Unique, non-invasive clamp-on flow monitor

Easily installed and simple to set up, Flow Pulse uses an acoustic technique never before seen in flow monitoring to deliver reliable results across an amazing range of pipe materials and sizes. At a fraction of the installation cost of an equivalent magflow meter, Flow Pulse delivers repeatable flow monitoring.

Available in 2 options:

Flow Pulse
Flow Pulse is a major leap forward in flow measurement – no need to break into a pipe, or to get any civils involved, just clamp a small sensor to the outside of a pipe and get reliable, repeatable flow monitoring straight away.

Virtually no installation costs, no interruption to service, clean and simple. Flow Pulse is simply fixed in place by a band (tools required = one screwdriver). A silicone coupling pad makes sure that the Flow Pulse makes a good acoustic contact to the pipe.

Flow Pulse uses a novel spread spectrum analysis technique never before used in flow monitoring. It incorporates a radical new Digital Signal Processing (DSP) approach that gives exceptional repeatability.

Flow Pulse produces a wide ultrasonic beam that is refracted by the pipe wall, as well as reflected by suspended particles in the flowing media. Ultrasound is fired through the pipe wall at 90 degrees to the flow via a tangentially mounted high-output ceramic, then refracted at angles across the axis of the flow and subsequently reflected from bubbles, particles and vortices in all directions and at a wide range of frequencies. The wide, refracted, ultrasonic beam maximises the ultrasound energy captured from flowing particles. These multiple reflections are received back into the unit via a second high performance ceramic.

The returned signal is analysed using Flow Pulse’s Refracted Spread Spectrum Analysis (RSSA) digital signal processing platform to derive flow information.

RSSA analyses and integrates the received signals over a wide frequency range, then slices them for real-time analysis and flow rate calculation.

The digital platform also offers robust performance in the repeatability of measurement, as well as the flexibility to adapt to application requirement. For example, features such as damping and response time can be easily customised to suit.

Flow Pulse operates in a flow range from as little as 0.3m/s through to 4m/s (1 – 13 ft/sec), with a minimum particle size of 100μ and concentration of 200ppm or above (the equivalent of hard water).

Pipe material can be rigid plastic, stainless steel, mild steel or cast iron. Corrugated pipe is not an issue, and, as long as the silicone pad can fill in the irregularities, light corrosion will also give a good result. Flow Pulse provides typical repeatability of ±5%. Flow Pulse is a flow monitor not a flow meter and, while accuracy in some areas is excellent, accuracy results are both application and installation dependent.

Flow Pulse operates as a stand-alone device, requiring 18-28VDC. It includes 1 volt-free programmable relay, provides scalable 4-20mA proportional to flow and connects to a PC via RS232 (see software below).

Optionally, Flow Pulse can interface directly with a dedicated wall mounted device, Flow Monitor, which can be either AC or DC supplied, providing the power and interface for the Flow Pulse via a 4-core cable.

Flow Monitor expands the capability of Flow Pulse, providing two relays that can be programmed as alarm (relay 1) or control (relay 2) for flow or velocity. Either relay can alternatively be programmed as a totaliser. Flow Monitor also provides a mA output and onboard logging, including a daily total. Typical capacity is 36 days flow logging at 1 minute intervals (using optional logging software).

Flow Monitor has an LCD display of flow rate and flow velocity (selectable), and is menu-programmable via a set of function keys.

Specification

PHYSICAL
Weight: Nominal 1.5kg (3.3lbs)
Case material: Type 316 Stainless steel investment casting
Cable requirements: Multicore screened (2 for power, 2 for mA output and/or 3 for RS485)
Maximum cable length: 500m (minimum of 22VDC supply @ 500m)
Cable entry: M20 x 1.5 gland

ENVIRONMENTAL
IP Rating: IP68
Max. and Min. temperature: -20ºC to +70ºC (-4ºF to +158ºF)
CE/EMC Approval: See EC Declaration of Conformity
Power Supply: 18-28 VDC, 125 mA

APPLICATION
Repeatability: ±5% typical – application dependent
Pipe Diameter: 30mm to 350mm (1.2″ to 14″) (version 1), 30mm to 1000mm (1.2″ to 39″) (version 2)
Velocity range: 0.3m/s to 4m/s (1 – 13 feet/sec)
Minimum particle size: >100µ
Minimum particle concentration: >200ppm
Pipe wall thickness: Metal or rigid pipe up to 20mm (0.8″) thick
Installation: By means of a banding strap using a silicone coupling pad applied to the base of the sensor and on the pipe.

ECHO PROCESSING
Echo Processing: RSSA Digital Signal Processing

INPUT/OUTPUT
Volt free contact: 1 volt free programmable relay
Analogue Output: 4-20mA scalable
Digital communications: RS232 and RS485 Modbus RTU
PC Software: Flow Pulse PC included