Air-flow sensor for adapter slots in a data processing system

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A fluid flow sensor configured to be positioned in a fluid flow path and attached to a surface in a manner that allows fluid to flow over an extremity of the sensor, the sensor comprising:
a base plate configured to be the coupled to the surface; a first heater positioned on the base plate, wherein the first heater is configured to heat the base plate; a first temperature sensor embedded in a first thermally conductive material and positioned to measure a first temperature of the first heater; a spacer positioned on the first heater, wherein the first temperature sensor is positioned between the spacer and the first heater and a thickness of the spacer is selected to provide a measurable temperature differential across the spacer; a second temperature sensor embedded in a second thermally conductive material; a second heater; and a cap positioned on the second heater, wherein the second heater is configured to heat the cap, and wherein the second temperature sensor is positioned between the second heater and the spacer to measure a second temperature of the second heater, where the fluid flow sensor has a cylindrical shape that allows the fluid flow sensor to be used irrespective of the orientation of incoming fluid.