Abstract: The invention relates to a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) component or microfluidic component comprising a free-hanging or free-standing microchannel (1), as well as methods for manufacturing such a microchannel, as well as a flow sensor, e.g. a thermal flow sensor or a Coriolis flow sensor, pressure sensor or multi-parameter sensor, valve, pump or microheater, comprising such a microelectromechanical system component or microfluidic component. The MEMS component allows to increase the flow range and/or decrease the pressure drop of for instance a micro Coriolis mass flow meter by increasing the channel diameter, while maintaining its advantages.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fabricating a micro machined channel, comprising the steps of providing a substrate of a first material and having a buried layer of a different material therein, and forming at least two trenches in said substrate by removing at least part of said substrate. Said trenches are provided at a distance from each other and at least partly extend substantially parallel to each other, as well as towards said buried layer. The method comprises the step of forming at least two filled trenches by providing a second material different from said first material and filling said at least two trenches with at least said second material; forming an elongated cavity in between said filled trenches by removing at least part of said substrate extending between said filled trenches; and forming an enclosed channel by providing a layer of material in said cavity and enclosing said cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flow measurement system for determining a flow of a medium, comprising a Coriolis flow sensor, a thermal flow sensor and a processing unit connected thereto. According to the invention, the processing unit is arranged for determining, based on the output signals of both the Coriolis flow sensor and the thermal sensor, at least one of the thermal conductivity and the specific heat capacity of a medium in the flow measurement system. The invention further relates to a method of determining at least one of the thermal conductivity and the specific heat capacity of a medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Coriolis flow sensor, comprising at least a Coriolis-tube, wherein the flow sensor comprises an excitation element for causing the tube to oscillate, as well as a detection element for detecting at least a measure of displacements of parts of the tube during operation. In some embodiments, the detection element comprises two detection elements that are positioned on both sides of the Coriolis tube, wherein the detection elements partly overlap each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid flow device (1), comprising a system chip (11) having a substrate (12), a flow channel (21) defined within said substrate, and a sensor unit (41) connected to said flow channel for determining a property of a fluid in said flow channel. Furthermore, a valve unit (30) is provided within said substrate, for regulating fluid flow through said flow channel. The valve unit comprises a valve chamber (31) defined within said substrate, and a valve member (32) that is movably arranged within the valve chamber. The flow channel has a connection channel part (22) defined within said substrate (12), wherein said connection channel part is connected to said valve unit. Further, control means connected to said valve unit and said sensor unit are provided. The control means are arranged for controlling said valve unit based on signals obtained by said sensor unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Coriolis flow sensor, comprising at least a Coriolis-tube, wherein the flow sensor comprises excitation means for causing the tube to oscillate, as well as detection means for detecting at least a measure of displacements of parts of the tube during operation. According to the invention, the detection means comprise two detection elements that are positioned on both sides of the Coriolis tube, wherein the detection elements partly overlap each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Coriolis flow sensor. The sensor comprises a housing and at least a Coriolis-tube with at least two ends being fixed in a tube fixation means. The flow sensor comprises excitation means for causing the tube to oscillate, as well as detection means for detecting at least a measure of displacements of parts of the tube during operation. According to the invention, the Coriolis flow sensor comprises a reference mass, as well as further excitation means arranged for causing the reference mass to oscillate during operation, as well as further detection means for detecting at least a measure of displacements of the reference mass during operation. Additionally, control means are provided for controlling the excitation means and/or further excitation means based on vibrations measured by the detection means and/or further detection means. This way a Coriolis flow sensor with active vibration isolation is obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid flow regulator device, comprising a valve member and a valve seat arranged to be movable with respect to each other such that a fluid flow surface area defined by the valve member and the valve seat can be changed. Furthermore, sensor means are provided for measuring a capacitance related to at least a measure of the fluid flow surface area. According to the invention, the sensor means are arranged such that the capacitance measured is inversely proportional to the distance between the valve member and the valve seat. In an embodiment, a reference capacitance relating to fluid flow conditions is measured.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for determining the combustion value of a fuel. The device (1) comprises a fuel inlet (40) for supplying the fuel to be measured to the device (1). A gas inlet (50) is provided for supplying an oxygen-containing gas to the device (1). The device (1) further comprises a combustion unit connected to the fuel inlet (40) and the gas inlet (50), which combustion unit is provided with a combustion chamber (7) for combusting the fuel to be measured therein. A gas outlet (8) connected to the combustion chamber (7) makes it possible to discharge the combusted gas. The device (1) according to the invention comprises a flow measurement unit (14), preferably of the Coriolis type, disposed between the fuel inlet (40) and the combustion chamber (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic flow meter comprising a flow tube for the fluid whose flow rate is to be determined. The flow meter comprises a transmitting element for emitting ultrasonic waves, which is provided on the outer jacket of the flow tube. A receiving element, which is provided on the outer jacket of the flow tube, is axially spaced from the transmitting element. An influencing element is provided between the transmitting element and the receiving element for influencing the velocity and/or the direction of a portion of the ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flow meter for determining a flow of a medium. The flow meter comprises a flow tube for transporting the medium whose flow is to be measured. The flow tube has a supply end and a discharge end disposed downstream thereof. The flow meter is provided with a first flow sensor for measuring the flow of the medium at a first position of the flow tube. The flow meter is provided with a second flow sensor for measuring the flow of the medium at a second position of the flow tube.

