With Sensor Housing Patents (Class 73/204.22)
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Patent number: 6826955Abstract: A mass fluid flow sensor for determining the amount of fluid inducted into an internal combustion engine, for example, is disclosed. The mass fluid flow sensor includes an external intake fluid temperature element which improves the accuracy of the mass fluid reading. An external cold wire element is further provided which improves response time. The mass fluid flow sensor has an improved aerodynamic design which provides a lower system pressure drop. A molded one-piece isolated jet nozzle having a hot element disposed therein is included in a fluid sampling portion. The fluid sampling portion has a tubular sampling channel, wherein the sampling channel has one bend having a constant bend radius. Consequently, an improved lower internal flow passage pressure drop is achieved. Additionally, an improved signal to noise ratio, as well as a larger dynamic range is an advantageous consequence of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence A. Zurek, Eric C. Myers
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Publication number: 20040226358Abstract: A mass flow measurement apparatus including a flow path defined by a tubular side wall, a probe extending through the side wall into the flow path so that a first portion of the probe is located in the flow path and a second portion of the probe, extends out of the side wall, a heater element secured to the probe, and a seal preventing fluid flowing through the flow path from contacting the heater element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2003Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventors: Ali Shajii, Nicholas Eugene Kottenstette, R. Leonard Myatt, Jeffrey Vincent Anastas
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Patent number: 6810730Abstract: A device including a bypass channel including a separating wall, which protects a measuring element, or, through a special arrangement of an inner wall surface, prevents foreign particles from flowing to the measuring element.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2002Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Thomas Lenzing, Uwe Konzelmann, Richard Joschko
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Patent number: 6805002Abstract: A circuit case is disposed integrally on a first side of a joint portion formed with a circular cross section, and a measuring conduit is disposed so as to extend from a second side of the joint portion. A pair of mounting portions are disposed so as to extend in flange shapes from the circuit case on mutually opposite sides of the joint portion, and a mounting aperture is disposed through each of the mounting portions. A lower surface of each of the mounting portions is formed so as to have a stepped portion, a wall surface of the stepped portion constituting a position regulating portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2003Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Fumiyoshi Yonezawa
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Patent number: 6789418Abstract: Projecting ends of terminal conductors projecting out of a thick portion of a holder and electrode terminals of a flow rate detecting element are electrically connected by bonding wires. A peripheral wall member is secured by an adhesive to a thin portion of the holder and the flow rate detecting element so as to surround the electrical connection portions between the projecting ends and the bonding wires and between the electrode terminals and the bonding wires. A gel is formed so as to seal the electrical connection portions, and a rubber is injected into and cured inside the peripheral wall member so as to seal the gel.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2003Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroyuki Uramachi, Masao Kikuchi
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Patent number: 6782745Abstract: A slosh suppressor prevents damage to electronic components and wire bonds of a circuit module contained in a circuit chamber formed by the housing of a sensor module. The circuit module is positioned within the circuit chamber and has a silicon gel layer positioned thereon for protecting the circuit module from the environment. A housing cover is structured to engage the sensor housing and close the circuit chamber. The housing cover has a projection extending into the circuit chamber and engaging the silicon gel layer to reduce vibration in the silicon gel layer and protect the circuit module.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2003Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence A. Zurek, Eric C. Myers
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Patent number: 6782744Abstract: A power transistor 1 is mounted on a metallic power supply terminal 40 within an intake pipe 20, individually and separately from an electronic circuit board 7 on which other electronic circuit element are mounted. This power supply terminal 40 acts as a terminal for electric power input and its one portion is exposed within the gas path of the intake pipe 20. The heat-generation of the power transistor 1 is effectively heat-generated by the metallic terminal 40 without giving a remarkable effect to the other circuit elements. With this, it is possible to reduce any heat effect to the other electronic circuit components due to the self heat-generation of the power transistor 1 without the additional number of parts and to effectuate the gas flow rate measuring apparatus of which measuring accuracy and reliability are high.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinobu Tashiro, Shinya Igarashi, Hitoshi Ishikawa
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Publication number: 20040163462Abstract: A slosh suppressor prevents damage to electronic components and wire bonds of a circuit module contained in a circuit chamber formed by the housing of a sensor module. The circuit module is positioned within the circuit chamber and has a silicon gel layer positioned thereon for protecting the circuit module from the environment. A housing cover is structured to engage the sensor housing and close the circuit chamber. The housing cover has a projection extending into the circuit chamber and engaging the silicon gel layer to reduce vibration in the silicon gel layer and protect the circuit module.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence A. Zurek, Eric C. Myers
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Patent number: 6768291Abstract: In a sensor chip for a fluid flow sensor, a thin film portion is formed above a hollow cavity portion while leaving thin film layers formed on the surface of a substrate. A conductor is provided on the inner wall face of a through hole formed to penetrate the substrate to thereby electrically connect a detecting portion constituted by a conductor film in the thin film layers and a substrate conductor portion formed on the rear face side of the through hole. The surface of a circuit board is formed with a control circuit and a base conductor portion electrically connected to the control circuit. The sensor chip and the circuit board are layered and the substrate conductor portion and the base conductor portion are electrically connected.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Toshiki Isogai, Yasushi Kohno, Toshimasa Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Wado
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Publication number: 20040134272Abstract: An air mass sensor has a three-part configuration formed of an insertion element, a measuring channel element and a housing element for accommodating an evaluation device. In order to be able to provide flexible insertion elements for a device having a short overall height, the measuring channel element and the housing element are joined to one another along a side of the measuring channel element that is perpendicular to the main direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventors: Stefan Pesahl, Jurgen Scheibner, Kai Schurig, Stephen Setescak, Frank Steuber, Andreas Wildgen
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Publication number: 20040129073Abstract: A heating resistor type flow measuring device comprising a housing having a support part provided between a frame body and a connector and connected to the mounting part of a fluid passage, a flow rate detection element held on the frame body side of the housing, and an electronic circuit held on the housing and connected electrically to the flow rate detection element and the connector, wherein the electronic circuit is held on the frame body side of the housing and positioned in the fluid passage, a member with the rigidity higher than the material of the main structural member of the housing is formed integrally with the support part, the housing is fixed to the fluid passage through the member with high rigidity. A metal plate is inserted into the support part so as to increase rigidity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventors: Naoki Saito, Masayuki Kozawa, Shinya Igarashi, Hiromu Kikawa, Akio Yasukawa, Akira Takasago
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Patent number: 6752015Abstract: The present invention involves a device for detecting a condition of a flowing fluid within a vehicle having reduced sulfur ingress. The device includes a base plate having a receiving surface and a circumferential edge and a printed circuit board disposed on the receiving surface of the base plate. The device further includes a housing having peripheral side walls attaching to the receiving surface adjacent the circumferential edge to define a peripheral interface enclosing the printed circuit board within the housing. The device further includes an adhesive material disposed at the interface to adhere the housing to the base plate. The adhesive material has a predetermined thermal expansion coefficient and a predetermined elastic modulus to reduce fluid ingress through the interface and to accommodate thermal expansions of the base plate and the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David J. Thompson, Robert E. Belke, Jr., Edward P. McLeskey
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Patent number: 6729181Abstract: The flow sensor has a first and a second housing section and a semiconductor chip with an integrated sensor element between the housing sections. The semiconductor chip is arranged at a measuring conduit formed by a groove in a first one of the housing sections. A sealing ring is arranged between the housing sections. A flexible support foil carrying strip conductors is connected to the semiconductor chip and extends between the sealing ring and the second housing section out of the housing. This simple arrangement is able to withstand high pressure.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2001Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Sensiron AGInventors: Felix Mayer, Mark R. Hornung
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Patent number: 6729182Abstract: In a flow rate sensor, a sensing passage, into which a fluid is introduced and in which a flow rate sensing element is disposed, a support member for supporting the sensing passage, and a circuit case, in which an electronic circuit unit for controlling the flow rate sensing element is accommodated, are formed integrally with each other, and the support member extends into a main passage through a hole opened to the main passage so as to position the sensing passage in the main passage. A structural member, the outside shape of which is formed to have a fluid resistance approximately similar to that of the portion of the support member extending from the hole, is disposed at a position approximately symmetrical with the portion of the support member extending from the hole about the sensing passage.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroyuki Uramachi, Fumiyoshi Yonezawa, Tomoya Yamakawa
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Patent number: 6725715Abstract: The output characteristics of the sensing device or the control quantity of the sensing element can be adjusted by extracting an adjusting terminal in addition to a power source terminal, a ground terminal, an output terminal and the like outside a housing containing and protecting an electronic circuit. Further, by arranging the adjusting terminal inside a connector housing containing terminals such as the power source terminal, the ground terminal, the output terminal and the like, it is possible to prevent contact of foreign objects to the adjusting terminal and to water-proof the terminals for preventing corrosion since an associated connector is attached to the connector when the sensing device is actually used.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2003Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinya Igarashi, Kaoru Uchiyama, Hitoshi Ishikawa
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Patent number: 6725166Abstract: A flow pickup circuit for receiving a flow signal from a flow sensor and providing a flow indicator signal corresponding to flow characteristics through the flow sensor includes an inner bridge circuit, an outer bridge circuit, and a processor. The inner bridge circuit operates in a constant current mode, and produces a first sensing signal. The inner bridge circuit includes four components connected in a series loop, two of which include the flow sensor. The outer bridge circuit operates in a constant temperature mode, and produces a second sensing signal. The outer bridge circuit includes four components connected in a series loop, one of which includes the inner bridge circuit. The processor receives the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal, and produces the flow indicator signal therefrom. The processor subtracts an ambient temperature component from the second sensing signal to produce a constant temperature flow indicator.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Stefan Luchner
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Publication number: 20040069060Abstract: A device for detecting a mass of a flowing fluid is disclosed. The device includes a housing having a fluid sampling portion and a circuit cavity portion. The fluid sampling portion is positionable within a fluid carrying duct and includes a flow passage. A nozzle is in fluid communication with the flow passage, wherein the nozzle has a nozzle exit. An electrical element is disposed in the flow passage proximate to the nozzle exit. Further, a circuit module is in communication with the electrical element and disposed in the circuit cavity portion for detecting a change in an electrical property of the electrical element, wherein the detected change in the electrical property is used to determine the mass of the flowing fluid. Finally, a homogenous lead frame having a connector pin portion and an electrical attachment portion for providing an electrical path from the electrical element and circuit module to the connector pin portion is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2002Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Leon Bogdanov, Ralph J. Ross, Richard W. Caron, Edward P. McLeskey, Eric C. Myers
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Publication number: 20040060354Abstract: Resin members, on the surfac s of which metal films are formed, are used for; an auxiliary air passage provided in a main air passage, in which a sensor element of a physical quantity sensor such as an air flow sensor, an intake-air temperature sensor, etc., is situated; a housing; and so forth; in order to decrease both the thermal conductivity and the emissivity of those components to respective small values, whereby the temperature increase of the sensor due to both the heat conduction and the heat radiation can be suppressed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicants: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Izumi Watanabe, Naoki Saito, Masayuki Kozawa, Keiichi Nakada, Kei Ueyama
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Publication number: 20040055376Abstract: The present invention involves a device for detecting a condition of a flowing fluid within a vehicle having reduced sulfur ingress. The device includes a base plate having a receiving surface and a circumferential edge and a printed circuit board disposed on the receiving surface of the base plate. The device further includes a housing having peripheral side walls attaching to the receiving surface adjacent the circumferential edge to define a peripheral interface enclosing the printed circuit board within the housing. The device further includes an adhesive material disposed at the interface to adhere the housing to the base plate. The adhesive material has a predetermined thermal expansion coefficient and a predetermined elastic modulus to reduce fluid ingress through the interface and to accommodate thermal expansions of the base plate and the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2002Publication date: March 25, 2004Applicant: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: David J. Thompson, Robert E. Belke, Edward P. McLeskey
