Abstract: A sensor assembly for measuring a flow rate of a fluid is disclosed herein having an enclosure, a substrate positioned in the enclosure, the substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a first temperature sensor mounted on the first side of the substrate, a second temperature sensor mounted on the second side of the substrate, a heat source mounted on the first side of the substrate and a circuit connected to the first and second temperature sensors and outputting a signal indicative of a flow rate for the fluid. In one arrangement, the circuit can include a bridge circuit having first, second and third circuit branches wherein the third circuit branch bridges the first circuit branch with the second circuit branch and wherein the first temperature sensor is connected within the first circuit branch and the second temperature sensor is connected within the second circuit branch.

Abstract: A controller for use in a wet environment, such as a controller for a pool or spa, includes a sensor element that generates an electric field having an active region. For the controller, at least one flexible layer is positioned to overlay the sensor element and surround the active region. With this arrangement, a pocket is established between the flexible layer and sensor element. A control circuit that is responsive to the capacitance between the sensor element and the flexible layer is provided. When the flexible layer is deformed, the capacitance changes and the control circuit generates an output signal that corresponds to a particular switch state for a connected device (e.g. pump or heater). For the controller, the control circuit is designed and/or calibrated to maintain a current switch state output in response to the presence of water on the controller and near the active region.

Abstract: A controller for use in a wet environment, such as a controller for a pool or spa, includes a sensor element that generates an electric field having an active region. For the controller, at least one flexible layer is positioned to overlay the sensor element and surround the active region. With this arrangement, a pocket is established between the flexible layer and sensor element. A control circuit that is responsive to the capacitance between the sensor element and the flexible layer is provided. When the flexible layer is deformed, the capacitance changes and the control circuit generates an output signal that corresponds to a particular switch state for a connected device (e.g. pump or heater). For the controller, the control circuit is designed and/or calibrated to maintain a current switch state output in response to the presence of water on the controller and near the active region.