Adhesive dispensing systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025035473-A1
Application number	US-202218717047-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 9, 2022
Priority date	Dec 10, 2021
Publication date	Jan 30, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

An electrical property sensor is presented that includes a printed circuit board with a first face separated from a second face by a thickness, the first face having a length and a width. The sensor also includes an aperture extending from a first face of the printed circuit board to a second face of the printed circuit board. The aperture includes a receiving electrode and a transmitting electrode. When a fluid flows through the aperture and a voltage is provided at the transmitting electrode, a cunent flow is measured at the receiving electrode.

First claim

1 . An electrical property sensor comprising:
a printed circuit board with a first face separated from a second face by a thickness, the first face having a length and a width; an aperture extending from a first face of the printed circuit board to a second face of the printed circuit board, the aperture comprising a receiving electrode and a transmitting electrode; and wherein, when a fluid flows through the aperture and a voltage is provided at the transmitting electrode, a current flow is measured at the receiving electrode.

2 . The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the current flow is convertible to an impedance value, a conductivity value, or a dielectric constant signal.

3 . The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is parallel to the length and perpendicular to the width.

4 . The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the receiving electrode and the transmitting electrode each have an electrode width that is substantially the thickness.

5 . The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the receiving electrode and the transmitting electrode each have an electrode length less than an aperture length.

6 . The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the receiving electrode comprises a metal.

7 . The sensor of claim 6 , wherein the transmitting electrode also comprises the metal.

8 . The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is a first aperture, and wherein the sensor also comprises:
a second aperture extending from the first face of the printed circuit board to the second face of the printed circuit board, the second aperture comprising a second receiving electrode and a second transmitting electrode; wherein the fluid flow is a first portion of a fluid flow and, when a second portion of the fluid flows through the second aperture, a second impedance signal is generated using the second transmitting and receiving electrodes.

9 . The sensor of claim 9 , wherein the second receiving electrode is decoupled from the first receiving electrode, such that the impedance signal and the second impedance signal differ.

10 . The sensor of claim 1 , and further comprising a temperature sensor.

11 . The sensor of claim 10 , wherein the temperature sensor is electrically isolated from the fluid flow.

12 . A sensing system comprising:
a fluid channel through which a fluid flows; a sensor within the fluid channel, the sensor comprising:
a printed circuit board (PCB);
a aperture within the PCB comprising a receiving electrode spaced apart from a transmitting electrode; and
wherein the fluid flows through the aperture in direct contact with the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode and wherein, when a voltage is applied to the transmitting electrode, a current is received at the receiving electrode; and
a communication component that communicates a calculated electrical parameter for the fluid, wherein the electrical parameter is calculated based on the received current and wherein the electrical parameter is an impedance, a conductivity or a dielectric constant.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the fluid channel comprises a mixing chamber that receives a first component flow and a second component flow.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the sensor is downstream of the mixing chamber.

15 . The system of claim 14 , and further comprising a second sensor within the fluid channel, wherein the second sensor is upstream of the mixing chamber.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the electrical parameter is indicative of an air bubble in the fluid flow, a mixing ratio, of a mixing quality across the fluid flow, a fluid age, or a cure progress.

17 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the transmitting electrode is aligned with a length of the aperture, and wherein the receiving electrode is parallel to the transmitting electrode.

18 . The system of claim 12 , and further comprising a control signal generator that generates a control signal, based on the conductivity signal.

19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the control signal is a purge signal or a motor speed.

20 - 27 . (canceled)

28 . A method of forming a sensor, the method comprising:
creating an aperture in a printed circuit board, wherein the aperture has a length and a width and a thickness, wherein the thickness extends through the printed circuit board; and adhering a first electrode and second electrode within the aperture.

29 - 36 . (canceled)

Assignees

• 3M Innovative Properties Company

Inventors

• Hahn Joerg
• Schumacher Knut
• Muenstermann Benjamin
• Bialluch Robert J
• Wischnepolski Waleri
• Weinmann Christian
• Bahners Michael
• Rudek David M
• Merchant John A
• Wenner Alissa P
• Zimmerman Patrick G
• Jusuf Vincent
• Hubbs Kyle R
• Kontak Max
• Chagi Ramesh Brijesh Gupta
• Koch Robert J
• Geldmacher Andreas M
• Saurborn Marcus
• Vang Kalc C

Classifications

• G01N27/08

  which is flowing continuously · CPC title

• G01N27/07

  Construction of measuring vessels; Electrodes therefor · CPC title

• G01K13/026

  of moving liquids · CPC title

• G01F1/64 Primary

  by measuring electrical currents passing through the fluid flow; measuring electrical potential generated by the fluid flow, e.g. by electrochemical, contact or friction effects (G01F1/58 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H05K2201/09236

  Parallel layout · CPC title