Abstract: A flow rate meter including a substrate having at least one temperature-dependent resistor layer applied to it is retained in the flow of a medium by two retaining bodies parallel to one another. These retaining bodies are secured in a base body with a relatively small spacing from one another, which means the base body is not undesirably large in size. The novel flow rate meter permits one to reduce the size of the base body. Beginning at one connecting segment each, which extend parallel to one another, of each retaining body, each retaining body has a securing segment inclined with respect to the other retaining body; the securing segments protrude into the base body, extending directly next to one another. The flow rate meter is suitable in particular for measuring the mass or flow rate of aspirated air int he air intake tube of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method for producing an air flow rate meter substrate which includes at least one resistive film on one side of the substrate with a teardrop end face that faces the direction of air flow to be determined, formed by dipping the face end of the substrate into a liquid plastic or a lacquer composition.

Abstract: A device that measures the mass of air aspirated by an internal combustion engine. The device includes a hot wire which is supported by a plastic ring. Each end of the hot wire is connected to an angular connection plate which includes one end that protrudes to the outside of the ring to which an electrical connection is made, and a thin connection end which is embedded in the plastic ring to which ends of support points are connected and which the hot wire is secured.

Abstract: When an air flow rate meter is used in the intake tube of internal combustion engines, such a meter typically having a flat substrate with at least one resistor film disposed on it, the problem arises of dirt deposits on the substrate end face facing into the flow, which cause undesirable changes in the characteristic curve compared with the calibrated new state of the air flow rate meter. The novel embodiment of the air flow rate member is intended to enable calibration based on conditions expected in practice. To produce the effect, while the air flow rate meter is new, of long-term soiling of an air flow rate meter substrate over a period of operation, a leading body, for instance shaped as a U, is disposed on the end face of the substrate facing into the flow. The leading body simulates a soiled effect while the air flow rate meter is still new, and this effect is taken into account in the calibration.

Abstract: An air flow rate meter having a support body that protrudes into the air intake tube of an internal combustion engine and has an aperture in which a hot wire is deployed over support points. A support body protrudes vertically into a horizontally extending intake tube with two apertures, one above the other, and includes both a first hot wire in the first aperture and a second hot wire in the second aperture, each in the form of a V, with the required tension. Each hot wire is secured with each of its ends to a respective support point and is guided with a loop over a middle support point. It is particularly advantageous to dispose the ends of each hot wire with the support points on the upper end face of each aperture, because in that case the heat buildup ensuing during a burn-off procedure enables particularly good burnoff of the deposits on the ends of each hot wire and any solder at the intersections of the individual loops is protected from overheating which would destroy the solder.

Abstract: A method which serves to bond electrically conductive wires by means of heating and of a soldering material; it is applicable in particular to wire segments of a hot wire fastened on wire holders for measuring the mass of a flowing medium, where the wire segments intersect one another and form a loop. In the method, in a first operation, the wire to be bonded is guided around the respective wire holder such that it forms a loop, and a soldering segment provided with a layer of soldering material comes to rest in the vicinity of the intersection point of the wire segments, in fact only at one of the wire segments.

Abstract: An air flow rate meter for ascertaining the mass of the air flowing through an intake tube of an internal combustion engine. The air flow rate meter includes a temperature-dependent measuring resistor, which as a resistance wire is stretched out in an aperture of a carrier body and is disposed, as is a reference resistor, as an element in a common electrical bridge circuit. The carrier body protrudes into a flow cross section through which the air flows, and the reference resistor is wound, in the form of a reference resistor wire, on a partial segment spaced apart from the aperture. A compensating resistor is disposed in the aperture upstream of the measuring resistor and spaced apart as far as possible from the reference resistor.

Abstract: A device for measuring the mass of a flowing medium. The device includes a flat carrier to which at least one resistor layer is applied. Electrical conductor connections extending in alignment with one another are fixed on one end, with ends in elastic holder bodies and oriented with ends toward the carrier. On the other end, the ends of the electrical conductor connections rest with support segments each on one end face of the carrier and with fastening segments partially encompassing and gripping the carrier. The fastening segments are soldered or welded to a connecting layer or directly to the temperature-dependent resistor. As a result, the soldered or welded connection is held in a flexion-free and thrust-free manner on the fastening segments.

Abstract: An apparatus is proposed to measure the mass of a flowing medium, especially to measure the amount of aspirated air of internal combustion engines. The apparatus consists of an electronic regulating circuit and of a temperature-dependent measuring resistor in the form of a hot wire placed in the medium flow, which is led in the form of a coil around each of the hook-shaped ends of each of the supports. One end of the hot wire, the latter being covered with a thin, electrically insulating layer, is connected with the hook-shaped end in an electrically conducting manner, while the other end of the hot wire is connected with the hook-shaped end of the other support. The closely bundled hot wire coils can be covered with a common protective layer. The supports can serve as electrical connections for the hot wire and are fastened to a carrier.

Abstract: A method for preventing damage to a temperature-dependent resistor disposed in a flow cross section caused by overheating as a result of the ignition of a combustible, gaseous mixture during a burn-off procedure is proposed. A heating resistor is disposed in the flow cross section in the vicinity of the temperature-dependent resistor which is supplied with heating current by an electronic regulating circuit in such a manner that during the measuring operation the heating resistor has no current flowing through it, while immediately following the termination of the measuring operation but prior to the initiation of the burn-off procedure at the temperature-dependent resistor, the heating resistor experiences a flow of electric current through it, which heats it to an elevated temperature at which any combustible gases located in its vicinity ignite and burn.

Abstract: A method of securing a hot wire to holder wires within a carrier body by means of heating and soldering material applied to the holder wires. In this method, holder wires are provided with a layer of soldering material and secured in a carrier body, while in a second operation each holder wire is placed in a tool between conductive poles of an electrical current circuit. In a third operation, the hot wire to be secured in place is placed at each holder wire between the conductive poles of an electrical current circuit which in the fourth operation is operative in a manner limited in duration, until the melting temperature of the soldering material has been attained. The wires are held in place until the melted solder solidifies. The method according to the invention enables the automated contacting of electrically conductive wires such that the connection is capable of withstanding both corrosion and high temperatures.

Abstract: A flow rate meter, especially for measuring the air flow rate in the intake of internal combustion engines, in which a heatable wire is located for exposure to the air stream. A controller maintains the temperature or resistance of the heated wire constant, thereby permitting a determination of the air flow from the current required in the control process. In order to prevent internal stresses in the wire due to varying expansion, the two ends of the wire are firmly mounted in a support structure while at least one intermediate part is looped loosely around an intermediate support point. In order to prevent uncontrollable heat transfer from the loop to the third support point, the wire is electrically joined at the point where the parts of the wire forming the loop cross one another, thereby preventing electrical current from flowing in the loop. Furthermore, the sensitive parts of the wire lie in the main flow and do not closely approach the wall of the structure.