Abstract:
A system and method for a low cost fluid flow sensor is described. One embodiment includes a fluid flow sensor comprising a first resistance temperature detector configured for generating a flow signal, wherein the flow signal is based on a fluid velocity, and wherein the first resistance temperature detector is configured for a fluid temperature range; a second resistance temperature detector configured for generating a temperature signal, wherein the temperature signal is based on a fluid temperature; and a controller coupled to the first resistance temperature detector and the second resistance temperature detector, the controller configured for receiving the flow signal and the temperature signal, wherein the controller takes a first controller action when the temperature signal is within a temperature signal range substantially representative of the fluid temperature range, and the flow signal is within a flow signal range, wherein the flow signal range is determined based on the temperature signal.

Description:
PRIORITY 
     The present application claims priority to commonly owned and assigned application Ser. No. 60/882,085, entitled “Dual-Filter Electrically Enhanced Air Filtration System, Low-Cost Air Flow Sensor, and Ionization Detector for Air Cleaner,” filed on Dec. 27, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is related to commonly owned and assigned application Ser. No. 11/771,978, entitled “Dual-filter Electrically Enhanced Air Filtration System,” and application no. {filed concurrently herewith}, entitled “Ionization Detector for Electrically Enhanced Air Filtration Systems”, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to low cost fluid flow sensors. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to systems and methods for low cost air flow sensors for use in air filtration systems in environments with a wide range of operating temperatures. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Air filtration is used in a wide variety of environments such as automobiles, homes, office buildings, and manufacturing facilities. In many cases, filtration systems are used to remove pollutants such as dust, particulates, microorganisms, and toxins from breathing air, although filtration systems and processes may be used to purify manufacturing environments, process gasses, combustion gasses, and the like. 
     One particular application of air filtration is in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (hereinafter “HVAC”) systems within buildings. HVAC systems comprise a motor and blower that moves air from a supply through ductwork that distributes the air throughout the building spaces. The air supply may be outside air, recirculated air from inside the building, or a mixture of outside and recirculated air. In these kinds of HVAC systems, air-filtration systems are placed in-line with the ductwork to filter out particulates and organisms that are present within the flow of air. 
     Another common application of air filtration is in standalone room air-filtration systems. Such a system, which may be portable, is placed in a room to purify the air in an area surrounding the air-filtration system. 
     Though there are several types of air-filtration technologies such as mechanical filters, frictional electrostatic filters and electret filters, active electrically enhanced air-filtration systems have become increasingly popular because of their high efficiency. One particular type of electrically enhanced filter includes an upstream screen through which air enters the filter, a pre-charging unit downstream from the upstream screen and upstream from the filter medium, an upstream electrode between the pre-charging unit and the upstream side of the filter medium, and a downstream electrode that is in contact with the downstream side of the filter medium. A high-voltage electric field is applied between the pre-charging unit and the downstream electrode. 
     Such a filter captures particles via three mechanisms. First, the filter medium physically collects particles in the same manner as a mechanical filter. Second, the high-voltage electric field polarizes particles in the air flow and portions of the filter medium itself, causing the polarized particles to be attracted to polarized portions of the filter medium. Third, the pre-charging unit creates a space-charge region made up of ions within the electric field. The ions cause particles passing through the space-charge region to become electrically charged, and the charged particles are attracted to portions of the polarized filter medium having opposite charge. 
     Though electrically enhanced filters such as that just described are capable of performing high-efficiency air filtration, there is a need for less expensive and improved controls to monitor and ensure proper operation. For example, in some applications a flow sensor is required in order to control filter operation during periods of little or no air flow. This is needed in order to reduce the power use of the filter system, to improve the useful life of the system, and to prevent any harmful effects that may result from running an electronic filter in a no flow condition. Similarly, other types of air cleaners, such as standard electronic air cleaners or small electrostatic precipitators, could also benefit from operational control as a function of airflow. 
     In addition, equipment downstream of the filtration system, such as the flow detector itself, a fan or a heat exchanger, may be damaged or otherwise negatively impacted if ions are allowed to precipitate downstream. If the system is allowed to operate without a filter properly in place, or with a damaged filter in place, free ions will collect on downstream equipment. In other situations, it may be desirable to test the ion production in various portions of the electrically enhanced air-filtration system in order to better control operation settings. It is thus apparent that there is a need in the art for an improved sensor apparatus and method for controlling electrically enhanced air-filtration systems. 
