Patent · US Expired

Device for detecting air flow through a passageway

US5201322A · kind A · utility

54Cited by
20References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 28, 1990
Grant dateApr 13, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 28, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S73/04
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A device is disclosed for detecting the presence and direction of air flow through a passageway having a first opening and a second opening for air to flow therethrough in either a first direction or a second direction. The device comprises a piezoelectric sensor located within the passageway. A flow director is provided within the passageway for directing air flow through the passageway for impingement upon the sensor. The sensor generates a first electrical signal when air flows through the passageway in the first direction and a second electrical signal when air flows through the passageway in the second direction. A discriminator is electrically connected to the sensor for receiving the first and second electrical signals and for discriminating between the two signals to identify the direction of air flow through the passageway.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.