Abstract: Example systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed sensing a flow of fluid using a thermopile-based flow sensing device. An example apparatus includes a flow sensing device comprising a heating structure having a centerline. The flow sensing device may further comprise a thermopile. At least a portion of the thermopile may be disposed over the heating structure. The thermopile may comprise a first thermocouple having a first thermocouple junction disposed upstream of the centerline of the heating structure. The thermopile may further comprise a second thermocouple having a second thermocouple junction disposed downstream of the centerline of the heating structure.

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: Embodiments relate generally to a sensor for sensing a thermal property of a fluid and may comprise an upstream resistive element having a first resistance that changes with temperature; a downstream resistive element having a second resistance that changes with temperature, wherein the downstream resistive element is situated downstream of the upstream resistive element in the flow direction of the fluid; and at least one tail resistor configured to determine one or more thermal properties of the fluid, wherein the upstream resistive element and the downstream resistive element are operatively connected in a bridge circuit, wherein the at least one tail resistor is stable with temperature, and wherein the at least one tail resistor is electrically coupled to at least one of the upstream resistive element or the downstream resistive element.

Abstract: A sensing system that produces a multi-dynamic range output is provided. In an illustrative embodiment, a first channel and a second channel receive an analog output signal from a sensing element. The first channel provides a first digital output signal that has a first dynamic range, and the second channel provides a second digital output signal that has a second narrower dynamic range. In some cases, the second narrower dynamic range falls within the first dynamic range, and the first digital output signal may provide a first resolution and the second digital output signal may provide a second greater resolution. The dynamic range and/or resolution of one or more of the first channel and second channel may be dynamically reconfigurable, if desired.

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: Systems and methods for sensing pressure, and protecting a sensor within a sensor assembly. A sensor assembly may comprise a sensor having at least one pressure input port; a first housing configured to encapsulate the sensor; a second housing configured to attach to the first housing to encapsulate the sensor; a first O-ring located between the first housing and the sensor; a second O-ring located between the second housing and the sensor; and a printed circuit board configured to receive detected pressure information from the sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to methods and systems for filling a pressure sensor with a pressure transfer fluid, such as a gel, and preventing trapped air within the pressures sensor. A pressure sensor may comprise a substrate; a sense die mounted on the substrate; a housing configured to attach to the substrate over the sense die, wherein the housing comprises an opening to a hollow interior of the housing; and a gel material configured to fill the hollow interior of the housing and cover the sense die, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of shaped walls configured to direct the gel material as it fills the hollow interior of the housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing pressure, and protecting a sensor within a sensor assembly. A sensor assembly may comprise a sensor having at least one pressure input port; a first housing configured to encapsulate the sensor; a second housing configured to attach to the first housing to encapsulate the sensor; a first O-ring located between the first housing and the sensor; a second O-ring located between the second housing and the sensor; and a printed circuit board configured to receive detected pressure information from the sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a sensor for sensing a thermal property of a fluid and may comprise an upstream resistive element having a first resistance that changes with temperature; a downstream resistive element having a second resistance that changes with temperature, wherein the downstream resistive element is situated downstream of the upstream resistive element in the flow direction of the fluid; and at least one tail resistor configured to determine one or more thermal properties of the fluid, wherein the upstream resistive element and the downstream resistive element are operatively connected in a bridge circuit, wherein the at least one tail resistor is stable with temperature, and wherein the at least one tail resistor is electrically coupled to at least one of the upstream resistive element or the downstream resistive element.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of sensing a flow comprises performing a measurement cycle for a first period of time, powering off the at least one upstream resistive element and the at least one downstream resistive element for a second period of time, and performing another measurement cycle for a third period of time. Performing the measurement cycle comprises supplying a current to the upstream resistive element and the downstream resistive element arranged in a bridge, resistively heating the upstream resistive element and the downstream resistive element to a temperature above an ambient temperature, and detecting an imbalance in the bridge resulting from a temperature difference between the at least one upstream resistive element and the at least one downstream resistive element in response to the flow of a fluid past the flow sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a preloaded force sensor, the preloaded force being greater than a force threshold separating a non-linear response region of sensor operation from a substantially linear response region of sensor operation. In an illustrative embodiment, the total applied force includes the preloaded force and an externally-applied force, the preloaded force being predetermined such that electrical signal response is substantially linear for positive externally-applied forces which when added to the preload force do not exceed the maximum force. In some embodiments, the externally-applied force may be transferred to a force-sensing die via a force-transfer member. In an exemplary embodiment, a spring having a predetermined spring coefficient may apply the predetermined preload force to the force-transfer member. In an exemplary embodiment, externally-applied positive forces may be simply calibrated using gain and offset corrections.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a preloaded force sensor, the preloaded force being greater than a force threshold separating a non-linear response region of sensor operation from a substantially linear response region of sensor operation. In an illustrative embodiment, the total applied force includes the preloaded force and an externally-applied force, the preloaded force being predetermined such that electrical signal response is substantially linear for positive externally-applied forces which when added to the preload force do not exceed the maximum force. In some embodiments, the externally-applied force may be transferred to a force-sensing die via a force-transfer member. In an exemplary embodiment, a spring having a predetermined spring coefficient may apply the predetermined preload force to the force-transfer member. In an exemplary embodiment, externally-applied positive forces may be simply calibrated using gain and offset corrections.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sensors including pressure sensors, humidity sensors, flow sensors, etc. In some cases, a connector assembly for a sensor assembly may include an electrical connector, a printed circuit board and a conductive outer housing. The electrical connector may include a mechanical connector and electrical terminals exposed at a first end and at a second end of the mechanical connector. The electrical connector, printed circuit board and conductive outer housing may all be electrically connected to one another. In some instances, a plurality of electrical connectors having different mechanically shaped second ends and similarly shaped first ends may be provided, from which one electrical connector may be chosen for use in the connector assembly.

