Smart mass gas flow sensor

Citation

Rigelsford, J. (2001), "Smart mass gas flow sensor", Sensor Review, Vol. 21 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2001.08721cad.024

Smart mass gas flow sensor

Smart mass gas flow sensor

Applicant: Hitachi America LtdPatent number: US5544079Publication date: 6 August 1996Title: Smart mass gas flow sensor

The present invention relates generally to mass gas flow sensors and, more particularly, to a mass gas flow sensor having on board digital signal processing means. In brief, the mass gas flow sensor comprises a housing having a bore through which a gas flows. The gas may be a fuel, such as propane, CNG, methane or the like, or air. Flow and temperature sensing means, such as a hot and cold wire, are positioned in the bore for sensing the mass gas flow through the bore and for generating an analogue signal proportional to the mass gas flow. A digital processor digitally processes the analogue signal from the sensor and generates a substantially linear output signal representative of the mass gas flow through the housing bore. The microprocessor also preferably provides an output signal through a digital/analogue converter representative of the temperature of the cold wire and thus the ambient temperature of the gas flowing through the gas flow sensor.