-Paul Borlee
  • Publication number: 20150082910
    Abstract: System and methods for determining a non-condensable gas parameter relating to the amount of non-condensable gas within a variable flow rate fluid flow containing both non-condensable gas and condensate are disclosed. An apparatus may include a measurement tube for receiving the fluid flow and arranged such that the fluid flow through the measurement tube comprises alternating sections of non-condensable gas and condensate; a flow sensor for generating a flow rate signal relating to the flow rate of the fluid flow in the measurement tube; a phase sensor for monitoring over time the alternating sections of non-condensable gas and condensate flowing through the measurement tube and arranged generates a phase signal characteristic of the said sections monitored; and a non-condensable gas determining unit configured to determine a non-condensable gas parameter relating to the amount of non-condensable gas in the fluid flow based on the flow rate signal and phase signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Nashtara Islam, Peter Usher, Ben Frisby, David Oliver
  • Patent number: 8978455
    Abstract: A sensor device for detecting a flow property of fluid medium, e.g., an air flow in the intake tract or the charge air tract of an internal combustion engine, includes: a sensor housing introduced into the air flow and having at least one housing body, at least one cover, and at least one channel through which the fluid medium flows; a sensor element for detecting the flow property, the sensor element being held on a top side of a carrier. The carrier is situated at least partially in the channel and has a cross section which becomes wider in parallel with the main flow direction of the fluid medium at the location of the sensor element in a sectional plane in parallel to the main flow direction of the fluid medium in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Mais, Ulrich Wagner, Andreas Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 8959994
    Abstract: In a thermal sensor. a capacitor voltage of a capacitor is compared with a reference voltage, and an output voltage is generated based on the comparison. The output voltage has a pulse density indicative of a temperature detected by the thermal sensor. The capacitor is charged or discharged using at least one of a first current signal or a second current signal based on a logic level of the output voltage. The first current signal is a temperature-independent signal, and the second current signal is a temperature-dependent signal dependent on the temperature detected by the thermal sensor. In some embodiments, a clock rate of a clock signal is varied in accordance with the detected temperature to control a timing operation for supplying the first current signal to the capacitor and/or the reference voltage is varied in accordance with the detected temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia Liang Tai, Alan Roth, Eric Soenen
  • Patent number: 8950273
    Abstract: Method and thermal, flow measuring device for determining at least one variable dependent on at least the chemical composition of a measured medium, wherein the measured medium has n components, wherein n is greater than or equal to two, wherein each mole fraction, volume fraction and/or mass fraction of m components of the medium is measured, wherein m is smaller than or equal to n minus one, wherein the mole fractions, volume fractions and/or mass fractions of the k components of the measured medium which are not measured, and wherein k is equal to n minus m, are established in such a manner, that the sum of the mole fractions, volume fractions and/or mass fractions of the n components amounts to one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Michel Wagner
  • Patent number: 8943887
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a flow sensing apparatus including: a fluid channel that allows a fluid to flow in a first direction; a first thermoelectric sensing element arranged at a first position along the fluid channel such that it senses a temperature of the fluid; a second thermoelectric sensing element arranged at a second position along the fluid channel and separated from the first sensing element by a predetermined distance along the fluid channel; and a heating element arranged between the first and second thermoelectric sensing elements, the heating element being equally spaced from the first and second thermoelectric sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Geoff C. Gerhardt
  • Patent number: 8935843
    Abstract: A thermal, flow measuring device for determining and/or monitoring the flow of a measured medium through a measuring tube. The thermal, flow measuring device includes: a first pin-shaped shell and at least a second pin-shaped shell; a first resistance thermometer and at least a second resistance thermometer. At least the first resistance thermometer is embodied so as to be heatable, wherein the resistance thermometers, in each case, have a first surface, and at least a second surface, which lies opposite the first surface. The first pin-shaped shell surrounds the first resistance thermometer, and the second pin-shaped shell surrounds the second resistance thermometer. The pin-shaped shells are fillable with a fill material. In each case, at least one spacer is placeable between the pin-shaped shell and the first surface of the resistance thermometer, and the second surface of the resistance thermometer is at least partially covered with fill material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser FLowtec AG
