With Sensor Housing Patents (Class 73/204.22)
  • Patent number: 9778085
    Abstract: A flow rate sensor includes: a housing made from a resin material and having a bottom base portion and a side wall, at least one surface side of the housing being open; a cover made from a resin material, covering the one surface side of the housing, welded to an upper surface of the side wall of the housing, and defining, with the bottom base portion and the side wall of the housing, an auxiliary passage within which a gas to be measured flows that is taken in from a main passage; and a flow rate detection unit disposed within the auxiliary passage. A protruding portion for height control is provided to one of the housing and the cover at least in a vicinity of the side wall around the flow rate detection unit so as to suppress sinking in of the cover during welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Arai, Shigeharu Tsunoda, Shinobu Tashiro, Akira Uenodan
  • Patent number: 9766220
    Abstract: A method for measuring pollution that includes providing a plurality of analyte sensors arranged in a grid over a sensing area, wherein the analyte sensors measure a pollutant, and positioning at least one current sensor in the sensing area. A pollution source is localized using a pollution source locator including a dispersion model and at least one hardware processor to interpolate a location of a pollution source from variations in current measured from the current sensors and measurements of pollutants from the analyte sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josephine B. Chang, Hendrik F. Hamann, Siyuan Lu, Ramachandran Muralidhar, Theodore G. Van Kessel
  • Patent number: 9752909
    Abstract: A thermal type air flow meter that is capable of suppressing deformation of a base member at the time of molding is disclosed, to thereby secure dimension accuracy and reduce an influence of a dimension change on measuring accuracy. The meter includes a housing member placed in an intake passage of an internal combustion engine, and a base member fixed to the housing member and includes a secondary air passage into which part of air passing through the intake passage flows. The base member is a plate-like resin molded component formed of a synthetic resin material and includes a reinforcing structure integrally formed between a board fixing part to which a circuit board is fixed; and a secondary passage constituting part formed at a leading end part of the board fixing part, the reinforcing structure enhancing strength of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Morino, Chihiro Kobayashi, Yuki Okamoto, Tsutomu Kono
  • Patent number: 9671295
    Abstract: A terminal head, which is provided in a sheath type temperature sensor and is for connecting the sheath type temperature sensor and a cable, is structured such that, in order for replacement of the sheath type temperature sensor to be easily performed and in order to minimize the number of replacement parts, a terminal plate (2) of the terminal head (1) and the sheath type temperature sensor 3 are coupled using a pair of plug-in connectors (4, 5) and the coupling is held by a coupling nut (6). When replacing the sheath type temperature sensor (3), the leads (31) of the sheath type temperature sensor do not need to be detached from and attached to the terminal plate (2) at the replacement worksite, and the only replaced part other than the sheath type temperature sensor (3) is the one connector (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: OKAZAKI MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Makoto Terada, Masaru Yamana, Kazuhide Okazaki
  • Patent number: 9658092
    Abstract: An air mass flow meter, includes a housing made of plastic having an electrically insulating effect. A flow channel is formed in the housing. The air mass flow motion also includes a sensor element which is arranged in the housing and detects the air mass flowing in the flow channel. Conductive paths are arranged in the housing and connect the sensor element to connection pins. In order to provide a mass air flow meter which is cost-effective to produce and allows precise measurement of a mass air flow, the entire housing is made of plastic and at least one part of the flow channel has electrostatically dissipative properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Frauenholz, Stephen Setescak
  • Patent number: 9625292
    Abstract: An environment sensor is mounted on a second surface of a circuit board that does not have a wire bonding pad, and is arranged in a measuring chamber that is disposed in a circuit board receiving portion. The measuring chamber has a communication port for communication with a main passage. According to this configuration, process addition attributable to integration between a flow rate measurement device and the environment sensor is not required. The environment sensor does not affect air flow in a bypass passage, and thus detection accuracy of a flow rate detection element that is arranged in the bypass passage does not decline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Hidaka, Yuji Ariyoshi, Masahiro Kawai, Kazuhiko Otsuka, Naoyuki Kishikawa, Naoki Morinaga
  • Patent number: 9523595
    Abstract: An objective of the present invention is, in a thermal flow meter having a structure including a resin portion formed in the vicinity of a diaphragm structural portion using a mold, to prevent destruction of the diaphragm structural portion at the time of pressing the mold, in a method of manufacturing the thermal flow meter, including: supporting a gas flow measurement element 200 on support members 102b and 111, the gas flow measurement element 200 including a cavity portion 202 surrounded by a substrate inclined portion 202a inclined to a substrate surface, a diaphragm 201 that covers the cavity portion, and an electrical resistive element formed in the diaphragm 201; and covering the gas flow measurement element 200 and the support members 102b and 111 with the resin portion 104 formed with the mold, to set the mold 14 such that an acting portion of pressure force by the mold that molds the resin portion 104 is positioned outside the substrate inclined portion 202a in the entire periphery of the diaphragm
