ON-LINE FLUID SENSOR

• US 20080001766A1
• Filed: 05/04/2007
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies LLC (Methode Electronics Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies LLC (Methode Electronics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Russo, Anthony, Stambaugh, Deron, Burleson, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 9,423,413 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/603
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/56 by using electric or magnetic effects G01F1/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/712 using auto-correlation or cross-correlation detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/14 Casings, e.g. of special material
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 13/0006 of fluids or of granulous or powder-like substances

Abstract

A touch sensor is associated with a housing that is adapted for attachment to the outer perimeter of a fluid conduit. The housing can be attached to the fluid conduit such that the touch sensor can detect the presence of fluid within the fluid conduit. The output of the touch sensor can be used by an indicator or processor.

Claims

1. A fluid sensor comprising:

a housing adapted for assembly to a fluid conduit; and

a touch sensor associated with said housing;

wherein said touch sensor is adapted to detect the presence of fluid within said fluid conduit.

2. The fluid sensor of claim 1 wherein said housing is adapted for attachment to said fluid conduit without breaching a pressure barrier of said fluid conduit.

3. The fluid sensor of claim 2 wherein said fluid conduit is substantially tubular and said housing is adapted for engagement about a portion of the circumference of said fluid conduit.

4. The fluid sensor of claim 2 wherein said touch sensor is mounted to a surface of said housing.

5. The fluid sensor of claim 2 wherein said touch sensor is molded into said housing.

6. The fluid sensor of claim 2 wherein said touch sensor comprises at least a first sensing electrode and an integral control circuit in close proximity to said at least a first sensing electrode.

7. The fluid sensor of claim 2 wherein said housing comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a living hinge coupling said first portion and said second portion.

8. The fluid sensor of claim 7 wherein said housing further comprises a positive lock latching mechanism.

9. The fluid sensor of claim 2 wherein said housing comprises a first portion, a second portion, and means for coupling said first portion and said second portion.