Patent ID: 7257984

Claim:
A miniaturized sensor device for the detection of at least one characteristic quantity of a fluid; particularly a lubricating oil, comprising: 2N cantilever elements arranged at least partially exposed to said fluid or submerged therein, where N is a whole number; actuating means to cause at least one first cantilever element to perform controlled movements; wherein said at least one first cantilever element is adapted to perform controlled movements in response to said actuating means and at least one second cantilever element arranged to have a separating distance relative to said at least one first cantilever element such that a deformation of the first cantilever element in response to said actuating means induces a deformation of said at least one second cantilever element, said induced deformation generating a stress in said at least one second cantilever element that is related to said characteristic quantity; sensing means to detect said generated stress in said second cantilever element; and control means for executing said controlled movement of the first cantilever element and the evaluation of a value which is representative of said characteristic quantity as a function of said stress.