    Inventors: Dirk Boguhn, Jiri Holoubek, Axel Pfau, Oliver Popp, Jiri Polak
  • Publication number: 20150000394
    Abstract: A sensor system has at least one first sensor element for measuring a first physical variable and a second sensor element for measuring a second physical variable. The first sensor element is part of an application-specific integrated circuit which, in addition to the first sensor element, has further electronic circuits. The second sensor element is arranged separately and outside the application-specific integrated circuit. The second sensor element is electrically connected to the application-specific integrated circuit via a first connection point. The application-specific integrated circuit is configurable via the first connection point and the measurement signal from the second sensor element can be read out via the first connection point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Thorsten Knittel, Stephan Schürer, Stephen Setescak
  • Patent number: 8919209
    Abstract: A device for measuring the physical characteristics of a flow within a pipe is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a plug attached to two or more strut assemblies, each strut assembly comprising a forward strut, a rearward strut, and a skid having an inner surface that faces the plug, and one or more sensors located on the inner surface of the skid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Edward Randall Furlong
  • Publication number: 20140373621
    Abstract: A method for determining at least one gas parameter, of a flowing gas, by means of a flow meter, comprising a measurement section having a heating element and at least three temperature sensors, over which the gas is fed, at least one first temperature sensor being arranged upstream of the heating element, at least one second temperature sensor being arranged in the region of the heating element, and at least one third temperature sensor being arranged downstream of the heating element, wherein a calculation unit determines the at least one gas parameter as a function of the temperature measurement values at the first, second and third temperature sensors, and/or at least two separate gas parameters as a function of the temperature measurement values of individual different temperature sensors and/or the combinations of temperature measurement values of different temperature sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: HYDROMETER GMBH
    Inventor: Christian SCHIRM
  • Publication number: 20140360261
    Abstract: A thermal type air flow meter that is capable of suppressing deformation of a base member at the time of molding is disclosed, to thereby secure dimension accuracy and reduce an influence of a dimension change on measuring accuracy. The meter includes a housing member placed in an intake passage of an internal combustion engine, and a base member fixed to the housing member and includes a secondary air passage into which part of air passing through the intake passage flows. The base member is a plate-like resin molded component formed of a synthetic resin material and includes a reinforcing structure integrally formed between a board fixing part to which a circuit board is fixed; and a secondary passage constituting part formed at a leading end part of the board fixing part, the reinforcing structure enhancing strength of the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Takeshi MORINO, Chihiro KOBAYASHI, Yuki OKAMOTO, Tsutomu KONO
  • Publication number: 20140360260
    Abstract: Methods and systems for inferring a fuel level in a fuel tank based on temperature changes in a carbon canister are disclosed. In one example approach a method comprises, indicating a fuel level in a fuel tank based on a temperature change of adsorbent in a carbon canister during refueling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Mark Daniel Bunge, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
  • Publication number: 20140360262
    Abstract: A flow rate measuring device with high precision is provided. The flow rate measuring device includes a sub-passage that takes a part of the fluid flowing in a main passage, first temperature measuring means for measuring a temperature of the fluid flowing in the passage, second temperature measuring means for measuring a temperature of a fluid flowing in the sub-passage, detecting means for detecting a flow rate of the fluid flowing in the sub-passage, and measuring means for measuring a flow rate of the fluid flowing within the main channel on the basis of an output of the first temperature measuring means, an output of the second temperature measuring means, and an output of the detecting means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Satoshi Asano, Masahiro Matsumoto, Hiroshi Nakano, Keiji Hanzawa, Ryosuke Doi
  • Publication number: 20140352453
    Abstract: Flowmeter for a fluid, comprising a duct unit which forms the ducts of the flowmeter, the duct unit having a plurality of ducts in a measurement region, and at least one measuring device being arranged in one of these ducts, the duct unit comprising a dividing device with one or more dividing stages for apportioning the fluid flowing into the flowmeter to the ducts, the or each dividing stage comprising at least one damming element which apportions fluid flowing through an inflow duct to at least two subducts, characterized in that the dividing device and/or an accelerating device, which is arranged in at least one of the ducts between the dividing device and measurement region, are/is designed to accelerate the fluid in such a way that the fluid has a first flow velocity upstream of the dividing device and in the measurement region a second flow velocity which is at least 1.5 times as high, in particular at least twice as high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: HYDROMETER GMBH
