Thermal Sensing Of Flow Patents (Class 73/202.5)
  • Patent number: 11885659
    Abstract: A method for compensating the influence of at least one of the parameters from the group consisting of flow rate, viscosity, density and Reynolds number of a fluid to be measured on the measured flow rate and/or density of this fluid in a Coriolis mass flow meter with the aid of an equation using the parameters of the current Reynolds number of the fluid to be measured in the Coriolis mass flow meter, the maximum compensation value for Reynolds numbers approaching zero, the Reynolds number at which the curve of the compensation value has the largest slope, and the slope of the curve of the compensation value at the point Rec. Moreover, the invention relates to a Coriolis mass flow meter with a control device for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: ROTA YOKOGAWA GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Peter Reinshaus
  • Patent number: 11867648
    Abstract: A fluid sensor for sensing a concentration or composition of a fluid, the sensor comprising: a semiconductor substrate comprising a first etched portion and a second etched portion; a dielectric region located on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the dielectric region comprises a first dielectric membrane located over the first etched portion of the semiconductor substrate, and a second dielectric membrane located over the second etched portion of the semiconductor substrate; two temperature sensing elements on or within the first dielectric membrane and two temperature sensing elements on or within the second dielectric membrane; an output circuit configured to measure a differential signal between the two temperature sensing elements of the first dielectric membrane and the two temperature sensing elements of the second dielectric membrane; wherein the first dielectric membrane is exposed to the fluid and the second dielectric membrane is isolated from the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Flusso Limited
    Inventors: Syed Zeeshan Ali, Cerdin Ching Ching Lee, Ethan Gardner, Jonathan Owen Hardie, Jonathan Sean Callan, Florin Udrea
  • Patent number: 11541724
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heating module (12) for a heating system (10) of a habitable vehicle, the module comprising: a module housing (36) having an air inlet opening (56) and an air outlet opening (58); an air conduction element (76) which is accommodated in the module housing (36), has multiple conduction sections (92, 94, 96), and is connected to the air inlet opening (56) and the air outlet opening (58); and at least one heating element (110, 112; 210, 212), said heating element (110, 112; 210, 212) being designed to heat air flowing from the air inlet opening (56) to the air outlet opening (58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TRUMA GERÄTETECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Adam Pohlmüller, Siegfried Piegsa, Fikret Erdogan, Kamil Ünnü, Mario Möhring, Johannes Laging, Mihai Dömötör
  • Patent number: 11519768
    Abstract: A system includes a flow sensor contained within a flow sensor housing, a base, and a seal. The base houses a controller that generates at least one operation modification signal, and the flow sensor is separable from and mountable onto the base. A bottom surface of the flow sensor housing includes the seal. The seal forms a liquid-tight engagement between the flow sensor housing and the base when the flow sensor is mounted onto the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: CRISI Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter John Bochenko
  • Patent number: 11499854
    Abstract: Provided is a physical quantity detection device capable of improving noise performance of a flow rate detection unit as compared with the related art. The physical quantity detection device 20 includes a plate-like chip package 208 that is arranged to protrude from the flow path of the measurement target gas and has a width W along the flow direction of the measurement target gas. The chip package 208 includes a flow rate detection unit 205, an accelerating flow path 208c, a measurement surface 208a, a non-measurement surface 208b, and a separation flow portion 208d. The cross sectional area of the accelerating flow path 208c is reduced, and the flow rate detection unit 205 is arranged. The separation flow portion 208d partitions the second sub-passage 234b into a measurement flow path facing the measurement surface 208a and a non-measurement flow path facing the non-measurement surface 208b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Uenodan, Satoshi Noda, Naoki Saito, Masamichi Nakamura, Takahiro Miki, Nobuaki Gorai, Takayuki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11307068
    Abstract: A flow system includes a flow sensor, a first pipe configured to transport fluid from an upstream fluid source to the flow sensor, and a second pipe configured to transport fluid from the flow sensor to a downstream fluid distributor. Proximate the flow sensor, the first pipe has a first interior diameter and the second pipe has a second interior diameter. The flow system further includes at least one of the following: a flow diversion or flow obstruction positioned between the flow sensor and the upstream fluid source a distance or length from the flow sensor that is less than ten times the first interior diameter of the first pipe and/or a flow diversion or flow obstruction positioned between the flow sensor and the downstream fluid distributor a distance or length from the flow sensor that is less than five times the second interior diameter of the second pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventor: Larry C. Sarver
  • Patent number: 11112286
    Abstract: A thermal flowmeter includes a plurality of measuring units for stabilizing air flowing in a sub-passage, and improves noise performance or a pulsation characteristic of a flow rate sensor. The thermal flowmeter includes a flange fixed to an attachment part of a main passage, a sub-passage takes in a part of measured gas flowing in the main passage, a flow rate measuring unit measures a flow rate of the measured gas in the sub-passage, a circuit component controls the flow rate measuring unit, and the flow rate measuring unit and an electronic component are mounted on a circuit substrate. The sub-passage is formed in a substrate of the circuit substrate, the sub-passage on a surface side of the circuit substrate and a second space on a rear surface side are separated by the circuit substrate, and a pressure measuring unit and the circuit component are arranged in the second space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Uenodan, Masashi Fukaya, Tomoaki Saito, Shinobu Tashiro, Tsubasa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11041747
    Abstract: A sensor unit includes a first component including an airflow sensor; a second component; and a third component. The first component includes a lower end portion that is selectively connectable to the second component or the third component, and an upper end portion that is selectively connectable to the third component or the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI Inc.
    Inventor: Yuki Shimazu
  • Patent number: 11002581
    Abstract: A physical quantity measurement device for measuring a physical quantity of a fluid includes a housing that includes a bypass flow channel through which a fluid flows and a physical quantity detection unit that detects a physical quantity of the fluid in the bypass flow channel. The housing includes a housing main body made of a dielectric and a covering film that covers at least a part of a surface of the housing main body, and the surface of the housing is positive charged due to positive charges being arranged in the housing main body along the surface of the housing main body or the positive charges being arranged in the covering film along a surface of the covering film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidehito Tsujii, Shinichi Kamiya, Keisuke Itakura
  • Patent number: 10942050
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thermal flowmeter that prevents erroneous detection of backflow by suppressing circulation of air flow from a flow detection unit side to a back side or from the back side to the flow detection unit side and measures a gas flow rate with high accuracy. A thermal flowmeter of the present invention includes a bypass passage through which a gas to be measured passes; a dividing portion which divides the inside of the bypass passage into a first passage portion and a second passage portion; and a flow detection unit which is provided on a surface of the dividing portion on the first passage portion side and detects a flow rate of the gas to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Suzuki, Akira Uenodan, Junichi Horie
  • Patent number: 10869985
    Abstract: A flow member (200) is for a flow assembly (100) of a pressure support system (2). The pressure support system includes a patient interface device (6), a flow generator (4), and a coupling conduit (8). The flow assembly includes a cover (102) and a sensing assembly (110). The sensing assembly has a flow sensor (114) having flow sensing components (118,120). The flow member comprises: a body (202) comprising: a mounting portion (204) connected to the cover, thereby enclosing the sensing assembly, a gas conduit (206) at least partially overlaying the mounting portion, the second conduit fluidly coupling the first conduit to the flow generator, and a number of flow conduits (208,210) each extending transverse to the gas conduit (206) and receiving a corresponding flow sensing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Justin Edward Rothermel
  • Patent number: 10866131
    Abstract: A reference volume for use with pressure change flow rate measurement apparatus has an internal structure comprising elements with cross section and length comparable to the cross section and length of adjacent interstitial fluid regions. The reference volume may have one or more heat conduction elements exterior to and in good thermal contact with a corrosion resistant material that defines the internal fluid holding region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: FLOW DEVICES AND SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Bhushan Somani, Eric J. Redemann
  • Patent number: 10859417
