Title :
Ultrawide Dynamic Range Gas Flow Sensor
Author_Institution :
Comtech Technol., Inc., Rochester, NY, USA
Abstract :
An innovative Ultrawide Dynamic Range Gas Flow Sensor has been developed and demonstrated under a NAVAIR-sponsored program. The meter uses acoustic pulse trains to measure gas flows through pipes or tubes in a wide range of configurations and conditions while maintaining a useable dynamic range exceeding 5000:1. The demonstrated performance is at least an order of magnitude better than conventional time-of-flight acoustic meters. The device is bidirectional, non-intrusive, and capable of resolutions well below 1 mm/sec for all flow rates up to 50 m/sec. If the gas concentration is known, gas temperature may be determined to within 0.01°C. This method has been tested successfully in a variety of applications with cross sections up to 3 meters in diameter. The demonstrated performance of the ultrasonic meter is superior to any other commercially available flow meter. The exceptional functionality opens up a new class of measurement opportunities.
Keywords :
flow sensors; flowmeters; gas sensors; time of flight spectra; ultrasonic transducers; NAVAIR-sponsored program; acoustic pulse; compact bidirectional acoustic gas flow sensor; cross sections; flow meter; flow rates; gas concentration; gas flow measurement; gas temperature; pipes; time-of-flight acoustic meters; tubes; ultrasonic meter; ultrawide dynamic range gas flow sensor; velocity 50 m/s; Acoustic measurements; Acoustics; Electron tubes; Fluid flow; Temperature measurement; Temperature sensors; Wires; Ultrasonic flow meter; gas flow sensor; time of flight;
Conference_Titel :
Future of Instrumentation International Workshop (FIIW), 2011
Conference_Location :
Oak Ridge, TN
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4673-5835-4
DOI :
10.1109/FIIW.2011.6476841