Sensirion Ag

Sensiron Ag

Continental Automotive Gmbh

Sensirion Holding Ag

Mark Hornung

Felix Mayer

Andreas Rüegg

Moritz Lechner

Eric Monnin

David Kiliani

Marc Von Waldkirch

Jens Kubasch

Lukas Bürgi

Nicolas Moeller

Samuel Wehrli

Harry Figi

Thomas Huber

Werner Hunziker

Stephen Setescak

Thorsten Knittel

Stefan Thiele

Pascal Gerner

Stefan Kostner

Lorenz Meier

Robert Sunier

Matthias Studer

Felix Hoehne

Matthias Merz

Johannes Bühler

Marcel Plüss

Patrick Leidenberger

Daniel Traeutlein

Robert Wuest

Remo Fürst

Philipp Reibisch

Claudia Kuttel

Nicolas Möller

Ralph Steiner Vanna

Lucas Huber

Robert Wüest

Daniel Traeutelein

Martin Göppl

Bruno Meier

Roland Cerna

Markus Brühwiler

Marc Bächlin

Andries Bosma

Marvin MÜLLER

Claudia KÜTTEL

Lukas BÜRGI

Davy Graf

A thermal sensor device serves for determining a concentration of a target gas in a gas sample that further comprises a disturbance gas. The thermal sensor device comprises first and second measurement structures () comprising first and second temperature sensors (TS, TS) and a heater element () operable to cause heat transfer to the measurement structures through the gas sample. Processing circuitry provides heating power (P_) to the heater element and derives an output signal (S) based on a response of the temperature sensors to the heating power, the output signal being indicative of a concentration of the target gas in the gas sample. The first and second measurement structures have different heat dissipation capabilities, and the processing circuitry derives the output signal from a weighted difference of temperature signals from the first and second temperature sensors. Thereby, a cross-sensitivity of the output signal to a concentration change of the disturbance gas may be reduced or eliminated.

Thermal sensor device and method for determining a concentration of a target gas in a gas sample

A regulation device for regulating a mixing ratio (x) of a gas mixture comprises a first conduit () for carrying a flow of a first gas (e.g., air) and a second conduit () for carrying a flow of a second gas (e.g., a fuel gas). The first and second conduits () open out into a common conduit () in a mixing region (M) to form the gas mixture. A first sensor (S) is configured to determine at least one thermal parameter of the gas mixture downstream from the mixing region. A control device () is configured to receive, from the first sensor, sensor signals indicative of the at least one thermal parameter of the gas mixture and to derive control signals for adjusting device (V) acting to adjust the mixing ratio, based on the at least one thermal parameter.

Device for regulating a mixing ratio of a gas mixture

A duct probe () for sampling a fluid from a main fluid flow (Fm) in a duct () defines an elongated supply channel () n elongated discharge channel (). The supply channel has at least one inflow opening () for diverting a partial flow (Fp) from the main fluid flow into the supply channel, and the discharge channel has at least one outflow opening for returning the partial flow from the discharge channel into the main fluid flow after it has passed an environmental sensor (). The duct probe further comprises at least one compensation opening () that connects the supply channel and the discharge channel in a region that is located between their closed and open ends. By the presence of the compensation opening (), a jet flow (Fj) is created, which acts to reduce a pressure difference between the supply channel and the discharge channel when the duct probe is exposed to the main fluid flow (Fm).

Duct sensor with duct probe for sampling a fluid from a duct and method of operation

A thermal sensor device is configured to determine a fluid parameter of a fluid based on the heat transfer behavior of the fluid. The sensor device comprises one or more heaters and means for determining a response of the sensor device to heater power being supplied to the heaters. For detecting sensor faults, the sensor device is operated in two different modes of operation. First and second values (c, c) of the same fluid parameter are determined in the two modes. A fault indicator value (F) is derived by comparing the first and second values. The first mode of operation may be a steady-state mode, the first value (c) being based on a steady-state response of the sensor device to heater power being supplied to the heaters, and the second mode of operation may be a dynamic mode, the second value (c) being based on a transient response.

Fault detection in a thermal sensor device

A sensor device for determining at least one heat transfer parameter of a gas comprises a sensor unit () comprising at least one heater element and at least one temperature sensor. A first (inner) housing () receives the sensor unit. The first housing comprises a first membrane () allowing a diffusive gas exchange between the exterior and the interior of the first housing. The first housing is received in a second (outer) housing (). The second housing comprises a second membrane () allowing a diffusive gas exchange between the exterior of the second housing and the exterior of the first housing. Thereby temperature gradients inside the first housing are reduced. The second housing can be made of metal and can be disposed on a support plate (), taking the form of a cap. An auxiliary sensor () can be arranged in the space between the first and second housings.

Sensor device for determining heat transfer parameters of a fluid

A thermal sensor comprises an active element (), e.g., a heater or cooler, at least one temperature sensor (), and processing circuitry (). The processing circuitry causes a change of power supplied to the active element (). It then determines, at a plurality of times, a thermal parameter based on an output signal of the temperature sensors and analyzes the transient behavior of the thermal parameter. Based on this analysis, the processing circuitry determines a contamination signal that is indicative of a contamination on a sensing surface of the thermal sensor. If the thermal sensor comprises a plurality of temperature sensors arranged in different sectors of the sensing surface, a multi-sector thermal signal can be derived from the outputs of the sensors, and determination of the contamination signal can be based on the multi-sector thermal signal.

