Resistive Element Patents (Class 73/204.25)
  • Patent number: 11946686
    Abstract: A fluid delivery device is disclosed. The fluid delivery device includes a fluid flow meter. The fluid flow meter is enclosed in an insulated box. An intake is provided on the insulated box for providing a forced cooling gas flow over the fluid flow meter. An exhaust is provided on the insulated box from which the forced cooling gas exits the insulated box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shailendra Srivastava, Syed Alam, Nikhil Sudhindrarao Jorapur, Daemian Raj Benjamin Raj, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez
  • Patent number: 11927555
    Abstract: The design and structure of a fluidic concentration metering device with a full dynamic range utilizing micro-machined thermal time-of-flight sensing elements is exhibited in this disclosure. With an additional identical sensing chip but packaged at the different locations in the measurement fluidic chamber with a closed conduit, the device can simultaneously measure the fluidic concentration and the fluidic flowrate. With a temperature thermistor integrated on the same micro-machined thermal sensing chip, the disclosed device will be able to provide the key processing parameters for the fluidic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Siargo Ltd.
    Inventors: Liji Huang, Yahong Yao, Li Chen, Chih-Chang Chen
  • Patent number: 11906543
    Abstract: Provided are embodiments including a system for performing health monitoring. The system includes a measurement device configured to measure pressure of an environment, a heating element of the heater section coupled to the measurement device, a first sensing element operably coupled to a first region of the measurement device, and a second sensing element operably coupled to a second region of the measurement device. The system also includes a programmable logic that is configured to generate a status signal or flag based at least in part on conditions of the first region or the second region of the measurement device, a processing system configured to control the heating element responsive to reaching a threshold temperature, and a display configured to display a status of the first region or second region of the measurement device based at least in part on the status signal or flag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT AEROSPACE INC.
    Inventor: Shoyeb Khan
  • Patent number: 11841256
    Abstract: A thermal flow velocity and flow rate sensor includes: a substrate; a heater mounted on the substrate; a temperature measuring element mounted on the substrate; a joint portion made of a resin filled between the heater and the temperature measuring element and thermally connecting the heater and the temperature measuring element; a lead wire connected to the substrate; and a fastener fixing the lead wire to the substrate. The lead wire is soldered to the substrate. The lead wire and the fastener are coated with the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuuki Takami, Kazunari Fukagawa, Ryuuichi Toyota, Natsuko Kitagawa, Yumi Aomatsu
  • Patent number: 11821776
    Abstract: A mass flow sensor assembly for a mass flow controller or a mass flow meter comprises a mass flow sensor comprising a capillary tube held by a first corner support and a second corner support formed separately from each other. The capillary tube comprises a sensor portion which is located between the two corner supports, and wherein the two corner supports each have an arc-shaped groove in which the capillary tube is partially received. In addition, a method of manufacturing a mass flow sensor assembly is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventors: Andreas Doerr, Tanja Hertweck, Jan Magnussen, Juergen Wiedemann, Armin Arnold, Frederic Heinrich
  • Patent number: 11754525
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a gas detector with an ionizing device for producing ions depending on a gas to be detected. The gas detector includes a catcher for receiving the electrical current produced by the ions, and a measuring device with an electrical measuring resistor. The electrical measuring resistor produces an electrical measuring potential from the current and is surrounded, at least in part, by an electrical shield resistor, denoted by RT. The same potentials, up to a deviation of at most 25%, are applied in the longitudinal direction of the electrical measuring resistor to mutually opposed regions of the electrical measuring resistor and the electrical shield resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: INFICON GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Rolff
  • Patent number: 11740115
    Abstract: A measuring device for measuring flow velocity includes a measuring tube, a measuring transducer for registering a measured variable and outputting a first measured value representing the measured variable, a temperature sensor, and an electronic measuring/operating circuit. The temperature sensor has a sensor element and electrically conductive leads. Each lead is connected with the sensor element and has a first section following on the connection location. The sensor element has a maximum periphery. The first section has a separation of less than 5% of a measuring tube radius from a measuring tube wall, wherein a length of each lead in the first section is at least 25% of the maximum periphery. The leads are guided in their first section at least in certain regions along the maximum periphery, and in their first section are in certain regions in thermal contact with the measuring tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Severin Ramseyer
  • Patent number: 11525721
