Patent ID: 7140261
Filing Date: 2006-11-28
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
1. An acoustic wave flow sensor, comprising; a sensor substrate; an acoustic wave diaphragm etched upon said sensor substrate, wherein a mechanical stress or strain is concentrated in said acoustic wave diaphragm; and at least one interdigital transducer configured upon said acoustic wave diaphragm, wherein said sensor substrate, said acoustic wave diaphragm and said at least one interdigital transducer form an acoustic wave flow sensor, such that when said at least one interdigital transducer and said acoustic wave diaphragm are exposed to a fluid in flow, wherein said fluid flow is parallel to said acoustic wave diaphragm, said fluid in flow causes said acoustic wave diaphragm to experience a pulling force, wherein said pulling force pulls said acoustic wave diaphragm inward towards said fluid in flow creating a change in said mechanical stress or strain resulting in a detectable frequency change in order to provide an indication of said fluid in flow.