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Ishitsuka, Masatoshi Ogata, Tsutomu Kono, Tsubasa Watanabe, Shinobu Tashiro, Noboru Tokuyasu
  • Patent number: 9482193
    Abstract: A system for rotationally securely plugging a sensor into a through-passage of a flow channel, the sensor including a sensor housing, the through-passage having an inner wall delimiting the through-passage and first and second inside diameters extending respectively along a first axis and a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis, the first inside diameter being greater than the second inside diameter, a plug-in direction of the sensor housing into the through-passage defining a third axis essentially perpendicular to the first and second axis, the sensor housing having a longitudinal extension area along the third axis and being insertable into the through-passage. To ensure rotationally secure assembly of the sensor in its setpoint angular position, at least one protrusion is provided so that the sensor housing, in a plugged-in state, is rotatable in the through-passage by no more than 0.5° about the third axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Hans Beyrich, Lutz Westenberger, Torsten Mais
  • Patent number: 9441584
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sensor chip, a circuit board, and a wire holding case. The wire holding case holds a bonding wire, which connects the sensor chip with the circuit board. The wire holding case is inserted in an insertion hole of a case. The wire holding case has a low rigidity portion and a high rigidity portion in an X direction. The low rigidity portion has a space accommodating the bonding wire. The high rigidity portion has a reference surface in contact with an inner periphery of the insertion hole to position the wire holding case in a Y direction. The high rigidity portion has a surface on the opposite side of the reference surface in the Y direction. The surface is biased from a projection, which is formed on the inner periphery of the insertion hole, in the Y direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tagawa, Akiyuki Sudou
  • Patent number: 9234817
    Abstract: Dust with various particle diameters entering a bypass passage, particularly, relatively large dust with a particle diameter of 100 to 200 ?m or so, is reliably caused to collide with a first step-shaped part, a second step-shaped part and a plate-like member to be sufficiently decelerated and reach a flow rate detecting device with low collision energy. This can prevent the flow rate detecting device from being damaged by collision of dust. Furthermore, the placement position of the plate-like member is optimized to suppress air turbulence at a flow rate detecting part, which achieves a good balance between flow rate detection accuracy and dust tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naoyuki Kishikawa, Yuji Ariyoshi, Masahiro Kawai, Hiroyuki Uramachi, Kazuto Akagi
  • Patent number: 9146143
    Abstract: There is disclosed a flow sensor arrangement, comprising a main channel (1) for conveying a fluid, a bypass (2) connected to the main channel (1) for conveying a portion of the fluid supplied in the main channel (1), and a flow sensor (6) for measuring a flow of the fluid portion in the bypass (2). The bypass (2) branches off from the main channel (1) at an angle (?) of less than 90 degrees between an inlet section (21) of the bypass (2) and a supply section (11) of the main channel (1). By such design means, particles can be prevented from entering the bypass (2) by this adversely affecting the measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Sensirion AG
    Inventors: Mark Hornung, Felix Mayer, Claudia Kuttel
  • Patent number: 9091577
    Abstract: Flow sensor assemblies having increased flow range capabilities are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a flow sensor assembly includes a housing with an inlet flow port, an outlet flow port, a fluid channel extending between the inlet flow port and the outlet flow port, and a bypass channel having a pair of taps fluidly connected to the fluid channel at separate locations. A flow sensor for sensing a measure related to a flow rate of a fluid flowing through the fluid channel can positioned in the bypass channel. A pressure differential between the two taps of the bypass channel can drive a fraction of a fluid flowing through the fluid channel through the bypass channel. The flow sensor assembly may be configured to achieve, control, and/or balance a desired fraction of fluid flow through the bypass channel and past the flow sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Speldrich, Lamar Floyd Ricks, Craig Scott Becke, Feng Weichao
  • Publication number: 20150122012
    Abstract: The present invention has been made to improve measurement accuracy of a thermal flow meter. In the thermal flowmeter according to the invention, a circuit package (400) that measures a flow rate is molded in a first resin molding process. In a second resin molding process, a housing (302) having an inlet trench (351), a bypass passage trench on frontside (332), an outlet trench (353), and the like are formed through resin molding, and an outer circumferential surface of the circuit package (400) produced in the first resin molding process is enveloped by a resin in the second resin molding process to fix the circuit package (400) to the housing (302).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Noboru Tokuyasu, Shinobu Tashiro, Keiji Hanzawa, Takeshi Morino, Ryosuke Doi, Akira Uenodan
  • Publication number: 20150122010
    Abstract: To obtain a thermal flow meter capable of alleviating stress in an axial direction that acts on a lead according to a temperature difference between a proximal end side and a leading end portion side of a measuring portion. An air flow sensing portion 300 according to the present invention includes a bypass passage for flowing a measurement target gas 30 received from a main passage 124, and an air flow sensing portion 602 for measuring a flow rate of the measurement target gas 30 by performing heat transfer with the measurement target gas 30 flowing through the bypass passage via a heat transfer surface, and the thermal flow meter includes a circuit package 400 in which the air flow sensing portion 602 and a lead 514 are sealed by a first resin molding process and a housing 302 forming a part of the bypass passage and fixing the circuit package 400 by a second resin molding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Noboru Tokuyasu, Shinobu Tashiro, Keiji Hanzawa, Tsutomu Kono
  • Publication number: 20150122011
    Abstract: Provided is a thermal flow meter through which a measurement with high accuracy and has a discharge function. In a thermal flow meter 300 of the invention, a part of a measurement target gas 30 flowing through the main passage 124 flows into a bypass passage. A drainage passage 3528 is provided in the bypass passage to communicate a bypass passage 4232 on the inlet port (between the inlet port 350 and the measurement surface 430 serving as the air flow sensing portion) and a bypass passage 4234 on the outlet port (between the measurement surface 430 serving as the air flow sensing portion and the outlet port 352). The drainage passage 3528 includes a through hole 3512. The through hole 3512 includes an inlet port 3542 which penetrates a wall surface 4212 forming the bypass passage 4232 on the inlet port and is opened in the bypass passage 4232 on the inlet port, and an outlet port 3544 which is opened in a rear surface 4213 of the wall surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Takeshi Morino, Shinobu Tashiro, Noboru Tokuyasu, Keiji Hanzawa, Atsushi Inoue
  • Patent number: 9003877
    Abstract: A flow sensor assembly that may include features that help prevent moisture from reaching a sensor die of the flow sensor assembly. In some cases, such features may include a bypass channel that is configured to reverse the direction of the flow of fluid at least once upstream of the sensor die. In some cases, an encapsulant may cover one or more bond pads of the sensor die. In some cases, an output of the flow sensor assembly may be a raw sensor output signal produced by the one or more sensor elements of the sensor die, without significant processing of the raw sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammed Abdul Javvad Qasimi, Josh M. Fribley, Andrew J. Milley
  • Patent number: 9003876
    Abstract: A thermal mass flowmeter with a metal-encapsulated sensor system is provided. The sensor system included at least one heating resistor having a platelet geometry, and a sensor cap surrounding the at least one heating resistor. At least one distal end area of the sensor cap is formed with a flat rectangular cross section corresponding to the platelet geometry of the heating resistor, such that the distal end area of the sensor cap surrounds the heating resistor closely with an accurate fit (e.g., with a predetermined gap therebetween).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Axel Kramer, Detlef Pape, Kai Hencken, Urs E. Meier
  • Patent number: 8994552
    Abstract: An all-electronic utility gas meter using with micromachined (a.k.a. MEMS Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) silicon sensor to measure gas metrology data for custody transfer or tariff in city gas metering application is disclosed in the present invention. The meter has two separate metrology units. One of the units is located in the main flow channel with the insertion probing configuration while the other is configured as a bypass unit assembly with the main metrology unit. The bypass metrology unit can perform independent metrology tasks and can be exchanged onsite during service, maintenance or repair without dismantle the meter from the service pipeline. The bypass metrology unit also can be used to compare the measured data from time to time and performance self-diagnosis that shall help the performance and data authentication during the meter field service. Both of the units can be powered by battery or external sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: M-tech Instrument Corporation (Holding) Limited
    Inventors: Changming Jiang, Yong Feng, Sugang Jiang, Chih-Chang Chen, Liji Huang
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20150073392
    Abstract: An intravenous infusion system that shows infusion flow rate, volume of medication infused, and alarming during malfunction. User intervention to adjust flow rates deviation is possible, using the data already stored in the system prior to the onset of making the adjustment. The system detects flow rate by measuring temperature dynamics in a section of the fluid path, unlike other systems that measures the electromechanical output of the pumping source if the counting of drops is not possible. This fundamental difference allows the invention to be used in any system that has a pumping source that provides a continuous fluid path as it measures actual flow of fluid in a segment of the fluid path, independent of pumping mechanism design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Freddie Eng Hwee Lee