Abstract: A fluid flow meter is described that uses thermal tracers to measure flow speed. For fluid flowing through a conduit, the fluid is heated at a heating location in the conduit with a time-dependent heating strength. A speed of sound in fluid flowing in the conduit is measured at multiple sensing locations downstream from said heating location. The flow speed of the fluid is determined from a delay with which the time dependence is detected in the sound speeds measured at the sensing locations. A frequency of the variation of heating strength that is used to determine the flow speed is selected automatically based on the flow speed and/or other circumstances.

Abstract: Coriolis mass flowmeter with a Coriolis tube and with an optical detection device, which optical detection device includes at least one optical sensor for generating a signal that is representative of the movement of the Coriolis tube, the optical sensor comprising a light source and a photosensitive sensor, wherein the optical detection device includes elements for applying a constant voltage across the photosensitive sensor during operation independently of the current generated by the photosensitive sensor in response to incident light, as well as elements for determining the value of the current generated by the photosensitive sensor and converting it into an output signal.

Abstract: Fluid flows through a conduit. To measure flow speed the fluid is heated at a heating location in the conduit with a time-dependent heating strength. A speed of sound in fluid flowing in the conduit is measured at a plurality of sensing locations downstream from said heating location. The flow speed of the fluid is determined from a delay with which the time dependence is detected in the sound speeds measured at said sensing locations. In an embodiment a frequency of the variation of heating strength that is used to determine the flow speed is selected automatically dependent on the flow speed and/or other circumstances.

Abstract: Coriolis mass flowmeter with a Coriolis tube and with an optical detection device, which optical detection device comprises at least one optical sensor for generating a signal that is representative of the movement of the Coriolis tube, said optical sensor comprising a light source and a photosensitive sensor, wherein the optical detection device comprises means for applying a constant voltage across the photosensitive sensor during operation independently of the current generated by the photosensitive sensor in response to incident light, as well as means for determining the value of the current generated by the photosensitive sensor and converting it into an output signal.

Abstract: A mass flowmeter of the Coriolis type with a tube through which a medium flows during operation and with excitation elements for causing the entire tube or part thereof to perform a rotational vibration about a primary axis of rotation during operation. The excitation elements are electromagnetic and do not make contact with the tube during operation and have no components that are fastened to the tube. The tube is made of an electrically conducting material, and the excitation elements include first members for causing an electric current to flow through the tube during operation and second elements for generating a magnetic field at the area of a portion of the tube. The magnetic field is perpendicular to the direction of the current and in operation either the current or the magnetic field changes its sign periodically.

Abstract: A flow sensor of the thermal type having a U-shaped sensor tube with two legs and a connecting limb with two adjoining electrical resistance elements, and with a housing. The sensor tube has an inlet side and an outlet side. The housing has a first and a second housing part of a thermally well-conducting material, each with an inner surface provided with cavities and with an outer surface. The housing parts are placed with their inner surfaces against each other, while the U-shaped sensor tube has a main surface that extends parallel to the inner surfaces. The housing parts surround the connecting limb and the legs of the U-shaped sensor tube such that the sensor tube is thermally clamped in between the housing parts in two locations: a first location situated between its inlet side and the upstream resistance element, and a second location situated between its outlet side and the downstream resistance element.

Abstract: A mass flowmeter of the Coriolis type with a tube through which a medium flows during operation and with excitation elements for causing the entire tube or part thereof to perform a rotational vibration about a primary axis of rotation during operation. The excitation elements are electromagnetic and do not make contact with the tube during operation and have no components that are fastened to the tube. More The tube is made of an electrically conducting material, and the excitation elements include first members for causing an electric current to flow through the tube during operation and second elements for generating a magnetic field at the area of a portion of the tube. The magnetic field is perpendicular to the direction of the current and in operation either the current or the magnetic field changes its sign periodically.

Abstract: A mass flowmeter of the Coriolis type with a tube through which a medium flows during operation and with excitation elements for causing the entire tube or part thereof to perform a rotational vibration about a primary axis of rotation during operation. The excitation elements are electromagnetic and do not make contact with the tube during operation and have no components that are fastened to the tube. More The tube is made of an electrically conducting material, and the excitation elements include first members for causing an electric current to flow through the tube during operation and second elements for generating a magnetic field at the area of a portion of the tube. The magnetic field is perpendicular to the direction of the current and in operation either the current or the magnetic field changes its sign periodically.

Abstract: A mass flowmeter of the Coriolis type with a tube that forms a mechanically closed loop through which a medium flows during operation, and with preferably electromagnetic, contactless excitation elements for causing the loop to rotate in an oscillatory mode about an axis of rotation during operation. The loop has a starting point and an end point. The starting and end points are situated close together and are connected to a flexible inlet tube and a flexible outlet tube, respectively, which extend preferably in parallel and close together. The loop is resiliently suspended from the frame of the flowmeter via the flexible inlet and outlet tubes, which preferably form one integral piece with the tube of the loop.