阅读说明：本技术 流量传感器和用于调整流体流动测量的方法 (Flow sensor and method for adjusting a fluid flow measurement ) 是由 M·A·纳尔逊 D·舍内 于 2019-06-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种流量传感器,包括：流体流动路径；第一传感器,所述第一传感器被配置为确定所述流体流动路径中的流体的热扩散率和/或粘度中的至少一个的第一测量；第二传感器,所述第二传感器被配置为确定所述流体流动路径中的所述流体的流体流速和/或体积流率中的至少一个的第二测量；以及至少一个处理器,被配置为基于所述第一测量来调整所述第二测量。一种方法,包括在流量传感器的流体流动路径中接收流体,确定流体流动路径中流体的热扩散率和/或粘度的第一测量值,确定所述流体流动路径中的所述流体的流体流速和/或体积流率的第二测量,并基于第一测量调整第二测量。(A flow sensor, comprising: a fluid flow path; a first sensor configured to determine a first measurement of at least one of thermal diffusivity and/or viscosity of a fluid in the fluid flow path; a second sensor configured to determine a second measurement of at least one of a fluid flow velocity and/or a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path; and at least one processor configured to adjust the second measurement based on the first measurement. A method includes receiving a fluid in a fluid flow path of a flow sensor, determining a first measurement of thermal diffusivity and/or viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path, determining a second measurement of a fluid flow velocity and/or a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path, and adjusting the second measurement based on the first measurement.)

1. A flow sensor, comprising:

a fluid flow path;

a first sensor configured to determine a first measurement of at least one of a thermal diffusivity of a fluid in the fluid flow path and a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path;

a second sensor configured to determine a second measurement of at least one of a fluid flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path; and

at least one processor configured to adjust the second measurement based on the first measurement.

2. The flow sensor of claim 1, wherein the first sensor comprises a resistive heater layer extending between a first resistive temperature detector layer and a second resistive temperature detector layer in a direction parallel to the fluid flow path, the first resistive temperature detector layer and the second resistive temperature detector layer extending in a direction parallel to the fluid flow path, and wherein the second sensor comprises another resistive heater layer extending between another first resistive temperature detector layer and another second resistive temperature detector layer in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow path, the another first resistive temperature detector layer and the another second resistive temperature detector layer extending in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow path.

3. The flow sensor of claim 2, wherein a spacing between the resistive heater layer and the first and second resistive temperature detector layers in the first sensor is less than a spacing between the other resistive heater layer and the other first and second resistive temperature detector layers in the second sensor.

4. The flow sensor of claim 1, wherein the second sensor is configured to determine the second measurement based on at least one of a calorimetric mode and a thermal time-of-flight mode.

5. The flow sensor according to claim 4, wherein the at least one processor is configured to adjust the second measurement by controlling the second sensor to switch, based on the first measurement, between (i) determining the second measurement based only on the calorimetric mode and (ii) determining the second measurement based only on the time-of-thermal-flight mode.

6. The flow sensor according to claim 4, wherein the at least one processor is configured to adjust the second measurement by controlling the second sensor to switch, based on the first measurement, between (i) determining the second measurement based on only one of the calorimetric mode and the thermal time-of-flight mode and (ii) determining the second measurement based on each of the calorimetric mode and the thermal time-of-flight mode.

7. The flow sensor of claim 1, wherein the second sensor is calibrated to determine the second measurement for a first type of fluid, wherein the fluid comprises a second type of fluid that is different from the first type of fluid, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to adjust the second measurement based on a ratio of the at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path to at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the first type of fluid and a viscosity of the first type of fluid.

8. The flow sensor of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to:

receiving an identification of a type of the fluid to be received in the fluid flow path, wherein the identification is associated with an adjustment factor;

determining a change in a type of the fluid in the fluid flow path based on the first measurement; and

adjusting the second measurement based on the adjustment factor in response to determining the change in the type of the fluid in the fluid flow path.

9. The flow sensor of claim 8, further comprising:

a third sensor configured to identify a type of fluid in the fluid flow path and provide identification of the type of fluid in the fluid flow path.

10. The flow sensor of claim 1, wherein the second sensor is spaced from the first sensor in a fluid flow direction of the fluid flow path.

11. A method, comprising:

receiving a fluid in a fluid flow path of a flow sensor;

determining a first measurement of at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path with a first sensor of the flow sensors;

determining a second measurement of at least one of a fluid flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path with a second sensor of the flow sensors; and

adjusting, with at least one processor, the second measurement based on the first measurement.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first sensor comprises a resistive heater layer extending in a direction parallel to the fluid flow path between a first resistive temperature detector layer and a second resistive temperature detector layer, the first resistive temperature detector layer and the second resistive temperature detector layer extending in a direction parallel to the fluid flow path, and wherein the second sensor comprises another resistive heater layer extending in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow path between another first resistive temperature detector layer and another second resistive temperature detector layer, the another first resistive temperature detector layer and the another second resistive temperature detector layer extending in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow path.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein a spacing between the resistive heater layer and the first and second resistive temperature detector layers in the first sensor is less than a spacing between the other resistive heater layer and the other first and second resistive temperature detector layers in the second sensor.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the second measurement is based on at least one of a calorimetric mode of the second sensor and a thermal time-of-flight mode of the second sensor.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein adjusting the second measurement comprises controlling the second sensor to switch, based on the first measurement, between (i) determining the second measurement based only on the calorimetric mode and (ii) determining the second measurement based only on the thermal time-of-flight mode.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein adjusting the second measurement comprises controlling the second sensor to switch, based on the first measurement, between (i) determining the second measurement based on only one of the calorimetric mode and the thermal time-of-flight mode and (ii) determining the second measurement based on each of the calorimetric mode and the thermal time-of-flight mode.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the second sensor is calibrated to determine the second measurement for a first type of fluid, wherein the fluid comprises a second type of fluid that is different from the first type of fluid, and wherein the second measurement is adjusted based on a ratio of the at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path to at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the first type of fluid and a viscosity of the first type of fluid.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving, with the at least one processor, an identification of a type of the fluid to be received in the fluid flow path, wherein the identification is associated with an adjustment factor;

determining, with the at least one processor, a change in a type of the fluid in the fluid flow path based on the first measurement; and

adjusting, with the at least one processor, the second measurement based on the adjustment factor in response to determining the change in the type of the fluid in the fluid flow path.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

identifying a type of the fluid in the fluid flow path with a third sensor; and

providing, with the third sensor, identification of a type of the fluid in the fluid flow path.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the second sensor is spaced from the first sensor in a fluid flow direction of the fluid flow path.

