Patent · US Expired

Thermal mass flow controller having orthogonal thermal mass flow sensor

US6044701A · kind A · utility

46Cited by
4References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 10, 1997
Grant dateApr 4, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 10, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG05D7/0635
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A thermal mass flow controller having a thermal mass flow meter with an orthogonal thermal mass flow sensor includes a base defining a primary fluid flow path therein for carrying a flow of fluid to be metered. A pressure dropping bypass is positioned in the primary fluid flow path. A flow measuring portion of a thermal mass flow sensor is oriented substantially transversely or orthogonally with respect to and is in communication with the primary fluid flow path. The flow measuring portion includes a portion of an electrical bridge for determining a temperature of the sensor and produces a mass flow rate signal in response thereto. A valve is connected to an outlet of the primary flow path to control the flow of fluid in response to the mass flow rate signal.

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