Continuous microfluidic dilatometry devices and methods are provided for activity monitoring with ultra-high sensitivity. Corner flow in capillary channels is used to detect the resistance change in microfluidic circuits filled with ionic 5 liquids. The conversion of mechanical input (e.g. strain) to an intermediary domain, namely liquid displacement, allows a large enhancement in sensor performance. Embodiments are suitable for tracking skin deformations that occur as a result of human movements.

A method for the detection of restricted airflow to a smoke sensor in a central detector unit of an aspirating smoke detection system. An aspirator of the detector unit draws air into the central detector unit along a plurality of sampling pipes. A first portion of the air is directed along a sensing conduit via a filter to the smoke sensor, whilst a second portion of the air continues along a primary conduit and is not directed through the smoke sensor. A first flow meter is positioned on the sensing conduit, and a second flow rate meter is positioned on the primary conduit. A ratio of the flow rates measured by the first and second flow meters is calculated, and used to determine that the filter is restricting airflow to the smoke sensor when the ratio exceeds a predetermined threshold.

A burner control system for improving burner performance and efficiency may determine fuel and air channel or manifold parameters. Determination of parameters may be performed with a sensor connected across the air and fuel channels. A signal from the sensor may control the parameters which in turn affect the amounts of fuel and air to the burner via a controller. Parameter control of the fuel and air in their respective channels may result in more accurate fuel and air ratio control. One or more flow restrictors in fuel and/or air bypass channels may further improve accuracy of the fuel and air ratio. The channels may be interconnected with a pressure or flow divider. Byproducts of combustion in the exhaust, temperatures of gas and air, flame quality and/or other items may be monitored and adjusted with control of the fuel and air ratio for optimum combustion in the burner.

A system for controlling a flow rate of a fluid through a valve is provided. The system includes a valve and an actuator. An actuator drive device is driven by an actuator motor and is coupled to the valve for driving the valve between multiple positions. The system further includes a differential pressure sensor configured to measure a differential pressure across the valve and a controller that is communicably coupled with the differential pressure sensor and the motor. The controller is configured to receive a flow rate setpoint and the differential pressure measurement, determine an estimated flow rate based on the differential pressure measurement, determine an actuator position setpoint using the flow rate setpoint and the estimated flow rate, and operate the motor to drive the drive device to the actuator position setpoint.

A fluid sensing apparatus is provided having a fluid flow channel having a flow restriction. A fluid sensor is in fluid communication with first and second fluid ports, and a laminar flow element. The laminar flow element includes a flow stabilisation rod which defines a fluid sensing portion of the fluid flow channel. The flow restriction comprises a reduction in the hydraulic diameter of the fluid sensing portion of the fluid flow channel which is caused by a decrease in diameter of the fluid flow channel, or by an increase in the diameter of the flow stabilisation rod, or by both a decrease in diameter of the fluid flow channel and an increase in the diameter of the flow stabilisation rod. Also provided is a mass flow controller including such a fluid sensing apparatus.

A gas leak sensing device includes a constant flow rate control valve, a pressurization control valve, a supply-side gas circuit, a master-side gas circuit, a workpiece-side gas circuit, an equal pressure valve, an exhaust valve, a test pressure sensor, and a differential pressure sensor. The supply-side gas circuit is connected with the constant flow rate control valve and the pressurization control valve. The equal pressure valve performs opening and closing between the supply-side gas circuit and the master-side gas circuit and opening and closing between the supply-side gas circuit and the workpiece-side gas circuit. The exhaust valve performs opening and closing between the workpiece-side gas circuit and outside. The test pressure sensor detects pressure in the supply-side gas circuit. The differential pressure sensor detects a differential pressure between the master-side gas circuit and the workpiece-side gas circuit.

A flow rate regulator s provided that decouples regions (7) of a regulating body (2) of a flow rate regulator (1) such that one of the decoupled regions (7) forms a low-pressure region (9) while another of the decoupled regions (7) defines a high-pressure region (8).

A gas meter is configured for diagnostics using differential pressure (DP) measurements. The configurations include executable instructions to actively manage the DP sensor. These instructions active the DP sensor only during stable flow and, where applicable, for a defined test time period. This feature manages power consumption to maintain battery life with acceptable standards or regulations.

A flowmeter for measuring a fluid flow rate in a pipe includes a base made of a flexible material; a bridge made of a rigid material, wherein the bridge is attached to the base to form a microchannel; and a pressure sensor formed within the base. The microchannel has a height H between 100 and 400 μm.

Meters including a pressure regulating systems are provided. The pressure regulating system includes a pressure sensor configured to sense pressure of water flowing through the meter; an actuator coupled to the pressure sensor; an electronics module configured to receive pressure information related sensed pressure from the actuator and process the received pressure information; and a radio module coupled to the meter and configured to receive the processed sensor information from the electronics module, communicate the processed sensor information to a remote location and receive pressure adjustment information from the remote location. The received pressure adjustment information is used to adjust water pressure in the meter from the remote location.