1. Field of the invention

The present disclosure relates generally to flow sensors and, in one particular embodiment, to flow sensors and methods for adjusting fluid flow measurements.

2. Technical considerations

The thermal properties and viscosity of fluids (e.g., pharmaceutical fluids, IV therapy fluids, blood, etc.) vary significantly. Changes in thermal properties and viscosity affect the accuracy of the calorimetric or dual-mode calorimetric/thermal time-of-flight flow sensors. For example, a calorimetric or dual mode calorimetric/thermal time-of-flight flow sensor is typically calibrated for measurement with a particular fluid, and using the calorimetric or dual mode calorimetric/thermal time-of-flight flow sensor for measuring a different fluid with which the flow sensor is not calibrated will affect the accuracy of the fluid flow rate and/or volumetric flow rate measured by the flow sensor.

Background

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, improved systems, apparatus, products, devices, and/or methods are provided for tuning fluid flow measurements.

According to a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, there is provided a flow sensor comprising: a fluid flow path; a first sensor configured to determine a first measurement of at least one of a thermal diffusivity of a fluid in the fluid flow path and a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path; a second sensor configured to determine a second measurement of at least one of a fluid flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path; and at least one processor configured to adjust the second measurement based on the first measurement.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first sensor comprises a resistive heater layer extending in a direction parallel to the fluid flow path between a first resistive temperature detector layer and a second resistive temperature detector layer, the first resistive temperature detector layer and the second resistive temperature detector layer extending in a direction parallel to the fluid flow path, and wherein the second sensor comprises a further resistive heater layer extending in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow path between a further first resistive temperature detector layer and a further second resistive temperature detector layer, the further first resistive temperature detector layer and the further second resistive temperature detector layer extending in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow path.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a spacing between the resistive heater layer and the first and second resistive temperature detector layers in the first sensor is less than a spacing between the another resistive heater layer and the another first and second resistive temperature detector layers in the second sensor.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second sensor is configured to determine the second measurement based on at least one of a calorimetric mode and a thermal time-of-flight mode.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one processor is configured to adjust the second measurement by controlling the second sensor to switch, based on the first measurement, between (i) determining the second measurement based only on the calorimetric mode and (ii) determining the second measurement based only on the thermal time-of-flight mode.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one processor is configured to adjust the second measurement by controlling the second sensor to switch, based on the first measurement, between (i) determining the second measurement based on only one of the calorimetric mode and the thermal time-of-flight mode and (ii) determining the second measurement based on each of the calorimetric mode and the thermal time-of-flight mode.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second sensor is calibrated to determine the second measurement for a first type of the fluid, wherein the fluid comprises a second type of the fluid different from the first type of the fluid, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to adjust the second measurement based on a ratio of the at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path to at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the fluid of the first type and a viscosity of the fluid of the first type.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one processor is configured to: receiving an identification of a type of the fluid to be received in the fluid flow path, wherein the identification is associated with an adjustment factor; determining a change in a type of the fluid in the fluid flow path based on the first measurement; and adjusting the second measurement based on the adjustment factor in response to determining the change in the type of the fluid in the fluid flow path.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the flow sensor further comprises: a third sensor configured to identify a type of the fluid in the fluid flow path and provide identification of the type of the fluid in the fluid flow path.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second sensor is spaced apart from the first sensor in a fluid flow direction of the fluid flow path.

According to a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving a fluid in a fluid flow path of a flow sensor; determining a first measurement of at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path with a first sensor of the flow sensors; determining a second measurement of at least one of a fluid flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path with a second sensor of the flow sensors; and adjusting, with at least one processor, the second measurement based on the first measurement.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first sensor comprises a resistive heater layer extending in a direction parallel to the fluid flow path between a first resistive temperature detector layer and a second resistive temperature detector layer, the first resistive temperature detector layer and the second resistive temperature detector layer extending in a direction parallel to the fluid flow path, and wherein the second sensor comprises a further resistive heater layer extending in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow path between a further first resistive temperature detector layer and a further second resistive temperature detector layer, the further first resistive temperature detector layer and the further second resistive temperature detector layer extending in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow path.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a spacing between the resistive heater layer and the first and second resistive temperature detector layers in the first sensor is less than a spacing between the another resistive heater layer and the another first and second resistive temperature detector layers in the second sensor.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, determining the second measurement is based on at least one of a calorimetric mode of the second sensor and a thermal time-of-flight mode of the second sensor.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, adjusting the second measurement comprises controlling the second sensor to switch, based on the first measurement, between (i) determining the second measurement based only on the calorimetric mode and (ii) determining the second measurement based only on the thermal time-of-flight mode.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, adjusting the second measurement comprises controlling the second sensor to switch, based on the first measurement, between (i) determining the second measurement based on only one of the calorimetric mode and the thermal time-of-flight mode and (ii) determining the second measurement based on each of the calorimetric mode and the thermal time-of-flight mode.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second sensor is calibrated to determine the second measurement for a first type of the fluid, wherein the fluid comprises a second type of the fluid different from the first type of the fluid, and wherein the second measurement is adjusted based on a ratio of the at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path to at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the first type of the fluid and a viscosity of the first type of the fluid.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method further comprises: receiving, with the at least one processor, an identification of a type of the fluid to be received in the fluid flow path, wherein the identification is associated with an adjustment factor; determining, with the at least one processor, a change in a type of the fluid in the fluid flow path based on the first measurement; and adjusting, with the at least one processor, the second measurement based on the adjustment factor in response to determining the change in the type of the fluid in the fluid flow path.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method further comprises: identifying a type of the fluid in the fluid flow path with a third sensor; and providing, with the third sensor, identification of the type of the fluid in the fluid flow path.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second sensor is spaced apart from the first sensor in a fluid flow direction of the fluid flow path.

Further embodiments or aspects are set forth in the following numbered clauses:

clause 1. a flow sensor, comprising: a fluid flow path; a first sensor configured to determine a first measurement of at least one of a thermal diffusivity of a fluid in the fluid flow path and a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path; a second sensor configured to determine a second measurement of at least one of a fluid flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path; and at least one processor configured to adjust the second measurement based on the first measurement.

The flow sensor of clause 2. the flow sensor of clause 1, wherein the first sensor comprises a resistive heater layer extending between a first resistive temperature detector layer and a second resistive temperature detector layer in a direction parallel to the fluid flow path, the first resistive temperature detector layer and the second resistive temperature detector layer extending in a direction parallel to the fluid flow path, and wherein the second sensor comprises a further resistive heater layer extending between a further first resistive temperature detector layer and a further second resistive temperature detector layer in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow path, the further first resistive temperature detector layer and the further second resistive temperature detector layer extending in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow path.