    Abstract: A thermal mass flow sensor 10 enclosed airtightly in a sealed container 11 under an inert atmosphere for the purpose of suppressing disappearance of a coating layer on sensor wires 13a and 13b in association with use at a high temperature, further comprises an air release pipe 16 that is a pipe which brings an internal space and outside of the sealed container 11 in airtight communication with each other through an air release hole 16a that is a through-hole formed in an outer wall of the sealed container 11. An end of the air release pipe 16 on an opposite side to the air release hole 16a is sealed by plastic deformation to form a sealed part 16b. Thereby, after forming the sealed container 11 under a normal atmosphere, the internal space of the sealed container 11 can be closed airtightly. The sealed part 16b may be further sealed by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryu Sasaki, Mamoru Ishii
  • Patent number: 10718647
    Abstract: A thermal flowmeter includes: a sub-passage (307) that takes a part of a gas (30) to be measured flowing through a main passage; and a flow measurement unit (451) disposed inside the sub-passage (307). The sub-passage (307) includes: a first passage (351) provided on a measurement surface (451a) side of the flow measurement unit (451); a second passage (352) provided on a back surface (451b) side of the flow measurement unit (451); and an inclined passage (361) provided on an upstream side of an inlet (351a) of the first passage in a forward flow direction F of the gas (30) to be measured in the first passage (351).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Uenodan, Tomoaki Saito, Naoki Saito, Masashi Fukaya, Shinobu Tashiro
  • Patent number: 10704947
    Abstract: An air flow measurement device includes a first channel plate, a second channel plate facing the first channel plate, a pillar fixing the second channel plate with respect to the first channel plate so as to form a space of a given size between the first channel plate and the second channel plate, a slanted channel formed in the space which is configured to become narrower toward a center portion of the air flow measurement device, a branching passage arranged in the center portion which communicates with the slanted channel, a projection provided in the branching passage so as to partly narrow the branching passage, and an air flow sensor provided in the space. The air flow sensor is arranged at a position higher than a junction between the branching passage and the slanted channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.
    Inventor: Yuki Shimazu
  • Patent number: 10670439
    Abstract: The objective is to provide a thermal flowmeter that prevents a backflow generated from a trailing vortex downstream of the thermal flowmeter from inhibiting a flow flowing out from a dust discharge port. An opening surface of a dust discharge port is formed in a position that is displaced at least with respect to the direction of a backflow of air resulting from a trailing vortex generated as a result of the flow of air at a lower end surface in which the dust discharge port is formed. The main flow in an intake pipe flows from an upstream side to a downstream side, it is possible to avoid the flow from the dust discharge port opposing head-on a backflow from a trailing vortex on the lower end surface side, and suppress a reduction in the dust discharging effect and a worsening of mass flow rate measurement errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Fukaya, Shinobu Tashiro, Akira Uenodan, Tomoaki Saito, Naoki Saito
  • Patent number: 10641630
    Abstract: The purpose is to enhance the measurement stability of a flow rate detection unit in a physical quantity detection device by branching an auxiliary passage in which the flow rate detection unit is disposed into first to third passages and providing the third flow passage at an upstream part of the second flow passage. A physical quantity detection device has a circuit board provided with at least one detection unit for detecting the physical quantity of a gas flowing through a main passage and a circuit unit for computational processing of the physical quantity detected by the detection unit, a housing for accommodating the circuit board, a cover fixed to the housing, and an auxiliary passage formed by both the housing and cover that is configured to branch passages from a first passage to a third passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Miki, Hiroaki Hoshika, Naoki Saito, Takayuki Yogo, Takeo Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 10519886
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an air flow rate measuring including a casing and a sensor. The casing includes a main-bypass passage that defines an inlet and an outlet, a sub-bypass passage that branches off from the main-bypass passage at a branching area, and a guiding wall that changes, at a position upstream of the branching area, a flow direction of the passing air taken in from the inlet. The inlet and the guiding wall are arranged in an arranging direction along a flow direction of the intake air in the duct. The guiding wall includes an inlet side surface that faces the inlet and is not perpendicular to the arranging direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Ooga
