Integrated flow rate sensor
AssigneeCooper-Standard Automotive Inc.
InventorBrian J. Cardwell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flow rate sensor that can be integrated with a component of a fluid system includes a housing having fluid ports attached to the component and an internal cavity having a spindle and a rotor comprised of a plurality of paddles attached to a hub rotatably mounted on the spindle. The paddles rotate the hub around the spindle when a fluid is introduced into the cavity from a fluid port. A magnetic element attached to the hub rotates along with the rotor. A magnetic switch located in a sealed compartment is in magnetic alignment with the magnetic field produced by the magnetic element. Rotation of the magnetic element causes the magnetic switch to generate electrical signals corresponding to the rate of fluid flowing into the sensor from the component.
Claims20
A flow rate sensor integrated with a component of a fluid system, the flow rate sensor measuring a rate of fluid flow comprising:
- a rotatable magnetic element positioned in the fluid flow, wherein rotation of the rotatable magnetic element depends from the fluid flow;
- and
- a magnetic switch located in a sealed compartment in magnetic alignment with a magnetic field produced by the magnetic element, wherein rotation of the magnetic element causes the magnetic switch to generate electrical signals corresponding to the rate of fluid flow.
A sensor integrated with a component of a fluid system for measuring a rate of fluid flow from the component, the sensor comprising:
- a housing having an internal cavity and a spindle;
- a rotor having a hub rotatably mounted on the spindle, wherein rotation of the rotor depends from the fluid flow from the component;
- a magnetic element mounted to the hub, wherein rotation of the rotor causes rotation of the magnetic element;
- and
- a magnetic switch located in a sealed compartment in magnetic alignment with a magnetic field produced by the magnetic element, wherein rotation of the magnetic element causes the magnetic switch to generate electrical signals corresponding to the rate of fluid flow from the component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.