Abstract: A thermal sensor device is configured to determine a fluid parameter of a fluid based on the heat transfer behavior of the fluid. The sensor device comprises one or more heaters and means for determining a response of the sensor device to heater power being supplied to the heaters. For detecting sensor faults, the sensor device is operated in two different modes of operation. First and second values (cstatic, cdynamic) of the same fluid parameter are determined in the two modes. A fault indicator value (F) is derived by comparing the first and second values. The first mode of operation may be a steady-state mode, the first value (cstatic) being based on a steady-state response of the sensor device to heater power being supplied to the heaters, and the second mode of operation may be a dynamic mode, the second value (cstatic) being based on a transient response.

Abstract: In a method of determining a flow rate of a flow of a fluid of interest in a fluidic system, a raw flow rate signal (Qsensor) is determined using a flow rate sensor. The raw flow rate signal is corrected using a flow rate correction function (?) to obtain a corrected flow rate signal (Qsensor,corr). The flow rate correction compensates for a flow rate signal error that is caused by integration of the flow rate sensor into the fluidic system. It is based on a reference correction function (?) that is indicative of a flow rate signal error for a flow of a reference fluid due to the integration of the flow rate sensor into the fluidic system.

Abstract: A thermal sensor device serves for determining a concentration of a target gas in a gas sample that further comprises a disturbance gas. The thermal sensor device comprises first and second measurement structures (1, 2) comprising first and second temperature sensors (TS1, TS2) and a heater element (31) operable to cause heat transfer to the measurement structures through the gas sample. Processing circuitry provides heating power (P3) to the heater element and derives an output signal (S) based on a response of the temperature sensors to the heating power, the output signal being indicative of a concentration of the target gas in the gas sample. The first and second measurement structures have different heat dissipation capabilities, and the processing circuitry derives the output signal from a weighted difference of temperature signals from the first and second temperature sensors.

Abstract: A thermal sensor comprises an active element (41), e.g., a heater or cooler, at least one temperature sensor (31), and processing circuitry (50). The processing circuitry causes a change of power supplied to the active element (41). It then determines, at a plurality of times, a thermal parameter based on an output signal of the temperature sensors and analyzes the transient behavior of the thermal parameter. Based on this analysis, the processing circuitry determines a contamination signal that is indicative of a contamination on a sensing surface of the thermal sensor. If the thermal sensor comprises a plurality of temperature sensors arranged in different sectors of the sensing surface, a multi-sector thermal signal can be derived from the outputs of the sensors, and determination of the contamination signal can be based on the multi-sector thermal signal.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a sensor device for determining the thermal capacity of a natural gas. The sensor device comprises a substrate, a recess or opening arranged in the substrate, a first heating component and a first sensing component. The first heating component comprises a first heating structure and a temperature sensor and the first sensing component comprises a temperature sensor. The sensor device is configured to measure the thermal conductivity of the natural gas at a first measuring temperature and at a second measuring temperature. The sensor device is configured to determine a first, in particular a constant, and a second, in particular a linear temperature coefficient of a temperature dependency function of the thermal conductivity and to determine the thermal capacity of the natural gas based on a fitting function. The fitting function is dependent on the first and the second temperature coefficient.

Abstract: A thermal sensor device is configured to determine a fluid parameter of a fluid based on the heat transfer behavior of the fluid. The sensor device comprises one or more heaters and means for determining a response of the sensor device to heater power being supplied to the heaters. For detecting sensor faults, the sensor device is operated in two different modes of operation. First and second values (cstatic, cdynamic) of the same fluid parameter are determined in the two modes. A fault indicator value (F) is derived by comparing the first and second values. The first mode of operation may be a steady-state mode, the first value (cstatic) being based on a steady-state response of the sensor device to heater power being supplied to the heaters, and the second mode of operation may be a dynamic mode, the second value (cstatic) being based on a transient response.