     Although present devices are functional, they are not sufficiently accurate or otherwise satisfactory. Accordingly, a system and method are needed to address the shortfalls of present technology and to provide other new and innovative features. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention that are shown in the drawings are summarized below. These and other embodiments are more fully described in the Detailed Description section. It is to be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the forms described in this Summary of the Invention or in the Detailed Description. One skilled in the art can recognize that there are numerous modifications, equivalents and alternative constructions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. 
     The present invention can provide a system and method for sensing an air flow within an operating temperature range. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention can include a fluid flow sensor comprising a first resistance temperature detector configured for generating a flow signal, wherein the flow signal is based on a fluid velocity, and wherein the first resistance temperature detector is configured for a fluid temperature range; a second resistance temperature detector configured for generating a temperature signal, wherein the temperature signal is based on a fluid temperature; and a controller coupled to the first resistance temperature detector and the second resistance temperature detector, the controller configured for receiving the flow signal and the temperature signal, wherein the controller takes a first controller action when the temperature signal is within a temperature signal range substantially representative of the fluid temperature range, and the flow signal is within a flow signal range, wherein the flow signal range is determined based on the temperature signal. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention can include A method for controlling a component of a fluid flow system, the method comprising the steps of receiving a flow signal from a fluid velocity sensor, wherein the fluid velocity sensor is located at least partially within a fluid flow system; receiving a temperature signal from a fluid temperature sensor, wherein the fluid temperature sensor is located at least partially within the fluid flow system; determining if the temperature signal is within a pre-determined temperature signal range; taking a control action based on the flow signal and the temperature signal; controlling a component of the fluid flow system using the control action. 
     As previously stated, the above-described embodiments and implementations are for illustration purposes only. Numerous other embodiments, implementations, and details of the invention are easily recognized by those of skill in the art from the following descriptions and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various objects and advantages and a more complete understanding of the present invention are apparent and more readily appreciated by reference to the following Detailed Description and to the appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a system diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow sensor; 
         FIG. 2  is a system diagram illustrating one embodiment of the function modules of a flow sensor circuit; 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a microcontroller&#39;s processing steps for determining a signal to transmit to a power switch; 
         FIG. 4  is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow sensor circuit; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram of an air filtration system including a flow sensor; and 
         FIG. 6  is a system diagram illustrating one embodiment of a single filter electrically enhanced air filtration system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, where like or similar elements are designated with identical reference numerals throughout the several views, and referring in particular to  FIG. 1 , it illustrates one embodiment of a flow sensor. Flow sensor  100  may be used in numerous applications where the measurement of a fluid flow is desirable. In the present embodiment, the invention is discussed for use where the fluid is air. This is exemplary only. Those skilled in the art will be aware of uses and modifications for various fluid flows including liquid flows and gas flows. The present embodiments discuss the use of the present invention in the air for discussion only. While certain modifications may have to be made in order to operate in different fluids, those modifications fall within the present invention and are covered by the claims. 
     In traditional operating environments, a flow sensor may be required to operate accurately over a wide range of temperatures. In order to allow the use of inexpensive components that may vary in accuracy over many temperatures, the flow sensor  100  may be expected to be calibrated over these temperature ranges. In one embodiment, the flow sensor  100  may further include an ambient air temperature sensor used to ignore airflow detection at extreme high or low temperatures. Further, the flow sensor  100  may be used to detect the presence of airflow and thus report a “flow is on” condition over a smaller range of temperatures. By limiting the accuracy requirements of the flow sensor  100  to a pre-determine temperature range, calibration of the flow sensor  100  remains inexpensive. By limiting the temperature range over which the flow sensor  100  is calibrated, a single-point calibration may be all that is necessary. Turning off the flow sensor  100  and eliminating a “flow is on” condition at extreme temperatures, provides safe operation of the sensor by reducing or eliminating false flow readings that may be detected at the limits of the calibration temperature range. Thus, flow readings at the temperature extremes, whether correct or false, will not be detected and reported. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , the flow sensor  100  includes a sensor circuit board  101 . The circuit board  101  may comprise circuitry for the actual flow sensor (not shown), an ambient temperature sensor (not shown) and an ion sensor (not shown). Details of the sensor circuit board  101  are further described in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In one embodiment, the sensor circuit board  101  may be enclosed by a top flow sensor housing  102  and a bottom flow sensor housing  103 . The two housings may be pressed together to provide a shell to protect the circuit board  101  from damage. Further, the top flow sensor housing  102  may have a small opening  104  positioned to expose the flow sensor circuit to the outside air. Bottom flow sensor housing  103  may also have a small opening  105  serving the same purpose. In another embodiment, a pin hole opening  106  may also expose an ion sensor to the outside air. For example, an ion sensor (not shown) may be positioned in the pinhole opening  106 , permitting the ion sensor to detect an ionization level in the airflow. In one embodiment, the ionization level may could be an amount of ions, measured by the number of ions detected in a certain time period. In another embodiment, the ionization level may be an amount of ions measured by the number of ions detected for a given air flow. 