Clause 3. the flow sensor according to any one of clauses 1 and 2, wherein a spacing between the resistive heater layer and the first and second resistive temperature detector layers in the first sensor is less than a spacing between the other resistive heater layer and the other first and second resistive temperature detector layers in the second sensor.

Clause 4. the flow sensor of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the second sensor is configured to determine the second measurement based on at least one of a calorimetric mode and a thermal time-of-flight mode.

Clause 5. the flow sensor according to any of clauses 1-4, wherein the at least one processor is configured to adjust the second measurement by controlling the second sensor to switch, based on the first measurement, between (i) determining the second measurement based only on the calorimetric mode and (ii) determining the second measurement based only on the thermal time-of-flight mode.

Clause 6. the flow sensor according to any of clauses 1-5, wherein the at least one processor is configured to adjust the second measurement by controlling the second sensor to switch, based on the first measurement, between (i) determining the second measurement based on only one of the calorimetric mode and the thermal time-of-flight mode and (ii) determining the second measurement based on each of the calorimetric mode and the thermal time-of-flight mode.

Clause 7. the flow sensor according to any of clauses 1-6, wherein the second sensor is calibrated to determine the second measurement for a first type of fluid, wherein the fluid comprises a second type of fluid that is different from the first type of fluid, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to adjust the second measurement based on a ratio of the at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path to at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the first type of fluid and a viscosity of the first type of fluid.

Clause 8. the flow sensor according to any one of clauses 1-7, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: receiving an identification of a type of the fluid to be received in the fluid flow path, wherein the identification is associated with an adjustment factor; determining a change in a type of the fluid in the fluid flow path based on the first measurement; and adjusting the second measurement based on the adjustment factor in response to determining the change in the type of the fluid in the fluid flow path.

Clause 9. the flow sensor of any one of clauses 1-8, further comprising:

a third sensor configured to identify a type of fluid in the fluid flow path and provide identification of the type of fluid in the fluid flow path.

Clause 10. the flow sensor of any one of clauses 1-9, wherein the second sensor is spaced from the first sensor in a fluid flow direction of the fluid flow path.

Clause 11. a method, comprising: receiving a fluid in a fluid flow path of a flow sensor; determining a first measurement of at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path with a first sensor of the flow sensors; determining a second measurement of at least one of a fluid flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path with a second sensor of the flow sensors; and adjusting, with at least one processor, the second measurement based on the first measurement.

Clause 12. the method of clause 11, wherein the first sensor comprises a resistive heater layer extending between a first resistive temperature detector layer and a second resistive temperature detector layer in a direction parallel to the fluid flow path, the first resistive temperature detector layer and the second resistive temperature detector layer extending in a direction parallel to the fluid flow path, and wherein the second sensor comprises another resistive heater layer extending between another first resistive temperature detector layer and another second resistive temperature detector layer in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow path, the another first resistive temperature detector layer and the another second resistive temperature detector layer extending in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow path.

Clause 13. the method of any one of clauses 11 and 12, wherein a spacing between the resistive heater layer and the first and second resistive temperature detector layers in the first sensor is less than a spacing between the other resistive heater layer and the other first and second resistive temperature detector layers in the second sensor.

Clause 14. the method of any of clauses 11-13, wherein determining the second measurement is based on at least one of a calorimetric mode of the second sensor and a thermal time-of-flight mode of the second sensor.

Clause 15. the method of any of clauses 11-14, wherein adjusting the second measurement comprises controlling the second sensor to switch, based on the first measurement, between (i) determining the second measurement based only on the calorimetric mode and (ii) determining the second measurement based only on the thermal time-of-flight mode.

Clause 16. the method of any of clauses 11-15, wherein adjusting the second measurement comprises controlling the second sensor to switch between (i) determining the second measurement based on only one of the calorimetric mode and the thermal time-of-flight mode and (ii) determining the second measurement based on each of the calorimetric mode and the thermal time-of-flight mode based on the first measurement.

Clause 17. the method of any of clauses 11-16, wherein the second sensor is calibrated to determine the second measurement for a first type of fluid, wherein the fluid comprises a second type of fluid that is different from the first type of fluid, and wherein the second measurement is adjusted based on a ratio of the at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path to at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the first type of fluid and a viscosity of the first type of fluid.

Clause 18. the method of any of clauses 11-17, further comprising: receiving, with the at least one processor, an identification of a type of the fluid to be received in the fluid flow path, wherein the identification is associated with an adjustment factor; determining, with the at least one processor, a change in a type of the fluid in the fluid flow path based on the first measurement; and adjusting, with the at least one processor, the second measurement based on the adjustment factor in response to determining the change in the type of the fluid in the fluid flow path.

Clause 19. the method of any of clauses 11-18, further comprising: identifying a type of the fluid in the fluid flow path with a third sensor; and providing, with the third sensor, identification of the type of the fluid in the fluid flow path.

Clause 20. the method of any of clauses 11-19, wherein the second sensor is spaced apart from the first sensor in a fluid flow direction of the fluid flow path.

These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Drawings

Additional advantages and details of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments or aspects illustrated in the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a diagram of non-limiting embodiments or aspects of an environment in which systems, apparatus, products, devices, and/or methods described herein may be implemented according to the principles of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a diagram of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect of a component of the flow sensor of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a diagram of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect of an ideal parabolic layer flow velocity profile in the fluid flow path of the flow sensor of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of non-limiting embodiments or aspects of components of one or more of the devices of FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect of a process for adjusting a fluid flow measurement; and

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect of a process for adjusting a fluid flow measurement.

Detailed Description

For purposes of the following description, the terms "end," "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "lateral," "longitudinal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments or aspects of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the aspects or embodiments or aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless otherwise specified.

No aspect, component, element, structure, act, step, function, instruction, etc., used herein is to be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Further, as used herein, the article "a" is intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with "one or more" and "at least one". Further, as used herein, the term "group" is intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, combinations of related and unrelated items, etc.) and may be used interchangeably with "one or more" or "at least one". Where only one item is intended, the term "one" or similar language is used. Further, as used herein, the term "having" and the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "based, at least in part, on" unless explicitly stated otherwise.

