Sensor having thermal gradients

This disclosure provides example methods, devices, and systems for a sensor having thermal gradients. In one embodiment, a system may comprise a sensor assembly including a housing; a first header and a second header coupled to the housing; a first transducer coupled to the first header, wherein the first transducer is configured to measure a first pressure to generate a first pressure signal; a second transducer coupled to the second header, wherein the second transducer is configured to measure a second pressure to generate a second pressure signal; and wherein the first transducer and the second transducer are positioned in the housing such that a first temperature of the first transducer is about equivalent to a second temperature of the second transducer during operation of the sensor assembly.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to sensors and more particularly to a sensor having thermal gradients.

BACKGROUND

The measurement of differential pressure is important in many applications such as those measuring oil pressures, fuel pressure, hydraulic pressure, air pressure, and the like. In many of these applications, it may not be desirable to measure differential pressure by applying different pressures to opposite sides of a sensor's diaphragm. Instead, a half-bridge sensor configuration may be used, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,817, entitled “ENVIRONMENTALLY PROTECTED PRESSURE TRANSDUCERS EMPLOYING TWO ELECTRICALLY INTERCONNECTED TRANSDUCER ARRAYS,” issued Sep. 22, 1987 to Dr. Anthony D. Kurtz et al, and assigned to Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc., the assignee herein. This configuration has many benefits but may be susceptible to temperature differences, since each side of the differential sensor may be physically located in different environments. In some applications, a hot liquid such as engine oil may be applied to the front-side of the sensor's diaphragm, while a cool gas such as atmospheric air may be applied to the back-side of the sensor's diaphragm. In this case, compensating for the temperature difference between each side of the sensor's diaphragm may be difficult. Typical temperature compensation of half-bridge sensors assume that both sensors are at the same temperature, so that any temperature effects may be compensated using temperature compensation techniques such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,245,252, entitled “TEMPERATURE COMPENSATED SEMICONDUCTOR STRAIN GAGE UNIT” issued Apr. 12, 1966 to Dr. Anthony Kurtz et al., and assigned to Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc., the assignee herein.

FIG. 1illustrates a prior art sensor assembly100. The prior art sensor assembly100includes a first transducer101, a first header102, a housing103, a second transducer104, a second header105, a shell106, and a main port107. InFIG. 1, the first transducer101forms a first half of a Wheatstone bridge and the second transducer104forms a second half of the Wheatstone bridge. The first transducer101is disposed within the first header102, which is directly connected to the housing103. Pressure at the main port107is applied to a front-side of the first transducer101. The second transducer104is disposed within the second header105, which is connected to the prior art sensor assembly100using the shell106. The shell106may not transfer heat efficiently, so any uneven temperatures applied at the main port107of the sensor assembly100may cause a large thermal gradient across the body of the sensor assembly100. The sensor assembly100may use the first transducer101to measure a first difference between a main pressure at the main port107and a third pressure such as atmospheric pressure. The sensor assembly100may use the second transducer104to measure a second difference between a reference pressure and the third pressure such as atmospheric pressure.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Briefly described, embodiments of the present invention relate to a sensor having thermal gradients. In one embodiment, a sensor assembly may be configured to include a first header and a second header, a housing, and a first transducer and a second transducer. The housing may be coupled to the first header and the second header. Further, the first transducer may be coupled to the first header. The first transducer may be configured to receive a first pressure, measure the first pressure and output a first pressure signal associated with the first pressure. Similarly, the second transducer may be configured to receive a second pressure, measure the second pressure and output a second pressure signal associated with the second pressure. Finally, the first transducer and the second transducer may be positioned in the housing such that a first temperature of the first transducer is about equivalent to a second temperature of the second transducer during operation of the sensor assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, or the application and uses of the present disclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding field of use, background, or summary of the disclosure or the following detailed description. The present disclosure provides various examples, embodiments and the like, which may be described herein in terms of functional or logical block elements. Various techniques described herein may be used for a sensor having thermal gradients. The various aspects described herein are presented as methods, devices (or apparatus), and systems that may include a number of components, elements, members, modules, nodes, peripherals, or the like. Further, these methods, devices, and systems may include or not include additional components, elements, members, modules, nodes, peripherals, or the like.

