Single-use plastic pressure sensor
AssigneeRosenmount Inc.
InventorsCharles R. Willcox, Jason H. Rud
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A polymeric fluid sensor includes an inlet configured to receive fluid and an outlet. A polymeric tube is fluidically interposed between the inlet and the outlet and has a first sensing location with a first sidewall thickness and a second sensing location, spaced from the first sensing location, with a second sidewall thickness. A sleeve is disposed about the polymeric tube. The first sidewall thickness is less than the second sidewall thickness and a first sensing element is disposed at the first location and a second sensing element is disposed at the second location. In another example, the first and second sidewall thicknesses are the same and a fluid restriction is disposed within the polymeric tube between the first and second sensing locations.
Claims18
A polymeric fluid sensor comprising:
- an inlet configured to receive fluid;
- an outlet;
- a polymeric tube fluidically interposed between the inlet and the outlet, the tube having a first sensing location with a first sidewall thickness and a second sensing location, spaced from the first sensing location, with a second sidewall thickness;
- a sleeve disposed about the polymeric tube;
- and
- wherein the first sidewall thickness is less than the second sidewall thickness and a first sensing element is disposed at the first location and a second sensing element is disposed at the second location.
A polymeric fluid sensor comprising:
- an inlet configured to receive fluid;
- an outlet;
- a tube fluidically interposed between the inlet and the outlet, the tube having a first sensing location with a first sidewall thickness and a second sensing location, spaced from the first sensing location, with a second sidewall thickness the same as the first sidewall thickness, the tube having a flow restriction disposed between the first sensing location and the second sensing location;
- a sleeve disposed about the tube;
- a first sensing element is disposed at the first location;
- and
- a second sensing element is disposed at the second location.
A method of sensing a fluid property, the method comprising:
- directing the fluid through a polymeric tube having a plurality of sensing locations;
- sensing an electrical characteristic of a first sensing element located at a first of the plurality of sensing locations;
- sensing an electrical characteristic of a second sensing element located at a second of the plurality of sensing locations;
- calculating a fluid parameter based on the sensed electrical characteristics of the first and second sensing elements;
- providing the calculated fluid parameter as an output;
- and
- driving the first and second sensing elements with an alternating current excitation signal and determining fluid conductivity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.