Micro-liquid flow sensor

A simple to realise micro-liquid flow sensor with high sensitivity is presented. The sensor is based on well known thermal anemometer principles. An analytical model for the sensor behaviour applicable for gas/liquid fluids is presented. The realisation process of the sensor is described. Model and experimental results agree well. The sensor is simple to integrate with other micro-liquid handling components such as pumps, mixers, etc.

[1]  R. G. Johnson,et al.  A highly sensitive silicon chip microtransducer for air flow and differential pressure sensing applications , 1987 .

[2]  H. Søeberg,et al.  Monolithic flow sensor for measuring millilitre per minute liquid flow , 1992 .

[3]  R. Miyake,et al.  Micro mixer with fast diffusion , 1993, [1993] Proceedings IEEE Micro Electro Mechanical Systems.

[4]  M. Zanini,et al.  A micromachined, silicon mass-air-flow sensor for automotive applications , 1991, TRANSDUCERS '91: 1991 International Conference on Solid-State Sensors and Actuators. Digest of Technical Papers.

[5]  A. Nathan,et al.  Numerical optimisation of flow-rate microsensors using circuit simulation tools , 1991, TRANSDUCERS '91: 1991 International Conference on Solid-State Sensors and Actuators. Digest of Technical Papers.

[6]  J. Branebjerg,et al.  A micromachined flow sensor for measuring small liquid flows , 1991, TRANSDUCERS '91: 1991 International Conference on Solid-State Sensors and Actuators. Digest of Technical Papers.

[7]  J. Branebjerg,et al.  Micro fluid-handling systems: state of the art and opportunities , 1991, Fifth International Conference on Advanced Robotics 'Robots in Unstructured Environments.

[8]  B. W. Oudheusden Silicon thermal flow sensors , 1992 .

[9]  M. Esashi Micro flow sensor and integrated magnetic oxygen sensor using it , 1991, TRANSDUCERS '91: 1991 International Conference on Solid-State Sensors and Actuators. Digest of Technical Papers.

[10]  H. Baltes,et al.  Analytical 2D-model of CMOS micromachined gas flow sensors , 1991, TRANSDUCERS '91: 1991 International Conference on Solid-State Sensors and Actuators. Digest of Technical Papers.