    Abstract: The microflow sensor includes a base wafer having opposed upper and lower surfaces, and a cap wafer, also having opposed upper and lower surfaces. The base wafer and the cap wafer may be formed from a semiconductor material. A flow sensing element is embedded in the upper surface of the base wafer. The flow sensing element may be any suitable type of flow sensing element, such as a central heater and at least one temperature-sensitive element. A flow channel is formed in the lower surface of the cap wafer and extends continuously between first and second longitudinally opposed edges of the cap wafer. The lower surface of the cap wafer is bonded to the upper surface of the base wafer such that fluid flowing through the flow channel passes above and across the sensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: KING FAISAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Saed A. Salman, Abdullah Aljaafari, Adil Alshoaibi, Mohd Al Saleh Al Othoum
  • Patent number: 11439356
    Abstract: Provided are conformable devices to measure subdermal fluid flow and related methods. A soft, stretchable and flexible substrate supports a thermal actuator and various specially positioned temperature sensors. A microprocessor in electronic communication with sensors calculates subdermal fluid flow from the measured upstream and downstream temperatures, as well as various application-dependent parameters. Devices and methods provided herein are particularly useful for measuring cerebral spinal fluid in a ventricular shunt placed for treatment of hydrocephalus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: John A. Rogers, Siddharth Krishnan, Tyler R. Ray, Amit B. Ayer, Philipp Gutruf, Jonathan T. Reeder, Kun Hyuck Lee, Chun-Ju Su
  • Patent number: 11399890
    Abstract: An intra-cardiac mapping system is based on locating the ports through which blood flows in or out the heart chambers. For many procedures, such as ablation to cure atrial fibrillation, locating the pulmonary veins and the mitral valve accurately allows to perform a Maze procedure. The location of the ports and valves is based on using the convective cooling effect of the blood flow. The mapping can be performed by a catheter-deployed expandable net or a scanning catheter. The same net or catheter can also perform the ablation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: KARDIUM INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Gelbart, Samuel Victor Lichtenstein
  • Patent number: 11338770
    Abstract: A tractor trailer monitoring system includes a network having a server and a database; a first computing device; a monitoring platform to be accessible from the first computing device; a tractor trailer system, having a tractor unit; an air supply control system to control air supply to a brake system of the trailer, the air supply control system having a CPU to receive commands from the first computing device; the first computing device and monitoring platform are to receive an identifying code from a user to activate air supply to the brake system of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Gene Pilgrim, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11015965
    Abstract: A microneedle probe for measuring a sap flow in a plant is disclosed, the microneedle probe including: a substrate; and a sensor unit which is installed on the substrate, generates heat, and measures a temperature that changes in accordance with a sap flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Telofarm, Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Hoon Lee, Jung Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 10928231
    Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of obtaining a thermal flow meter capable of reducing a pulsation error by preventing a discharge port and a main outlet from being blocked by a vortex during a transient period and reducing a difference between flow speed distributions in normal and pulsation states. This thermal flow meter is provided with a housing disposed in a main passage; and a sub passage provided in the housing. In addition, in the housing, a first outlet and a second outlet of the sub passage are disposed in a downstream end portion of the housing, and a curved surface section is provided adjacent to the first and second outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Morino, Shinobu Tashiro, Akira Uenodan, Tomoaki Saito, Masashi Fukaya
  • Patent number: 10884436
    Abstract: A flow rate signal correction method applicable to a pressure-type flow rate control device that controls a flow rate by controlling pressure existing upstream of a restriction part includes a step of generating a primary signal indicating the flow rate in accordance with an output of a pressure sensor provided upstream of the restriction part and a step of generating a secondary signal as a corrected signal of the primary signal such that the current value of the primary signal and a value including information regarding one or a plurality of past values of the primary signal are used to derive a current value corrected according to a predetermined relational expression. The secondary signal is output as a flow rate signal during a stable flow rate period, and the secondary signal is not output as a flow rate signal during a transient change period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Sugita, Nobukazu Ikeda, Kouji Nishino, Kaoru Hirata, Masahiko Takimoto, Masayoshi Kawashima, Takahiro Imai
  • Patent number: 10393557