  • Patent number: 10477632
    Abstract: An indicator circuit (10) includes a first light emission device (R1 and D1) configured to be driven by a first voltage (Von) to emit light; a second light emission device (R2 and D2) configured to be driven by a second voltage (Vstb) to emit light; and a control device (Q1, D3 and R3) configured to be driven by the first voltage (Von) and the second voltage (Vstb) to allow the first light emission device (R1 and D1) to be driven when the first voltage (Von) is active but the second voltage (Vstb) is not active and not to allow the first light emission device (R1 and D1) to be driven when the first voltage (Von) and the second voltage (Vstb) are active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: INTERDIGITAL CE PATENT HOLDINGS
    Inventors: Zhijun Liao, Chao Zeng, Ren Zhang
  • Patent number: 10379012
    Abstract: A system for converting propelling thrust to produce a continuous flow is provided. The system can be integrated and/or retrofitted to the body of an aircraft. The system includes a pressure-lowering device and a sample chamber. The pressure-lowering device is used produce a low-pressure, continuous flow from a high-velocity propelling thrust source. Moreover, the pressure-lowering device is a passive flow generator that does not require a power source in order to produce a continuous flow from a propelling thrust. The design of the pressure-lowering device produces a flow rate that is independent of the aircraft motion. The sample chamber is used to measure and analyze ambient gases which are pulled through the sample chamber by the pressure-lowering device, as a result of the high-velocity air stream produced by the propelling thrust source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventor: Richard John McNamara
  • Patent number: 10345128
    Abstract: Provided is a thermal flow meter to improve the measurement accuracy of a temperature detector. The thermal flow meter includes a bypass passage through which a measurement target gas flowing through a main passage flows, and a circuit package which includes a measurement circuit for measuring a flow rate of the measurement target gas flowing through the bypass passage and a temperature detecting portion for detecting a temperature of the measurement target gas. The circuit package includes a circuit package body which is molded by a resin to internally envelope the measurement circuit and a protrusion molded by the resin. The temperature detecting portion is provided in the leading end portion of the protrusion, and at least the leading end portion of the protrusion protrudes to the outside from a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinobu Tashiro, Keiji Hanzawa, Noboru Tokuyasu, Takeshi Morino, Ryosuke Doi, Akira Uenodan
  • Patent number: 10288457
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement includes a sensor which is arranged in a housing constructed of two plastic injection molded parts (2, 3). The electrical leads are sealingly led through the housing (1) and are sealed by way of O-rings which on the one hand bear in a groove of the lead and on the other hand bear in a recess forming the housing feed-through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Grundfos Holding A/S
    Inventors: Kjeld Vinther Jacobsen, John B. Jacobsen, Mikkel Haugaard
  • Patent number: 10203233
    Abstract: A flow sensing module is provided for determining a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a flow channel. The flow sensing module may include an integrated flow restrictor, sometimes including a plurality of concentric ribs defining a plurality of orifices shaped to match the curvature of the wall of the flow channel. A first sensing port may open into the flow channel upstream of the flow restrictor, and a second sensing port may open into the flow channel downstream of the flow restrictor. A flow rate of a fluid flowing through the flow channel may be determining using a differential pressure between the first and second ports created by the flow restrictor, either using a flow sensor or a pressure sensor. The particular arrangement and relative dimensions of the orifices of the flow restrictor and the pressure ports can result in substantially reduced noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ruifeng Zhang, Jamie Speldrich, ZhiKang Lan, Ru Wang
  • Patent number: 10189035
    Abstract: A machine (21) for mixing and applying continuously a bi-component sealing material formed by mixing a base and a hardener in a pre-established ratio that is used, for example, in joining areas of structural elements of aircraft structures. Their metering chambers (25, 25?) are configured with a volumetric ratio between them adapted to the volumetric ratio of mixture of the base and the hardener and the pushing device (31) comprises means for actuating the pistons (33, 33?) allowing different displacement speeds and control means so that the outflow of said metering chambers (25, 25?) is that required for the base and hardener can reach the mixing head (43) in a pre-established weight ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space S.A.