As used herein, the term "communication" may refer to the receipt, transmission, provision, etc. of information (e.g., data, signals, messages, instructions, commands, etc.). By one unit (e.g., a device, system, component of a device or system, a combination thereof, etc.) in communication with another unit, it is meant that the one unit is capable of directly or indirectly receiving information from, and/or transmitting information to, the other unit. This may refer to a direct or indirect connection that is wired and/or wireless in nature. In addition, the two units may communicate with each other even though the transmitted information may be modified, processed, relayed and/or routed between the first and second units. For example, a first unit may communicate with a second unit even if the first unit passively receives information and does not actively transmit information to the second unit. As another example, a first unit may communicate with a second unit if at least one intermediate unit (e.g., a third unit located between the first unit and the second unit) processes information received from the first unit and transmits the processed information to the second unit. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a message may refer to a network packet (e.g., a data packet and/or the like) that includes data. It will be appreciated that many other arrangements are possible. It will be appreciated that many other arrangements are possible

As used herein, the term "server" may refer to one or more computing devices, such as processors, storage devices, and/or similar computer components, that communicate with client devices and/or other computing devices over a network, such as the internet or a private network, and, in some examples, facilitate communication between other servers and/or client devices. It should be understood that various other arrangements are possible. As used herein, the term "system" may refer to one or more computing devices or combinations of computing devices, such as, but not limited to, processors, servers, client devices, software applications, and/or other similar components. Further, reference to a "server" or "processor" as used herein may refer to a previously referenced server and/or processor, a different server and/or processor, and/or a combination of servers and/or processors referenced to perform a previous step or function. For example, as used in the specification and claims, a first server and/or a first processor recited as performing a first step or function may refer to the same or different server and/or processor recited as performing a second step or function.

Non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present invention relate to systems, apparatus, products, devices, and/or methods for tuning fluid flow measurements. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the flow sensor may include a fluid flow path; a first sensor configured to determine a first measurement of at least one of a thermal diffusivity of a fluid in the fluid flow path and a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path; a second sensor configured to determine a second measurement of at least one of a fluid flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path; and at least one processor configured to adjust the second measurement based on the first measurement. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a method may include receiving a fluid in a fluid flow path of a flow sensor; determining a first measurement of at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path with a first sensor of the flow sensors; determining a second measurement of at least one of a fluid flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path with a second sensor of the flow sensors; and adjusting, with the at least one processor, the second measurement based on the first measurement.

In this way, the thermal property measurement and/or viscosity measurement is used to adjust or correct the calorimetric and/or thermal time-of-flight flow rate measurement, which enables the flow sensor to more accurately determine the flow rate and/or volumetric flow rate of a fluid having a different thermal diffusivity and/or viscosity than the flow sensor was calibrated for. Thus, embodiments or aspects of the invention may enable more accurate real-time measurement of the dispensed volume of fluid (e.g., the dispensed volume of a pharmaceutical fluid to a patient, etc.).

Referring now to fig. 1A, fig. 1A is a diagram of an example environment 100 in which devices, systems, and/or methods described herein may be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1, environment 100 includes a flow sensor 102, a fluid identification system 110, a network 112, and a remote system 114. The flow sensor 102, the fluid identification system 110, and the remote system 114 may be interconnected (e.g., establish connections for communication, etc.) via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections.

The flow sensor 102 may include a fluid flow path 104, a first sensor 106, and a second sensor 108. The fluid flow path 104 may include walls defining a flow channel for the fluid. For example, the fluid flow path 104 may include a cylindrical flow path having a radius R, a flow path having a square cross-section, a flow path having a rectangular cross-section, and/or the like. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first sensor 106 and/or the second sensor 108 are located within the fluid flow path 104. For example, the first sensor 106 and/or the second sensor 108 may be connected to an inner surface of a wall defining the flow channel of the fluid flow path 104 (e.g., at an edge of the flow channel, etc.). The first sensor 106 and the second sensor 108 may be interconnected (e.g., establish a connection for communication, etc.) via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second sensor 108 is spaced from the first sensor 106 in the direction of fluid flow of the fluid flow path 104. For example, in implementations such as the non-limiting example or aspect of the flow sensor 102 shown in FIG. 1A where fluid flows from left to right in the fluid flow path 104, the second sensor 108 may be located to the right of the first sensor 106. As an example, the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 may flow past or past the first sensor 106 before the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 flows past or past the second sensor 108.