    Abstract: Degradation of reliability of a thermal fluid flow sensor, caused by generation of a crack in an insulating film is prevented in the thermal fluid flow sensor including a detection section and a circuit section formed on the same substrate when stress adjustment is performed by forming a deep concave portion in an interlayer insulating film in the detection section and forming the insulating film having a tensile stress thereon. As a means thereof, stair-like step is provided in a side wall of a concave portion, formed in the interlayer insulating film on a diaphragm. Accordingly, each depth of a first concave portion and a second concave portion, which form the concave portion, is reduced, and coatability of the insulating film for the stress adjustment, which covers a side wall and a bottom face of the concave portion, is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Sakuma, Yasuo Onose, Shinobu Tashiro, Ryosuke Doi
  • Patent number: 10371673
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methodologies, systems and apparatus for controlling pressure in a CO2-based chromatography system. A first CO2 pump operates in constant flow mode and delivers CO2 to a chromatography column, and liquid modifier is introduced to the chromatography column according to a gradient. A second CO2 pump is disposed downstream of the column and operates in constant pressure mode to introduce CO2 into a flow stream at an output of the column. Liquid modifier is also introduced into the flow stream at the output of the column according to a reverse gradient compared to the gradient entering the chromatography column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael O. Fogwill, Joseph A. Jarrell, Joseph D. Michienzi, Thomas S. McDonald
  • Patent number: 10359403
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methodologies, systems and apparatus for controlling pressure in a CO2-based chromatography system. A first pressure control element is located downstream of a CO2-based chromatography system and is disposed to control pressure within the column. A split restrictor is located downstream of the primary pressure control element and is disposed to divert a portion of the mobile phase flow to a detector. A second pressure control element is located downstream of the split restrictor and is disposed to control pressure at the restrictor. While the first pressure control element executes a pressure-controlled gradient separation, the second pressure control element maintains a constant pressure at the restrictor. During a composition-programmed gradient separation, the second control element maintains a constant pressure at the split restrictor while the first pressure control element maintains a constant average density across the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael O. Fogwill, Joshua A. Shreve, Michael Eggertson, Thomas S. McDonald, Joseph D. Michienzi, Abhijit Tarafder
  • Patent number: 10233886
    Abstract: A measurement device for measuring a flow distribution of a liquid spray stream which has been atomized by a nozzle may comprise: a sensing wire; at least one further sensing wire; an electric power supply; a measurement unit; and a second grid of parallel sensing wires. The sensing wires may be positioned within a spray volume of the liquid spray stream and arranged in parallel with respect to each other to form grids of parallel sensing wires. The electric power supply unit may supply an electric current to the sensing wires. The measurement unit may measure an ohmic resistance change of the sensing wires. The first axis defined by the parallel sensing wires of the first grid and a second axis defined by the parallel additional sensing wires of the second grid may enclose a slanted angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Marco Maragliulo
  • Patent number: 9974908
    Abstract: There is provided a fall detector for detecting falls of a user or an object to which the fall detector is attached, characterized in that the fall detector comprises an air flow sensor for providing measurements indicative of vertical velocity and/or changes in altitude of the fall detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Heribert Baldus, Jacob Roger Haartsen, Stephan Schlumbohm, Ronald Dekker
  • Patent number: 9038454
    Abstract: Measuring flow rate of gas based on amount of heat transfer from gas to temperature-sensing resistors, comprises: substrate having hollow space formed therethrough; an insulating film deposited on the substrate so as to cover the hollow space; a heat-generating resistor formed on the insulating film; temperature-sensing resistors arranged adjacent to the heat-generating resistor; electrodes arranged at an edge of the semiconductor substrate so electrodes are parallel to the edge; and wiring connecting the electrodes and heat-generating resistors. Thermal resistance of a first area is made almost equal to thermal resistance of a second area, first area is defined by the side of the heat-generating resistor closer to the electrodes and by the side of the hollow space closer to the electrodes, and the second area is defined by the opposite side of the heat-generating resistor and by the opposite side of the hollow space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Asano, Masahiro Matsumoto, Hiroshi Nakano
  • Publication number: 20150107352
    Abstract: A scale model pressure building for teaching pressure diagnostics and weatherization strategies for residential and commercial building structures. The model building is designed for ease of fabrication and ease of assembly. The design allows the instructor to simulate numerous construction errors, airflow problems, air sealing strategies, and testing procedures while in a classroom setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Kim Sherman, Dale Sherman, Matthew Wellman