     In yet another embodiment the sensor  100  may only contain an ionization detector  100 . In this embodiment, the ionization detector could comprise an ion collection area (not shown) exposed to the airflow through an opening. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the ionization detector is exposed to the airflow using a pin hole opening  106 . The ion collection area could be connected to circuit board  101  so as to be able to detect the ionization level in the airflow. The ionization detector  100  may be used alone, or in conjunction with the flow sensor  100 . 
     In order to provide power to the flow sensor  100  and/or ionization detector  100 , the sensor circuit board  101  may be configured to accept a power connector  107  at one end of a power wire  108 . At the opposite end of the power wire  108  is a power supply connector  109  which may connect either directly or indirectly to a power supply (not shown). 
       FIG. 2  is a system diagram illustrating an embodiment of the functional modules of the sensor circuit board  101 . A central module of the sensor circuit board  101  is a microcontroller  110 . The microcontroller  110  receives signals from multiple sources and determines whether the apparatus utilizing the flow sensor  100  should remain on or off. The circuit board  101  further includes a temperature sensor module  120 . The temperature sensor module  120  may sense the ambient air temperature and report a signal based on the temperature to the microcontroller  110 . In one embodiment, the temperature sensor module  120  transmits a signal representative of the current ambient air temperature to the microcontroller  110  at pre-determined time intervals. 
     The use of a microcontroller  110  is exemplary only and not intended to limit the present invention. In another embodiment, the microcontroller  110  could be replaced with analog circuit controller consistent with the present invention. For example, a logical analog controller design could be used to only pass signals at certain circuitry thresholds. In yet another embodiment, an analog controller may be designed to choose one of two binary states based on temperature and velocity. Those skilled in the art will be aware of numerous modifications and alternatives that can be used consistent with the present invention. 
     The sensor circuit board  101  further includes a flow sensor module  130 . The flow sensor module  130  may transmit a signal to the microcontroller  110 . The microcontroller  110  could then calculate the airflow based on the signal received from the flow sensor module  130  and based on the temperature reported by the temperature sensor module  120 . By calibrating the flow sensor  100  prior to use, the microcontroller will be able to determine the airflow based on the flow sensor module  130  at a given temperature. In order to maintain low manufacturing costs for the flow sensor  100 , a limited effective temperature range may be used. In one embodiment, the flow sensor  100  may be calibrated to provide an accurate airflow reading within a range of 5 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius. In such an embodiment, the microcontroller  110  will only accept a signal from the flow sensor module  110 , in order to determine airflow, when the temperature module  120  has a reading within a range of 5 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius. This range is merely an example and not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Narrower or broader temperature ranges may be used without deviating from the scope of the invention. In one embodiment, the microcontroller  110  may only transmit a “flow is on” or “flow is off” signal. In such an embodiment, the actual airflow value is not recorded and transmitted, but rather a threshold minimum value is used. If the airflow is below the threshold value, or no airflow is detected, then a “flow is off” signal is transmitted. On the other hand, if the recorded airflow is greater than or equal to the threshold value, then a “flow is on” value is transmitted in order to, for example, control operation of the system in which the flow sensor  100  is in place. In one embodiment, the threshold airflow value is between 75 and 100 feet per minute. However, numerous threshold values or units of measure may be used without limiting the scope of the invention. 