Throughout the specification and the claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “connect,” “connecting,” and “connected” mean that one function, feature, structure, or characteristic is directly joined to or in communication with another function, feature, structure, or characteristic. The terms “couple,” “coupling,” and “coupled” mean that one function, feature, structure, or characteristic is directly or indirectly joined to or in communication with another function, feature, structure, or characteristic. Relational terms such as “first” and “second,” and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive or. Further, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form. The term “include” and its various forms are intended to mean including but not limited to. The terms “substantially,” “essentially,” “approximately,” “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is to be understood that embodiments of the disclosed technology may be practiced without these specific details. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” and other like terms indicate that the embodiments of the disclosed technology so described may include a particular function, feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular function, feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.

This disclosure presents a sensor having thermal gradients. For instance, by configuring a sensor in accordance with various aspects described herein, an improved pressure measurement capability of a sensor having a thermal gradient is provided. For example,FIG. 2shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a sensor assembly200having thermal gradients in accordance with various aspects set forth herein. InFIG. 2, the sensor assembly200may be configured to include a first transducer201, a first header202, a second transducer204, a second header205, a shell206, a first port207, a second port208and a housing211. The first transducer201may form a first half of a piezoresistive network and the second transducer204may form a second half of the piezoresistive network. In one example, a piezoresistive network may be a Wheatstone bridge. A half of a piezoresistive network may also be referred to as a half-bridge transducer or half of a Wheatstone bridge. The sensor assembly200may use the first transducer201to measure a first pressure from the first port207. The sensor assembly200may use the second transducer204to measure a second pressure from the second port208. In one example, the first pressure may be a main pressure and the second pressure may be a reference pressure, which may be used to determine a differential pressure signal. In another example, the first pressure may be a first main pressure and the second pressure may be a second main pressure. In another example, the first pressure may be a main pressure and the second pressure may be atmospheric pressure. The first pressure signal and the second pressure signal may be provided by the sensor assembly200to a remote device.

InFIG. 2, the sensor assembly200may be configured to include the housing211at a front portion of the sensor assembly200. The housing211may be used to attach or secure the sensor assembly200to another structure, protect all or a portion of the sensor assembly200, provide a means to handle or place the sensor assembly200, or another similar characteristic. The housing211may be used to form an O-ring seal, may be threaded, may include a series of O-rings or bolts, or the like so that the sensor assembly200may be attached to another structure. In one example, the housing211may be made of a thermally conductive material such as metal. The first transducer201may be disposed on, near or within the first header202. For example, the first transducer201may be secured, bonded, welded, press fit or the like to the first header202. Similarly, the second transducer204may be disposed on, near or within the second header205. For example, the second transducer204may be secured, bonded, welded, press fit or the like to the second header205. The housing211may be disposed around and define the first port207and the second port208. The first port207may allow the first pressure to enter the housing211for measurement by the first transducer201. The second port208may allow the second pressure to enter the housing211for measurement by the second transducer204. The first header202and the second header205may be disposed on, near or within the housing211. For example, the first header202and the second header205may be secured, bonded, welded, press fit or the like to the housing211.

Furthermore, since the first header202and the second header205are physically proximate and coupled to the housing211, the housing211may be used to temperature regulate the first transducer201and the second transducer204, resulting in the first transducer201and the second transducer204having about equivalent temperatures during operation of the sensor assembly200. For instance, the first transducer201and the second transducer204may have temperatures within about two degrees Celsius (±2° C.), about five degrees Celsius (±5° C.), about ten degrees Celsius (±10° C.), or the like during operation of the sensor assembly200. The first transducer201and the second transducer204may be about laterally equidistant from a front surface of the housing211. Further, the first transducer201and the second transducer204may be symmetrically positioned relative to a longitudinal axis of the sensor assembly200. In addition to the physical proximity of the first transducer201and the second transducer204to the housing211, an increased mass of the housing211may also result in the first transducer201and the second transducer204having about equivalent temperatures during operation of the sensor assembly200, which may allow for the use of standard passive or active temperature compensation. Further, it may not be necessary to characterize the sensor assembly200using a temperature gradient, which may be difficult to perform in a production setting. In one example, the mass of the housing211may be at least a combined mass of the first transducer201, the first header202, the second transducer204and the second header205. A person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize various techniques for performing temperature compensation of sensor measurements.

In another embodiment, a sensor assembly may include an electronic component such as an electronic circuit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a processor, a controller, or the like. The electronic component may receive a first pressure signal from a first transducer and a second pressure signal from a second transducer. The electronic component may determine a differential pressure signal using the first pressure signal and the second pressure signal.

In another embodiment, each of a first header and a second header may be tilted relative to a longitudinal axis of a sensor assembly. In one example, each of the first header and the second header may be disposed about parallel, about thirty degrees (30°), about forty-five degrees (45°), about sixty degrees (60°), about perpendicular or the like relative to the longitudinal axis of the sensor assembly.

FIG. 3shows a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a sensor assembly300having thermal gradients in accordance with various aspects set forth herein. InFIG. 3, the sensor assembly300may be configured to include a first transducer, a second transducer, a third transducer315a, a fourth transducer315b, a first header, a second header, a third header316, a first port, a second port, a third port313, and a housing311. In one example, the first transducer may form a first half of a first piezoresistive network and the third transducer315amay form a second half of the first piezoresistive network. Further, the second transducer may form a first half of a second piezoresistive network and the fourth transducer315bmay form a second half of the second piezoresistive network. The first transducer may be disposed on, near or within the first header. For example, the first transducer may be secured, bonded, welded, press fit or the like to the first header. The second transducer may be disposed on, near or within the second header. For example, the second transducer may be secured, bonded, welded, press fit or the like to the second header. The third transducer315aand the fourth transducer315bmay be disposed on, near or within the third header316. For example, the third transducer315aand the fourth transducer315bmay be secured, bonded, welded, press fit or the like to the third header316. The housing311may be disposed around and form the first port, the second port, and the third port313. The first port may allow the first pressure to enter the housing311for measurement by the first transducer. The second port may allow the second pressure to enter the housing311for measurement by the second transducer. The third port313may allow the third pressure to enter the third header316for measurement by the third transducer315aor the fourth transducer315b.

Furthermore, since the first header, the second header and the third header316are physically proximate and coupled to the housing311, the housing311may be used to temperature regulate the first transducer, the second transducer, the third transducer315aand the fourth transducer315b, resulting in the first transducer, the second transducer, the third transducer315aand the fourth transducer315bhaving about equivalent temperatures during operation of the sensor assembly300. For instance, the first transducer, the second transducer, the third transducer315aand the fourth transducer315bmay have temperatures within about two degrees Celsius (±2° C.), about five degrees Celsius (±5° C.), about ten degrees Celsius (±10° C.), or the like during operation of the sensor assembly300. The first transducer, the second transducer, the third transducer315aand the fourth transducer315bmay be about laterally equidistant from a front surface of the housing311. Further, the first transducer, the second transducer, the third transducer315aand the fourth transducer315bmay be symmetrically positioned relative to a longitudinal axis of the sensor assembly200. In addition to the physical proximity of the first header, the second header and the third header316to the housing311, an increased mass of the housing311may also result in the first transducer, the second transducer, the third transducer315aand the fourth transducer315bhaving about equivalent temperatures during operation of the sensor assembly300, which may allow use of standard passive or active temperature compensation. In one example, a mass of the housing311may be at least a mass of the first header, the second header and the third header316and the first transducer, the second transducer, the third transducer315aand the fourth transducer315b.