  • Patent number: 8943913
    Abstract: For mass production of anemometers for EGR systems with hot exhaust gas streams having temperatures up to 200° C. or 300° C., conductors and film resistors are placed onto a bed, and are covered on this bed, e.g. A sensor tip of the flow sensor of the anemometer is made of inorganic materials up to the housing cover. A cable is led into a housing and self-supporting electrical conductors are led through the housing cover. In the housing, leads of the cable are connected to the self-supporting electrical conductors. Using bed profiles passing through the cover, the film resistors are spaced from the housing sufficiently far that the film resistors and the housing are largely thermally decoupled. As an intermediate product, a measurement tip or a sensor bar as part of a sensor tip is made of purely inorganic components, in order to make the mass production efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Heraeus Sensor Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Muziol, Karlheinz Wienand
  • Patent number: 8935843
    Abstract: A thermal, flow measuring device for determining and/or monitoring the flow of a measured medium through a measuring tube. The thermal, flow measuring device includes: a first pin-shaped shell and at least a second pin-shaped shell; a first resistance thermometer and at least a second resistance thermometer. At least the first resistance thermometer is embodied so as to be heatable, wherein the resistance thermometers, in each case, have a first surface, and at least a second surface, which lies opposite the first surface. The first pin-shaped shell surrounds the first resistance thermometer, and the second pin-shaped shell surrounds the second resistance thermometer. The pin-shaped shells are fillable with a fill material. In each case, at least one spacer is placeable between the pin-shaped shell and the first surface of the resistance thermometer, and the second surface of the resistance thermometer is at least partially covered with fill material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser FLowtec AG
    Inventors: Dirk Boguhn, Jiri Holoubek, Axel Pfau, Oliver Popp, Jiri Polak
  • Patent number: 8926834
    Abstract: A water treatment sensor includes a housing having a bottom with an exterior surface in contact with a flow path of a fluid and an interior surface. First and second probes spaced from one another extend from the exterior surface and into the flow path. A first circuit electrically connects the first and second probes and determines a conductivity from a measured resistivity between the probes. First and second temperature sensors are spaced from one another and are coupled to the interior surface. The first sensor determines a temperature of the fluid. A temperature elevated by a heat source and determined by the second sensor is maintained above the temperature of the fluid. A second circuit determines a flow rate of the fluid based on adjustments to the heat source. Communication circuitry communicates the conductivity, the temperature, and the flow rate of the fluid to a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. West, Taylor M. Goon, Terry Tincher
  • Patent number: 8844349
    Abstract: A thermal type air flow meter that is capable of suppressing deformation of a base member at the time of molding is disclosed, to thereby secure dimension accuracy and reduce an influence of a dimension change on measuring accuracy. The meter includes a housing member placed in an intake passage of an internal combustion engine, and a base member fixed to the housing member and includes a secondary air passage into which part of air passing through the intake passage flows. The base member is a plate-like resin molded component formed of a synthetic resin material and includes a reinforcing structure integrally formed between a board fixing part to which a circuit board is fixed; and a secondary passage constituting part formed at a leading end part of the board fixing part, the reinforcing structure enhancing strength of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Morino, Chihiro Kobayashi, Yuki Okamoto, Tsutomu Kono
  • Publication number: 20140260598
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an effective wind speed are disclosed. A system includes a first detector, a second detector and a processing unit. The first detector includes a heated temperature-sensing element having a heater and a first temperature sensor, and a first housing at least partially housing the heated temperature-sensing element. The second detector includes a non-heated temperature-sensing element having a second temperature sensor, a second housing at least partially housing the non-heated temperature-sensing element. The processing unit can be adapted to determine the effective wind speed according to a temperature at the heated temperature-sensing element, a temperature at the non-heated temperature-sensing element, and/or a difference between these temperatures and in accordance with an algorithm or table of values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Gary Michael Miller
  • Patent number: 8806934
    Abstract: A method and an assembly for sensing a process parameter are provided. The sensing assembly includes a base and a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a sensing element, a first flow channel, and a second flow channel. The first flow channel includes a converging segment, a straightening segment, and a turning segment wherein the turning segment includes a turn radius configured to separate particles from a flow entering the turning segment and the second flow channel is configured to generate a low pressure area downstream of the sensing element. The sensing assembly also includes an extension member extending between the base and the sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Unison Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Jarodd Dan Goedel
