THERMAL MASS FLOW SENSOR HAVING LOW THERMAL RESISTANCE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A thermal mass flow measuring apparatus comprising:
- a sheath having an interior surface and a protective exterior surface;
a liquid material disposed within the sheath and contacting the interior surface thereof, the liquid material having a thermal conductivity greater than about 12 w/(m·
°
C.); and
a sensor element at least partially submerged in the liquid material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A thermal mass flow measuring apparatus comprises a sheath having an interior surface and a protective exterior surface. A liquid material having a thermal conductivity greater than about 12 w/(m·° C.) is disposed within the sheath in contact with the interior surface of the sheath. A sensor element, such as a thin-film thermoresistive element or a wire-wound thermoresistive element is at least partially submerged in the liquid material. The liquid material, which is preferably liquid metal, decreases the overall thermal resistance between the outer surface of the sheath and the sensor element.
19 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A thermal mass flow measuring apparatus comprising:
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a sheath having an interior surface and a protective exterior surface; a liquid material disposed within the sheath and contacting the interior surface thereof, the liquid material having a thermal conductivity greater than about 12 w/(m·
°
C.); anda sensor element at least partially submerged in the liquid material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A thermal mass flow measuring apparatus comprising:
- a stainless steel sheath having an interior surface and a protective exterior surface;
liquid metal disposed within the stainless steel sheath and contacting the interior surface thereof,a seal disposed within the stainless steel sheath for containing the liquid metal; a sensor element at least partially submerged in the liquid metal; and sensor leads electrically connected to the sensor element. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
- a stainless steel sheath having an interior surface and a protective exterior surface;
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16. A thermal mass flow measuring apparatus comprising:
- a sheath having an interior surface and a protective exterior surface;
a sensor element disposed within the sheath; and
means for providing a thermal path between the sensor element and the interior surface ofthe sheath, the means for providing a thermal path having a thermal conductivity greater than about 12 w/(m·
°
C.) and having substantially no air gaps between the sensor element and the interior surface of the sheath. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
- a sheath having an interior surface and a protective exterior surface;
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20. A thermal mass flow measuring apparatus comprising:
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a sheath having an interior surface and a protective exterior surface; a sensor assembly insert disposed at least partially within the sheath, the sensor assembly insert comprising; a sensor element for sensing temperature characteristics; sensor leads connected to the sensor element; an elongate preform surrounding and supporting the sensor leads; an elongate protective sleeve surrounding the preform; and a sealer material disposed between the protective sleeve and the sensor leads at one end of the protective sleeve and disposed between the protective sleeve and the sensor element at an opposing end of the protective sleeve. a filler material disposed within the sheath between the sensor element and the interior surface of the sheath - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification