A Thermal Flow Sensor Based on Printed Circuit Technology in Constant Temperature Mode for Various Fluids.

Area of Science:

• * Sensor Technology
• * Fluid Dynamics
• * HVAC Systems

Background:

• * Accurate flow velocity measurement is crucial for efficient operation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
• * Existing flow sensors may lack cost-effectiveness or versatility for different fluids and pipe diameters.
• * The calorimetric principle offers a robust method for fluid flow detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To develop and validate a low-cost, versatile thermal flow sensor for air and water in HVAC applications.
• * To utilize printed circuit board (PCB) technology for mass production and cost reduction.
• * To employ 2D-Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations for predicting sensor performance.

Main Methods:

• * Design of a thermal flow sensor based on the calorimetric principle operating in constant temperature mode.
• * Fabrication of the sensor transducer using standard printed circuit board (PCB) technology.
• * Implementation of 2D-FEM simulations to model sensor characteristics and fluid behavior.
• * Experimental validation of simulation results through measurements in real environments.

Main Results:

• * The developed thermal flow sensor effectively measures air and water flow velocities and volume flow rates.
• * PCB fabrication allows for cost-effective mass production and adaptability to various form factors.
• * 2D-FEM simulations accurately predict sensor performance across different fluids, validated by experimental data.

Conclusions:

• * The novel thermal flow sensor offers a cost-effective and reliable solution for HVAC flow monitoring.
• * PCB technology integration significantly reduces manufacturing costs and enables scalability.
• * The validated FEM simulation approach provides a powerful tool for rapid sensor design and optimization.