First sensor 106 may include one or more devices capable of receiving information from and/or transmitting information to second sensor 108, fluid identification system 110, and/or remote system 114 via network 112. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first sensor 106 is configured to determine a first measurement of at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 and a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first sensor 106 comprises a thermal diffusivity measurement sensor or chip configured to measure fluid in the fluid flow path 104. For example, in implementations of non-limiting embodiments or aspects of flow sensor 102 as shown in fig. 1B, first sensor 106 may include a Resistive Heater (RH) layer extending in a direction parallel to fluid flow path 104 between a first Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) layer or thermopile and a second RTD layer or thermopile extending in a direction parallel to fluid flow path 104 (e.g., the RH layer is equally spaced from the first RTD layer and the second RTD layer, etc.). As an example, the first sensor 106 may pulse, modulate, or continuously operate the RH layer and sense or measure the temperature with the RTD layer or thermopile to determine a first measurement comprising the thermal diffusivity of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 (e.g., to provide a signal that is interpreted to determine the thermal diffusivity, etc.). In such an example, because the first sensor 106 (e.g., the RH layer and the first and second RTD layers, etc. of the first sensor 106) is oriented parallel to the fluid flow, the first sensor 106 may be located in a substantially non-flowing environment within the fluid flow path 104, which enables thermal pulses from the RH layer to be transmitted to and/or detected by the first and second RTD layers or thermopiles of the first sensor 106 before the fluid flow in the fluid flow path 104 carries the thermal pulses out of or past the first and second RTD layers or thermopiles.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first sensor 106 comprises an in situ fluid Thermal property measurement device configured to measure Thermal diffusivity of a fluid in the fluid flow path 104, such as a Transient Hot Wire Thermal Conductivity measurement sensor, a bridge-based micro-mechanical sensor, a Transient Thermal strip sensor, and the like, such as "a Transient Hot Wire Thermal Conductivity Apparatus for Fluids" in Journal of Research of National Bureau Standards, Vol.86, No.5, Sept-Oct 1981 by Hans Roder; s. Gustaffson et al, "transfer hot-strip method for simultaneous and aqueous recording thermal conductivity and thermal differentiation of solids and fluids" in J.Phys.D. appl.Phys., Vol 12, p 1411 (1979); and R.Beigelbeck et al, in Meas.Sci.technology, Vol.22, pp 105407(2011), "A Novel Measurement Method for the Thermal Properties of Liquids by using a bridge-based micromachined sensor," each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first sensor 106 comprises a viscosity measurement sensor or chip configured to measure the viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104. For example, the first sensor 106 may comprise a MEMS Viscosity measurement sensor or chip, such as "MEMS Fluid Viscosity sensor" by A Balloto in IEEE Trans Ultras Ferroelectr Freq Control 2010, vol57, pp 669-76, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Second sensor 108 may include one or more devices capable of receiving information from and/or transmitting information to first sensor 106, fluid identification system 110, and/or remote system 114 via network 112. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second sensor 108 is configured to determine a second measurement of at least one of a fluid flow velocity in the fluid flow path 104 and a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second sensor 108 is calibrated to determine a second measurement for the first type of fluid, and the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 includes a second type of fluid different from the first type of fluid. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second sensor 108 is configured to receive the first measurement from the first sensor 106 and adjust the second measurement based on the first measurement. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first sensor 106 is configured to receive a second measurement from the second sensor 108 and adjust the second measurement based on the first measurement.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second sensor 108 comprises a calorimetric or dual-mode calorimetric/thermal time-of-flight sensor or chip. For example, the second sensor 108 may include a MEMS time-of-flight thermal mass flow meter as described in U.S. Pat. No.8,794,082 to Huang et al, and/or a MEMS device as described by Ellis Meng in Doctoral Thesis, California Institute of Technology,2003, "MEMS Technology and Devices for a Micro Fluid handling System," each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As an example, referring again to fig. 1B, the second sensor 108 may include an RH layer extending in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow path 104 between a first RTD layer or thermopile and a second RTD layer or thermopile extending in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow path 104. In such an example, the second sensor 108 may pulse, modulate, or continuously operate the RH layer and sense or measure temperature changes with the RTD layer or thermopile to determine a second measurement of at least one of a fluid flow velocity in the fluid flow path 104 and a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 (e.g., to provide a signal that is interpreted to determine the fluid flow velocity and/or volumetric flow rate, etc.) in accordance with a calibration of the second sensor 108.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, as shown in fig. 1B, the separation between the RH layer and the first and second RTD layers in first sensor 106 is less than the separation between the RH layer and the first and second RTD layers in second sensor 108. For example, the use of calorimetric or dual mode calorimetric/thermal time-of-flight sensors or chips as described herein for calorimetric mode flow measurement technology functionality indicates that these calorimetric sensors or chips have sufficient sensitivity to measure thermal diffusivity at substantially zero flow as described herein. As an example, a calorimetric or dual mode calorimetric/thermal time-of-flight sensor or chip configured or implemented as a thermal diffusivity measurement chip (e.g., as the first sensor 106) may have a significantly smaller separation between the RH layer and the RTD layer or thermopile than a calorimetric or dual mode calorimetric/thermal time-of-flight sensor or chip configured or implemented as a flow rate measurement chip (e.g., as the second sensor 108).

Fluid identification system 110 may include one or more devices capable of receiving information from and/or transmitting information to first sensor 106, second sensor 108, and/or remote system 114 via network 112. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the fluid identification system 110 includes a fluid identification sensor configured to identify a type of fluid in the fluid flow path 104 and provide identification of the type of fluid in the fluid flow path 104. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the fluid identification system 110 is incorporated or implemented in the flow sensor 102. For example, the flow sensor 102 may include a fluid identification sensor configured to identify a type of fluid in the fluid flow path 104 and provide identification of the type of fluid in the fluid flow path 104.

The network 112 may include one or more wired and/or wireless networks. For example, the network 112 may include a cellular network (e.g., a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, a third generation (3G) network, a fourth generation (4G) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, etc.), a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a telephone network (e.g., the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)), a private network, an ad hoc network, an intranet, the internet, a fiber-based network, a cloud computing network, a short-range wireless communication network (e.g., a bluetooth network, a Near Field Communication (NFC) network, etc.), etc., and/or combinations of these or other types of networks.

Remote system 114 may include one or more devices capable of receiving information from and/or transmitting information to first sensor 106, second sensor 108, and/or fluid identification system 110 via network 112. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the remote system 114 communicates with a data storage device, which may be local or remote to the remote system 114. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the remote system 114 can receive information from, store information in, transmit information to, or search for information stored in the data storage device. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the remote system 114 is configured to receive a first measurement from the first sensor 106 and a second measurement from the second sensor 108, and adjust the second measurement based on the first measurement.

The number and arrangement of devices and networks shown in fig. 1A are provided as an example. There may be additional devices and/or networks, fewer devices and/or networks, different devices and/or networks, or a different arrangement of devices and/or networks than those shown in fig. 1A. Further, two or more of the devices shown in fig. 1A may be implemented within a single device, or a single device shown in fig. 1A may be implemented as multiple distributed devices. Additionally or alternatively, a set of devices (e.g., one or more devices) of environment 100 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of devices of environment 100.

Referring now to fig. 2, fig. 2 is a diagram of example components of an apparatus 200. The device 200 may correspond to one or more devices of the flow sensor 102, one or more devices of the first sensor 106, one or more devices of the second sensor 108, one or more devices of the fluid identification system 110, and/or one or more devices of the remote system 114. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the flow sensor 102, the first sensor 106, the second sensor 108, the fluid identification system 110, and/or the remote system 114 may include at least one device 200 and/or at least one component of the device 200. As shown in fig. 2, the apparatus 200 may include a bus 202, a processor 204, a memory 206, a storage component 208, an input component 210, an output component 212, and a communication interface 214.

Bus 202 may include components for communication between components of device 200. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the processor 204 may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. For example, the processor 204 may include a processor (e.g., a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), an Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), etc.), a microprocessor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), and/or any processing component (e.g., a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc.) that is capable of being programmed to perform a function. Memory 206 may include a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), and/or another type of dynamic or static storage device (e.g., flash memory, magnetic storage, optical storage, etc.) that stores information and/or instructions for use by processor 204.

The storage component 208 may store information and/or software related to the operation and use of the apparatus 200. For example, storage component 208 may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a solid state disk, etc.), a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), a floppy disk, a tape cartridge, a magnetic tape, and/or another type of computer-readable medium, along with corresponding drives.

Input components 210 may include components (e.g., a touch screen display, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, buttons, switches, a microphone, etc.) that allow apparatus 200 to receive information, for example, via user input. Additionally or alternatively, the input component 210 may include sensors for sensing information (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) components, accelerometers, gyroscopes, actuators, etc.). Output components 212 may include components that provide output information from apparatus 200 (e.g., a display, a speaker, one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), etc.).

The communication interface 214 may include transceiver-like components (e.g., a transceiver, a separate receiver and transmitter, etc.) that enable the apparatus 200 to communicate with other apparatuses, such as via wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. The communication interface 214 may allow the apparatus 200 to receive information from another device and/or provide information to another device. For example, communication interface 214 may include an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, an infrared interface, a Radio Frequency (RF) interface, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a USB interface,interfaces, cellular network interfaces, etc.

