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Title: Composition Pulse Time-Of-Flight Mass Flow Sensor

Abstract

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

Inventors:
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. San Francisco, CA
  2. Fremont, CA
  3. Livermore, CA
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
879808
Patent Number(s):
6675660
Application Number:
10/210647
Assignee:
Sandia National Laboratories (Livermore, GA)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01F - MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL
Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10S - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Citation Formats

Mosier, Bruce P, Crocker, Robert W, and Harnett, Cindy K. l. Composition Pulse Time-Of-Flight Mass Flow Sensor. United States: N. p., 2004. Web.
Mosier, Bruce P, Crocker, Robert W, & Harnett, Cindy K. l. Composition Pulse Time-Of-Flight Mass Flow Sensor. United States.
Mosier, Bruce P, Crocker, Robert W, and Harnett, Cindy K. l. Tue . "Composition Pulse Time-Of-Flight Mass Flow Sensor". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/879808.
@article{osti_879808,
title = {Composition Pulse Time-Of-Flight Mass Flow Sensor},
author = {Mosier, Bruce P and Crocker, Robert W and Harnett, Cindy K. l},
abstractNote = {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},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 13 00:00:00 EST 2004},
month = {Tue Jan 13 00:00:00 EST 2004}
}

Works referenced in this record:

Electrochemical time of flight flow sensor
journal, April 2002