  • Publication number: 20150082879
    Abstract: A thermo-anemometer-type fluid flow sensor and a method associated with quickly determining whether the sensor has been installed in an improper orientation relative to the direction of fluid flowing through a system. The flow sensor comprises a detection module adapted to change condition in response to the direction of fluid flowing through the system. A control module is connected to the probe and is capable of determining the installation orientation of a probe of the sensor. An I/O module is connected to the control module to provide a means for communicating the output of the control module to another device and/or user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventors: Timothy Graff, Bernd D. Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20150059467
    Abstract: An oscillator circuit includes a resistor configured to control an oscillating frequency. The resistor includes a positive temperature coefficient resistor and a negative temperature coefficient resistor. The positive temperature coefficient resistor has a resistance, which increases in response to increase in temperature. The negative temperature coefficient resistor has a resistance, which decreases in response to increase in temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Takashi Enomoto
  • Patent number: 8959995
    Abstract: A thermal flow sensor for vehicles includes a bridge circuit unit having a heating resistor whose resistance value changes according to temperature, a resistance thermometer, detecting a temperature of a fluid, whose resistance value changes according to temperature, and an integrated circuit unit controlling the bridge circuit unit and outputting a signal of detected fluid flow rate. A drive power source for the bridge circuit unit is supplied from a battery, and a drive power source for the integrated circuit unit is supplied from a constant voltage source stabilized by a fuel injection control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Otsuka, Shinichiro Hidaka
  • Patent number: 8950253
    Abstract: A silicon mass flow sensor manufacture process that enables the backside contacts and eliminates the conventional front side wire binding process, and the assembly of such a mass flow sensor is disclosed in the present invention. The achieved assembly enhances the reliability by eliminating the binding wire exposure to the flow medium that may lead to detrimental failure due to the wire shortage or breakage while the miniature footprint could be maintained. The assembly further reduces flow instability from the flow sensor package including the bump of wire sealing. The invented mass flow sensor assembly can be a flow sensor module if the supporting sensor carrier is pre-designed with the control electronics. Without the control electronics, the said mass flow sensor assembly is easy to install into desired flow channels and connect to the external control electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: M-Tech Instrument Corporation (Holding) Limited
    Inventors: Liji Huang, Chih-Chang Chen
  • 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: 8939012
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal conductivity detector capable of realizing high detection performance even with the use of a miniaturized heating element, and expanding an effective applicable temperature range of a heating element, and to provide a gas chromatograph using the same. The thermal conductivity detector comprises a flow-path through which a measurement gas is caused to flow, a heating element disposed inside the flow-path, the heating element being formed on the substrate, for detecting thermal conductivity of the measurement gas according to magnitude of an amount of heat taken away from the heating element by the measurement gas, wherein said heating element is provided with a beam including a part where the beam is folded at a predetermined angle, the part being formed at the central part of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kishi, Hitoshi Hara, Tetsuya Watanabe, Kentaro Suzuki
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140360262
    Abstract: A flow rate measuring device with high precision is provided. The flow rate measuring device includes a sub-passage that takes a part of the fluid flowing in a main passage, first temperature measuring means for measuring a temperature of the fluid flowing in the passage, second temperature measuring means for measuring a temperature of a fluid flowing in the sub-passage, detecting means for detecting a flow rate of the fluid flowing in the sub-passage, and measuring means for measuring a flow rate of the fluid flowing within the main channel on the basis of an output of the first temperature measuring means, an output of the second temperature measuring means, and an output of the detecting means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Satoshi Asano, Masahiro Matsumoto, Hiroshi Nakano, Keiji Hanzawa, Ryosuke Doi
  • Publication number: 20140331761
    Abstract: An air flow measuring device includes a sensor assembly, a thermistor, and an end terminal. The sensor assembly includes a sensor portion and a sensor circuit. The sensor portion and the sensor circuit are integrated with each other and configured to measure an air flow quantity. The thermistor is equipped independently from the sensor assembly. The thermistor is configured to measure an air temperature. The end terminal is electrically connected with the sensor assembly and the thermistor. An external connection terminal in the sensor assembly is electrically connected with the sensor portion and the sensor circuit to function as the end terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Teruaki Kaifu
