OMEGA Engineering, Inc. Air/Water Flow Sensor FLR1000

FLR1000 Series flow sensors can measure extremely low flow rates from 20 mL/min to 500 L/min. These sensors are suitable for a wide variety of industrial, commercial, and laboratory flow applications. FLR1000 Series flow sensors operate on 12 Vdc power and are designed for incorporation into data acquisition systems that supply 12.5 Vdc to sensors and receive 0 to 5 Vdc linear signals in return. Because of their cost effectiveness, FLR1000 Series units may replace conventional glass tube and ball flowmeters in applications in which an electrical signal proportional to flow rate is desired. The FLR1000 Series uses a Pelton-type turbine wheel to determine the flow rate of the gas. The rotation rate of the turbine wheel is linear over a wide dynamic range. The electro-optical system consists of a diode emitting energy in the infrared spectrum. Light energy is alternatively reflected and absorbed from "spokes" deposited on the small turbine wheel. This reflected light energy is detected by a photodiode. Thus, as the turbine wheel rotates in response to gas flow rate, electrical pulses are generated. Processing circuitry provides a DC voltage output proportional to the flow rate. For example, output signal is 1.0 Vdc at 20% of rated flow, 2.5 Vdc at 50% of rated flow, 4.0 Vdc at 80% of rated flow, and 5.0 Vdc at 100% of rated flow. Sensors can handle 20% above their rated flow without being damaged.