Patent ID: 8578769

Claim:
A surface flow sensor and fastener assembly, comprising at least the following modules: a sensor housing and a separate fastener element, wherein the sensor housing is adapted to receive a surface flow-based sensor and includes connection means for transmitting sensing signals from a fitted flow-based sensor; and wherein: the fastener element comprises a head, a shank, at least part of the shank being externally threaded, and a bore extending through a whole length of the fastener element, the bore being shaped at a head end of the fastener element to provide a sensor housing receiving part, being configured to locate a sensing surface of the flow-based sensor flush with a surface of the head of the fastener across which flow is to be measured, and being further configured to receive means for transmitting the sensing signals from the surface flow based sensor to a shank end of the fastener; and wherein the sensor housing is replaceable in the fastener element while the fastener is fastened in position to a structure.