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Patent number: 6708560Abstract: Resin members, on the surfaces of which metal films are formed, are used for; an auxiliary air passage provided in a main air passage, in which a sensor element of a physical quantity sensor such as an air flow sensor, an intake-air temperature sensor, etc., is situated; a housing; and so forth; in order to decrease both the thermal conductivity and the emissivity of those components to respective small values, whereby the temperature increase of the sensor due to both the heat conduction and the heat radiation can be suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Izumi Watanabe, Naoki Saito, Masayuki Kozawa, Keiichi Nakada, Kei Ueyama
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Patent number: 6708561Abstract: A mass fluid flow sensor for determining the amount of fluid inducted into an internal combustion engine, for example, is disclosed. The mass fluid flow sensor includes an external intake fluid temperature element which improves the accuracy of the mass fluid reading. An external cold wire element is further provided which improves response time. The mass fluid flow sensor has an improved aerodynamic design which provides a lower system pressure drop. Moreover, the sensor is smaller and lighter and has fewer parts, thus providing better manufacturability. A molded one-piece isolated jet nozzle having a hot element disposed therein is included in the fluid sampling portion. The fluid sampling portion has a tubular sampling channel, wherein the sampling channel has one bend having a constant bend radius. Consequently, an improved lower internal flow passage pressure drop is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence A. Zurek, Eric Christopher Myers
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Patent number: 6708834Abstract: A housing comprised of a first member, a second member, a seal, and electronics. The first member has a body comprised of a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the first member comprises at least one pin protruding from the first end portion of the first member. The second member has a body and a cavity, with the body comprised of a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the second member is configured to mate with the first end portion of the first member. The first end portion of the second member comprises at least one groove configured to engageably receive the pin of the first end portion of the first member. The seal is configured to fit between the first member and the second member. The electronics is configured to mount within the cavity of the second member.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventor: Edwin Arthur Hagerman, III
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Publication number: 20040050155Abstract: A structure is disclosed in which a conductive material having corrosiveness equal to or higher than that of the materials constituting electronics circuitry is disposed on halfway of the diffusion path of corrosive gases between an entrance place thereof and the electronics circuitry, whereby the conductive material traps the corrosive gases.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2003Publication date: March 18, 2004Inventors: Isao Okazaki, Izumi Watanabe, Hiroyuki Abe, Takayuki Yogo, Shinya Igarashi
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Patent number: 6694810Abstract: A support member where a flow amount detection element, which includes a heating resistor and electronic circuit parts for obtaining the air flow amount according to the flow amount signal detected by flow amount detection element are mounted, is cooled from both the direction of the main flow of main passage and the direction of an anti-main flow (i.e., the direction opposite to the direction of the main flow).Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kei Ueyama, Izumi Watanabe, Keiichi Nakada, Junichi Horie
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Patent number: 6694811Abstract: A flow meter is formed with a passage for introducing and carrying air to measure and has a sensing part disposed in the passage for measuring a flow rate of the air. A contraction part is formed on an inner surface of the passage so that the contraction part faces the sensing part. The contraction part narrows the flow of the air flowing near the sensing part. A flat surface of the contraction part is formed in parallel with the surface of the sensing part and at least upstream of the sensing part. Thus, collision of particles against the sensing part and adhesion of contaminants to the sensing pert are inhibited. Meanwhile, the flow rate of the air is measured stably and accurately.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2003Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Yasushi Kohno, Toshimasa Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Wado, Tetsuo Yoshioka
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Publication number: 20040011125Abstract: The invention is intended to improve reliability of a thermal type air flow measuring instrument employing a molded part formed by integral molding together with a metal plate. A slot or opening allowing only a resin to pass through the same is formed in the metal plate in an area or thereabout subjected to higher stresses. A part of connector terminals, which is not required from the intrinsic object, is disposed in the vicinity of a area where the resin has a larger thickness and the temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the resin is locally increased. An injecting direction is set so as to prevent a weld line and a void from being generated in a combined way. In the molded part with the metal plate inserted therein, the occurrence of cracks and an increase of the fatigue crack growth rate can be suppressed and reliability can be improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: Masayuki Kozawa, Shinya Igarashi, Nobuhito Hiramatsu, Naoki Saito, Hiromu Kikawa
