Pressure flow sensor systems and pressure flow sensors for use therein
First Claim
1. A disposable flow sensor comprising:
- at least one pressure sensing device for detecting fluid pressure in a channel, wherein said at least one pressure sensing device comprises;
a diaphragm, and a capacitor electrically coupled to an inductor to form an LC tank circuit, said capacitor and/or inductor being mechanically coupled to said diaphragm such that a deflection of said diaphragm in response to fluid pressure applied thereto causes a change in the LC tank circuit inductance and/or capacitance and a change in the resonant frequency thereof, and wherein, when said at least one pressure sensing device is operatively coupled to said channel, said fluid pressure and said flow rate can be determined by detecting changes in said resonant frequency using interrogation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A differential pressure flow sensor system comprises a disposable flow sensor which has upstream and downstream pressure sensing devices for detecting a differential pressure in a flow channel. Each sensing device comprises a diaphragm, a capacitor and an inductor electrically coupled to the capacitor so as to form an LC tank circuit. The capacitor and/or inductor can be mechanically coupled to the diaphragm such that a deflection of the diaphragm in response to fluid pressure applied thereto causes a change in the resonant frequency of the LC tank. The differential pressure and flow rate can be determined by detecting changes in the resonant frequency using interrogation electronics which can wirelessly interrogate the devices. A calibration capacitor and/or inductor can be formed on each sensing device and trimmed thereon for calibration purposes. Such pressure flow systems can be implemented in medical applications.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A disposable flow sensor comprising:
at least one pressure sensing device for detecting fluid pressure in a channel, wherein said at least one pressure sensing device comprises;
a diaphragm, and a capacitor electrically coupled to an inductor to form an LC tank circuit, said capacitor and/or inductor being mechanically coupled to said diaphragm such that a deflection of said diaphragm in response to fluid pressure applied thereto causes a change in the LC tank circuit inductance and/or capacitance and a change in the resonant frequency thereof, and wherein, when said at least one pressure sensing device is operatively coupled to said channel, said fluid pressure and said flow rate can be determined by detecting changes in said resonant frequency using interrogation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A differential pressure flow sensor system comprising:
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a disposable flow sensor comprising upstream and downstream pressure sensing devices for detecting a differential pressure between upstream and downstream locations of a flow channel;
wherein each of said pressure sensing devices comprises a diaphragm, a capacitor and an inductor electrically coupled to said capacitor so as to form an LC tank circuit, said capacitor and/or inductor being mechanically coupled to said diaphragm such that a deflection of said diaphragm in response to fluid pressure applied thereto causes a change in the inductance and/or capacitance of said LC tank circuit and a change in the resonant frequency thereof and, wherein, when said upstream and downstream pressure sensing devices are operatively coupled to said upstream and downstream channel locations, respectively, said differential pressure and said flow rate can be determined by detecting changes in said resonant frequency using interrogation. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of manufacturing a flow sensor system for measuring the flow rate of fluid in a channel, said method comprising:
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forming a pair of disposable pressure sensing devices for measuring the pressure differential in a flow channel; and
mechanically coupling said pressure sensing devices to said channel at upstream and downstream locations, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification