HVAC Sensors – Trends and Diversification in the Market

Innovative Sensor Technology (IST) AG is a market leader within the HVAC sector and offers a wide range of products for the HVAC market. IST AG is more than a regular component supplier offering technology and materials science resources to find exceptional and customized sensors for different building automation applications. IST AG is today a one-stop shop for temperature, flow, humidity, and differential pressure sensors and thus a perfect partner to launch new quality products or redefine a current HVAC sensor portfolio.

Trends and Diversification in the HVAC Market from the View of a Component Manufacturer

The HVAC sector is in a strong uptrend today and has never been more competitive at the same time. New features in smart thermostats are setting standards on a regular basis. However, no matter how smart and efficient a system is and no matter how much connectivity and functionality one plans to add into the new generation of HVAC products, at the end there will always be a strong need for stabile and reliable sensing components.

A number of companies in the HVAC market focus their efforts on the software communication of their systems, but do not pay attention to proof functionality and quality of their most vital element - the sensing component. The result is that all the smart algorithms are only as good as the data delivered by the sensor component.

IST AG’s strategy is to provide well-built sensors, which offer strong reliable values through insightful material science and intelligent calibration together with advanced manufacturing capabilities and quality machines and equipment required to perform volume output with consistent quality.

IST AG’s customers appreciate the superiority in its components and the peace of mind that comes with it, wherever HVAC instruments operate large investments under the control of its products and lastly the company’s brand name. IST AG is pleased to present the portfolio for quality components in the following sections.

P14 W

The standard P14-W humidity sensor capacitor is a passive humidity component. The sensor is built to endure dew formation and provides excellent cross contamination results when applied in various gases as well as many corrosive gases. The P14 W longevity compared to other components in the market is good, particularly when compared in high humidity conditions. This is the number one choice for companies planning to combine the P14 W humidity sensor with their own electronics and calibration features. It provides excellent stability and long lasting measurements owing to its waterproof materials such as the proprietary polymer design and ceramic body. Applications are RH+T transmitters, air ducts, as well as thermostats.

P14 W

HYT Calibrated Digital RH+T

HYT 271

HYT 221

HYT 939

The HYT sensors are integrated humidity and temperature digital modules. The sensors are calibrated and qualified under strict procedures. A nine point calibration is done to assure high accuracy over a wide humidity and temperature bandwidth, while the appropriate materials provide longevity and satisfactory results on the data sheet. The HYT sensors are designed based on the IST AG flag ship P14 capacitor sensors. The sensor component and its surrounding materials are designed to ensure virtually zero moisture absorption and to prevent misreading because of false water/moisture sources. The HYT’s technology is provided in exposed sensor element versions, as well as two filter cap versions (mechanical protection) for basic integrations in air duct, wall mount thermostats, and compressed air transmitters.

FS7 Thermal Mass Flow Sensors

Fitted with a heating and sensing resistor, the FS7 is the latest development of mass flow sensor component on ceramic substrates at IST AG. The sensor is applied straight into the air flow and is built to measure usual HVAC air duct flow speeds between 0 m/second to 25 m/second or more. The key advantage of the FS7 is the high sensitivity particularly at lower flow rates 0 m/second to 1 m/second or 0 m/second to 5 m/second, while performing within a wide dynamic range. If applied in constant temperature anemometer (CTA) mode, the FS7 can read from 0 to 100 m/second flow speeds. Advantages of this design are simple implementation for air duct flow transmitters. Handheld devices to regulate air conditioning systems are using FS7 at the tip of a retractable monopod. Owing to its low cost implementation, it is used for filter monitoring along with air purifiers. High performance applications are compressed air mass flow metering and billing devices.

FS7 thermal mass flow sensor.

MFS 05 Mass Flow Sensor

The MFS 05 is the latest generation of the MicroflowSensor series components. A major enhancement has been adopted with the new design which anticipates more measurement symmetry if the flow direction varies. The MFS 05 compared to the FS7 is built on a glass substrate (not ceramic). The active components are four platinum resistors implemented in a thin membrane with a thickness of less than 10 µm. This allows conducting measurements with ultra-low thermal mass. The result is an ultra-fast sensor with a response time of less than 10 ms. Additionally, the MFS 05 exhibits an ultra-sensitive measurement in differential pressure applications, which measures with a noise free resolution of 5 mPa. The MFS 05 sensor is added in positive pressure ventilation systems (hospitals, clean rooms), flow/glow box, filter monitoring, and micro fluidic gas applications.

MFS 05 Microflowsens component.

MID Packaged MFS 05 MicroflowSens Component

MID with MFS 05 Microflowsens component.

The MID packaged MFS05 is designed with IST AG’s MFS 05 MicroflowSens component with a proprietary thermal micro flow measurement technique. The excellent sensor specific behavior is displayed on its low temperature reliance also under non-isothermal conditions (see raw data measurement plot at different temperature on the diagram below). The build in flow channel offers simple system integration for ultra-low flow application 0 to 1 [sccm] and a broad dynamic range at the same time up to 200 [sccm].

The sensor comes with 10 [ms] response time along with detection of flow direction in one. Different MID packages are available; all can be processed with automated pick and place processes and are provided with solderable contact pads. The MID packaged MFS 05 microflow component can be used in a by-pass flow channel as a differential pressure and sensor is soon available in combination with various USB plug and play evaluation boards.

Diagram showing intrinsic temperature compensation.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Innovative Sensor Technology, USA Division.

For more information on this source, please visit Innovative Sensor Technology, USA Division.