Flow sensor assembly with integral bypass channel
First Claim
1. A flow sensor assembly, comprising:
- a housing defining at least part of an inlet flow port and at least part of an outlet flow port, the housing having a first side and an opposing second side, with the first side having a recess formed therein that defines;
a first side wall of a fluid channel, where the fluid channel extends between the inlet flow port and the outlet flow port;
a first side wall of a bypass channel, where the bypass channel includes an upstream tap in fluid communication with the fluid channel at a first location, and a downstream tap in fluid communication with the fluid channel at a second location;
a cover sealingly engaged to the housing such that the cover defines a second side wall of the fluid channel and a second side wall of the bypass channel, and wherein the cover, in conjunction with the housing, collectively define the fluid channel and the bypass channel; and
a flow sensor secured relative to the cover such that the flow sensor is in fluid communication with the bypass channel and is capable of measuring a flow rate of fluid flowing through the bypass channel.
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Abstract
Flow sensor assemblies having increased flow range capabilities are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a flow sensor assembly includes a housing with an inlet flow port, an outlet flow port, a fluid channel extending between the inlet flow port and the outlet flow port, and a bypass channel having a pair of taps fluidly connected to the fluid channel at separate locations. A flow sensor for sensing a measure related to a flow rate of a fluid flowing through the fluid channel can positioned in the bypass channel. A pressure differential between the two taps of the bypass channel can drive a fraction of a fluid flowing through the fluid channel through the bypass channel. The flow sensor assembly may be configured to achieve, control, and/or balance a desired fraction of fluid flow through the bypass channel and past the flow sensor.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A flow sensor assembly, comprising:
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a housing defining at least part of an inlet flow port and at least part of an outlet flow port, the housing having a first side and an opposing second side, with the first side having a recess formed therein that defines; a first side wall of a fluid channel, where the fluid channel extends between the inlet flow port and the outlet flow port; a first side wall of a bypass channel, where the bypass channel includes an upstream tap in fluid communication with the fluid channel at a first location, and a downstream tap in fluid communication with the fluid channel at a second location; a cover sealingly engaged to the housing such that the cover defines a second side wall of the fluid channel and a second side wall of the bypass channel, and wherein the cover, in conjunction with the housing, collectively define the fluid channel and the bypass channel; and a flow sensor secured relative to the cover such that the flow sensor is in fluid communication with the bypass channel and is capable of measuring a flow rate of fluid flowing through the bypass channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A flow sensor assembly, comprising:
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a housing having a first side and an opposing second side, with the first side having a recess formed therein that defines a first side wall of a fluid channel and one or more partitions having a length extending in a direction parallel to fluid flow in the fluid channel; a cover sealingly engaged to the housing such that the cover defines a second side wall of the fluid channel, wherein the cover, in conjunction with the housing, collectively define the fluid channel; and a flow sensor secured relative to the cover, the flow sensor capable of determining a measure relative to a flow rate of a fluid flowing through the fluid channel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A flow sensor assembly, comprising:
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a single piece housing defining an inlet flow port and an outlet flow port, the single piece housing having a first side and an opposing second side, with the first side defining; a first side wall of a fluid channel, where the fluid channel extends between the inlet flow port and the outlet flow port; a first side wall of a bypass channel, where the bypass channel includes an upstream tap in fluid communication with the fluid channel at a first location, and a downstream tap in fluid communication with the fluid channel at a second location; a cover sealingly engaged to the first side of the single piece housing such that the cover defines a second side wall of the fluid channel and a second side wall of the bypass channel, and wherein the cover, in conjunction with the single piece housing, collectively define the fluid channel and the bypass channel; and a flow sensor secured relative to the housing such that the flow sensor is in fluid communication with the bypass channel and is capable of measuring a flow rate of fluid flowing through the bypass channel. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification