Flow sensing device including a tapered flow channel
First Claim
1. A fluid flow sensing device for use in sensing a flow of a fluid through a main channel, the fluid flow sensing device comprising:
- a housing defining;
an input port configured to be in fluid communication with the main channel;
an outlet port configured to be in fluid communication with the main channel downstream of the input port;
a flow channel extending between the input port and the output port, wherein the flow channel includes an upstream fluid flow channel connected to the input port, a downstream fluid flow channel connected to the outlet port, and an interconnecting fluid flow channel extending between the upstream fluid flow channel and the downstream fluid flow channel, wherein the interconnecting fluid flow channel includes a first tapered region and a second tapered region, wherein the first and second tapered regions are tapered from a larger inner dimension to a smaller inner dimension in a direction of fluid flow through the flow channel, wherein the first tapered region is tapered at a first taper rate and the second tapered region is tapered at a second taper rate, wherein the second taper rate is greater in magnitude than the first taper rate; and
a fluid flow sensor positioned in the interconnecting fluid flow channel downstream of the first and second tapered regions and exposed to the flow channel of the housing for measuring the fluid flow through the flow channel of the housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid flow sensing device can include a tapered fluid flow channel formed into a main channel defining a fluid flow tube as an alternate fluid flow path. A tapered fluid flow channel can bypass some fluid flow from the main fluid flow channel into the alternate fluid flow path and a flow sensor disposed within the alternate fluid flow path. The tapered flow channel is tapered in a direction of fluid flow toward the flow sensor to thereby reduce flow eddies and enable optimal sensing performance by fluid flow sensor. An upstream fluid flow channel and a downstream fluid flow channel can be molded into the main fluid flow channel, especially bypassed in the fluid flow path of the main fluid flow channel. A fluid flow sensor can be placed between the upstream fluid flow channel and the downstream fluid flow channel for measuring fluid flow rate the channel.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A fluid flow sensing device for use in sensing a flow of a fluid through a main channel, the fluid flow sensing device comprising:
a housing defining; an input port configured to be in fluid communication with the main channel; an outlet port configured to be in fluid communication with the main channel downstream of the input port; a flow channel extending between the input port and the output port, wherein the flow channel includes an upstream fluid flow channel connected to the input port, a downstream fluid flow channel connected to the outlet port, and an interconnecting fluid flow channel extending between the upstream fluid flow channel and the downstream fluid flow channel, wherein the interconnecting fluid flow channel includes a first tapered region and a second tapered region, wherein the first and second tapered regions are tapered from a larger inner dimension to a smaller inner dimension in a direction of fluid flow through the flow channel, wherein the first tapered region is tapered at a first taper rate and the second tapered region is tapered at a second taper rate, wherein the second taper rate is greater in magnitude than the first taper rate; and a fluid flow sensor positioned in the interconnecting fluid flow channel downstream of the first and second tapered regions and exposed to the flow channel of the housing for measuring the fluid flow through the flow channel of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A fluid flow sensing device, comprising:
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a main fluid flow channel defining at least one fluid flow path, through which a fluid flows; a bypass flow channel defined at least in part by an upstream fluid flow channel, a downstream fluid flow channel, and an interconnecting fluid flow channel, wherein said interconnecting fluid flow channel includes a first end connected to the upstream fluid flow channel and a second end connected to the downstream fluid flow channel, wherein the interconnecting fluid flow channel extends substantially perpendicular to the upstream fluid flow channel and the downstream fluid flow channel, wherein said upstream fluid flow channel, said downstream fluid flow channel and said interconnecting fluid flow channel collectively provide an additional fluid flow path for fluid flowing through said main fluid flow channel; and a fluid flow sensor disposed between said upstream flow channel and said downstream fluid flow channel along the interconnecting fluid flow channel for measuring a fluid flow rate of the fluid flowing through said interconnecting fluid flow channel, wherein the interconnecting fluid flow channel includes a first region and a second region upstream of the fluid flow sensor, wherein the first region extends a majority of a distance between the upstream fluid flow channel and the fluid flow sensor and has an inner dimension that is reduced in cross-section following a first taper rate profile from the upstream flow channel towards the fluid flow sensor, and the second region has an inner dimension that is reduced in cross-section following a second taper rate profile from the first region towards the fluid flow sensor. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A fluid flow sensing device, comprising:
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a bypass fluid flow channel in fluid communication with a main fluid flow channel, wherein the bypass fluid flow channel provides a bypass for at least some fluid flow from the main fluid flow channel; a fluid flow sensor exposed to said bypass fluid flow channel, wherein said bypass fluid flow channel includes a first bend positioned upstream of the fluid flow sensor, said bypass fluid flow channel including a first tapered region extending between an end of the first bend and the fluid flow sensor, wherein the first tapered region is tapered in a direction of fluid flow toward said fluid flow sensor, wherein a first portion of the first tapered region is tapered at a first taper rate and a second portion of the first tapered region is tapered at a second taper rate, wherein the first taper rate is different from the second taper rate, wherein the first portion of the first tapered region extends a majority of a distance from the first bend to the fluid flow sensor; and at least one flow restrictor arranged within said main fluid flow channel. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification