Electronic Flowmeter System

Abstract

A flowmeter system is described which gives continuous readings of flow velocity, with a fast rate of response. The ``upstream-downstream'' method is used in which velocity of a fluid is determined by measuring the phase difference between an upstream and downstream ultrasonic wave of, say, 100 000 cycles. The functions of the transmitting and receiving transducers are interchanged at a fast rate, say 100 cycles per second, allowing the use of a synchronous rectifier. In this way, no long time stability of the phasemeter is required so that very small flow rates can be measured. Velocities as low as 0.1 cm/sec were successfully measured. A special commutator switch with very low transfer capacitance and, as an alternative, an electronic switch are described. The transducers used are barium titanate crystals mounted in a manner so that their contact with the fluid is avoided.