• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.102-111
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• 2001

To describe the air flow characteristics within an air cleaner cover and mass air flow sensor (MAFS) entry region installed in a 3.0L engine air induction system, flow visualization, velocity and turbulence intensity measurements were taken in several view planes. A detailed knowledge of the interaction between the design parameters and the flow structures will enhance our understanding of the motions within the flow field and enable engineers to optimize the induction system and reduce the signal-to-noise ratio in the MAFS output. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of coherent motions and the controlling parameters which affect the air flow in the MAFS entrance region over a flow rate of 13-240 kg/hr. The high speed motion pictures illustrated that the air flow generated within the air cleaner cover under steady state condition is quite complex. In both axial and radial planes of the main passage it was found that the flow pattern is remarkably influenced by the air cleaner cover and main passage configuration. A comparison of the flow patterns and measurements in the original and modified air cleaner cover is presented. Measurements from the MAFS indicated an significant reduction in pressure drop and signal noise for the modified cover as compared with the original cover, over an air flow rate of 13-240 kg/hr.

• Journal of ILASS-Korea
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2000

This study presents the flow visualization results, velocity and turbulence intensity measurements made within an air filter cover and entry region of a mass air flow sensor (MAFS) which is used in an induction system of 3.8L engine. Flow structure in two air filter cover assemblies were examined. The first was a clear plastic replica of the production cover while the second was a modified clear plastic cover with a geometry configured to reduce fluctuations. High speed flow visualization and laser doppler velocimetry (LDV) systems were used to reveal and analyze the flow field characteristics encountered in the sensor design process under steady flow conditions. A 40-watt copper vapor laser was used as a light source. Its beam is focused down to a sheet of light approximately 1.5mm thick. The light scattered off the particles was recorded by a 16mm high speed rotating prism camera at 5000 frames per second. A comparison of the flow patterns and LDV measurements in the original and modified air filter covers is presented to illustrate the controlling effect of the cover design on the turbulence structure formation near the bypass and on the sensor output signal. In both axial and radial planes of the main passage it was found that the turbulence flow pattern is remarkably influenced by the air filter cover and main passage configuration.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.542-548
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• 2008

A thermal mass air flow sensor (MAFS), which consists of a micro-heater and thermo-resistive sensors on the silicon-nitride ($Si_3N_4$) thin membrane structure, is micro-fabricated by MEMS processes. Two thermo-resistive temperature sensors are located at $100{\mu}m$ upstream and downstream from the micro-heater respectively. The thermal characteristics are measured to find the best measurement indicator. The micro-heater is operated under constant power condition, and four flow indicators are investigated. The normalized temperature indicator shows good physical meaning and is easy to use in practice. It is found that the configurations and heating power of thermal-resistive elements are the dominant factors to determine the range of the flow measurement in the MAFS with higher sensitivity and accuracy.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.876-883
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• 2007

Numerical simulations are conducted for the design of a micro thermal mass air flow sensor (MAFS), which consists of a microfabricated heater and thermopiles on the silicon-nitride ($Si_3N_4$) thin membrane structure. It is important to find the proper locations of these thermal elements in the design of MAFS with improved sensitivity. Three heating modes of the micro-heater are considered: constant temperature, constant power and heating pulses. The analyses are focused on the membrane temperature profile near the sensing section. Considered are the practical flow velocities, ranging from 3 m/s to 35 m/s, and the corresponding Reynolds numbers from 1000 to 10000. The results show that one of optimum sensing locations is about $100{\mu}m$ away from the microheater. It is concluded that the heating mode and configurations of thermal elements are the main factors for the MAFS with higher sensitivity.