Patent ID: 7536908

Claim:
An integrated mass flow rate sensor comprising: a set of temperature sensors connected as part of a first circuit with a heating element disposed between said temperature sensors for measuring a temperature difference between an upstream and downstream temperature sensing elements for measuring a flow rate in a first range of flow rates; and a resistive sensing element comprising an ambient temperature sensor in series connection with a resistor Rc having a constant resistance in combination with said heating element as part of a second circuit for measuring a heat loss of said heating element with reference to an ambient temperature for measuring a flow rate in a second range of flow rates wherein said first circuit and said second circuit simultaneously apply both said temperature difference between said upstream and downstream temperature sensing elements and said heat loss of said heat element respectively for concurrently measuring said flow rate that may fall within said first range of flow rates or said second range of flow rates whereby said integrated flow rate sensor having an expanded range of flow rate measurement covering said first range and said second range.