  • Publication number: 20140305183
    Abstract: An air-flow sensor is configured to be positioned in an air-flow and attached to a surface in a manner that allows air to flow over an extremity of the sensor. The air-flow sensor includes a base plate, a first heater, a first temperature sensor, a spacer, a second heater, a second temperature sensor, and a cap. The base plate is configured to be the coupled to the surface. The first heater is positioned on the base plate and is configured to heat the base plate. The first temperature sensor is positioned to measure a first temperature of the first heater. The spacer is positioned on the first heater and the second heater is positioned on the spacer. The second temperature sensor is positioned to measure a second temperature of the second heater. The cap is positioned on the second heater, which is configured to heat the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20140260599
    Abstract: A thermal dispersion flow rate sensing transducer for improved functional life of the transducer without degradation in sensing accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Malcolm M. MCQUEEN
  • Publication number: 20140251004
    Abstract: A method for determining flow in a medium, comprising applying thermal energy to at least one probe of a pair of probes, the probes configured for placement in the medium and varying the applied thermal energy of the at least one probe to maintain a constant temperature differential between the pair of probes and determining a flow from the applied thermal energy while maintaining the constant temperature differential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD CANADA PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Kirk H. Bevan, Stuart Bevan, Srinivasa R. Sampath
  • Publication number: 20140190252
    Abstract: A silicon mass flow sensor manufacture process that enables the backside contacts and eliminates the conventional front side wire binding process, and the assembly of such a mass flow sensor is disclosed in the present invention. The achieved assembly enhances the reliability by eliminating the binding wire exposure to the flow medium that may lead to detrimental failure due to the wire shortage or breakage while the miniature footprint could be maintained. The assembly further reduces flow instability from the flow sensor package including the bump of wire sealing. The invented mass flow sensor assembly can be a flow sensor module if the supporting sensor carrier is pre-designed with the control electronics. Without the control electronics, the said mass flow sensor assembly is easy to install into desired flow channels and connect to the external control electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: M-TECH INSTRUMENT CORPORATION (HOLDING) LIMITED
    Inventors: Liji Huang, Chih-Chang Chen
  • Patent number: 8733166
    Abstract: An air flow measuring device includes a passage forming housing, a sensor housing, and a sensor part. An inner wall surface of the passage forming housing defines a measured passage. The passage forming housing includes a sensor attaching part. Measured air flows through the measured passage. The sensor housing is attached to the sensor attaching part. The sensor part is disposed on the sensor housing and measures a flow rate of the measured air flowing through the passage. The passage forming housing includes a guiding device for guiding the measured air, which flows along the inner wall surface of the passage forming housing on an upstream side of the sensor attaching part in a measured air flow direction, further toward a center of the passage than the inner wall surface of the passage forming housing on a downstream side of the sensor attaching part in the flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Ooga, Takashi Enomoto
  • Publication number: 20130283904
    Abstract: A thermal, flow measuring device and method for measuring the flow of a measured medium. During a heating phase of predetermined length a constant heating current of a first electrical current source flows through a first resistor. During a first measuring phase of predetermined length a constant measurement current of a second electrical current source flows through the first resistor. During the first measuring phase a first voltage falls across the first resistor, wherein during a second measuring phase of predetermined length during the first measuring cycle the constant measurement current of the second electrical current source flows through a second resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Endress + Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Martin Arnold, Michel Wagner
  • Publication number: 20130145840
    Abstract: Measuring flow rate of gas based on amount of heat transfer from gas to temperature-sensing resistors, comprises: substrate having hollow space formed therethrough; an insulating film deposited on the substrate so as to cover the hollow space; a heat-generating resistor formed on the insulating film; temperature-sensing resistors arranged adjacent to the heat-generating resistor; electrodes arranged at an edge of the semiconductor substrate so electrodes are parallel to the edge; and wiring connecting the electrodes and heat-generating resistors. Thermal resistance of a first area is made almost equal to thermal resistance of a second area, first area is defined by the side of the heat-generating resistor closer to the electrodes and by the side of the hollow space closer to the electrodes, and the second area is defined by the opposite side of the heat-generating resistor and by the opposite side of the hollow space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Satoshi Asano, Masahiro Matsumoto, Hiroshi Nakano
