Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Flow Sensors (Fluidic-flow measurement sensors)

            Flow sensors are devices that sense the rate of fluid or gas flow. The sensors installed in different field varied depending on the properties of the fluid or gas being measured. Sensors have different meters and principles therefore, the most appropriate should be chosen for the desire application. The most common sensors in our daily life are the ones used to measure water flow and electrical consumption at our home.
During my research through AccessScience I found two types of Fluidic-Flow measurement sensors known as fluidic-oscillator meter and fluidic flow-sensor. The fluidic-oscillator meter works on the principle of Coanda effect. The Coanda effect of a jet fluid attaching to a nearby surface, and it remains attached even when the surface curves away from the initial fluid direction. In the case of the fluidic-oscillator meter the fluid comes into the device and the fluid attaches to one of the side walls (see attach figure). Part of the flow splits off and goes through the feedback passage forcing the incoming flow to attach to the other side of the sidewall. The frequency of the oscillation back and forth is proportional to the volume flow through the meter. The sensor records the oscillations and transmits the signal to record the flow. These types of meters can be used for fluids and flow meters. The fluidic-flow sensor measures the flow of gas. It consists of air or another gas directed from an outer nozzle onto two small openings. The flow of the gas being measure will bend the air or gas and therefore changes the relative pressure on the two ports. This activates the signal and allows recording the gas velocity.

Rita Pauliushchyk on her blog decided to focus on the common types of flow sensors such as flow of water and energy consumption of a building or household.  These are sensors we use/activate every day for our usage. This sensors are the one in charge of saying how much we have consume at  home shown in our monthly bills. Sensors although they are measuring fluid, gas, air they are also helping to control the usage. Sensors are today recording and serving data to make building more efficient and sustainable. They are a powerfull device that is making buildings sustainable. It is important to know which sensors to install accordingly to the application and characteristics.

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