     In yet another embodiment, the microcontroller  110  may record and return an actual airflow value to a monitor system (not shown) for various uses in monitoring the system in which the flow sensor  100  is in place. In yet another embodiment, the microcontroller  110  itself may use the actual airflow for various reports, instructions, and messages that could be used to control the system in which the flow sensor is in place  100 . In one embodiment, actual airflow value may be used by an electrically enhanced filter to determine the power required by the enhanced filter system, such as increased power during higher airflows and reduced power during lower airflow. The use of a flow sensor in an electrically enhanced filter system is exemplary only and is not intended to limit the scope or use of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will be aware of many modifications and uses consistent with the present invention. 
     In another embodiment, the sensor circuit board  101  could include an ion sensor module  140 . In one embodiment, the circuit board  101  may contain both the ion sensor module  140  and the flow sensor  130  and temperature sensor  120  modules. In another embodiment the ion sensor module  140  could be on its own circuit board. In one embodiment, the ion sensor module  140  may transmit a signal to the microcontroller  110  indicating the ionization level detected. In such an embodiment, the ion sensor module  140  could report the actual level of detected charge. This may be used to calibrate power into the system and determine if enough ions are being generated, or if too many ions are being generated, for current processing conditions. In another embodiment the microcontroller  110  could use the signal from the ion sensor module  140  to determine whether the level of detected charge is within acceptable limits. In yet another embodiment, the ion sensor module  140  itself may transmit a signal indicating whether the ion level is within acceptable limits or wither the ionization level is above acceptable limits. Such an embodiment may be used if the ion sensor is being implemented in order to determine if ions are precipitating into the wrong areas. In an electrically enhanced filter system, for example, such an embodiment of the ion sensor module  140  may be used to detect if ions are improperly precipitating downstream of the filter. Those skilled in the art will be aware of many modifications and uses consistent with the present invention. 
     Lastly, the sensor circuit board  101  includes a power switch module  150 . The power switch module  150  may receive “turn on” and “turn off” requests from the microcontroller  110 . If the power switch module  150  receives a “turn off” signal, then the switch cuts power to the apparatus utilizing the flow sensor  100  and/or ionization detector  100 . If the power switch module  150  receives a “turn on” signal, then the switch returns power to the apparatus utilizing the flow sensor  100  and/or ionization detector  100 . 
     As stated above, the signals received by the microcontroller  110  are used for determining whether to transmit a “turn on” or “turn off” signal to the power switch  150 .  FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of the microcontroller&#39;s processing steps for determining which signal to transmit to the power switch. At pre-determined time intervals, the microcontroller  110  receives signals (step  310 ) from the three sensor modules; temperature sensor module  120 , flow sensor module  130  and ion sensor module  140 . In one embodiment, the temperature sensor module  120  transmits an ambient air temperature value in Celsius, Fahrenheit or Kelvin. Upon receipt of the temperature value, the microcontroller  110  determines if the value is within an operating temperature range (step  320 ). In another embodiment, the temperature sensor module  120  transmits a signal from which temperature can be determined. In one embodiment, the operating temperature range is between 5 degrees Celsius and 45 degrees Celsius. If the received temperature value is outside of the operating range, then the microcontroller  110  transmits a “turn off” signal (step  330 ) to the power switch  150 . However, if the received temperature value is within the operating range, then the microcontroller  110  makes another determination in regard to airflow. 
     In one embodiment, the flow sensor module  130  transmits a signal to the microcontroller  110 . Based on the temperature from the temperature sensor module  120 , the microcontroller uses the signal from the flow sensor module  130  to compute airflow (step  325 ). The microcontroller  110  determines whether the airflow is within an acceptable range (step  340 ). If the airflow is not in that range, then the microcontroller  110  transmits a “turn off” signal to the power switch  150  (step  350 ). In another embodiment, the microcontroller  110  senses whether the power switch  150  is allowing or denying power to an attached apparatus utilizing the flow sensor  100 . If the power switch  150  is already denying power, then a “turn off” signal does not need to be transmitted. On the other hand, if the microcontroller  110  determines that airflow is within an acceptable range, then the microcontroller  110  makes another determination regarding ionization levels. 