InFIG. 3, the first transducer may receive from the first port and measure the first pressure to generate a first pressure signal. The second transducer may receive from the second port and measure the second pressure to generate a second pressure signal. Also, the third transducer315aand the fourth transducer315bmay receive from the third port and measure the third pressure and the fourth pressure to generate a third pressure signal and a fourth pressure signal, respectively. A first differential pressure signal may be generated by determining a first difference between the first pressure signal and the third pressure signal. Similarly, a second differential pressure signal may be generated by determining a second difference between the second pressure signal and the fourth pressure signal. The first differential pressure signal and the second differential pressure signal may be used to compensate for any thermal gradients in the sensor assembly300. In one example, the first pressure may be a first main pressure, the second pressure may be a second main pressure and the third pressure may be a reference pressure, which may be used to determine a differential pressure signal. In another example, the first pressure and the second pressure may be the same pressure. The first pressure signal, the second pressure signal, the third pressure signal and the fourth pressure signal may be provided by the sensor assembly300to a remote device.

In another embodiment, a sensor assembly may include an electronic component such as an electronic circuit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a processor, a controller, or the like. The electronic component may receive a first pressure signal from a first transducer, a second pressure signal from a second transducer, a third pressure signal from a third transducer and a fourth pressure signal from a fourth transducer. In one example, the first pressure signal may be associated with a first main pressure, the second pressure signal may be associated with a second main pressure, and the third pressure signal and the fourth pressure signal may be associated with a reference pressure. The electronic component may determine a first differential pressure signal by determining a difference between the first pressure signal and the third pressure signal. Similarly, the electronic component may determine a second differential pressure signal by determining a difference between the second pressure signal and the fourth pressure signal. The electronic component may provide the first differential pressure signal and the second differential pressure signal to the remote device.

In another embodiment, each of a first header, a second header and a third header may be tilted relative to a longitudinal axis of a sensor assembly. In one example, each of the first header, the second header and the third header may be disposed about parallel, about thirty degrees (30°), about forty-five degrees (45°), about sixty degrees (60°), about perpendicular or the like relative to the longitudinal axis of the sensor assembly.

In another embodiment, a sensor assembly may be configured to include a first transducer, a second transducer, a third transducer, a fourth transducer, a first header, a second header, a third header, a fourth header, a first port, a second port, a third port, a fourth port and a housing. In one example, the first transducer may form a first half of a first piezoresistive network and the third transducer may form a second half of the first piezoresistive network. Further, the second transducer may form a first half of a second piezoresistive network and the fourth transducer may form a second half of the second piezoresistive network. The first transducer may be disposed on, near or within the first header. For example, the first transducer may be secured, bonded, welded, press fit or the like to the first header. The second transducer may be disposed on, near or within the second header. For example, the second transducer may be secured, bonded, welded, press fit or the like to the second header. The third transducer may be disposed on, near or within the third header. For example, the third transducer may be secured, bonded, welded, press fit or the like to the third header. The fourth transducer may be disposed on, near or within the third header. For example, the fourth transducer may be secured, bonded, welded, press fit or the like to the third header. The housing may be disposed around and form the first port, the second port, the third port and the fourth port. The first port may allow the first pressure to enter the housing for measurement by the first transducer. The second port may allow the second pressure to enter the housing for measurement by the second transducer. The third port may allow the third pressure to enter the third header for measurement by the third transducer. The fourth port may allow the fourth pressure to enter the fourth header for measurement by the fourth transducer.

Furthermore, since the first header, the second header, the third header and the fourth header are physically proximate and coupled to the housing, the housing may be used to temperature regulate the first transducer, the second transducer, the third transducer and the fourth transducer, resulting in the first transducer, the second transducer, the third transducer and the fourth transducer having about equivalent temperatures including during operation of the sensor assembly. For instance, the first transducer, the second transducer, the third transducer and the fourth transducer may have temperatures within about two degrees Celsius (±2° C.), about five degrees Celsius (±5° C.), about ten degrees Celsius (±10° C.), or the like including during operation of the sensor assembly. The first transducer, the second transducer, the third transducer and the fourth transducer may be about laterally equidistant from a front surface of the housing. Further, the first transducer, the second transducer, the third transducer and the fourth transducer may be symmetrically positioned relative to a longitudinal axis of the sensor assembly. In addition to the physical proximity of the first header, the second header, the third header and the fourth header to the housing, an increased mass of the housing may also result in the first transducer, the second transducer, the third transducer and the fourth transducer having about equivalent temperatures during operation of the sensor assembly, which may allow use of standard passive or active temperature compensation. In one example, a mass of the housing may be at least a mass of the first header, the second header, the third header and the fourth header, as well as the first transducer, the second transducer, the third transducer and the fourth transducer.

