Patent ID: 7337678

Claim:
A micro-electro-mechanical, micro-fluidic flow sensor comprising: a flow separating element for separating a first portion of a fluid flow from a second portion of the fluid flow, wherein the flow separating element includes a plurality of spaced apart walls; and a flow obstructing member disposed in the first portion of the flow for at least partially obstructing the first portion of the flow, the member deflecting in response to the first portion of the flow so that a degree of partial obstruction of the first portion of the flow by the flow obstructing member varies in response to the first portion of the fluid flow, wherein the flow obstructing member includes a first flap extending from a first wall of the spaced apart walls towards a second flap extending from a second wall of the spaced apart walls so that a gap is defined between the flaps having a variable geometry corresponding to a degree of deflection of the flaps, the flaps being compliant to the first portion of the fluid flow and being deflected in response to a flow parameter of the first portion of the fluid flow so that a degree of partial obstruction of the first portion of the fluid flow varies in response to the flow parameter.