Patent abstracts

Citation

(2007), "Patent abstracts", Sensor Review, Vol. 27 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2007.08727aad.009

Patent abstracts

Integrated Sensing Systems, Inc. (ISSYS) announced that the US Patent Office has granted it a utility patent (US 7,059,176) entitled “Resonant tube viscosity sensing device.”

This patent covers a method and device for assessing the viscosity of a fluid using a microfluidic chip. Its 39 granted claims include methods of fabricating, designing and packaging the new sensor and combining its output with the other sensory outputs such as mass flow rate, density and temperature. The patent also covers the integration of this sensor directly onto an engine to monitor the oil or lubricant quality for vehicle applications (both automotive and military usage). This application offers a smaller more cost effective means of sensing automotive oil quality, which can reduce oil consumption and prevent engine wear. The patent builds on ISSYS' previous microfluidic patents in this area such as US Patents 6,477,901, 6,647,778 and 6,935,010.

An important contribution of this patent is the fact that it is the next step in achieving a comprehensive fluidic analysis system for industrial and vehicle applications. ISSYS' technology is now offering a single microchip sensor capable of multiple sensing functions, including temperature, density, flow, and viscosity.

Dr Douglas Sparks, ISSYS Executive Vice President, stated that, “This new patent and technology has applications to broaden ISSYS” laboratory test equipment and industrial product lines. Spillover into automotive and trucking applications gives this technology the potential to be a high- volume sensing product used in millions of vehicles. A MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) sensor that can monitor the viscosity, density, temperature and mass flow of motor oil is truly unique and offers a way to advance the state-of-the-art in oil quality sensing.”

Company background

ISSYS is a leader in advanced micromachining technologies for medical devices, microfluidic and scientific analytical sensing applications used in the development of density and flow meters, drug infusion pumps and wireless, implantable sensing systems. Founded in 1995 by world-renowned leaders in MEMS sensing technology, ISSYS operates an “everything under one roof” multi-million-dollar, state-of-the- art MEMS fabrication facility located near Ann Arbor, Michigan. For more company, product and service information, please visit www.mems-issys.com/.

Title: Resonant tube viscosity sensing deviceApplicant: Integrated Sensing Systems Inc (US)Patent number: US2004255648Publication date: 23 December 2004

A method and device for assessing the viscosity of a fluid. The method and device utilize a tube with a vibrating freestanding portion into which the fluid is introduced, and relies on sensing the influence that the fluid has on the vibrational movement of the tube to assess the viscosity of the fluid. For this purpose, the freestanding portion is preferably driven at or near a resonant frequency, movement of the freestanding portion is sensed, and the viscosity of a fluid within the tube is assessed by ascertaining the damping effect the fluid has on movement of the freestanding portion at or near the resonant frequency.

Title: Silicon inertial sensors formed using MEMSApplicant: Madni Asad (US); Zou Qiang (US); Kim Eun S (US); Costlow Lynn (US); Vuong Jim (US); Wells Roger (US)Patent number: US2006225506Publication date: 12 October 2006

A MEMS silicon inertial sensor formed of a mass that is supported and constrained to vibrate in only specified ways. The sensors can be separately optimized from the support, to adjust the sensitivity separate from the bandwidth. The sensor can sense three dimensionally, or can only sense in a single plane. Vibration cancellation may be provided.

Title: MEMS based conductivity-temperature- depth sensor for harsh oceanic enbironmentApplicant: Univ South Florida (US); Bhansali Shekhar (US); Langebrake Lawrence (US); Bhat Shreyas (US)Patent number: WO2006113759Publication date: 26 October 2006

A MEMS-based silicon CTD sensor for ocean environment is presented. The sensor components are a capacitive conductivity sensor, a gold doped silicon temperature sensor, and a multiple diapghram piezoresistive pressure sensor. The sensor elements have further been packaged to protect them from harsh marine environment. The sensor components showed good linear response, resolution and mechanical integrity to the harsh ocean environment.

Title: MEMS fluid sensorApplicant: Silverbrook Res Pty LtdPatent number: US2006221114Publication date: 5 October 2006

A fluid sensor for detecting fluid in a chamber, has a MEMS sensing element of conductive material with a resistance that is a function of temperature, and electrical contacts for connection to an electrical power source for heating the sensing element with an electrical signal, so that control circuitry can measure the current passing through the sensing element during heating of the sensing element; and determine the temperature of the sensing element from the known applied voltage, the measured current and the known relationship between the current, resistance and temperature. As the temperature of the element will be greater if it is in the presence of gas rather than liquid, the sensor determines if there is liquid or gas in the chamber. This is particularly useful to detect if the chambers of an inkjet printhead are primed with ink.