Patent ID: 9235219
Filing Date: 2016-01-12
CPC Classification: F25B,G01F,G05D,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A method of sensing a flow of fluid through a system comprising the steps of: (a) providing a source of fluid; (b) providing an on-off type of control valve that communicates with the source; (c) providing a micro-electric mechanical system that communicates with the on-off type of control valve, wherein the micro-electric mechanical system is a microvalve having a rib structure; (d) providing a consuming device that communicates with the micro-electronic mechanical system; (e) providing an electronic controller that communicates with the consuming device and the source of fluid; (f) providing a flow of fluid through the micro-electric mechanical system; and (g) measuring a change in a parameter of the micro-electric mechanical system that results from the flow of fluid through the micro-electric mechanical system to sense a flow of fluid through the system.