Patent ID: 6915705

Claim:
A flow sensor adapted to be positioned in a fluid carrying conduit to measure a flow of fluid passing through the conduit, comprising: (1) a housing having a first end, a second end, and a main channel defined through the housing between the first end and the second end, wherein the main channel includes a longitudinal axis, and wherein the first and the second ends of the housing are adapted to be coupled to the conduit so that fluid passes through the housing along the main channel between the first end and the second end; (2) a flow resistive element coupled to the housing such that the flow resistive element does not rotate relative to the housing and traverses the main channel, wherein the flow resistive element comprises: (a) a rigid body member fixed to the housing and having a first surface and a second surface, (b) a plurality of unobstructed, wedge-shaped, openings defined in the body member and extending therethrough from the first surface to the second surface, and (c) a plurality of spokes extending from a central portion of the body member to a perimeter thereof, wherein each spoke separates adjacent wedge-shaped openings from one another; (3) a first port defined through the housing to communicate a sensor element with the main channel on a first side of the flow resistive element; and (4) a second port defined through the housing to communicate the sensor element with the main channel on a second side of the flow resistive element opposite the first side.