Abstract: Dispensing of hot water having an adjustable temperature by way of a water outlet fitting that can be installed on a sink. This is achieved by a continuous flow heater and a measured value sensor arranged in a water inlet of the water outlet fitting as the hot water heater. The measured value sensor detects a measurement variable with regard to water flowing through the continuous flow heater (10). The water dispensing device has a control unit, which is designed to regulate a flow rate through the continuous flow heater as a function of measured values of the measured value sensor in order to adjust the temperature of the hot water.

Abstract: A method for determining fluid parameters, such as a heat capacity cP?, a calorific value Hp, a methane number MN, and/or a Wobbe index WI, of an unknown fluid (g). An unknown flow (55) of the fluid (g) is set in a sensor device (10), the sensor device (10) comprising a thermal flow sensor (1) and a pressure sensor device (15) for measuring at least one temperature value T1, T2, a further parameter, and differential pressure value ?? over a flow restrictor (14). Using these measurement parameters T1, T2, ?? and calibration data, the calorific value Hp, and/or the Wobbe index WI, or parameters indicative thereof, of an unknown fluid (g) are calculated. The invention also relates to such a sensor device (10) and to a computer program product for carrying out such a method.

Abstract: A regulation device for regulating a mixing ratio (x) of a gas mixture comprises a first conduit (1) for carrying a flow of a first gas (e.g., air) and a second conduit (2) for carrying a flow of a second gas (e.g., a fuel gas). The first and second conduits (1, 2) open out into a common conduit (3) in a mixing region (M) to form the gas mixture. A first sensor (S1) is configured to determine at least one thermal parameter of the gas mixture downstream from the mixing region. A control device (10) is configured to receive, from the first sensor, sensor signals indicative of the at least one thermal parameter of the gas mixture and to derive control signals for adjusting device (V1) acting to adjust the mixing ratio, based on the at least one thermal parameter.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a sensor device for determining the thermal capacity of a natural gas. The sensor device comprises a substrate, a recess or opening arranged in the substrate, a first heating component and a first sensing component. The first heating component comprises a first heating structure and a temperature sensor and the first sensing component comprises a temperature sensor. The sensor device is configured to measure the thermal conductivity of the natural gas at a first measuring temperature and at a second measuring temperature. The sensor device is configured to determine a first, in particular a constant, and a second, in particular a linear temperature coefficient of a temperature dependency function of the thermal conductivity and to determine the thermal capacity of the natural gas based on a fitting function. The fitting function is dependent on the first and the second temperature coefficient.

Abstract: A thermal sensor comprises an active element (41), e.g., a heater or cooler, at least one temperature sensor (31), and processing circuitry (50). The processing circuitry causes a change of power supplied to the active element (41). It then determines, at a plurality of times, a thermal parameter based on an output signal of the temperature sensors and analyzes the transient behavior of the thermal parameter. Based on this analysis, the processing circuitry determines a contamination signal that is indicative of a contamination on a sensing surface of the thermal sensor. If the thermal sensor comprises a plurality of temperature sensors arranged in different sectors of the sensing surface, a multi-sector thermal signal can be derived from the outputs of the sensors, and determination of the contamination signal can be based on the multi-sector thermal signal.

Abstract: In a filter insert for use in a water outlet fitting with integrated drinking water filter, which has a structure closed on all sides and with an inner hollow space and in which at least a part of its outer surface is designed as a filter-active surface through which water to be filtered passes from the outside inward, a mouthpiece pointing outward in the shape of a collar and forming a mouth orifice is arranged which can be received by an opening in a fitting-side filter housing and from which filtered water can flow freely out of the inner hollow space without contact with the filter housing.

Abstract: Dispensing of hot water having an adjustable temperature by way of a water outlet fitting that can be installed on a sink. This is achieved by a continuous flow heater and a measured value sensor arranged in a water inlet of the water outlet fitting as the hot water heater. The measured value sensor detects a measurement variable with regard to water flowing through the continuous flow heater (10). The water dispensing device has a control unit, which is designed to regulate a flow rate through the continuous flow heater as a function of measured values of the measured value sensor in order to adjust the temperature of the hot water.

