Non-intrusive Flow Sensors
Non-intrusive Flow Sensors
(OP)
Hello Everyone,
I have a random question for everyone, am looking for flow sensors that can be placed on the outside of a pipe so that I can measure flow within non-intrusively... Something similar to this: http://www.globalw.com/products/fm500.html#Options
However, I do not want to spend $400-$500 because I do not need such accuracy ,and I need A LOT of them. Also, I do not want to spend so much money because I am looking for something that will detect flow, I do not necessarily need to actually measure the flow. I'd need to detect flow of at least 0.5 GPM on a 0.5 inch. pipe.
If I must go with such a doppler effect setup, I would be willing to manufacture my own electronics to power/detect the Doppler sensors, but I do not know where to find the sensors. Any ideas..
Any input from from anyone regarding this project be would most helpful.
Overall, I am not set on the above doppler sensors... All I need is a way to non-destructively measure flow in a 0.5 inch. pipe and I need to measure flow of around 0.5 GPM or less. Is there such a way?
Thanks!
I have a random question for everyone, am looking for flow sensors that can be placed on the outside of a pipe so that I can measure flow within non-intrusively... Something similar to this: http://www.globalw.com/products/fm500.html#Options
However, I do not want to spend $400-$500 because I do not need such accuracy ,and I need A LOT of them. Also, I do not want to spend so much money because I am looking for something that will detect flow, I do not necessarily need to actually measure the flow. I'd need to detect flow of at least 0.5 GPM on a 0.5 inch. pipe.
If I must go with such a doppler effect setup, I would be willing to manufacture my own electronics to power/detect the Doppler sensors, but I do not know where to find the sensors. Any ideas..
Any input from from anyone regarding this project be would most helpful.
Overall, I am not set on the above doppler sensors... All I need is a way to non-destructively measure flow in a 0.5 inch. pipe and I need to measure flow of around 0.5 GPM or less. Is there such a way?
Thanks!





RE: Non-intrusive Flow Sensors
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Non-intrusive Flow Sensors
Gems looks like a good website, but I was hoping that I could do this without opening up the pipe. I'd love to measure from the outside.
RE: Non-intrusive Flow Sensors
The virtue of implementing a sensor as/in a pipe fitting is that when it fails, it can be replaced quickly by relatively low cost tradesmen. The alternative to that is that _you_ will be out there on some winter night reconstructing your sensor assembly.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Non-intrusive Flow Sensors
RE: Non-intrusive Flow Sensors
it's probably worth talking to a couple of vendors like panametrics, fischer, rosemount and see what they have.
However the gem sensors look very good - I'd not come across them before, but they look like what you want, but inside a unit. Maybe someone does one which clamps on and measures flow through the tube wall - not very accurate, but might work.
My motto: Learn something new every day
Also: There's usually a good reason why everyone does it that way
RE: Non-intrusive Flow Sensors
GEMS also makes a paddle type sensor that is used on yacht engines to detect loss of coolant flow. Again, it's packaged in a pipe fitting for convenience. Yacht engines are _very_ expensive, and yacht owners are _very_ excitable (trust me on that), and it meets their needs for reliability and low cost.
I know you've got your heart set on some magical strap-on, but preparation of the pipe's outside surface and fitting the sensor may take more time than just inserting a tee. Talk to your pipefitters about that.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Non-intrusive Flow Sensors
Maybe also talk about tapping clamps.