  • Publication number: 20130068014
    Abstract: A thermal flow sensor for vehicles includes a bridge circuit unit having a heating resistor whose resistance value changes according to temperature, a resistance thermometer, detecting a temperature of a fluid, whose resistance value changes according to temperature, and an integrated circuit unit controlling the bridge circuit unit and outputting a signal of detected fluid flow rate. A drive power source for the bridge circuit unit is supplied from a battery, and a drive power source for the integrated circuit unit is supplied from a constant voltage source stabilized by a fuel injection control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiko OTSUKA, Shinichiro HIDAKA
  • Publication number: 20130068013
    Abstract: A sensing element having an integrally formed metal-silicide layer with a silicon layer is described. In some instances, the thickness of the metal-silicide layer can be controlled during fabrication such that the sensing element has a desired resistivity and/or a near linear thermal coefficient of resistance (TCR).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Scott Edward Beck, Yong-Fa Wang
  • Patent number: 8356623
    Abstract: In order to improve a measurement accuracy of a mass flow meter, the mass flow meter comprises a flow rate calculating section that obtains an output signal from a sensor section having a thermosensitive resistive element arranged in a flow channel where a sample gas flows and that calculates a flow rate of the sample gas, a pressure measuring section that measures a primary side pressure in the flow channel, and a flow rate correcting section that corrects the measured flow rate obtained by the flow rate calculating section by the use of the primary side pressure obtained by the pressure measuring section and a gas coefficient determined by an isobaric specific heat of the sample gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Horiba STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Isobe, Osamu Horinouchi, Yuki Tanaka, Masao Yamaguchi, Yukimasa Furukawa
  • Patent number: 8336376
    Abstract: Provided is a heating temperature adjustment circuit in a thermal flow meter capable of adjusting fluctuations of a heating temperature of a heat-generating resistor due to fluctuations of resistances with high accuracy and low cost. The thermal flow meter comprises: a heat-generating resistor that generates heat when a current flows therethrough; a first temperature measuring resistor, a second resistor, a third resistor, and a fourth resistor whose resistance values vary due to temperature; and a fixed resistance having a resistance temperature coefficient lower than that of the first temperature measuring resistor, and measuring a flow rate of a fluid by controlling the heating temperature of the heat-generating resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakano, Masahiro Matsumoto, Keiji Hanzawa
  • Publication number: 20120318383
    Abstract: A flow rate measuring device includes a fluid resistance member through which measurement target fluid flows; an upstream side pressure sensor configured to measure pressure on an upstream side of the fluid resistance member from a change of electrical resistance of a resistive element attached to a pressure sensitive surface onto which the target fluid is introduced, and also to measure a temperature of the pressure sensitive surface from a temperature-dependent change of the electrical resistance of the resistive element; a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the target fluid flowing through the fluid resistance member; and a flow rate calculation part that calculates a flow rate of the target fluid based on the pressure measured by the upstream side pressure sensor, pressure-flow rate characteristics of the fluid resistance member, the upstream side pressure sensor temperature, and the target fluid temperature in the fluid resistance member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: HORIBA STEC, CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadahiro Yasuda, Hiroshi Takakura
  • Publication number: 20120304731
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flow meter for determining a flow of a medium. The flow meter comprises a flow tube for transporting the medium whose flow is to be measured. The flow tube has a supply end and a discharge end disposed downstream thereof. The flow meter is provided with a first flow sensor for measuring the flow of the medium at a first position of the flow tube. The flow meter is provided with a second flow sensor for measuring the flow of the medium at a second position of the flow tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: Theodorus Simon Josef LAMMERINK, Joost Conrad LĂ–TTERS, Marcel DIJKSTRA, Jeroen HANEVELD, Remco John WIEGERINK
  • Publication number: 20120279294
    Abstract: A thermal type flow sensor measures a flow rate of a fluid by means of a heat resistive element having a temperature dependency. The sensor is comprised of: plural heat resistive elements used for a flow rate measurement; and a driver circuit for controlling a current applied to these heat resistive elements to cause their heating. The driver circuit is configured to sense a resistance change of a lower-temperature side heat resistive element among the plural heat resistive elements and to control the current to be applied to the plural heat resistive elements in accordance with a sensed value of the lower-resistance's variation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroshi NAKANO, Masamichi YAMADA, Masahiro MATSUMOTO, Izumi WATANABE