    Inventor: Hans-Michael SONNENBERG
  • Publication number: 20140352423
    Abstract: A method is provided to operate a thermal anemometer flow meter to measure a property of a stream. The method includes measuring a first heat loss to the stream from operating at a first DeltaT above a temperature of the stream, measuring a second heat loss to the stream from operating at a second DeltaT above the temperature of the stream where the second DeltaT being greater than the first DeltaT. The method further includes determining the property of the stream based on the first and the second heat losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel R. Kurz, Bruce B. Burton, Ralph A. Dalla Betta
  • Patent number: 8890678
    Abstract: A plug-and-play sensor peripheral component includes an electrically conductive physical connector; an electrical connector; a transformer; and an RF communication and data storage circuit. The electrical connector is electrically connected to the physical connector by a first conductive path. The transformer is electrically connected to the RF communication and data storage circuit. The transformer and the RF communication and data storage circuit are electrically isolated from the physical connector and the electrical connector. Electrically connecting the physical connector to the electrical connector by other than the first conductive path inductively couples the RF communication and data storage circuit to the first conductive path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Clarence Edward Holmstadt
  • Patent number: 8857270
    Abstract: A method for detecting plugging of a measuring tube. Heat is supplied to a medium conveyed in a first measuring tube by means of at least one heating element, or heat is removed from the medium conveyed in a first measuring tube by means of at least one cooling element. At least one temperature sensor, which is thermally coupled to the medium conveyed in the first measuring tube, temperature is registered. Additionally, a first comparison variable, which is characteristic for heat transport by the medium in the first measuring tube, is determined based on the supplying of heat or removing of heat, as well as on the temperature registering, and this comparison variable is compared with a reference variable. Plugging of at least one measuring tube of the measuring transducer is detected if the first comparison variable deviates from the reference variable by more than a limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Hao Zhu, Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Rieder
  • Publication number: 20140290355
    Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal imaging for measuring mixing of fluids are provided. In one embodiment, a method for measuring mixing of gaseous fluids using thermal imaging comprises: positioning a thermal test medium parallel to a direction gaseous fluid flow from an outlet vent of a momentum source, wherein when the source is operating, the fluid flows across a surface of the medium; obtaining an ambient temperature value from a baseline thermal image of the surface; obtaining at least one operational thermal image of the surface when the fluid is flowing from the outlet vent across the surface, wherein the fluid has a temperature different than the ambient temperature; and calculating at least one temperature-difference fraction associated with at least a first position on the surface based on a difference between temperature measurements obtained from the at least one operational thermal image and the ambient temperature value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Charles BOOTEN, Jeff TOMERLIN, Jon WINKLER
  • Publication number: 20140251003
    Abstract: A gas meter, having a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a measuring section, in which a measuring device, in particular a measuring device for thermal flow measurement, is arranged, wherein a filtering device for removing particulate impurities is arranged downstream of the gas inlet, characterized in that the filtering device (9) is supplied with and purifies only a gas portion which is diverted from the main gas flow, after which the purified gas portion is fed to the measuring device (5) arranged downstream of the filtering device (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: HYDROMETER GMBH
    Inventor: Hans-Michael Sonnenberg
  • Patent number: 8813556
    Abstract: An intake temperature sensor capable of precisely detecting the temperature of intake at high speed even in a low air mass flow zone is provided. In an intake temperature sensor having a temperature detecting element 6 inserted in an opening provided in an intake pipe 3 to be disposed in the intake pipe, a temperature detecting element is mechanically joined with a heat sink 4 directly exposed to the flow of the intake flowing in the intake pipe, and the temperature of the intake is output based on an output obtained from the temperature detecting element. Thus, the thermal resistance of the temperature detecting element with respect to the intake flow can be reduced; therefore, the intake temperature sensor capable of precisely detecting the temperature of the intake at high speed even in the low air mass flow zone can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Matsumoto, Hiroshi Nakano, Keiji Hanzawa, Satoshi Asano