FLUID FLOW SENSOR

摘要

A fluid flow sensor that utilizes hot-wire anemometry and is a small, light weight, cost effective, easily manufactureable, and low power consuming device. The fluid flow sensor operates by exposing a hot wire loop to a fluid stream such that the amount of heat lost to fluid convection is a function of one or more fluid-related parameters (e.g., fluid speed, fluid type, fluid density, etc.). The heat loss affects the resistance in the wire loop, which can then be used to estimate the fluid speed or other fluid-related parameter. According to an exemplary embodiment, the fluid flow sensor includes one or more wire loops that are made from pre-formed wires and are wire bonded, micro-welded or otherwise non-monolithically attached to a substrate that may or may not include embedded sensor circuitry.

主权项

1. A fluid flow sensor, comprising:
a substrate; at least one wire connection mounted on the substrate; and at least one wire loop attached to the substrate via the wire connection, wherein the wire loop is made from a pre-formed wire that is attached to the substrate as a sensing element.