Flow sensing apparatus

• US 7,024,945 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2002
• Issued: 04/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Compumedics Limited
• Original Assignee: Compumedics Limited
• Inventors: Wallace, Allan
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): THOMPSON, JEWEL VERGIE
• Application Number:
  US10/080,744
• Publication Number:
  US 20030159697A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,509 Days
• Field of Search: 738/617.4, 738/617.1, 738/612.4, 738/617.7, 738/613.55, 738/610.8, 738/617.5, 738/617.9, 738/618.1, 738/618.3, 128/204.23, 128/205.23
• US Class Current: 73/861.74
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0036 in the breathing tube and used in both inspiratory and expiratory phase
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/28 by drag-force, e.g. vane type or impact flowmeter

Abstract

A flow sensing apparatus for detecting fluid flow rate and direction is described. The flow sensing apparatus includes a flow-responsive element projecting into the fluid flow path, and a position sensor which detects the degree and direction of any change in position of the flow responsive element in response to the fluid flow.

Claims

1. A fluid flow sensing apparatus comprising:

a flow-responsive element projecting into a fluid flow path, the flow-responsive element including a paddle section and a torsion strip section

a magnet coupled to the flow-responsive element and adapted to be displaced in response to the torque level generated by the flow-responsive element; and

a sensor for detecting a change in position of the magnet.

2. The flow sensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a sensitivity that is generally inversely related to a pressure generated by the fluid flow.

3. A flow sensing apparatus comprising:

a mask portion;

a hose, the hose cooperating with the mask portion to define an air pathway;

a deformable element projecting into the air pathway;

a magnet coupled to the deformable element; and

a sensor adapted to detect a position change of the magnet.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sensor includes a Hall effect sensor.

5. A flow sensing apparatus comprising:

a mask portion;

a hose, the hose cooperating with the mask portion to define an air pathway;

a deformable element projecting into the air pathway, wherein the deformable element includes a paddle section and a torsion strip;

a magnet coupled to the deformable element; and

a sensor adapted to detect a position change of the magnet.

6. A flow sensing apparatus comprising:

a fluid pathway;

a deformable element projecting into the fluid pathway, the deformable element including a paddle section and a torsion strip section;

a magnet coupled to the torsion strip section; and

a sensor adapted to detect movement of the magnet.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the sensor includes a Hall effect sensor.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the sensor is adapted to communicate with a gas delivery device.