    Inventors: Fernando Enrique Esteban Finck, Cristóbal León Campos, Daniel Rico Iglesias
  • Patent number: 10113892
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus including a tubular member, a sensor fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the tubular member, and a circuit board that relays a detection signal from the sensor, the circuit board being fixed to the outer peripheral surface in an area different from an area where the sensor is fixed and being separated from the sensor, and a wire that electrically connects the sensor and the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Ike
  • Patent number: 9970801
    Abstract: A thermal mass-flow meter and mass-flow controller using the mass-flow meter are disclosed. The mass flow meter includes a base having an installation surface, a passage for fluid, and a bypass in the middle of the passage. The mass-flow meter also includes a case in contact with the installation surface of the base and housing a sensor tube and sensor wires. The mass flow sensor also includes a sensor circuit including a bridge circuit including the sensor wires and other resistive elements. A heat-transfer block is positioned adjacent to the case and in contact with the installation surface of the base. A bottom surface of the heat-transfer block and the installation surface of the base are in surface contact with each other, and at least one lateral surface of said heat-transfer block and a lateral surface of said case are in surface contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mamoru Ishii
  • Patent number: 9970396
    Abstract: A humidity measuring device includes an apparatus that determines whether or not a water droplet adheres to a surface of a sensor element which detects the humidity, based on changes in humidity and temperature of the intake air. The apparatus calculates a determination value based on a rate of change of the temperature and a rate of change of relative humidity. The apparatus also compares the determination value with a threshold. The apparatus also determines that a water droplet adheres to the surface of the sensor element when a state where the determination value is larger than the threshold continues for a determination time or longer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hoshika, Takayuki Yogo, Takahiro Miki, Takeo Hosokawa, Yuki Isoya
  • Patent number: 9885594
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for measuring air mass flow using an air mass flow meter. The air mass flow meter comprises a sensor element for detecting an air mass flow (Q) and for generating a signal (S), and an electronic circuit for processing the signal (S) from the sensor element, wherein the sensor element generates a non-linear signal characteristic. The method may include converting the non-linear signal into a correcting, non-linear signal characteristic, then filtering the correcting, non-linear signal characteristic, then converting the filtered non-linear signal characteristic into a non-linear signal characteristic, and then generating an output signal relaying the signals (S) detected by the sensor element and processed by the linearization element, the filter element, and the conversion element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Stephan Schuerer, Thorsten Knittel, Stephen Setescak
  • Patent number: 9869573
    Abstract: Provided is an intake air temperature detection apparatus mounted integrally with a flow rate measurement apparatus, the intake air temperature detection apparatus having temperature measurement precision improved by increasing thermal responsiveness of an intake air temperature detection part that is arranged in a measurement passage of the flow rate measurement apparatus and detects a temperature of intake air, which is a fluid to be measured. The intake air temperature measurement apparatus includes: the intake air temperature detection part for detecting a temperature of the intake air in the measurement passage of the flow rate measurement apparatus; and an intake air temperature detection circuit part arranged in a circuit accommodating part of the flow rate measurement apparatus, for generating a signal obtained by carrying out phase lead correction on a signal representing a result of detection by the intake air temperature detection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Kawai, Yuji Ariyoshi, Koji Tanimoto, Shinichiro Hidaka
  • Patent number: 9791307
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include systems and methods for detecting flow of a fluid. One embodiment of a system includes a flow body, a thermal tube sensor housing, and a computing device. In some embodiments, the flow body includes an inlet for receiving the fluid and an outlet for expelling the fluid, the thermal tube sensor housing includes a sensor tube that includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion, and the sensor tube is configured with a cross position where a first portion of the sensor tube crosses paths with a second portion of the sensor tube, reducing a thermo-siphoning effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Alicat Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil W. Hartman, Colin A. Roberts, Marcus A. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9733113
    Abstract: Provided is a thermal flow meter to improve the measurement accuracy of a temperature detector provided in a thermal flow meter. The thermal flow meter includes a bypass passage through which a measurement target gas 30 flowing through a main passage flows, and a circuit package 400 which includes a measurement circuit for measuring a flow rate of the measurement target gas 30 flowing through the bypass passage and a temperature detecting portion 452 for detecting a temperature of the measurement target gas. The circuit package 400 includes a circuit package body which is molded by a resin to internally envelope the measurement circuit and a protrusion 424 molded by the resin. The temperature detecting portion 452 is provided in the leading end portion of the protrusion 424, and at least the leading end portion of the protrusion protrudes to the outside from a housing 302.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinobu Tashiro, Keiji Hanzawa, Noboru Tokuyasu, Takeshi Morino, Ryosuke Doi, Akira Uenodan
  • Patent number: 9707369
    Abstract: A flow cassette has a housing with an inlet and an outlet and a passage therebetween. The flow cassette also has a temperature sensor disposed within the passage and configured to measure the temperature of a fluid flowing through the passage, a flow rate sensor disposed within the passage and configured to measure a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the passage, and a processor coupled to the temperature sensor and flow rate sensor. The processor is configured to accept measurements of temperature and flow rate from the temperature sensor and flow rate sensor, respectively, and provide a compensated flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Vyaire Medical Capital LLC
    Inventors: Adrian D. Desilva, Huy Thanh Vu, Richard Le, Jeffrey Harold Miller, Hector Gonzalez, Raul Valdez, Chiun Wang
  • Patent number: 9677515
    Abstract: An air flow measuring device includes a sensor assembly, a thermistor, and an end terminal. The sensor assembly includes a sensor portion and a sensor circuit. The sensor portion and the sensor circuit are integrated with each other and configured to measure an air flow quantity. The thermistor is equipped independently from the sensor assembly. The thermistor is configured to measure an air temperature. The end terminal is electrically connected with the sensor assembly and the thermistor. An external connection terminal in the sensor assembly is electrically connected with the sensor portion and the sensor circuit to function as the end terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Teruaki Kaifu
  • Patent number: 9664545
    Abstract: An air mass sensor includes a microelectromechanical-type sensor element having a heating element. A first temperature sensor element is arranged on the sensor element upstream of the heating element, and a second temperature sensor element is arranged on the sensor element downstream of the heating element. The first temperature sensor element has a first width and a first length, and the second temperature sensor element has a second width and a second length. To eliminate or closely limit false measurement results due to the presence of dirt on the sensor element, the first width of the first temperature sensor element is greater than the second width of the second temperature sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten Knittel, Stephen Setescak
  • Patent number: 9618373
    Abstract: A device for detecting at least one property of a fluid medium has at least one sensor housing introducible into the fluid medium, which sensor housing has at least one channel through which the fluid medium flows and which has at least one outlet opening. The fluid medium flows out through the outlet opening after flowing through the channel. The sensor housing has at least one housing body and at least one cover. The outlet opening is situated in the cover. The housing body has at least one collar section, which engages with the outlet opening and which forms at least one part of an edge of the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Torsten Mais, Ulrich Wagner
  • Patent number: 9581066
    Abstract: Embodiments of a heating system maintains the temperature of a fuel additive (e.g., AUS32) at and/or above freezing temperature to avoid crystallization. The heating system can form a fluid circuit with one or more coaxially arranged sleeves disposed about hoses that transport the additives. The fluid circuit can also include a central compartment that encloses a flow meter. A fluid heater couples with the fluid circuit to provide heating fluid, e.g., to the central compartment. The heating fluid disperses throughout the heating compartment and into the sleeves, thereby direction heating fluid in thermal proximity to the hoses and other components that handle the fuel additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Wayne Fueling Systems LLC
    Inventors: Bengt I. Larsson, Harry Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 9557202
    Abstract: An air mass meter has a sensor element, across which an air mass flow to be measured moves. The sensor element is a micro-electro-mechanical system having a membrane, on which a heating element is formed. An electrical measuring resistor and at least two electrical comparison resistors are arranged upstream and downstream of the heating element. A first temperature sensor element is formed with a measuring resistor upstream of the heating element and two comparison resistors arranged downstream of the heating element. The second temperature sensor element is formed with a measuring resistor arranged downstream of the heating element and two comparison resistors arranged upstream of the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten Knittel, Stephen Setescak
