US 12,480,904 B2
Multi-functional water quality sensor
Klaus Brondum, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Mark Andrew Burns, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Wen-Chi Lin, Saline, MI (US); Michael McCague, Escondido, CA (US); Stephen Michael Stec, Dearborn, MI (US); Brian N. Johnson, Ypsilanti, MI (US); and Garry Marty, Fishers, IN (US)
Assigned to The Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (US); and Masco Corporation, Taylor, MI (US)
Filed by Masco Corporation, Taylor, MI (US); and The Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Filed on Mar. 7, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/599,146.
Application 18/599,146 is a continuation of application No. 17/156,255, filed on Jan. 22, 2021, granted, now 11,953,459, issued on Apr. 9, 2024.
Application 17/156,255 is a continuation of application No. 14/934,499, filed on Nov. 6, 2015, granted, now 10,900,921, issued on Jan. 26, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/105,237, filed on Jan. 20, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2024/0248056 A1, Jul. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. G01N 27/07 (2006.01); G01N 27/30 (2006.01); G01N 27/416 (2006.01); G01N 33/18 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 27/07 (2013.01) [G01N 27/4166 (2013.01); G01N 33/18 (2013.01); G01N 27/302 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sensor assembly for water, the sensor assembly comprising:
an electrically non-conductive substrate;
electrically conductive traces carried by the electrically non-conductive substrate, the electrically conductive traces comprising electrical circuits to sense a temperature of the water and a flow rate of the water; and
a housing configured to expose to the water a region of the electrically non-conductive substrate on which the electrical circuits are not disposed,
wherein the electrical circuits comprise:
a temperature sensor circuit configured to determine the temperature of the water; and
a heater circuit configured to produce a temperature increase,
wherein a dissipation of the temperature increase is a function of the flow rate of the water passing the sensor assembly such that the dissipation is translated into the flow rate of the water, and
wherein the electrical circuits are disposed in the housing such that the temperature sensor circuit and the heater circuit are not exposed to the water.