Composition Pulse Time-Of-Flight Mass Flow Sensor

Patent · Tue Jan 13 00:00:00 EST 2004

OSTI ID:879808

Mosier, Bruce P ^[1]; Crocker, Robert W ^[2]; Harnett, Cindy K. l ^[3]

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1. San Francisco, CA
2. Fremont, CA
3. Livermore, CA

A device for measuring fluid flow rates over a wide range of flow rates (<1 nL/min to >10 .mu.L/min) and at pressures at least as great as 10,000 psi. The invention is particularly adapted for use in microfluidic systems. The device operates by producing compositional variations in the fluid, or pulses, that are subsequently detected downstream from the point of creation to derive a flow rate. Each pulse, comprising a small fluid volume, whose composition is different from the mean composition of the fluid, can be created by electrochemical means, such as by electrolysis of a solvent, electrolysis of a dissolved species, or electrodialysis of a dissolved ionic species. Measurements of the conductivity of the fluid can be used to detect the arrival time of the pulses, from which the fluid flow rate can be determined

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• Assignee: Sandia National Laboratories (Livermore, GA)
• Patent Number(s): US 6675660
• Application Number: 10/210647
• OSTI ID: 879808
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English