Abstract: The present disclose relates to sensor including multiple sensor elements. In some cases, the multiple sensor elements may be mounted on a single substrate and each may be configured to sense a single parameter with different resolutions, sensitivities, and/or ranges, and/or the multiple parameters. In one example, multiple pressure sensing die may be mounted in a single package, and each may be configured as a differential pressure sensor, an absolute pressure sensor, and/or a gauge pressure sensor, as desired.

Abstract: A force sensor system includes a substrate, a cover, a sensor, and a spherical force transfer element. The cover is coupled to the substrate, and has an inner surface, an outer surface, an opening extending between the inner and outer surfaces, and a wall structure extending from the inner surface that defines a sensor cavity between the inner surface and the substrate. The sensor is mounted on the substrate, is disposed within the sensor cavity, and is configured to generate a sensor signal representative of a force supplied to the sensor. The spherical force transfer element is disposed partially within the sensor cavity, is movable relative to the cover, extends from the opening in the cover, and engages the sensor. The spherical force transfer element is adapted to receive an input force and is configured, upon receipt of the input force, to transfer the input force to the sensor.

Abstract: A force sensor system includes a substrate, a cover, a sensor, and a spherical force transfer element. The cover is coupled to the substrate, and has an inner surface, an outer surface, an opening extending between the inner and outer surfaces, and a wall structure extending from the inner surface that defines a sensor cavity between the inner surface and the substrate. The sensor is mounted on the substrate, is disposed within the sensor cavity, and is configured to generate a sensor signal representative of a force supplied to the sensor. The spherical force transfer element is disposed partially within the sensor cavity, is movable relative to the cover, extends from the opening in the cover, and engages the sensor. The spherical force transfer element is adapted to receive an input force and is configured, upon receipt of the input force, to transfer the input force to the sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to pressure sensors. In one illustrative embodiment, the pressure sensor may include a pressure sensor assembly having pressure ports on opposite sides of the pressure sensor assembly. The pressure sensor may include a protective housing including a first housing member and a second housing member defining a cavity for securely housing the pressure sensor assembly. The protective housing may include a first port coupled to one of the pressure ports of the pressure sensor assembly and a second port coupled to the other pressure port of the pressure sensor assembly. In some cases, the protective housing may include one or more aligning features, one or more positioning features, and a boss, which can include two or more bumps, on each side of the cavity around the pressure ports.

Abstract: A multi-range pressure sensor apparatus and method that provide multiple signal paths for detecting a broad range of pressures with a high accuracy. A pressure transducer can be configured to include the use of a pressure sense die with piezoresistive elements integrated into the sensor die and in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. A sensed output signal from the sense die can be transferred to one or more amplifier circuits. A programmable compensation circuit can be utilized to multiplex different amplified output signals from each of the amplifier circuits and to provide a digital output. A memory associated with the programmable compensation circuit provides separate compensations, which are stored for each of the different signal paths and removes errors due to amplifier gain and offset.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sensors including pressure sensors, humidity sensors, flow sensors, etc. In some cases, a sensor assembly may include a pressure port connected to a sensor unit, an electrical connector connected to the sensor unit and an outer housing encompassing at least portions of the pressure port, sensor unit and electrical connector. In some instances, the sensor unit may include pressure signal output terminals electrically connected to electrical terminals of the electrical connector.

Abstract: The present disclose relates to sensor including multiple sensor elements. In some cases, the multiple sensor elements may be mounted on a single substrate and each may be configured to sense a single parameter with different resolutions, sensitivities, and/or ranges, and/or the multiple parameters. In one example, multiple pressure sensing die may be mounted in a single package, and each may be configured as a differential pressure sensor, an absolute pressure sensor, and/or a gauge pressure sensor, as desired.