Sensor array for detecting electrical characteristics of fluids

• US 6,419,807 B1
• Filed: 07/18/2000
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: University of Manchester
• Original Assignee: University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology (University of Manchester)
• Inventors: Dyakowski, Tomasz, Jaworski, Arthur Jerzy, Davies, Graham Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): Drodge, Joseph W.
• Application Number:
  US09/485,201
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 204/400, 204/406, 204/412, 210/85, 210/96.1, 324/425, 324/437
• US Class Current: 204/406
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 17/0208 by sedimentation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 17/0211 with baffles
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 17/0214 with removal of one of the phases
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 21/0024 Inlets or outlets provided with regulating devices, e.g. valves, flaps B01D21/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 21/0045 Plurality of essentially parallel plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 21/2405 Feed mechanisms for settling tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 21/302 Active control mechanisms with external energy, e.g. with solenoid valve
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 21/305 Control of chemical properties of a component, e.g. control of pH
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 21/34 Controlling the feed distribution; Controlling the liquid level ; Control of process parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0614 Actual fuel mass or fuel injection amount
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/14 Introducing closed-loop corrections

Abstract

A sensor array for detecting the distribution of fluids having different electrical characteristics, comprising a multilayer structure including a first layer which defines an array of spaced apart sensor electrodes, a second layer separated from the first layer by dielectric material and defining a conductive screen, and a third layer separated from the second layer by dielectric material and defining a series of spaced apart elongate connections, each sensor being connected to a respective connection by a respective conductive path extending through an opening in the conductive screen defined by the second layer.

Claims

1. A sensor array for detecting the distribution of fluids having different electrical characteristics, comprising a multilayer structure including a first layer which defines an array of spaced apart sensor electrodes, a second layer separated from the first layer by dielectric material and defining a conductive screen, and a third layer separated from the second layer by dielectric material and defining a series of spaced apart elongate connections, wherein the second layer is sandwiched between the first and third layers, each sensor being connected to a respective connection by a respective conductive path extending through an opening in the conductive screen defined by the second layer.

2. A sensor array according to claim 1, wherein the conductive paths are defined by through-hole plating structures formed through apertures in the dielectric material.

3. A sensor array according to claims 1, wherein the first layer which defines the array of sensor electrodes is covered by dielectric material.

4. A sensor array for detecting the distribution of fluids having different electrical characteristics, comprising a multilayer structure including a first layer which defines an array of spaced apart sensor electrodes, a second layer separated from the first layer by dielectric material and defining a conductive screen, a third layer separated from the second layer by dielectric material and defining a series of spaced apart elongate connections, and a fourth layer separated from the third layer by dielectric material and defining a conductive screen such that the third layer is sandwiched between the conductive screens defined by the second and fourth layers each sensor being connected to a respective connection by a respective conductive path extending through an opening in the conductive screen defined by the second layer.

5. A sensor array according to claim 4, comprising a fifth layer separated from the third layer by dielectric material and defining a conductive screen, and a sixth layer separated from the fourth and fifth layers by dielectric material and defining a further series of spaced apart elongate connections, selected sensors being connected to respective further connections by respective conductive paths extending through openings in the conductive screens defined by the second and fifth layers.

6. A sensor array according to claim 4, wherein the layers are supported on dielectric boards which define the dielectric material separating adjacent layers.

7. A sensor array for detecting the distribution of fluids having different electrical characteristics, comprising a multilayer structure including a first layer which defines an array of spaced apart sensor electrodes, a second layer separated from the first layer by dielectric material and defining a conductive screen, a third layer separated from the second layer by dielectric material and defining a series of spaced apart elongate connections, each sensor being connected to a respective connection by a respective conductive path extending through an opening in the conductive screen defined by the second layer, wherein the third layer defining elongate connections incorporates a conductive screen extending between each adjacent pair of elongate connections.

8. A sensor array for detecting the distribution of fluids having different electrical characteristics, comprising a multilayer structure including a first layer which defines an array of spaced apart sensor electrodes, a second layer separated from the first layer by dielectric material and defining a conductive screen, a third layer separated from the second layer by dielectric material and defining a series of spaced apart elongate connections, each sensor being connected to a respective connection by a respective conductive path extending through an opening in the conductive screen defined by the second layer, wherein the first layer incorporates a conductive screen spaced from the sensor electrodes and defining a series of openings, each sensor electrode being located within a respective opening.