  • Patent number: 9546891
    Abstract: A flow measuring system is adapted to measure flow in a sub-sea well. The flow measuring system has a housing, attached over a hole in a riser creating a fluid pathway therebetween. A deflector plate is attached to the riser and covering some of the hole. Upper vertical louvers and lower vertical louvers directly attached to the deflector plate over the hole. Apertures in the upper vertical louvers and the lower vertical louvers permit fluid to flow through. A flow measurement device is mechanically coupled to the housing and the deflector plate and configured to determine a speed and direction of flow through the fluid pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventors: Ian Padden, Tom Stockton
  • Patent number: 9541437
    Abstract: A thermal flow meter has a bypass passage for taking in and flowing measurement target gas flowing in a main passage, a circuit package having an air flow measurement circuit for measuring an air flow by carrying out heat transfer in relation to the measurement target gas flowing in the bypass passage, and a temperature detecting portion. A case is provided with an external terminal outputting electric signals indicating the air flow and the temperature of the measurement target gas and supports the circuit package. Resin contains the air flow measurement circuit and the temperature detecting portion. The temperature detecting portion has a protrusion which protrudes out of a circuit package main body, and the protrusion is formed into a shape which is thicker in its root than in its leading end portion and its neck portion is narrower little by little toward the leading end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Tokuyasu, Shinobu Tashiro, Keiji Hanzawa, Tsutomu Kono
  • Patent number: 9328686
    Abstract: A detection element portion is provided on an inner surface side of a plate as a wall surface portion defining a measurement passage in a flow measuring device. An intake-air temperature detection portion detecting a temperature of a fluid being measured is provided on one main surface of a substrate forming the detection element portion. A ventilation hole allowing a main passage in which the fluid being measured flows and the measurement passage to communicate is provided so as to penetrate through the plate. By achieving a state in which the substrate forming the detection element portion is installed so that an end thereof protrudes into the ventilation hole and a back surface of the end portion of the detection element portion where the intake-air temperature detection portion is formed is exposed toward the main passage, a response speed is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Kawai, Naoki Morinaga, Kazuhiko Otsuka, Yuji Ariyoshi
  • Patent number: 9302532
    Abstract: A spoked wheel includes a rim, at least one spoke and at least one sealing sticker. The rim includes a spoke bed wall with at least one spoke hole therein, a pair of tire-holding flanges extending from opposite edges of the spoke bed wall, a base wall located radially inboard from the spoke bed wall and connected to the flanges. The base wall has an opening corresponding to the spoke hole of the spoke bed wall. The spoke has a nipple portion inserted in the spoke hole of the spoke bed wall of the rim, and a shank portion extending from the nipple portion and through the opening of the base wall of the rim. The sealing sticker is provided to seal the opening of the base wall of the rim and close any gap between the opening of the base wall and the shank portion of the spoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: MEGA COMPOSITE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shu-Yi Chen
  • Patent number: 9297679
    Abstract: Flowmeters are disclosed herein that include one or more flow path features for improving the measurement accuracy or other aspects of the flowmeter. A flowmeter can include an elongate body having a first end and a second end and a flow path extending between the first and second ends along a longitudinal axis. An ultrasonic transducer can be disposed in a measurement section of the flow path and configured to emit ultrasonic waves into a material flowing through the flow path. First and second protrusions can be formed in a conditioning section of the flow path upstream from the measurement section, the first and second protrusions extending radially inward from a sidewall of the flow path and being configured to reduce swirling flow through the measurement section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward Randall Furlong, Xiaolei Shirley Ao, John Daniel Friedemann, Colin James Mackenzie, Nataraja Aswathanarayana Nagaranavile
  • Patent number: 9297677
    Abstract: A gas flow rate measuring apparatus including a gas flow rate detection circuit configured to output a first analog signal of a gas flow rate of a gas; a gas temperature detection element configured to output a second analog signal of a temperature of the gas or a temperature of an integrated circuit; analog-to-digital converters for converting the analog signals into respective digital signals; a digital signal correction device comprising a map table and configured to correct a characteristic bend of the first digital signal based on the map table and the second digital signal, wherein the map table comprises correction constants arranged as lattice points, wherein a first number of lattice points in a first region of the characteristic bend of the gas flow rate signal is larger than a second number of lattice points of a second region outside the first region of the characteristic bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Suzuki, Keiichi Nakada, Ryo Sato