Device 200 may perform one or more of the processes described herein. The apparatus 200 may perform these processes based on the processor 204 executing software instructions stored by a computer-readable medium, such as the memory 206 and/or the storage component 208. A computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium) is defined herein as a non-transitory memory device. A memory apparatus includes a memory space that is located inside a single physical storage device or is spread across multiple physical storage devices.

The software instructions may be read into memory 206 and/or storage component 208 from another computer-readable medium or from another device via communication interface 214. When executed, software instructions stored in memory 206 and/or storage component 208 may cause processor 204 to perform one or more processes described herein. Additionally or alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to perform one or more processes described herein. Thus, embodiments or aspects described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

The number and arrangement of components shown in fig. 2 are provided as examples. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the apparatus 200 may include additional components, fewer components, different components, or a different arrangement of components than shown in fig. 2. Additionally or alternatively, a set of components (e.g., one or more components) of apparatus 200 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components of apparatus 200.

Referring now to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect of a process 300 for adjusting a fluid flow measurement. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, one or more of the steps of the process 300 may be performed (e.g., fully, partially, etc.) by the flow sensor 102 (e.g., one or more devices of the flow sensor 102, such as the first sensor 106, the second sensor 108, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, one or more steps of process 300 may be performed by another device or group of devices (e.g., entirely, partially, etc.) separate from or including flow sensor 102, such as fluid identification system 110 (e.g., one or more devices of fluid identification system 110) and/or remote system 114 (e.g., one or more devices of remote system 114).

As shown in fig. 3, at step 302, the process 300 includes receiving fluid in a fluid flow path of a flow sensor. For example, the flow sensor 102 receives fluid in the fluid flow path 104. As an example, the fluid in the fluid flow path may include a pharmaceutical fluid, an IV therapy fluid, blood, and/or the like.

As further shown in fig. 3, at step 304, the process 300 includes determining a first measurement of at least one of a thermal diffusivity of a fluid in the fluid flow path and a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path. For example, the first sensor 106 determines a first measurement of at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 and a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104. As an example, the first sensor 106 senses or measures at least one of a thermal diffusivity of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 and a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first sensor 106 measures the thermal diffusivity of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104, which is a relevant parameter for calibrating a calorimetric or dual-mode calorimetric/thermal time-of-flight sensor or chip. The thermal diffusivity, α, of a fluid can be defined according to equation (1) below:

α＝k/ρ*Cp (1)

where K is thermal conductivity (e.g., W/m K) and ρ is density (e.g., kg/m)³) And Cp ═ specific heat capacity (e.g., J/kg K). For example, a model of The effect of changes in Thermal diffusivity on The accuracy of a heat Flow Sensor is described in "dependence of The Thermal Fluid Flow Sensor" reported in Steven Binders, Masters Intership at Philips Research, BMTE 09.46Eindhoven University of Technology and Philips-Eindhoven. Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Nov 2009 (hereinafter "Binders"), The entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first sensor measures the viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104, which is a relevant parameter for calibrating a calorimetric or dual mode calorimetric/thermal time-of-flight sensor or chip. The viscosity of the fluid may be defined as described in more detail herein below with respect to fig. 1C. For example, Bindels describes a model of the effect of viscosity changes on the accuracy of a heat flow sensor.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first sensor 106 provides the first measurement to the second sensor 108, the fluid identification system 110, and/or the remote system 114, and the second sensor 108, the fluid identification system 110, and/or the remote system 114 receives the first measurement from the first sensor 106.

As further shown in fig. 3, at step 306, the process 300 includes determining a second measurement of at least one of a fluid flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path and a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path. For example, the second sensor 108 determines a second measurement of at least one of a fluid flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 and a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104. As an example, the second sensor 108 senses or measures at least one of a fluid flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 and a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, determining the second measurement is based on at least one of a calorimetric mode of the second sensor 108 and a thermal time-of-flight mode of the second sensor 108. For example, the second sensor 108 measures at least one of a fluid flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 and a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 in at least one of a calorimetric mode (e.g., using calorimetric measurements and/or properties, etc.) and a thermal time-of-flight mode (e.g., using thermal time-of-flight measurements and/or properties, etc.).

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second sensor 108 provides the second measurement to the first sensor 106, the fluid identification system 110, and/or the remote system 114, and the first sensor 106, the fluid identification system 110, and/or the remote system 114 receives the second measurement from the second sensor 108.

As further shown in fig. 3, at step 308, the process 300 includes adjusting the second measurement based on the first measurement. For example, the first sensor 106, the second sensor 108, the fluid identification system 110, and/or the remote system 114 adjust the second measurement based on the first measurement. As an example, the first sensor 106, the second sensor 108, the fluid identification system 110, and/or the remote system 114 adjust the second measurement in real-time based on the first measurement (e.g., during fluid flow in the fluid flow path 104 from which the first measurement and the second measurement are determined, etc.).