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Patent number: 6679113Abstract: A frame-shaped peripheral wall member is disposed on a holder so as to surround an electrical connection portion between a terminal and a flow rate detecting element, a bottom surface of the peripheral wall member being secured by bonding to the holder and the flow rate detecting element by a heat-curing addition-reaction silicone adhesive. A heat-curing addition-reaction gel containing a fluorine resin as a major constituent is injected and cured inside the peripheral wall member so as to embed the electrical connection portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroyuki Uramachi
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Patent number: 6672154Abstract: A flow rate detector (5) including a heater and a temperature sensor is connected to a thermal conductor (6), and a fluid temperature detector (9) including a temperature sensor is connected to a thermal conductor (10). A housing (2) encloses the flow rate detector (5), the fluid temperature detector (9) and parts of thermal conductors (6, 10). The housing (2) also encloses a memory (1) that stores individual information of a flow rate sensor unit used for determining flow rates by using signals from a detector circuit containing the heater, the temperature sensor of the flow rate detector and the temperature sensor of the fluid temperature detector. The flow rate detector (5), the fluid temperature detector (9) and the memory (1) are connected to a plurality of leads (4) in the housing (2). The housing (2) is connected to a fluid channel (13), into which the thermal conductors (6, 10) extended. The flow rate sensor unit reduces the difference in measurment between the different sensor units.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Inventors: Kiyoshi Yamagishi, Kenji Tomonari, Shinichi Inoue, Takayuki Takahata
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Patent number: 6666082Abstract: A thermal airflow sensor is made highly resistant to thermal stresses due to cold-heat cycles, highly reliable even in the presence of corrosive gases, and capable of low dispersion of output characteristics. The thermal airflow sensor has a semiconductor sensor element in a dent formed on a ceramic laminated board on which a control circuit and a metallic film are formed. The laminated board area at which the semiconductor sensor element is electrically connected to the laminated board is covered with epoxy resin. The part covered with epoxy resin is placed in the air passage.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Izumi Watanabe, Masamichi Yamada, Keiichi Nakada
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Patent number: 6658931Abstract: A gas mass flow sensor or probe (35, 37, 39) of an air flow sensing and control system (17, 19, 21) based upon hot-wire type devices where flow sensing is achieved by controlling the difference between two temperature sensing elements (51 and 53) suspended in the flow stream (41, 43, 45). The first element (53) is used to measure the ambient temperature of the fluid flow and the second element (51) is maintained at a programmed temperature (121) above ambient by a current-fed heater (49). The mass flow rate density is determined from heater current (117) required to maintain the temperature difference and the total flow in the duct is inferred. To measure the flow in which the elements (51, 53) are submerged, electronic circuitry monitors the two temperature elements (51, 53) and controls the amount of current through the heater (49) such that there will always be a predetermined difference between the ambient and heated temperatures. The sensor provides an output signal (101) for use by other devices (23).Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2000Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Daniel M. Plumb, Benjamin E. Pettit, Michael J. Williams
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Patent number: 6647809Abstract: A high temperature anemometer includes a pair of substrates. One of the substrates has a plurality of electrodes on a facing surface, while the other of the substrates has a sensor cavity on a facing surface. A sensor is received in the sensor cavity, wherein the sensor has a plurality of bondpads, and wherein the bond pads contact the plurality of electrodes when the facing surfaces are mated with one another. The anemometer further includes a plurality of plug-in pins, wherein the substrate with the cavity has a plurality of trenches with each one receiving a plurality of plug-in pins. The plurality of plug-in pins contact the plurality of electrodes when the substrates are mated with one another. The sensor cavity is at an end of one of the substrates such that the sensor partially extends from the substrate. The sensor and the substrates are preferably made of silicon carbide.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2002Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Robert S. Okojie, Gustave C. Fralick, George J. Saad
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Publication number: 20030209068Abstract: A circuit case is disposed integrally on a first side of a joint portion formed with a circular cross section, and a measuring conduit is disposed so as to extend from a second side of the joint portion. A pair of mounting portions are disposed so as to extend in flange shapes from the circuit case on mutually opposite sides of the joint portion, and a mounting aperture is disposed through each of the mounting portions. A lower surface of each of the mounting portions is formed so as to have a stepped portion, a wall surface of the stepped portion constituting a position regulating portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2003Publication date: November 13, 2003Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Fumiyoshi Yonezawa