  • Publication number: 20140155867
    Abstract: An intravenous infusion system that shows infusion flow rate, volume of medication infused, and alarming during malfunction. User intervention to adjust flow rates deviation is possible, using the data already stored in the system prior to the onset of making the adjustment. The system detects flow rate by measuring temperature dynamics in a section of the fluid path, unlike other systems that measures the electromechanical output of the pumping source if the counting of drops is not possible. This fundamental difference allows the invention to be used in any system that has a pumping source that provides a continuous fluid path as it measures actual flow of fluid in a segment of the fluid path, independent of pumping mechanism design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventor: Freddie Eng Hwee Lee
  • Patent number: 8739619
    Abstract: An air flow measuring device includes a fitted part, a housing, a flow sensor, and a temperature sensor component. A projection shape of the fitted part onto an imaginary plane is a first circle. On the imaginary plane, a first point and a second point are located on the first circle or inward of the first circle, and a third point is located inward of the first circle. A diameter of an imaginary circle passing through the first, second, and third points is larger than a diameter of the first circle. The first, second, and third points have such a positional relationship that, when at least one of the first and second points comes into contact with an inner peripheral surface of an attachment hole at time of insertion of the housing into a duct, the third point is away from the inner peripheral surface of the attachment hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Ooga, Tomoyuki Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 8733159
    Abstract: An air flow measuring device includes a measured passage and a sensor portion. Measured air which is a measuring object flows through the measured passage. The sensor portion is disposed in a sensor arrangement portion of the measured passage and is configured to measure a flow rate of measured air flowing through the measured passage. The measured passage includes an upstream bent portion on an upstream side of the sensor arrangement portion in a flow direction of measured air. The upstream bent portion includes an upstream throttle that partly decreases a passage area of the measured passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hidehito Tsujii
  • Patent number: 8714000
    Abstract: An air flow measuring device includes a housing, a sensor, and a conduction member. The housing defines a bypass flow passage through which taken-in air passes. The sensor is accommodated in the bypass passage and produces an electrical signal as a result of heat transfer between taken-in air and the sensor. The conduction member includes first and second terminals. The first terminal outputs the electrical signal produced by the sensor to outside. The second terminal supplies electric power to the sensor. The housing is provided through an assembly process and a molding process. In the assembly process, the conduction member is held by a primarily shaped product defining the bypass passage to provide an assembly. In the molding process, the assembly, with the conduction member held by the primarily shaped product, is inserted into a predetermined die and a secondary molded part is injection-molded in the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Akiyuki Sudou
  • Publication number: 20140116129
    Abstract: This invention is related to an apparatus which incorporates a microfabricated silicon mass flow sensor to measure city gas flow rate in a medium pressure range for utility industry which is dominated by conventional mechanical meters such as turbine and rotary meters. The microfabricated mass flow sensor is so called micro-electromechanical systems (a.k.a. MEMS) device. Due to the small feature size of micro scale for MEMS mass flow sensor, the invented apparatus includes many advantages such as low power consumption, compact package, high reliability and extended dynamic measurement range. This apparatus is also provided with a stable flow conditioning to achieve a desired dynamic range capability. Furthermore, because of the high accuracy characteristic, the apparatus in this invention could be applied tot custody transfer or tariff in utility industry as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: M-TECH INSTRUMENT CORPORATION (HOLDING) LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiangyou Yang, Yong Feng, Sugang Jiang, Chih-Chang Chen, Liji Huang
  • Publication number: 20140109664
    Abstract: A temperature sensor and a flow measuring device. The temperature sensor comprising: a housing which comprises a housing body from which at least a first shell and a second shell protrude, each of which shells comprises a first end section, a second end section and a longitudinal axis. A temperature sensor element is arranged, which has especially a thin-film resistance thermometer, wherein one of the temperature sensor elements is heatable, and which shells have outsides, which interface the housing with the environment. From each temperature sensor element at least one connection wire leads away, which is connected with a circuit board. The housing body has a housing chamber, which is connected with inner hollow spaces of the shells, wherein the circuit board is arranged in the housing chamber, and wherein the circuit board is positioned in the housing chamber by a snap-in connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Achim Wiest, Heinerich Hagenmeyer, Roy Senn, Tobias Bauer
  • Patent number: 8701474
    Abstract: An air flow measuring device includes a housing, a sensor, and a projection portion. The housing defines a bypass flow passage through which taken-in intake air passes and which has an outlet that opens into an intake passage toward a downstream side of a mainstream of intake air. The sensor is accommodated in the bypass flow passage to produce an electrical signal as a result of heat transfer between the taken-in intake air and the sensor. The projection portion is provided on an outer wall of the housing on a downstream side of the outlet in the mainstream and extends outward of the housing. A projection-portion projected region and an outlet projected region, which are formed respectively by projecting the projection portion and the outlet perpendicularly onto a projection plane that is perpendicular to a direction of the mainstream, overlap with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tagawa
  • Patent number: 8695417
    Abstract: Flow sensor assemblies having increased flow range capabilities are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a flow sensor assembly includes a housing with an inlet flow port, an outlet flow port, and a fluid channel extending between the inlet flow port and the outlet flow port. One or more partitions are provided in the fluid channel of the housing to define two or more fluid sub-passages. A flow sensor, for sensing a measure related to a flow rate of a fluid flowing through the fluid channel, is positioned in one of the two or more fluid sub-passages. In some cases, the cross-sectional area of each of the two or more fluid sub-passages may be substantially the same, but this is not required. The housing may be formed from a single molded part defining the inlet and outlet flow ports, at least a portion of the fluid channel, and one or more of the partitions. In this case, a top cover may be provided and mounted to the housing to define the remaining portion of the fluid channel, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Speldrich, Lamar Floyd Ricks
  • Patent number: 8683674
    Abstract: Method for stacking microelectronic devices using two or more carriers, each holding microelectronic devices in an array so they may be registered. Each device is releasably held by its edges in a carrier to allow access to top and bottom surfaces of the device for joining. Arrays of devices held in two or more carriers are juxtaposed and joined to form an array of stacked devices. A resulting stacked device is released from the juxtaposed carriers holding each device by releasing forces of the corresponding carrier urging upon edges of the device, thereby permitting removal of the stacked device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Centipede Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Di Stefano
  • Publication number: 20140060176
    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: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Torsten Mais, Ulrich Wagner
  • Patent number: 8590368
    Abstract: An airflow measuring device has a bypass passage accommodating a thermal-type sensor configured to conduct heat transfer with air. A mainstream of intake air partially flows through the bypass passage and flows out of an outlet, as an after-bypass-passage flow. The mainstream partially flows along the outer surface of the airflow measuring device, without passing through the bypass passage, as an outside-passage flow. The outer surface of the airflow measuring device defines a throttle at the downstream of the outlet. The throttle merges the after-bypass-passage flow with the outside-passage flow and guides the merged flow to the downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Kitahara
  • Publication number: 20130298666
    Abstract: A flow sensor for direct measurement of mass flow that includes a rigid, electrically conductive carrier part and a sensor element that is connected to the carrier part via electrically conductive connections. The sensor element includes a plate-like carrier substrate on which a temperature sensor and a heating element are disposed. The sensor element also includes a stable encapsulation, which partially surrounds the sensor element and the carrier part in form-locking fashion. The sensor element also includes a first region on a top side of the sensor element that is not covered by the encapsulation and a second region of an underside of said sensor element that is not covered by the encapsulation. The mass flow to be measured can circulate around the first region and the second region without hindrance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Martin Gaal, Mathias Rohm, Stefan Polly, Georg Niessner
  • Patent number: 8578769
    Abstract: A flow sensor and fastener assembly, is disclosed which includes at least the following modules: a sensor housing and a fastener element; wherein: the sensor housing is adapted to receive a flow-based sensor, e.g. a MEMS airflow sensor; the sensor housing includes a connection for transmitting sensing signals from a fitted flow-based sensor; the fastener element includes a head and a shank, at least part of the shank being externally threaded; the fastener element includes a bore extending through the whole length of the fastener element; and the bore is shaped at the head end of the fastener element to provide a sensor housing receiving part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Bae Systems PLC.