In the current embodiment, the first transducer may receive from the first port and measure the first pressure to generate a first pressure signal. Further, the second transducer may receive from the second port and measure the second pressure to generate a second pressure signal. The third transducer may receive from the third port and measure the third pressure to generate a third pressure signal. Also, the fourth transducer may receive from the fourth port and measure the fourth pressure to generate a fourth pressure signal. A first differential pressure signal may be generated by determining a first difference between the first pressure signal and the third pressure signal. Similarly, a second differential pressure signal may be generated by determining a second difference between the second pressure signal and the fourth pressure signal. The first differential pressure signal and the second differential pressure signal may be used to compensate for any thermal gradients in the sensor assembly. In one example, the first pressure may be a first main pressure, the second pressure may be a second main pressure, the third pressure may be a first reference pressure, and the fourth pressure may be a second referenced pressure. The first reference pressure and the second reference pressure may be atmospheric pressure. The first pressure signal, the second pressure signal, the third pressure signal and the fourth pressure signal may be provided by the sensor assembly to a remote device.

In another embodiment, each of a first header, a second header, a third header and a fourth header may be tilted relative to a longitudinal axis of the sensor assembly. In one example, each of the first header, the second header, the third header and the fourth header may be disposed about parallel, about thirty degrees (30°), about forty-five degrees (45°), about sixty degrees (60°), about perpendicular or the like relative to the longitudinal axis of the sensor assembly.

In another embodiment, a third header and a fourth header may be the same header.

In another embodiment, a third port and a fourth port may be the same port.

In another embodiment, a third transducer and a fourth transducer may be the same transducer.

FIG. 4shows a top view of another embodiment of a sensor assembly400having thermal gradients in accordance with various aspects set forth herein. InFIG. 4, the sensor assembly400may be configured to include a first transducer, a second transducer, a third transducer, a fourth transducer, a first header, a second header, a third header, a first port407, a second port408, a third port413, and a housing411. The first header may be disposed within a first sector421of the sensor assembly400, the second header may be disposed within a second sector422of the sensor assembly400, and the third header may be disposed within a third sector423of the sensor assembly400. Similarly, the first transducer may be disposed within the first sector421of the sensor assembly400, the second transducer may be disposed within the second sector422of the sensor assembly400, and the third transducer and the fourth transducer may be disposed within the third sector423of the sensor assembly400. The first transducer may form a first half of a first Wheatstone bridge and the third transducer may form a second half of the first Wheatstone bridge. Similarly, the second transducer may form a first half of a second Wheatstone bridge and the fourth transducer may form a second half of the second Wheatstone bridge. The first transducer may be disposed on, near or within the first header, the second transducer may be disposed on, near or within the second header, and the third transducer and the fourth transducer may be disposed on, near or within the third header. The housing411may be used to attach or secure the sensor assembly400to another structure, protect all or a portion of the sensor assembly400, provide a means to handle or place the sensor assembly400, or another similar characteristic. The housing411may be used to form an O-ring seal, may be threaded, may include a series of O-rings or bolts, or the like so that the sensor assembly400may be attached to another structure. In one example, the housing411may be made of a thermally conductive material such as metal.

InFIG. 4, the housing411may be disposed around and form the first port407, the second port408, and the third port413. The first port407may allow the first pressure to enter the housing411for measurement by the first transducer, the second port408may allow the second pressure to enter the housing411for measurement by the second transducer, and the third port413may allow the third pressure to enter the housing411for measurement by the third transducer and the fourth transducer. In one example, the first pressure at the first port407may be a first main pressure, the second pressure at the second port408may be a second main pressure, and the third pressure at the third port413may be an atmospheric pressure. A first differential pressure signal may be generated by determining a first difference between the first pressure signal and the third pressure signal. Similarly, a second differential pressure signal may be generated by determining a second difference between the second pressure signal and the fourth pressure signal. The first differential pressure signal and the second differential pressure signal may be used to compensate for any thermal gradients in the sensor assembly400. The first differential pressure signal and the second differential pressure signal may be provided by the sensor assembly400to a remote device, wherein the remote device may use the first differential pressure signal and the second differential pressure signal to perform temperature compensation in generating a temperature-compensated pressure signal.

