A device (10) for determining a parameter of a fluid flow includes an elastically deformable boom (23, 28, 33, 42, 47), with an inflow area (29, 31, 32, 37, 38, 39, 40, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50) for fluid and a measurement apparatus (16) measuring deformation of the boom. A section of the inflow area is aligned askew and/or curved to a main fluid inflow direction (25). The boom has an inflow structure (24, 30, 34, 43, 48) on one free end. The inflow structure has the fluid inflow area. To determine the parameter of the fluid flow at high resolution, in particular a high angle resolution, the boom has a reflection surface (27) on a side facing away from the inflow structure and the measurement apparatus (16) has a laser (17). A beam axis (26) of the laser (17) is directed to the reflection surface (27) of the boom.

A device (10) for determining a parameter of a fluid flow includes an elastically deformable boom (23, 28, 33, 42, 47), with an inflow area (29, 31, 32, 37, 38, 39, 40, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50) for fluid and a measurement apparatus (16) measuring deformation of the boom. A section of the inflow area is aligned askew and/or curved to a main fluid inflow direction (25). The boom has an inflow structure (24, 30, 34, 43, 48) on one free end. The inflow structure has the fluid inflow area. To determine the parameter of the fluid flow at high resolution, in particular a high angle resolution, the boom has a reflection surface (27) on a side facing away from the inflow structure and the measurement apparatus (16) has a laser (17). A beam axis (26) of the laser (17) is directed to the reflection surface (27) of the boom.

A sensor comprising a whisker shaft and a follicle is provided. The shaft has a root end and a tip end and the shaft tapers from the root end to the tip end so that the root end is wider and the tip end is narrower. The root end is pivotably mounted in the follicle.

Disclosed is inter alia an apparatus (63) for sensing a movement of an object (10, 11) relative to a fluid (12, 13), e.g. for sensing relative movements of a surf board in water. A particular characteristic of the invention is that the housing (21) is mounted in fixed arrangement to a surface (20) of the object, the housing receiving a spring member (62) having a plurality of blades (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d), wherein each blade has an outer end (27) which is fixed to the housing, and an inner end (28) which is connecting to a center portion (65) of the spring, the plurality of blades defining a plane (73), wherein a plurality of strain gauges (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) is positioned on the blades, and wherein a rigid pin (17) is mounted on the center portion of the spring member which is extending in a direction of a normal vector (74) of the plane and which is protruding from the surface (20) of the object and configured to dip into the fluid.

A sensor comprising a support and a flexible structure arranged on the support is provided. The flexible structure comprises a frustum-shaped portion having a wider end and a narrower end, wherein the wider end of the frustum-shaped portion is arranged proximal to the support, and an elongated portion extending from the narrower end of the frustum-shaped portion, wherein the flexible structure further comprises a stretchable conducting film arranged on the frustum-shaped portion. A method of preparing such a sensor is also provided.

Systems and methods for use in determining a device's speed. The system uses a plate having a front side that is perpendicular to the device's direction of travel. The airflow caused by the device's motion causes the plate to deflect from a resting position and the amount of deflection of the plate is proportional to the speed of the device. The amount of deflection is measured by a rotary encoder coupled to the plate. By properly calibrating the system, the system can determine the device's velocity simply from the airflow caused by the device's motion.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a sensor for determining a flow parameter of a fluid is provided. The sensor includes a polymer membrane, an elongate microstructure extending from the polymer membrane, and a hydrogel coupled to at least a portion of the elongate microstructure, wherein the hydrogel and the elongate microstructure are arranged to cooperate to cause a displacement of the polymer membrane in response to a fluid flowing and interacting with the sensor, and wherein the sensor is configured to provide a measurement indicative of a flow parameter of the fluid based on the displacement of the polymer membrane. According to further embodiments of the present invention, a method for forming a sensor and a method of controlling a sensor are also provided.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a sensor for determining a flow parameter of a fluid is provided. The sensor includes a polymer membrane, an elongate microstructure extending from the polymer membrane, and a hydrogel coupled to at least a portion of the elongate microstructure, wherein the hydrogel and the elongate microstructure are arranged to cooperate to cause a displacement of the polymer membrane in response to a fluid flowing and interacting with the sensor, and wherein the sensor is configured to provide a measurement indicative of a flow parameter of the fluid based on the displacement of the polymer membrane. According to further embodiments of the present invention, a method for forming a sensor and a method of controlling a sensor are also provided.

A measuring device with a measuring tube is disclosed. The measuring device includes a sensor unit for capturing a parameter of a medium, a control and evaluation unit, and a deflectable measuring sensor with a cavity and a base unit. The sensor unit is at least partially integrated in the wall of the measuring tube. The measuring sensor is connected to the base unit via a spring element. The base unit is arranged outside of the measuring tube. A side of the measuring sensor is in contact with the medium during operation. The cavity is arranged on the side of the measuring sensor facing the medium. The measuring sensor is integrated into the measuring tube wall in such a way that it can be deflected at least in the plane of the measuring tube wall. The sensor unit has a means for capturing the deflection of the measuring sensor.

A sensing element is provided for use in a system for measuring fluid flow, such as, turbulent air flow. The sensing element comprises a sensor body and a first load cell arrangement connected to the sensor body. The sensor body has a three dimensional shape which is rotationally symmetric about a longitudinal axis passing through the first load cell arrangement and the sensor body. The first load cell arrangement is configured to measure the force exerted on the sensor body by fluid flow in at least an xy plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A system for measuring fluid flow comprising the sensing element and a method for measuring fluid flow using the sensing element and the system are also provided.