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Patent number: 6640627Abstract: A fluid flow meter is disposed in a conduit. A casing of the flow meter includes a main body section defining a circuit board installation recess, and has a peripheral wall section projecting from the main body section so as to surround the circuit board installation recess. A part of the peripheral wall section is cut out to form an installation plate insertion groove. A silicon-containing filler is disposed in the board installation recess of the casing to cover the circuit board. A fluorine-containing sealant is disposed in the board installation recess close to the installation plate insertion groove so as to seal the installation plate insertion groove and maintain the silicon-containing filler inside the board installation recess.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2001Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Unisia Jecs CorporationInventors: Kunihiko Sato, Fumikazu Miyamoto, Kiyoshi Yoshii
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Patent number: 6629455Abstract: In a method of measuring the throughflow of a gas mixture, the gas mixture flows past a flow sensor which includes a heating device and a first temperature probe reacting to the temperature of the heating device. A temperature, which is characteristic of the temperature of a liquid above which the gas mixture stands as vapor, is measured with a second temperature probe. A first measurement signal characterizing the composition of the gas mixture and thus its heat dissipation capacity is produced using the known vapor-pressure curve of the liquid and the temperature of the liquid. A second measurement signal characterizing the throughflow of the gas mixture is produced using the heating power supplied to the heating device, the temperature of the first temperature probe and the first measurement signal. The method can be used when monitoring the gas return to a filling system and when controlling the gas pump used therein.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2001Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Fafnir GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Schrittenlacher, Stefan Kunter
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Patent number: 6626037Abstract: A flow sensor, which can detect flow velocity in a wide range including high flow velocity area with simple structure. A flow sensor includes a substrate having a hollow portion; and a thin film structure portion provided above the hollow portion. The thin film structure portion is provided with a heater formed in a center portion, an upper and a lower stream temperature detectors for detecting temperature of the fluid, a fluid thermometer for detecting temperature of the fluid, and thermal couple films provided on the substrate at a portion, where is between the heater and both temperature detectors. According to this structure, the thermal couple films enhance thermal coupling between the heater and the temperature detectors.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2000Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Wado, Yukihiro Takeuchi, Toshimasa Yamamoto
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Publication number: 20030172731Abstract: A flow meter is formed with a passage for introducing and carrying air to measure and has a sensing part disposed in the passage for measuring a flow rate of the air. A contraction part is formed on an inner surface of the passage so that the contraction part faces the sensing part. The contraction part narrows the flow of the air flowing near the sensing part. A flat surface of the contraction part is formed in parallel with the surface of the sensing part and at least upstream of the sensing part. Thus, collision of particles against the sensing part and adhesion of contaminants to the sensing pert are inhibited. Meanwhile, the flow rate of the air is measured stably and accurately.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2003Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventors: Yasushi Kohno, Toshimasa Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Wado, Tetsuo Yoshioka
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Patent number: 6612167Abstract: A U-shaped bypass passage is provided in an intake pipe. A part of air flowing in the intake pipe is introduced into the bypass passage. The bypass passage is arranged substantially perpendicularly to a primary air flow direction in the intake pipe. A flow meter element is disposed in the bypass passage for measuring air flow amount. Turbulence reduction plates are integrally formed with the bypass passage at an upper side and a lower side of an air inlet thereof. The turbulence reduction plates are arranged substantially in parallel with the primary air flow direction in the intake pipe, and substantially perpendicularly to an air flow direction in the bypass passage. Even when a secondary air flow arises around the air inlet of the bypass passage, the turbulence reduction plates shut the secondary air flow, thereby reducing an influence of the secondary air flow.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Shinichi Kamiya
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Patent number: 6604417Abstract: A strainer integrated flowmeter 210 is constituted by a strainer section 203 provided with a housing 202 having a flow passage 207 formed therein, a filter member 209 and a filter member insertion cylinder 210; and a flowmeter section 204 provided with a housing 202 having a flow passage 208 formed therein and a flow rate sensor 226. The housings 202 of both the strainer section 203 and flowmeter section 204 are integrated, and the flowmeter section 204 is disposed at downstream side. A vent hole 215 is formed in the housing 202 so as to be in communication with the flow passage 207.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2001Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Koike, Kiyoshi Yamagishi, Kenichi Hiraizumi, Takayuki Takahata