Detection of contaminations on a sensing surface of a thermal sensor

The disclosure concerns a sensor device for determining the thermal capacity of a natural gas. The sensor device comprises a substrate, a recess or opening arranged in the substrate, a first heating component and a first sensing component. The first heating component comprises a first heating structure and a temperature sensor and the first sensing component comprises a temperature sensor. The sensor device is configured to measure the thermal conductivity of the natural gas at a first measuring temperature and at a second measuring temperature. The sensor device is configured to determine a first, in particular a constant, and a second, in particular a linear temperature coefficient of a temperature dependency function of the thermal conductivity and to determine the thermal capacity of the natural gas based on a fitting function. The fitting function is dependent on the first and the second temperature coefficient.

Sensor for determining the thermal capacity of natural gas

A method for determining fluid parameters, such as a heat capacity c&#x3c1;, a calorific value Hp, a methane number MN, and/or a Wobbe index WI, of an unknown fluid (g). An unknown flow () of the fluid (g) is set in a sensor device (), the sensor device () comprising a thermal flow sensor () and a pressure sensor device () for measuring at least one temperature value T, T, a further parameter, and differential pressure value &#x394;&#x3c1; over a flow restrictor (). Using these measurement parameters T, T, &#x394;&#x3c1; and calibration data, the calorific value Hp, and/or the Wobbe index WI, or parameters indicative thereof, of an unknown fluid (g) are calculated. The invention also relates to such a sensor device () and to a computer program product for carrying out such a method.

Determination of fluid parameters

The disclosure relates to a sensor for detecting and/or analysing a gas. The sensor comprises a substrate, a recess or opening arranged in the substrate, a first bridge structure and a second bridge structure. The first bridge structure and the second bridge structure extend over said recess or opening and are anchored in the substrate. The first bridge structure forms a first hotplate and comprises a first patch of sensing material, in particular of a metal oxide material, arranged on the first hotplate, electrodes adapted to measure an electrical property of the first patch and a heater adapted to heat the first hotplate. The second bridge structure comprises a temperature sensor. The sensor comprises circuitry for driving the heater and for processing signals from the electrodes and the temperature sensor. The sensor provides a first operation mode configured to perform a measurement of an electrical property of the first patch and a second operation mode configured to operate the second bridge structure in a sensing mode to perform a measurement of a thermal property of the gas. The thermal property is a thermal capacity and/or a thermal conductivity and/or a thermal diffusivity of the gas.

Multi-parametric sensor with bridge structure

Method of operating a flow sensor device () with a first sensor arrangement () for measuring a flow (F) of a fluid (g) and a further first fluid property (p), and with a second sensor arrangement () for measuring a further second fluid property (p); said method comprising the steps of operating said flow sensor device () for determining said further first fluid property (p) by means of said first sensor arrangement (), operating said flow sensor device () for determining said further second fluid property (p) by means of said second sensor arrangement (), comparing said further first fluid property (p) and further second fluid property (p) and producing a comparison result (R), and monitoring said comparison result and producing a fault signal (FS) in case of a fault state. The present invention relates to such a sensor device.

Operation method for flow sensor device

A mass flow controller () comprises a fluid inlet () and at least one first flow meter () to measure a first flow rate (F) and to output a first flow signal (FS); at least one second flow meter () to measure a second flow (F) rate and to output a second flow signal (FS); a control device () connected to said first and second flow meters () and configured and arranged to generate a control signal (C); and at least one control valve () connected to said control device () to control a total flow rate (F) through the mass flow controller () in response to the control signal (C). The control signal (C) is generated as a function of both the first and second flow signals (FS,FS) such that the mass flow controller's () sensitivity to perturbations of said inlet pressure is minimized.

Inlet pressure perturbation insensitive mass flow controller

A flow sensor package comprises a chip comprising a sensitive structure for sensing the flow of a fluid and an encapsulation at least partly encapsulating the chip. A recess in the encapsulation contributes to a flow channel for guiding the fluid, which recess exposes at least the sensitive structure of the chip from the encapsulation, and which recess extends beyond an edge of the chip.

Flow sensor package

A flow sensor arrangement for determining the flow of a fluid comprises a substrate. A heater is arranged in or on the substrate as well as at least one first thermocouple for generating a first signal proportional to a temperature difference between a location downstream from the heater and a first reference location, and at least one second thermocouple for generating a second signal proportional to a temperature difference between a location upstream from the heater and a second reference location which second reference location is different from the first reference location. In addition, at least one third thermocouple is arranged in or on the substrate for generating a third signal proportional to a temperature difference between the first reference location and the second reference location. Means are provided for determining a sensing signal indicative of the flow of the fluid over the heater and the first and the second thermocouple dependent on the first signal, the second signal and the third signal.

Flow sensor arrangement

A method for determining a fluid composition parameter, e.g., a fluid identifier, a mixing ratio or a parameter describing heat transfer properties, of an unknown fluid in a mass flow controller is disclosed. A control valve of the mass flow controller is set so as to establish a constant flow, preferably zero flow, through the mass flow controller. A heating element of the flow sensor is heated, and at least one temperature value is measured with temperature sensors arranged on both sides of the heater while the fluid contacts the flow sensor. First calibration data (LUT) are retrieved. The first calibration data have, as input values, temperature values measured with the flow sensor at the previously established constant flow and have, as output values, values of the fluid composition parameter. The first calibration data are used to determine the fluid composition parameter from the measured temperature value.

Determination of fluid composition in a mass flow controller

There is disclosed a flow sensor arrangement, comprising a main channel () for conveying a fluid, a bypass () connected to the main channel () for conveying a portion of the fluid supplied in the main channel (), and a flow sensor () for measuring a flow of the fluid portion in the bypass (). The bypass () branches off from the main channel () at an angle (&#x3b1;) of less than 90 degrees between an inlet section () of the bypass () and a supply section () of the main channel (). By such design means, particles can be prevented from entering the bypass () by this adversely affecting the measurements.

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Stäfa, Switzerland

Mark Hornung