    Inventors: Martyn John Hucker, Graham Andrew Johnson, David Baker, Amir Rezai
  • Patent number: 8544320
    Abstract: A wind or gas velocity profiler integrated with micromachined (a.k.a. MEMS, Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) silicon sensors in an open or enclosed space is disclosed in the present invention. There are three main embodiments disclosed in the present invention. Through the preambles of the independent claims, the advantages and merits of such measurement apparatus with MEMS flow sensor will be demonstrated as well. A silicon-based MEMS flow sensor can greatly reduce the sensor fabrication cost by a batch production. The integration with MEMS flow sensor makes the invented anemometer operate in the ways of better measurement accuracy, lower power consumption, higher reliability and a compact dimension compared to traditional anemometers such as cup anemometer, thermal anemometer and ultrasonic anemometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Siargo Ltd.
    Inventors: Liji Huang, Jialuo Jack Xuan, Chih-Chang Chen
  • Patent number: 8544352
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement including a probe and a bracket that are provided for a calorimetric mass flow meter for measuring the mass flow in a measuring tube. The probe is mounted in the bracket in such a manner that the probe is guided essentially without contact with a radial spacing through a probe recess a wall of the measuring tube and is positioned in a cross section of a flow-through area of the flow of the measuring tube. The bracket is designed in such a manner that the probe is thermally de-coupled from the measuring tube. The sensor arrangement for the calorimetric mass flow meter is capable of increasing the measuring accuracy and increasing the flexibility during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: KROHNE Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Glatzel, Jörg Kube, Marc Rhode, Andreas Seidel
  • Patent number: 8534125
    Abstract: A flow measuring device includes a flow rate sensor, an electronic circuit, a connector, and an adjusting terminal. The sensor outputs a detection signal in accordance with a flow rate. The circuit is electrically connected to the sensor to control input into and output from the sensor. The connector includes a connecting terminal and a connector housing. The connecting terminal electrically connects together the circuit and an external device. The housing is formed in a cylindrical shape having a bottom and an opening to hold the connecting terminal. The housing includes a projection portion that projects from a bottom face of the bottom toward the opening. The adjusting terminal is electrically connected to the circuit to adjust the circuit. The adjusting terminal is held by the housing and includes an exposed part exposed from the housing. The exposed part is exposed from a surface of the projection portion on an opening-side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 8529127
    Abstract: Thermal flow measuring device and method for the manufacture of a thermal flow measuring device with a spacer having a first cavity for accommodating a resistance thermometer, wherein the spacer has at least a first planar area, which faces the first cavity, and a second cavity, through which the resistance thermometer can be pressed by means of a hold-down onto the first planar area of the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alex Pfau, Martin Barth, Tobias Baur
  • Patent number: 8511158
    Abstract: Provided is a flow rate measuring apparatus which prevents a reduction in flow-rate detection accuracy through reducing stress applied to a flow rate detection element. The flow rate measuring apparatus includes a support member (8) provided with a stepped portion (9) formed between a region facing a circuit board (5) and a region facing a detection portion of a flow rate detection element (3), in which the support member (8) includes a groove portion (11a) provided on a side opposite to an insertion hole (2) with respect to the region facing the detection portion, for reducing stress applied to the flow rate detection element (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naoyuki Kishikawa, Koji Tanimoto, Yuji Ariyoshi, Masahiro Kawai, Shinichiro Hidaka, Hiroyuki Uramachi
  • Publication number: 20130199290
    Abstract: A gas meter comprising a meter housing with a gas inlet with associated connecting piece for a gas supply line and a gas outlet with associated connecting piece for a gas discharge line, wherein the meter housing (2) is a bellows gas meter housing in which a measuring device (12) comprising a housing (13) with an integrated micro-thermal flow measuring sensor (20) is arranged on the gas outlet (11), which housing (13) is connected in a gas-tight manner to the connecting piece (10) on the outlet side or to the meter housing (2) in the area of the gas outlet (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: HYDROMETER GMBH