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Patent number: 6598472Abstract: The output characteristics of the sensing device or the control quantity of the sensing element can be adjusted by extracting an adjusting terminal in addition to a power source terminal, a ground terminal, an output terminal and the like outside a housing containing and protecting an electronic circuit. Further, by arranging the adjusting terminal inside a connector housing containing terminals such as the power source terminal, the ground terminal, the output terminal and the like, it is possible to prevent contact of foreign objects to the adjusting terminal and to water-proof the terminals for preventing corrosion since an associated connector is attached to the connector when the sensing device is actually used.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2002Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinya Igarashi, Kaoru Uchiyama, Hitoshi Ishikawa
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Patent number: 6591675Abstract: The invention relates to a device having a sensor carrier, which comprises a sheet-metal element and a plastic element and on which a measuring element introduced into the flowing medium is disposed. The use of plastic, which for the most part covers the sheet-metal element, means closer tolerances, which improve the performance of the sensor carrier both in terms of its facing into the flow and experiencing a flow around it, for instance by providing it with an improved aerodynamic leading edge, or the measuring element can be mounted flush to the surface and flush with edges of a sensor cavern, so that no turbulence occurs in the medium in the region of the measuring element or flow under the measuring element. The sensor region of the measuring element is reliably protected by recesses in the longitudinal edges and by a special adhesive bonding process from a gel emerging from the electronic evaluation circuit, so that the measuring characteristic curve behavior is not altered.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Klaus Doderer, Hans Hecht, Gerhard Hueftle, Manfred Strohrmann, Rainer Schard, Uwe Konzelmann
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Patent number: 6591674Abstract: A system for sensing or measuring the motion of a fluid such as air. The system typically has a two-part plastic body containing an internal flow passage. The parts of the body may snap together or attach with an adhesive. A transducer or an electronic sensor is typically located within the flow passage, which may measure mass flow rate and may have two resistive thermal devices (RTDs) located on either side of a heat source. The body may have two elongated port tubes configured to attach to tubing. The port tubes may contain venturis, and may be substantially straight and substantially parallel, forming a U shape. A metal lead frame may be provided in electrical communication with the sensor. The lead frame may be integrally molded within the body, and may have a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the body. The internal flow passage and the sensor may be substantially symmetrical and measure the flow rate of the fluid substantially equally in either flow direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2000Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Richard William Gehman, Christopher Michael Blumhoff, Jamie Wandler Speldrich
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Publication number: 20030126925Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for measuring at least one parameter of a medium flowing in a line, particularly the intake-air volume of an internal combustion engine. Liquid particles contained in the line act upon a measuring element and influence a characteristic curve of the measuring element which is used to determine parameters of the flowing medium. The characteristic curve of the measuring element can be changed disadvantageously by solid-matter particles. According to the present invention, to reduce the action of solid-matter particles on the measuring element (23), a protective grating (15) is proposed in which side walls (36) of channels (43) of the protective grating (15) form various angles of intersection with the flow direction (6, 12). Solid-matter particles are thereby diverted into a path of motion (53) around the measuring element (23).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventors: Herbert Roeckel, Heinz Rilling, Thomas Lenzing, Holger Krebs, Uwe Konzelmann
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Publication number: 20030115951Abstract: A thermal mass flow controller includes a sensor assembly and mass flow controller housing. A thermal ground limits the conductive thermal path between the mass flow controller housing and the sensor assembly and, due to the limited cross-section of the thermal ground, substantially eliminates externally imposed thermal gradients within the sensor assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2001Publication date: June 26, 2003Inventors: Jesse Ambrosina, Isao Suzuki