Abstract: A mass flow controller (10) comprises a fluid inlet (15) and at least one first flow meter (11) to measure a first flow rate (F1) and to output a first flow signal (FS1); at least one second flow meter (12) to measure a second flow (F2) rate and to output a second flow signal (FS2); a control device (13) connected to said first and second flow meters (11,12) and configured and arranged to generate a control signal (C); and at least one control valve (14) connected to said control device (13) to control a total flow rate (Fout) through the mass flow controller (10) in response to the control signal (C). The control signal (C) is generated as a function of both the first and second flow signals (FS1,FS2) such that the mass flow controller's (10) sensitivity to perturbations of said inlet pressure is minimized.

Abstract: A method for determining fluid parameters, such as a heat capacity cpp, a calorific value Hp, a methane number MN, and/or a Wobbe index WI, of an unknown fluid (g). An unknown flow (55) of the fluid (g) is set in a sensor device (10), the sensor device (10) comprising a thermal flow sensor (1) and a pressure sensor device (15) for measuring at least one temperature value T1, T2, a further parameter, and differential pressure value ?? over a flow restrictor (14). Using these measurement parameters T1, T2, ?p and calibration data, the calorific value Hp, and/or the Wobbe index WI, or parameters indicative thereof, of an unknown fluid (g) are calculated. The invention also relates to such a sensor device (10) and to a computer program product for carrying out such a method.

Abstract: Sampling device for samples containing DNA in particular, with a sample-collecting area provided at the free end of an elongate holding device, wherein the sample-collecting area is designed to be separable from the sampling device.

Abstract: Sampling device for samples containing DNA in particular, with a sample-collecting area provided at the free end of an elongate holding device, wherein the sample-collecting area is designed to be separable from the sampling device.

Abstract: The tailgate (1) or rear door for a motor vehicle with a rear window includes a single-piece main carrying structure (10) with a peripheral, flexurally resistant frame (11), with an upper transverse beam (12), two lateral longitudinal beams (13, 14) and at least one lower transverse beam (15). The main carrying structure consists of a fibre-reinforced moulding compound (20) with at least two impregnated, integrated continuous-fibre bands (21) and this moulding compound is non-positively connected to the rear window (2) and together with this forms a flexurally resistant structure. Thereby, the continuous-fibre bands (21) in sections are integrated into the frame (11) in an arrangement vertical (v) to the surface (H) of the tailgate, by way of the continuous-fibre bands (21) being arranged vertically to the surface (H) and/or at a vertical distance (d) to the surface (H).

Abstract: The method is for managing operation of a first apparatus belonging to a first communication system and exchanging within the first communication system a multi-carrier modulated signal on several sub-carriers. The method includes detecting at the first apparatus the presence of an interfering signal emitted from a victim apparatus on a sub-carrier. The method may also include determining at the first apparatus the path loss between both apparatuses, determining from the path loss and from an allowed interference level at the victim apparatus a maximum allowed transmit power on the sub-carrier of a multi-carrier modulated signal to be transmitted from the first apparatus, and adjusting within the first apparatus the processing of the multi-carrier modulated signal to be transmitted in accordance with the maximum allowed transmit power.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for decoding a composite radio signal at a receiver in an OFDM based radio communication system, said composite radio signal being a superposition of at least two signals sent by at least one transmitter, each signal having signal properties, in particular modulation scheme, coding scheme, said at least two signals being transmitted using the same radio resource on a set of frequency subchannels of said OFDM system. According to the present invention, the method comprises the steps of: gathering at said receiver information on said signal properties of the respective signals comprised in said composite radio signal; selecting, depending on said signal properties of said respective signals, the signal to be decoded first out of said composite radio signal; decoding said signal to be decoded first according to its signal properties, and subtracting the contribution of said signal to be decoded first from said composite radio signal.