The design and structure of a fluidic concentration metering device with a full dynamic range utilizing micro-machined thermal time-of-flight sensing elements is exhibited in this disclosure. With an additional identical sensing chip but packaged at the different locations in the measurement fluidic chamber with a closed conduit, the device can simultaneously measure the fluidic concentration and the fluidic flowrate. With a temperature thermistor integrated on the same micro-machined thermal sensing chip, the disclosed device will be able to provide the key processing parameters for the fluidic applications.

A flow sensor system for detecting the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system. The flow sensor system includes a channel configured to retain the conduit therein, a heat source disposed at a first location at a first portion of the conduit, and a heat detector disposed at a second location at a second portion of the conduit. The heat source may include an IR LED, and the heat detector may include a thermopile sensor. A method for using the flow sensor system to detect the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system is also disclosed.

It is an object to provide a flow rate sensor device having improved sensor responsiveness compared with the prior art. The present invention is a flow rate sensor device including a sensor element that detects a flow rate; a unit body including a sensor unit in which the sensor element is mounted, and a case accommodating the unit body, wherein the sensor unit is supported away from a bottom surface of the case. In this way, the sensor unit is supported to float upward from the bottom surface of the case, and a space is provided between the sensor unit and the bottom surface. Therefore, heat caused in the sensor unit can be separated from outside, and good sensor responsiveness can be maintained.

A non-invasive thermal dispersion flow meter with chronometric monitor for fluid leak detection includes a heater, an ambient temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor which are configured to sense the temperature of a fluid in a conduit, and then monitor the flow of that fluid through the conduit. Based upon the ambient temperature sensor readings, the flow rate sensor and heater may be adjusted to optimize the operation of the system to detect leaks. Based on the sensor readings, the flow may be adjusted to prevent damage and leaks by relieving the system of excess pressure. Geographic location, occupancy sensors and occupant identifiers are used to control the system to facilitate operation and minimize leak damage when occupants are away.

An implantable flow meter device for measuring flow rate of a body fluid through a tube, such as a catheter and/or a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, comprising a flow meter attachment, in aspects attachable to pre-existing tubes, VP shunts, catheters, and/or peritoneal catheters systems, providing for the capability for physicians to obtain information about the status of the flow rate of the body fluid through the tube. The flow meter can include temperature sensors measuring the body fluid at a first and second position, as well as a heating element applying heat to the body fluid therebetween. A controller can receive the first temperature, the second temperature, and a heat value relating to the heat applied to the body fluid by the heating element, such that a processing device can calculate a flow rate of the body fluid based thereon.

A multi-chamber rate-of-change flow meter system and methods for operating the same are disclosed. The multi-chamber rate-of-change flow meter system includes a collection of N chambers, means for drawing a gas into or out of the collection of N chambers, N pressure sensors corresponding one of the N chambers, and means for redistributing the gas among the chambers. A measurement module is coupled to the pressure sensors to obtain a rate of change of pressure in each of the chambers due to the redistribution of the gas and calculate a flow rate of the gas flowing into or out of the collection of N chambers based upon the rate of change of pressure in each of the chambers.

A measuring device includes two sensor chips that measure a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a pipe, electrode pads extending from a temperature measuring section and from a heater, respectively, toward peripheries of the two sensor chips, and wires that are electrically connected to the electrode pads and via which a measurement signal that is output from the temperature measuring section or the heater is transmitted to outside of the sensor chips. Each of the electrode pads includes a straight portion that extends linearly from the temperature measuring section or the heater and a wide portion that is formed at a leading end of each of the electrode pads and is wider than the straight portion, and an entire surface area of the wide portion is set as a wire-bonding-allowed region, to which one of the wires is to be bonded.

A mass flow controller and associated methods for providing indicated flow from the mass flow controller are disclosed. The method may include obtaining a measured flow signal indicative of a mass flow rate of a fluid that is controlled by the mass flow controller and filtering the measured flow signal to generate indicated flow that provides a representation of the actual mass flow rate of the fluid. The indicated flow is provided to an operator of the mass flow controller, and a rate of change of the mass flow rate of the fluid is determined based upon samples of the measured flow signal. A time constant used in connection with the filtering is then adjusted based upon the rate of change of the mass flow rate.

Provided is a flow meter that determines a liquid flow rate based on temperature. The flow meter has a cylindrical measurement tube having an internal flow passage, and a temperature detecting substrate including a heating resistance element a temperature detecting resistance element formed on a detection surface thereof. The measurement tube has a flat surface facing the detection surface of the temperature detecting substrate, and a pair of recesses arranged so as to sandwich the internal flow passage at a position where the heating resistance element is arranged. The flat surface and the detection surface are bonded together to form two bonding area. A width of the first bonding area is narrower than a width of the second bonding area so that heat, transmitted through the measurement tube from the heating resistance element is increased.

A sensor includes a heater, a thermal insulator between two thermometer layers, the heater generating a thermal gradient within the thermal insulator. The thermometers give an indirect measurement of fluid flow around the sensor, based on their temperature readings. The thermometers are flexible layers including gels.