  • Patent number: 9273986
    Abstract: A chiller system including an evaporator for evaporating a refrigerant and a water pipe in fluid communication with the evaporator. The water pipe is configured to allow water to pass through at a flow rate and to circulate the water with the evaporator to exchange heat with the refrigerant in the evaporator. The chiller system includes a flow restrictor tube within the water pipe that is configured to allow the water to flow through the flow restrictor tube at a reduced flow rate relative to the flow rate. The chiller system also includes a measuring probe that passes through walls of the water pipe and the flow restrictor tube and includes an accuracy range of flow rates less than the flow rate. The measuring probe is configured to measure the reduced flow rate within the flow restrictor tube where the reduced flow rate is within the accuracy range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Gary R. Lange, William B. Fox
  • Patent number: 9207109
    Abstract: A flow sensor assembly includes a flow sensor for sensing a flow parameter. The flow sensor may provide a flow sensor output signal that is related to the sensed parameter. A control block operatively connected to the flow sensor may receive a measure related to the flow rate of the fluid stream and drive the heater of the flow sensor to a heater temperature, such that the heater temperature may be dependent on the flow rate of the fluid stream, which causes the analog output of the flow sensor to be relatively linear over an expected operating range of flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Milley, Richard C. Sorenson
  • Patent number: 9109930
    Abstract: A plate-like flow sensor is located in a bypass passage such that a front-to-rear direction of the flow sensor is substantially along a width direction of the bypass passage. The flow sensor divides a flow from its upstream into a first flow, which passes on its front side, and a second flow, which passes on its rear side. The bypass passage has a bent portion in which the first flow and the second flow merge on a downstream side of the flow sensor. A flow deflection unit changes a turning quantity of at least one of the first flow and the second flow such that a turning quantity of the first flow and a turning quantity of the second flow are substantially conformed in the bent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noboru Kitahara
  • Patent number: 9103706
    Abstract: The disclosed flow measurement structure used in a flow measurement device is provided with a conduit through which gas to be measured flows, and a diverter which diverts gas flowing through the conduit and conducts the diverted gas to a detection element for measuring the flow amount of said gas. An inlet of the diverter is provided in the periphery of the conduit. The conduit is provided with an inclined section which, provided upstream of the inlet, guides the gas towards the center of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Naotsugu Ueda, Katsuyuki Yamamoto, Satoshi Nozoe, Shuji Maeda, Yuji Tsukuma
  • Patent number: 9097735
    Abstract: A probe for measuring the total pressure of an airflow is intended to equip an aircraft and a method of using the probe. The probe comprises a Pitot tube, two separate heating wires supplied separately and allowing each one to heat an external part of the probe, and means of distribution of a given maximum power to each of the two heating wires as a function of the current temperature of each of the two parts. A method consists in giving priority to the reaching of a predefined minimum temperature of a first of the two parts of the probe by allocating to the first part of the probe a predefined share of the given maximum power for as long as the temperature of the first part is below a predefined minimum temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Frederic Martin, Serge Desbiolles, Jacques Mandle
  • Patent number: 8978455
    Abstract: A sensor device for detecting a flow property of fluid medium, e.g., an air flow in the intake tract or the charge air tract of an internal combustion engine, includes: a sensor housing introduced into the air flow and having at least one housing body, at least one cover, and at least one channel through which the fluid medium flows; a sensor element for detecting the flow property, the sensor element being held on a top side of a carrier. The carrier is situated at least partially in the channel and has a cross section which becomes wider in parallel with the main flow direction of the fluid medium at the location of the sensor element in a sectional plane in parallel to the main flow direction of the fluid medium in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Mais, Ulrich Wagner, Andreas Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 8958922
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for optimized decision-making in water supply networks and/or water supply operations. The system includes at least one central data processing device and a control system having at least one integration device. The system also includes at least one functional unit for identifying and/or processing status information affecting the respective network or operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Frederik Blank, Markus Gauder, Heinrich-Martin Schreyer, Stefan Lauxtermann