Patent · US Expired

Thermal mass flow rate sensor having fixed bypass ratio

US7121139B2 · kind B2 · utility

21Cited by
11References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 12, 2004
Grant dateOct 17, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 12, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01F5/00
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A flow rate sensor includes a main conduit, a sensor tube and a bypass tube connecting an upstream portion of the main conduit to a downstream portion of the main conduit such that flow through the main conduit is divided through the sensor tube and the bypass tube, and at least one heater element for heating the sensor tube. A first flow restrictor of porous media is positioned between the upstream portion of the main conduit and the sensor tube, and a second flow restrictor of porous media is positioned between the upstream portion of the main conduit and the bypass tube. The flow restrictors provide the flow rate sensor with a fixed bypass ratio so that the sensor can operate independently of the type of gas being measured.

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