US 10,539,444 B2 · Flow sensor

Abstract

A flow sensor comprises a flow restriction disposed within a passage such that a fluid passing through the passage must pass through the flow restriction. The flow sensor also has an upstream pressure sensor coupled to the passage at a point upstream of the flow restriction and configured to measure and provide an upstream pressure of the fluid within the passage, a downstream pressure sensor coupled to the passage at a point downstream of the flow restriction and configured to measure and provide a downstream pressure of the fluid within the passage, and a temperature sensor coupled to the passage and configured to measure and provide a temperature of the fluid within the passage. The flow sensor also includes a flow sensor processor coupled to the upstream and downstream pressure sensors and the temperature sensor and configured to accept measurements therefrom and calculate a compensated flow rate based at least in part on the measured pressures and temperature.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A flow sensor comprising:

a passage having an inlet and an outlet;
a flow restriction positioned to intersect the passage;
an upstream pressure sensor coupled to the passage between the inlet and the flow restriction, the upstream pressure sensor configured to measure an upstream pressure of a gas within the passage;
a downstream pressure sensor coupled to the passage between the flow restriction and the outlet, the downstream pressure sensor configured to measure a downstream pressure of the gas within the passage;
a filter coupled to the passage between the inlet and the upstream pressure sensor;
a temperature sensor coupled to the passage between the inlet and the filter, the temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the gas within the passage;
and
a flow sensor processor configured to calculate a compensated flow rate based on measurements received from any of the upstream pressure sensor, the downstream pressure sensor, and the temperature sensor.

5 more elements

A ventilator comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a number and placement of at least one magnet of a gas inlet adapter, the number and placement of the one or more magnets associated with a gas;
an output flow channel configured to mate with a supply limb, an input flow channel configured to accept the gas from a source;
and
a flow sensor comprising:
a passage having an inlet coupled to the input flow channel, and an outlet coupled to the output flow channel;
a flow restriction positioned to intersect the passage;
an upstream pressure sensor coupled to the passage between the inlet and the flow restriction, the upstream pressure sensor configured to measure and provide an upstream pressure of the gas within the passage;
a downstream pressure sensor coupled to the passage between the flow restriction and the outlet, the downstream pressure sensor configured to measure and provide a downstream pressure of the gas within the passage;
a filter coupled to the passage between the inlet and the upstream pressure sensor;
a temperature sensor coupled to the passage between the inlet and the filter, the temperature sensor configured to measure and provide a temperature of the gas within the passage;
and
a flow sensor processor configured to calculate a compensated flow rate based on measurements received from any of the upstream pressure sensor, the downstream pressure sensor, and the temperature sensor.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flow sensor

Life of this patent

Flow sensor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20