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the accuracy of the calibration of the second sensor 108 (e.g., the accuracy of the flow rate measurement of the second sensor 108, etc.) varies to varying degrees as a result of differences in thermal diffusivity and viscosity between the fluid (e.g., the fluid being measured, etc.) in the fluid flow path 104 and the particular fluid that calibrates the second sensor 108. As an example, if the second sensor 108 is calibrated for flow measurement with a particular fluid (e.g., water, a first type of pharmaceutical fluid, etc.) and flow measurement of a different fluid (e.g., a pharmaceutical fluid, a different type of pharmaceutical fluid, etc.) is desired or performed, the flow measurement calibration of the second sensor 108 may be adjusted or corrected by using the thermal diffusivity measurement and/or the viscosity measurement of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 measured by the first sensor 106 to adjust or correct the fluid flow rate measurement and/or the volumetric flow rate measurement of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 measured by the second sensor 108. In such an example, the second measurement of the second sensor 108 may be adjusted based on a ratio of at least one of a thermal diffusivity of a fluid (e.g., a measured fluid, etc.) in the fluid flow path 104 and a viscosity of the fluid (e.g., the measured fluid, etc.) in the fluid flow path 104 to at least one of a thermal diffusivity of a particular calibration fluid and a viscosity of a particular calibration fluid.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the fluid Flow rate of the fluid in the fluid Flow path 104 and/or the volumetric Flow rate of the fluid in the fluid Flow path 104 measured by the second Sensor 108 is based on a "Design and Characterization of a Thermal Sensor observing sizing Measurement of Thermal Conductivity and Flow Speed" as in c.j.hepp et al, transmissions 2015, anchors, Alaska, USA, June 21-25,2015; "Empirical Correlations for Thermal Flowmeters coding a Wide Range of Thermal-Physical Properties" in National Conference of Standard Labs 1999Workshop and Symposite, Charlotte, NC, Hardy et al, J.E.Hardy et al; and m.a. repko in U.S. patent 7,127,366(10-24-2006) "Automatic Thermal Conductivity Compensation for Fluid Flow Sensing Using Chemometrics" to adjust or correct for one or more theoretical models of the effect of the Thermal properties of fluids on Flow rate measurements of calorimetric or dual mode calorimetric/Thermal time-of-flight Flow sensors, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, one or more of these described models of the effect of the thermal characteristics of the fluid on the flow rate measurements may be applied to effect adjustments or corrections in the second measurements from the second sensor 108 (e.g., adjustments or corrections to the volumetric flow rate measurements received from the second sensor 108, adjustments or corrections to the flow sensor firmware/software of the second sensor 108 used to determine and/or process the second measurements, etc.) based on the ratio of the thermal diffusivity (and/or thermal conductivity) of the fluid (e.g., the measured fluid) in the fluid flow path 104 to the thermal diffusivity (and/or thermal conductivity) of the particular fluid for which the second sensor 108 is calibrated. In such examples, the effect of the physical properties of the fluid on the Flow measurement process of the Thermal and Thermal time-of-flight Flow Sensors is described in sections 2.1.2 and 2.1.3 of j.t.w.kuo, Lawrence Yu, Ellis Meng, "micro Thermal Flow Sensors-a Review," Micromachines, Volume 3, pp.550-573(2012) (hereinafter "Kuo"), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, which may be applied to adjust the fluid Flow rate of the fluid in the fluid Flow path 104 and/or the volumetric Flow rate of the fluid in the fluid Flow path 104 as measured by the second sensor 108. In some non-limiting embodiments, the effect of the boundary layer thickness as a function of viscosity for a calorimetric flow sensor, described in section 2.1.2 of Kuo, may be applied to adjust the fluid flow velocity of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 and/or the volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104, as measured by the second sensor 108.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the fluid flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 and/or the volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 measured by the second sensor 108 is adjusted or corrected based on one or more fluid mechanics principles applied to implement the adjustment or correction in the second measurement by the second sensor 108 (e.g., the adjustment or correction to the volumetric flow rate measurement received from the second sensor 108, the adjustment or correction in the flow sensor firmware/software of the second sensor 108, etc.) based on the viscosity of the fluid (e.g., the measured fluid) in the fluid flow path 104 measured by the first sensor 106. For example, a second sensor 108, such as a thermal flow sensor (e.g., calorimetric and/or thermal time-of-flight flow sensors, etc.), may measure the flow velocity at a point relatively far from the center of the flow channel (which may be cylindrical or square, rectangular, or other cross-section), and provide the volumetric flow rate via calibration performed on a particular calibration fluid. As an example, in the simpler case of a fully developed laminar flow in a cylindrical flow path, as shown in fig. 1C and discussed in more detail below, the laminar flow velocity profile is a parabolic function of the radial position from the center of the flow channel or "pipe" (e.g., the flow sensing region of a cylindrical flow sensor, etc.), and the flow velocity, average and maximum flow velocity at the location of the flow sensor MEMS chip surface, and the volumetric flow rate are linearly related to the viscosity of the fluid. Thus, when a volumetric flow rate of a fluid other than the volumetric flow rate of the fluid for which the sensor is calibrated is desired or measured, the measured viscosity from the MEMS viscosity sensor (e.g., first sensor 106, etc.) may be used to linearly adjust the volumetric flow rate measurement made by the flow sensor (e.g., second sensor 108, etc.) via the ratio of the measured and calibrated viscosities of the fluid according to the equation defined below with respect to fig. 1C.

Referring now to FIG. 1C, FIG. 1C is a diagram of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect of an ideal parabolic layer flow velocity profile in the fluid flow path of the flow sensor of FIG. 1A. As shown in fig. 1C, an ideal parabolic layer flow velocity profile may exist in a well-formed laminar flow in a pipe or conduit (e.g., in a cylindrical flow path) of radius R. The second sensor 108 may be configured to sense a radial position R ═ R_sensorThe flow rate at the surface of the second sensor 108 is measured. Due to the no-slip speed condition, the second sensor 108 may not be in contact with the fluid flow path104 are flush. At the second sensor 108 at the radial position R ═ R_sensorAt the measured flow velocity V (R)_sensor) Can be related to the maximum flow velocity Vmax ═ V (0) observed at r ═ 0 and the volumetric flow rate through the pipe or tubing. The flow velocity distribution of a laminar flow that is fully developed in a pipe of radius R can be defined according to the following equation (2):

V(r)＝V_max[1-(r/R)²] (2)

wherein Vmax is 2V_avg，V_avgAverage flow velocity of laminar flow, V_max(pressure drop along the length L of the pipe) R²(ii)/4 (viscosity) × (L) and is the centerline velocity of the laminar flow, and the volumetric flow rate Q of the fully developed laminar flow in a pipe of radius R may be defined according to the following equation (3):

Q＝(π)*R²*V_max/2 (3)

in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, if the second sensor 108 (e.g., a MEMS thermal flow sensor chip, etc.) is located in a region or zone of the fluid flow path 104 where laminar flow does not fully develop (e.g., within an inlet length region where a velocity boundary layer is present, etc.), the mathematical calculation of the relationship between the measured fluid viscosity, the measured fluid velocity at the surface of the MEMS thermal flow sensor chip, and the adjustment or correction of the volumetric flow rate relative to the volumetric flow rate calculated by the flow sensor based on its calibration of a fluid of a different viscosity than the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path 104 is more complex than in the ideal laminar flow case described herein with respect to fig. 1C, but the concept of an adjustment or correction mechanism based on viscosity measurements is similar and, for the sake of brevity, is not described in detail herein.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the fluid flow velocity of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 and/or the volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 measured by the second sensor 108 is adjusted or corrected based on a combination of the thermal property measurement by the first sensor 106 and the viscosity measurement by the first sensor 106. For example, the first sensor 106 may include a thermal characterization MEMS chip and a viscosity measurement MEMS chip. As an example, the fluid flow velocity of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 and/or the volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 measured by the second sensor 108 may be adjusted or corrected based on one or more models of the thermal diffusivity ratio and viscosity ratio between the fluid under test and the calibration fluid as described herein and/or the effect of physical properties of the fluid on the flow measurement process of the thermal sensor and/or the thermal time-of-flight sensor as described by Kuo.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, adjusting the second measurement includes controlling the second sensor 108 to switch between (i) determining the second measurement based only on the calorimetric mode and (ii) determining the second measurement based only on the thermal time-of-flight mode based on the first measurement. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, adjusting the second measurement includes controlling the second sensor 108 to switch between (i) determining the second measurement based on only one of the calorimetric mode and the thermal time-of-flight mode and (ii) determining the second measurement based on each of the calorimetric mode and the thermal time-of-flight mode based on the first measurement. For example, the measured thermal properties of the fluid and/or the measured viscosity of the fluid may be used to determine an appropriate point in time to switch from utilizing a thermal mode to utilizing a thermal time-of-flight mode if only one of these modes is used at a time to determine a flow rate measurement for a dual mode sensor, or to combine information from both modes in a manner that more accurate flow rates and volumetric flow rates are calculated by the flow sensor 102. The determination of the volumetric flow rate adjustment or correction and/or the switching point may be based on empirical data/measurements of the effect of the difference between the thermal diffusivity (and/or thermal conductivity) of the measured fluid relative to the thermal diffusivity (and/or thermal conductivity) of the flow sensor calibration fluid and/or the viscosity of the measured fluid relative to the viscosity of the flow sensor calibration fluid on the volumetric flow rate measurement (volumetric flow rate measurement of a calorimetric-only mode flow sensor or a dual mode calorimetric/thermal time-of-flight heat flow sensor), and the optimal switching point between the calorimetric mode and the thermal time-of-flight mode of the dual mode thermal flow sensor.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the flow sensor 102 and/or the remote system 114 provide the adjusted data as output via the output component 212 (e.g., via display of the adjusted second measurement, etc.), wherein the adjusted data is based on the adjusted second measurement. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first sensor 106, the second sensor 108, the fluid identification system 110, and/or the remote system 114 controls delivery of fluid to and/or from the flow sensor 102 (and/or to and/or from another fluid delivery device through which the fluid flows, to and/or from a patient, etc.) based on the adjusted second measurement. For example, the first sensor 106, the second sensor 108, the fluid identification system 110, and/or the remote system 114 control one or more valves and/or one or more fluid delivery pumps to modify the flow of fluid in the fluid flow path 104 based on the adjusted second measurement.

Further details regarding step 308 of process 300 are provided below with reference to FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect of a process 400 for adjusting a fluid flow measurement. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, one or more of the steps of the process 400 may be performed (e.g., fully, partially, etc.) by the flow sensor 102 (e.g., one or more devices of the flow sensor 102, such as the first sensor 106, the second sensor 108, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, one or more steps of process 400 may be performed by another device or group of devices (e.g., entirely, partially, etc.) separate from or including flow sensor 102, such as fluid identification system 110 (e.g., one or more devices of fluid identification system 110) and/or remote system 114 (e.g., one or more devices of remote system 114).

As shown in fig. 4, at step 402, the process 400 includes receiving an identification of a type of fluid to be received in a fluid flow path. For example, the first sensor 106, the second sensor 108, the fluid identification system 110, and/or the remote system 114 receive an identification of a type of fluid to be received in the fluid flow path 104. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the identification is associated with an adjustment factor. For example, the adjustment factor may include a predetermined adjustment or correction to be applied to the fluid flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 and/or the volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path 104 measured by the second sensor 108 for the identified type of fluid. As one example, the adjustment factor may be based on a previous empirical or theoretical calculation/modeling based determination of measurements for the identified type of fluid in the flow sensor 102.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the fluid identification system 110 identifies the type of fluid to be received and/or currently in the fluid flow path 104 and provides the identification of the type of fluid to the first sensor 106, the second sensor 108, and/or the remote system 114.

As further shown in fig. 4, at step 404, the process 400 includes determining a change in the type of fluid in the fluid flow path based on the first measurement. For example, the first sensor 106, the second sensor 108, the fluid identification system 110, and/or the remote system 114 determine a change in the type of fluid in the fluid flow path 104 based on the first measurement. As an example, the flow sensor 102 may be used with a plurality of different types of fluids passing through the flow sensor 102 in a dynamic manner, and the thermal diffusivity measurement and/or viscosity measurement of the first sensor 106 (e.g., a change in thermal diffusivity measurement and/or viscosity measurement that satisfies one or more thresholds, etc.) may be used to determine that a different or new fluid is entering the fluid flow path 104 (e.g., a flow sensing area or range of the fluid flow path 104 that includes the second sensor 108, etc.). In such examples, the identification associated with the adjustment factor for the different or new fluid may be used to alert the flow sensor 102 of an impending change in the type of fluid in the fluid flow path, and the measured change in thermal diffusivity (and/or change in thermal conductivity) and/or the measured change in viscosity from the first sensor 106 may be used by the flow sensor 102 to identify a particular point in time at which a fluid front of the different or new fluid has entered the fluid flow path 104 (e.g., a flow sensing region or range, etc.).

As further shown in fig. 4, at step 406, the process 400 includes adjusting the second measurement based on the adjustment factor in response to determining a change in the type of fluid in the fluid flow path. For example, the first sensor 106, the second sensor 108, the fluid identification system 110, and/or the remote system 114 adjust the second measurement based on the adjustment factor in response to determining a change in the type of fluid in the fluid flow path 104. As an example, in response to a measured change in thermal diffusivity (and/or a change in thermal conductivity) and/or a measured change in viscosity from the first sensor 106, the second sensor 108 may apply appropriate empirical and/or theoretical volumetric flow rate measurement adjustments or corrections to a new or different fluid that has entered the fluid flow path 104 based on an adjustment factor associated with the new or different fluid. In such examples, the second sensor 108 (e.g., a dual mode calorimetric/thermal time-of-flight flow sensor, etc.) may have different optimal switching points between the calorimetric and thermal time-of-flight operating modes for fluids of different thermal diffusivities and/or different viscosities to maximize or optimize volumetric flow rate measurement performance (e.g., accuracy of flow measurements, response time of flow measurements, etc.). As an example, the thermal and/or viscosity measurements may be combined with adjustment factors to determine a quantum thermal diffusivity/time-of-flight mode switch point for the second sensor 108 for a new or different fluid from a determination based on previous experience or based on theoretical calculations/modeling based on what the thermal-optimal flow sensor measurement mode switch point would be for that particular fluid (e.g., if the exact fluid identity is known) or for that particular thermal diffusivity (and/or thermal conductivity) and/or viscosity fluid.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments or aspects, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments or aspects, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment or aspect can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment or aspect.