  • Patent number: 8287082
    Abstract: The discharging state of an inkjet recording head can be detected. The head includes a passage communicating with a discharge port for discharging ink, a discharging heater provided in the passage for generating energy to discharge ink from the discharge port, and a detecting unit provided in the passage for detecting a temperature of ink that changes in accordance with heat energy generated by the detecting unit and a flow of ink in the passage. The method includes supplying power to the heater, subsequently applying a first pulse current to the detecting unit, then applying a second pulse current with a smaller pulse width, and measuring and comparing an output signal from the detecting unit with a threshold to measure the ink temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takatsuna Aoki, Hideo Kanno
  • Publication number: 20120247202
    Abstract: A thermal type air flow meter, which detects a flow rate of air flowing in an air passage, includes a sensor portion having a heating element in an air passage, a temperature control unit. The temperature control unit includes a first arm serially connecting a first resistive element and a heater temperature detection resistor which detects a temperature of the heating element, a second arm serially connecting a second resistive element and an air temperature detection resistor which detects a temperature of air flowing in the air passage, and a voltage supply unit which supplies first and second voltages respectively to the first and second arms. The voltage supply unit includes a voltage adjusting portion which can adjust at least one of the first and second voltages such that the detection temperature difference between the heater temperature detection resistor and the air temperature detection resistor becomes constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasushi KOHNO, Hiromi Ariyoshi
  • Publication number: 20120240674
    Abstract: In a thermal sensor with a detection part and a circuit part formed on the same substrate, an insulating film for protection of the circuit part causes problems of lowering in sensitivity of a heater, deterioration in accuracy due to variation of a residual stress in the detection part, etc. A layered film including insulating films is formed on a heating resistor, an intermediate layer is formed thereon, and a layered film including insulating films is formed further thereon. The intermediate layer is specified to be a layer made up of any one of aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, titanium nitride, tungsten nitride, and titanium tungsten. This configuration enables the layered film on the upper part of the detection part to be removed using the intermediate layer as an etch stop layer, which solves problems of lowering in sensitivity, a variation in residual stress, etc. resulting from these.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Noriyuki SAKUMA
  • Publication number: 20120232809
    Abstract: An intelligent gas flow sensor probe which outputs a state signal indicating whether there is forced gas flow present within a conduit or whether there is no gas flow. The intelligent gas flow sensor probe includes a heated thermistor and a reference thermistor functionally coupled to a microcontroller. The heated thermistor is continuously heated at a constant rate to a temperature above an ambient temperature within the conduit and outputs a signal responsive to a change in temperature induced by gas flow incident thereupon. Gas flow within the conduit causes heat to be transferred from the heated thermistor to the gas flowing over and/or around the heated thermistor. The reference thermistor is thermally insulated from the heated thermistor and outputs a reference signal responsive to an ambient temperature of the gas within the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Clear Water Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Philip J. Steckling
  • Publication number: 20120125558
    Abstract: An airflow measurement system configured to be received in a duct of a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system is provided. The air flow measurement system includes a housing, and a plurality of cells positioned in the housing, the plurality of cells being configured such that air flows through the plurality of cells when the flow measurement system is positioned in the duct of the HVAC system, wherein at least one of the cells includes a self-heated thermistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Randall C. Nortman, Jan-Dieter Spalink
  • Publication number: 20120103085
    Abstract: A thermal flow sensor integrated circuit for sensing flow in a channel based on temperature measurements, the integrated circuit having a temperature sensing element (30) on a front side of the integrated circuit arranged to face the channel, and a bond pad (60, 200) coupled electrically to the temperature sensing element, for making electrical contact off the integrated circuit, the bond pad being arranged to face away from the channel. By having the bond pad facing away from the channel, the space needed for the bond pad and any connections to it need not extend beyond the temperature sensing element and get in the way of the channel. Hence the temperature sensing element can be located closer to the channel or in the channel to enable measurements with better response time and sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Jaap Roger Haartsen, Ronald Dekker, Pascal De Graaf, Nicolaas Johannes Anthonius Van Veen, Alphonsus Tarcisius Jozef Maria Schipper