In another embodiment, a sensor assembly may be configured to include a first transducer, a second transducer, a third transducer, a fourth transducer, a first header, a second header, a third header, a fourth header, a first port, a second port, a third port, a fourth port and a housing. The first header may be disposed within a first sector of the sensor assembly, the second header may be disposed within a second sector of the sensor assembly, the third header may be disposed within a third sector of the sensor assembly, and the fourth header may be disposed within a fourth sector of the sensor assembly. Similarly, the first transducer may be disposed within the first sector of the sensor assembly, the second transducer may be disposed within the second sector of the sensor assembly, the third transducer may be disposed within the third sector of the sensor assembly, and the fourth transducer may be disposed within the fourth sector of the sensor assembly. The first transducer may form a first half of a first Wheatstone bridge and the third transducer may form a second half of the first Wheatstone bridge. Similarly, the second transducer may form a first half of a second Wheatstone bridge and the fourth transducer may form a second half of the second Wheatstone bridge. The first transducer may be disposed on, near or within the first header, the second transducer may be disposed on, near or within the second header, the third transducer may be disposed on, near or within the third header, and the fourth transducer may be disposed on, near or within the fourth header. The housing may be used to attach or secure the sensor assembly to another structure, protect all or a portion of the sensor assembly, provide a means to handle or place the sensor assembly, or another similar characteristic. The housing may be used to form an O-ring seal, may be threaded, may include a series of O-rings or bolts, or the like so that the sensor assembly may be attached to another structure. In one example, the housing may be made of a thermally conductive material such as metal.

Furthermore, the housing may be disposed around and form the first port, the second port, the third port and the fourth port. The first port may allow the first pressure to enter the housing for measurement by the first transducer, the second port may allow the second pressure to enter the housing for measurement by the second transducer, the third port may allow the third pressure to enter the housing for measurement by the third transducer, and the fourth port may allow the fourth pressure to enter the housing for measurement by the fourth transducer. In one example, the first pressure at the first port may be a first main pressure, the second pressure at the second port may be a second main pressure, the third pressure at the third port may be a first reference pressure, and the fourth pressure at the fourth port may be a second reference pressure. A first differential pressure signal may be generated by determining a first difference between the first pressure signal and the third pressure signal. Similarly, a second differential pressure signal may be generated by determining a second difference between the second pressure signal and the fourth pressure signal. The first differential pressure signal and the second differential pressure signal may be used to compensate for any thermal gradients in the sensor assembly. The first differential pressure signal and the second differential pressure signal may be provided by the sensor to a remote device, wherein the remote device may use the first differential pressure signal and the second differential pressure signal to perform temperature compensation in generating a temperature-compensated pressure signal.

In another embodiment, a port may be configured to receive a pressure having a static pressure component and a dynamic pressure component. Further, the port may filter at least a portion of the dynamic pressure component of the pressure.

In another embodiment, a predetermined resonance frequency of a port may be used to determine at least one of a length and a cross-sectional area of the port. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize techniques for determining dimensions of a mechanical filter to achieve a predetermined resonance frequency.

In another embodiment, a port may have a shape of a spiral.

It is important to recognize that it is impractical to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter. However, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the subject technology are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to cover all such alterations, modifications, and variations that are within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.

Although the present disclosure describes specific examples, embodiments, and the like, various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims below. For example, although the example methods, devices and systems, described herein are in conjunction with a configuration for the aforementioned sensor having thermal gradients, the skilled artisan will readily recognize that the example methods, devices or systems may be used in other methods, devices or systems and may be configured to correspond to such other example methods, devices or systems as needed. Further, while at least one example, embodiment, or the like has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, many variations exist. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Any benefits, advantages, or solutions to problems that are described herein with regard to specific embodiments are not intended to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all of the claims. Any benefits, advantages, or solutions to problems that are described herein with regard to specific examples, embodiments, or the like are not intended to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all of the claims.