Honeywell International Inc.

Honeywell G.m.b.h.

Ernest Allen Satren

Ulrich Bonne

Robert E Higashi

Aravind Padmanabhan

Cleopatra Cabuz

Thomas R Ohnstein

J David Zook

Jay G Schwichtenberg

Eugen Loan Cabuz

Bernard S Fritz

James Allen Cox

Robert G Johnson

Teresa M Marta

Philip J Bohrer

Steven D James

Timothy L Johnson

Roger E Axmark

A method of thermally coupling a flow tube or like component to a thermal sensor comprises bonding the component to the thermal sensor such that thermally conductive portions formed on the component are thermally coupled to corresponding sensing/heating elements disposed on the thermal sensor. The method can be employed to form a capillary mass flow sensor system. Thermally conductive portions, such as metal bands, can be formed on the outer surface of a capillary tube for bonding with corresponding resistive heat sensing and heating elements disposed on the substrate of a micro mass flow sensor. Bonding metal pads can be formed on the sensor surface preparatory to solder bonding the tube metal bands to the resistive sensing and heating elements.

Method of thermally coupling a flow tube or like component to a thermal sensor and sensor systems formed thereby

A flow sensor is provided having a substrate with a sensing element and flow channel over the sensing element. The sensing element senses at least one property of a fluid. The flow channel is configured such that tilting the flow sensor does not have a significant effect on the measured signal. A device for measuring tilt in a system having a fluid flow path is also provided.

Tilt-insensitive flow sensor

A medium having microfluidic circuitry for sampling and analyses. The medium may be a cartridge having a window countersunk into it and containing a flow channel. The flow channel may have items of interest flowing through it. Analyses of these items may be optical involving one or more light sources emanating light to and one or more light detectors receiving light from the channel. There are various configurations so that source and detector light cones may reach the flow channel without obscuration or interference of the light to and from the flow channel in the window.

Cytometer analysis cartridge optical configuration

A sensor can be configured to generally include a flow channel block having a flow channel formed therein, and a sensor chip for sensing fluid flow, wherein a fluid in the flow channel surrounds the sensor chip. Alternatively, the sensor chip can be fastened at one side to a substrate and on another side of the substrate to a core tube inserted into the flow channel. This core tube provides electrical insulation and corrosion protection to the sensor chip, reduces flow noise, (and by the non-intrusive nature of the measurement) essentially eliminates the risk of fluid leakage, and maintains the fluid super-clean and contamination-free while improving structural integrity for the thermal measurements derived from the sensor chip. The use of such a core tube configuration also can protect the sensor from corrosion, radioactive or bacterial contamination, overheating, or freeze-ups. Such a core tube configuration also enables the core tube to be detachable and disposable, without requiring the replacement of the more costly sensor chip with its electronics and calibration.

Sensor package for harsh environments

An integratable fluid flow and property microsensor assembly is configured to be operably embedded in a microfluidic cartridge of the type used in lab-on-a-chip systems. The assembly is a robust package having a microstructure flow sensor contained within a housing in order to achieve a robust sensing device. The cartridge provides a flow path to the assembly, which directs the fluid across the flow sensor and returns the fluid to the cartridge flow path. The flow sensor monitors the controlled flow of fluid and transmits signals indicative of that flow. The assembly structure provides a robust sensor that is operable and accurate in many different applications.

Integratable-fluid flow and property microsensor assembly

A portable or wearable cytometer that can be used at remote locations, such as in the field or at home. The flow cytometer of the present invention may help improve the healthcare of many weak, sick or elderly people by providing early detection of infection. By detecting the infection early, the infection may be more readily treatable. In military applications, the portable cytometer of the present invention may help save lives by providing early detection of infection due to biological agents.

Portable flow cytometry

A fluid driving system for portable flow cytometers or other portable devices that accepts a less precise and less stable pressure source, and then adjusts the pressure in a closed-loop manner to maintain a constant, desired flow velocity. The fluid driving system may be used in portable or wearable cytometers for use in remote locations, such as at home or in the field.

Fluid driving system for flow cytometry

A microscopic size absolute pressure sensor for air or gas of the thermal conductivity type, a silicon nitride covered silicon microchip has an elongated V-groove anisotropically etched in the silicon with a heated silicon nitride bridge element extending over the surface of the V-groove.

Microscopic size, thermal conductivity type, air or gas absolute

A condition responsive sensor is provided with a flow sensor channel means that is interconnected to a capillary tube restriction. The capillary tube restriction can be readily interchanged on the device to change the response of the condition responsive sensor. A very small flow sensor is placed in the flow sensor channel. The flow sensor channel and the capillary tube restriction can be placed generally parallel to one another to reduce the overall length of the device.

Condition responsive sensor for fluid flow measurement

In a multi-burner boiler or industrial furnace installation that uses pulverized coal for fuel and utilizes an oil pilot torch it has been difficult to sense and discriminate satisfactorily between safe and unsafe burner operation in these multi-burner arrangements. By using both a Si detector (visible light responsive) and a lead sulfide detector (infrared responsive) and selectively combining the signals therefrom, the best characteristics of both detectors are utilized to provide satisfactory flame sensing.

Growing community of inventors

Bloomington, MN, United States of America

Ernest Allen Satren