Abstract: A sensor for measuring the flux of a gas and some simple alternate embodiments are disclosed. The sensor employs charged particle techniques and includes provision for compensating for environmentally produced changes in the charged particle source. The basic device includes an active region containing the charged particle source located between two upstream charged particle collectors and two downstream charged particle collectors, means for maintaining suitable electric fields between the charged particle source and the collectors, and means for measuring the electric current flowing in each collector. In operation, the sensor is able to compensate for changes in the charged particle source characteristics which would otherwise result in a change of sensor calibration.

Abstract: New and improved ion collection means for use in flow meter apparatus which utilizes the migration of ions transverse to the direction of flow of a moving fluid to determine flow characteristics are disclosed. The ion collector comprises individual strips of electrically conductive material arranged in an orderly manner at the collection site. The strips are physically separate and connected in electrical series with each other through suitable resistors which are protected from the flow of moving fluid.