     In one embodiment, the ion sensor module  140  transmits a value representative of the number of ions present in the airflow passing the flow sensor  100 . Upon receipt of the ion value, the microcontroller  110  makes a determination whether the ion value is below a threshold ion value (step  360 ). If the received ion value is above the threshold, then the microcontroller  110  transmits a “turn off” signal (step  370 ) to the power switch  150 . However, if the received ion value is below the threshold, then the microcontroller  110  transmits a “turn on” signal (step  380 ) to the power switch. In another embodiment, the microcontroller  110  senses whether the power switch  150  is allowing or denying power to the attached apparatus utilizing the flow sensor  100 . If the power switch  150  is already allowing power, then a “turn on” signal does not need to be transmitted. The above steps for determining which signal the microcontroller  110  should transmit to the power switch  150  are merely examples. In another embodiment it may be preferential for determination of ion level (step  360 ) to be performed first, or performed separately from the temperature and airflow determination. Numerous flow processes may be used without limiting the scope of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow sensor circuit. As with  FIG. 2 , the circuit board  101  comprises; a microcontroller circuit  111 , a temperature sensor circuit  121 , a flow sensor circuit  131 , an ion sensor circuit  141  and a power switch circuit  151 . 
     In one embodiment, flow sensor circuit  131  is a resistance temperature detector (RTD). A RTD is any element that has a measurable electrical resistance that varies as a function of temperature. For example, an RTD could include a thermistor, also known as a thermal resistor, or a platinum resistor. A thermistor is a type of resistor used to measure temperature changes, relying on the change in its resistance with changing temperature. In yet another embodiment, the flow sensor circuit  131  comprises a Wheatstone Bridge. As a resistor receives current, its temperature increases. Thus, the more current running through the flow sensor circuit  131 , the hotter the circuit  131  gets. When cooler air passes by the circuit  131 , the circuit itself  131  may cool down, thus reducing its resistance. However, the flow sensor circuit  131  must be calibrated in order to determine what portion of the change in resistance of the flow sensor circuit  131  is due to a change in the air temperature passing by the circuit  131  and what portion is due to a change in velocity of the air. 
     In order to determine what portion of the change in resistance of the flow sensor circuit  131  is due to temperature change and what portion is due to airflow change, the temperature sensor circuit  121  is utilized. By using the temperature sensor circuit  121  to determine temperature, the resistance of the flow sensor circuit  131  can be used to determine airflow velocity based on a known resistance calibration within a certain temperature range For example, for any measurement temperature T M  within an acceptable temperature range, T Low  to T High , the flow sensor circuit  131  will have a known resistance at various air velocities. Using the temperature sensor circuit  121  to determine T M , will allow for the calculation of air velocity based on the resistance of the flow sensor circuit  131 . 
     In one embodiment, the temperature sensor circuit  121  receives a low current flow, thus keeping the temperature sensor circuit&#39;s  121  temperature down. Hence, the circuit&#39;s  121  resistance is measured as a function of the ambient air temperature. Therefore, the combination of the temperature sensor circuit  121  and the flow sensor circuit  131  provide for accurate air flow readings within a pre-determined temperature range. 
     In one embodiment, both the flow sensor circuit  131  and the temperature sensor circuit  121  are set apart from the other circuitry included on the sensor circuit board  101 . This alignment may prevent the flow circuit  131  and temperature circuit  121  from receiving false reading from any heat generated from the remaining circuits on the sensor circuit board  101 . Further, as stated above, the top sensor housing  102  and the bottom sensor housing  103  have openings  104  and  105  aligned over the flow circuit  131  and temperature circuit  121 . This permits fresh air to pass over the two circuits providing for accurate readings untainted by heat generated from the circuit board  101 . 
     The opening  104  and  105  are also used to allow the ambient air, and the airflow of interest, to convectively cool at least a portion of the temperature sensor circuit  121  and flow sensor circuit  131 . In one embodiment the portion being cooled can comprise an RTD. In this embodiment, the RTD(s) must be heated above the ambient air temperature, either through self-heating or through the use of a parallel heating element that can also be cooled by convection. Proper selection of an RTD in the present invention is made in relation to the expected fluid density, velocity range, and temperature range. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4  also shown is an ion circuit  141 . The ion circuit  141  may comprise of an open electrode on the circuit board  100  to detect charge. In the embodiment in  FIG. 4 , the ion circuit comprises a parallel resistor-capacitor circuit that may be used to determine the charge on an ion collector. Those skilled in the art will be aware of alternative embodiments consistent with the present invention. 
     The applications where a low cost flow sensor may be utilized are numerous. In one embodiment, an air filtration system (hereinafter “AFS”) may benefit from such a sensor.  FIG. 5  is a diagram of one embodiment of the frame of an AFS. Air filtration system  500  comprises an outer frame  510 . In this example, the interior components are not shown. In one embodiment, the AFS  500  is placed within HVAC ducting upstream from an HVAC system. When air reaches the AFS  500  electrostatic technology is used to filter airborne particles from the incoming air by producing negatively charged ions which attach themselves to the incoming air particles. Further upstream in the AFS  500  is a porous mechanical filter having positively charged strands throughout. As the negatively charged air particles pass into the filter, they are electrically attracted to the positively charged filter strands. Hence, the air particles become trapped in the filter. In one embodiment, the AFS  500  is turned on while the HVAC system is pushing air throughout the ducting. When the HVAC system stops flowing air, it is desirable for the AFS  500  to turn off as well. 
     A low cost flow sensor as described herein may be useful in assisting the AFS  500  in turning on and off in synchronization with air flow from the HVAC system. In one embodiment, the flow sensor  100  is placed upstream from the air flowing out of the AFS  500 . The flow sensor  100  may be affixed to a portion of the exterior framing of the AFS  500 . Such placement permits filtered air to pass across the flow sensor  100 . The flow sensor  100  determines whether a threshold amount of airflow passes across its circuit  131 . Further, the temperature sensor  120  senses the ambient air temperature of the incoming air. If the ambient air temperature is within the operating temperature range, then the value from the flow sensor  130  is used to determine if airflow based on the temperature. In one embodiment, the airflow may not actually be determined, but logical circuitry could be used to determine if the value from the flow sensor  130  is sufficiently high based on the temperature signal. Hence, if the threshold amount of air flow is found, the AFS  500  turns on. On the other hand, if the amount of airflow is below the threshold amount, the AFS  500  turns off. Further, if the ambient air temperature is outside of the operating temperature range, the value of the flow sensor  130  is ignored and the AFS  500  shuts down. In result, the AFS  500  is able to operate concurrently with the HVAC unit by utilizing a low cost air flow sensor operable in a fixed temperature range typical of the operating temperature range of an HVAC system. 
     There will also be many uses for an ionization detector  100  in an air filtration system (AFS)  500 . For example, an ionization detector  100  may be placed downstream of a filter and affixed to a portion of the frame  510  so as to be able to detect of ions are precipitating downstream. This would allow the system to determine if the filter is not in place, not properly in place, or if the filter is damaged. In order to protect equipment downstream, including a flow sensor  100 , the ionization detector  100  could be used to shut down the system if a certain threshold of ions are detected. In another embodiment the ionization detector could be affixed to the frame upstream of the frame  510  in order to detect the ionization level upstream of a filter element (not shown). 
     The use of the ionization detector  100  in an air filtration system  500  is not intended to limit the present invention. An ionization detector  100  consistent with the present invention may be used anywhere where detection of ions would be beneficial to control process conditions or protect ion sensitive equipment, devices, or systems. Those skilled in the art will be aware of many uses and modifications of an ionization detector consistent with the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a system diagram illustrating one embodiment of a single filter electrically enhanced air filtration system  600 . This single filter electrically enhanced air filtration system comprises an ionizing electrode  610  located between an upstream and downstream ground screen  620  and the ionizing electrode  610  located upstream of a field electrode  630  and filter  640 . In one embodiment the flow sensor  100  and/or ionization detector could be located downstream of the filter  640 . At this location, ions generated at the ionizing electrode  610  should be captured by the filter  640 . The flow sensor  100  and/or ionization detector  100  can be located in a position sufficient to measure airflow through the air filtration system  600 , and to detect ions escaping downstream in order to protect against the operation of the ionizing electrode  610  in conditions of no flow or no filter. Those skilled in the art will be aware of modifications consistent with the present invention. 
     In conclusion, the present invention provides, among other things, a system and method for a low cost flow sensor. Those skilled in the art can readily recognize that numerous variations and substitutions may be made in the invention, its use and its configuration to achieve substantially the same results as achieved by the embodiments described herein. Accordingly, there is no intention to limit the invention to the disclosed exemplary forms. Many variations, modifications and alternative constructions fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosed invention as expressed in the claims.