    Inventors: Robert Braun, Ulrich Eff, Steffen Lacher
  • Patent number: 8485031
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for reducing moisture, dust, particulate matter, and/or other contaminates entering a sensor. A sensor assembly may include a housing with an inlet flow port and an outlet flow port. The housing may define a fluid channel extending between the inlet flow port and the outlet flow port, with a sensor positioned in the housing and exposed to the fluid channel. The sensor may be configured to sense a measure related to the flow rate of a fluid flowing through the fluid channel. A hydrophobic filter may be situated in the fluid channel, sometimes upstream of the sensor. When so configured, and during operation of the sensor assembly, a fluid may pass through the inlet flow port, through the hydrophobic filter, across the sensor, and through the outlet flow port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Speldrich, Scott Edward Beck, Phil Foster, Ru Wang
  • Patent number: 8418549
    Abstract: Flow sensor assemblies having increased flow range capabilities are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a flow sensor assembly includes a housing with an inlet flow port, an outlet flow port, a fluid channel extending between the inlet flow port and the outlet flow port, and a bypass channel having a pair of taps fluidly connected to the fluid channel at separate locations. A flow sensor for sensing a measure related to a flow rate of a fluid flowing through the fluid channel can positioned in the bypass channel. A pressure differential between the two taps of the bypass channel can drive a fraction of a fluid flowing through the fluid channel through the bypass channel. The flow sensor assembly may be configured to achieve, control, and/or balance a desired fraction of fluid flow through the bypass channel and past the flow sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Speldrich, Lamar Floyd Ricks, Craig Scott Becke, Feng Weichao
  • Patent number: 8347707
    Abstract: Provided is a flow rate measuring apparatus which suppresses deformation of a base main body due to vibration of a pipe so as to be able to reduce occurrence of disconnection of wires due to the vibration of the pipe. The flow rate measuring apparatus includes a bonding portion (16) corresponding to a deformation suppression portion provided between an inner wall surface (17a) of a flange (17) of a base (11) and an outer circumferential wall surface (6a) of a cover (6) covering a circuit board (5), which is opposed to the inner wall surface (17a), for connecting the flange (17) and the cover (6) to suppress the deformation of a base main body (32) of the base (11) due to vibration of an intake pipe (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Uramachi, Koji Tanimoto, Yuji Ariyoshi, Masahiro Kawai, Shinichiro Hidaka, Naoyuki Kishikawa
  • Patent number: 8256285
    Abstract: A flow sensor (1) comprising a flow channel (14) embedded in a base body (1?), a flow sensor element (13) adjacent to the flow channel (14) and a cover plate (12) covering the flow channel (14) and arranged on the base body (1?). The flow channel (14) is formed by an elastic sealing lip (15) which delimits the channel (14), running on and around an upper side of the base body (1?) lying opposite the cover plate (12) such that a seal is formed. This arrangement allows the formation of a sealed structure where a flow channel (14) with a level channel that avoids contamination and turbulence and has laminar current flowing through the flow channel (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: BELIMO Holding, AG
    Inventors: Philip Holoch, Karin Megnet, Curdin Staheli
  • Patent number: 8205493
    Abstract: A plug-in sensor for determining an aspirated air mass of an internal combustion engine flowing through a flow pipe has a plug part, which is able to be introduced into the streaming medium with a specified orientation to the main flow direction. Provided in this plug part is at least one flow channel having at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening. Accommodated in the at least one flow channel is at least one sensor for determining the at least one parameter. The plug part has a rounded inflow side, which points counter to the main flow direction. The plug part at least partially has an airfoil profile, which is designed such that an asymmetrical flow profile of the fluid medium comes about when the plug part is introduced into the streaming fluid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Mais, Uwe Konzelmann, Christoph Gmelin