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Publication number: 20030110854Abstract: To provide a flow measurement sensor which accurately outputs signals even when pulsation flow is generated at high engine speed and also when pulsation flow accompanying reverse flow is generated. In a flow measurement sensor comprising a flow measurement element which has a heater resistance pattern on one side of a plate-shaped member, and a bypass passage in which the flow measurement element is disposed, a first outlet through which fluid flowing along the surface of said flow measurement element flows out, and a second outlet through which fluid flowing along the back side of said flow measurement element flows out are provided, and said second outlet is positioned at a different location from said first outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2002Publication date: June 19, 2003Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Keiichi Nakada, Izumi Watanabe, Junichi Horie, Kei Ueda
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Patent number: 6571623Abstract: A measuring instrument for measuring mass of a flowing medium in which a measuring body extends across the flowing medium and has a rectangular flow channel through which the medium flows. The flow channel has a constricted inlet, a central portion with parallel sides and a widened outlet. A measuring element is supported in the measuring body such that the medium flows thereon. The measuring element carries temperature and heating sensors.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1999Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Pierburg GmbHInventors: Johann Blasczyk, Karl-Heinrich Lösing, Thomas Wienecke, Peter Witkowski
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Patent number: 6571621Abstract: A thermal type flow rate measuring device can certainly prevent adhesion of water droplet onto a sensor element and thus achieve high reliability. The thermal type flow rate measuring device includes an auxiliary passage defined within a main passage for introducing a part of fluid flowing through the main passage, a sensor disposed within the auxiliary passage for detecting flow rate of the fluid and capturing means formed on an inner periphery of the auxiliary passage for capturing liquid contained in the fluid and transferring the captured liquid.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Izumi Watanabe, Junichi Horie, Keiichi Nakada, Kei Ueyama
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Publication number: 20030084718Abstract: The output characteristics of the sensing device or the control quantity of the sensing element can be adjusted by extracting an adjusting terminal in addition to a power source terminal, a ground terminal, an output terminal and the like outside a housing containing and protecting an electronic circuit. Further, by arranging the adjusting terminal inside a connector housing containing terminals such as the power source terminal, the ground terminal, the output terminal and the like, it is possible to prevent contact of foreign objects to the adjusting terminal and to water-proof the terminals for preventing corrosion since an associated connector is attached to the connector when the sensing device is actually used.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2002Publication date: May 8, 2003Applicant: HITACHI LTD.Inventors: Shinya Igarashi, Kaoru Uchiyama, Hitoshi Ishikawa
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Patent number: 6557410Abstract: In a flow rate sensor, a sensing passage, into which a fluid is introduced and in which a flow rate sensing element is disposed, a support member for supporting the sensing passage, and a circuit case, in which an electronic circuit unit for controlling the flow rate sensing element is accommodated, are formed integrally with each other, and the support member extends into a main passage through a hole opened to the main passage so as to position the sensing passage in the main passage. A structural member, the outside shape of which is formed to have a fluid resistance approximately similar to that of the portion of the support member extending from the hole, is disposed at a position approximately symmetrical with the portion of the support member extending from the hole about the sensing passage.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroyuki Uramachi, Fumiyoshi Yonezawa, Tomoya Yamakawa
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Publication number: 20030079540Abstract: The present invention is a decoder for control gate lines of a twin MONOS flash memory array. Decoder units connected to each control gate line of the memory are controlled to provide select, override and unselect voltages to perform read, program and erase operations. The decoder units are divided into odd and even addressing where separate voltages can be applied control gates of to adjacent memory cells. Override voltages, which prevent operations of a selected cell from affecting adjacent memory cell storage sites, can be applied to the control gates of immediate neighboring cells of the selected sell. Unselected voltages can be applied to beyond the immediate neighboring cells to further prevent disturb conditions in remote cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2002Publication date: May 1, 2003Applicant: Halo LSI, Inc.Inventor: Tomoko Ogura
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Publication number: 20030074963Abstract: A frame-shaped peripheral wall member is disposed on a holder so as to surround an electrical connection portion between a terminal and a flow rate detecting element, a bottom surface of the peripheral wall member being secured by bonding to the holder and the flow rate detecting element by a heat-curing addition-reaction silicone adhesive. A heat-curing addition-reaction gel containing a fluorine resin as a major constituent is injected and cured inside the peripheral wall member so as to embed the electrical connection portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2002Publication date: April 24, 2003Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroyuki Uramachi