Patent ID: 7343796

Claim:
A microvalve sensor for sensing fluid flow therethrough and generating an electrical signal indicative thereof, said sensor comprising: a housing connectable inline with a fluid passageway; a microvalve disposed in said housing to permit fluid to flow through said housing, said microvalve including: a substrate; an insulating layer disposed over said substrate, said substrate and insulating layer including an orifice to accommodate fluid flow through said housing; and a diaphragm element disposed over the orifice in said insulating layer, said diaphragm element being affixed to said insulating layer around a periphery thereof and adapted to pass fluid therethrough, said diaphragm element and substrate forming opposite plates of a capacitor having a capacitance which changes with fluid flow through said housing; and a circuit coupled across the opposite plates of said capacitor and powered by an electrical source for measuring the capacitance of said capacitor and generating an electrical signal indicative thereof.