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The need to measure the flow rate in a pipe or tube has many aaplications for individuals and in business. Generally, gases and liquids need to be measured. there are two ways to do this. The volumetric flow rate is a measure of the volume of the medium by time. The mass flow rate is a measure of the mass of the medium by time. Flow meters can be used in many ways. Some of these ways apply to individuals, like the peak flow meter that measures lung capacity and can help asthmatics to know if an attack is likely to occur. However the most varied applications are in the manufacturing industries or water management processes where precise measurements are vital for successful operations. This article will touch on how flow meters work in industry and for individuals. Flow meters are generally classified by the type of flow rate that they measure or by the fundamental principle that governs their operation. Mass flow meters measure the mass flow rate but there are many types of mass flow meters, each having a different method to arrive at this measurement. One example of a principle governing the name of a meter is the Coriolis flow meter. It uses the Coriolis effect to determine the mass of a fluid passing through two vibrating tubes or pipes. The idea being that by understanding the change in the characteristics of the wave patterns in the vibrating tubes, you can correlate the flow rate of the substance passing through. Ultrasonic and Doppler shift flow meters also use the changes caused to sound waves to correlate a rate of flow for the medium passing through the meter. The ultrasonic flow meter transmits two ultrasonic waves in opposite directions of a pipe where a liquid or gas is flowing. The ultrasonic waves are recorded by receivers at opposite ends of the pipe. One wave is sent in the direction of the flow of the liquid to be measured. The other wave is sent in the opposite direction to the flow. The flow rate can be determined by the difference in the timings of each ultrasonic wave provided information on the material of the pipe and some details on the medium being measured are known. Doppler shift meters use a sound wave that bounces off matter in the medium passing through the pipe. Due to the Doppler effect, the frequency of the waves changes when it strikes a moving object. This change in the frequency can be used to determine the flow rate of the medium passing through the pipe. A variable area flow meter is a more standard type of meter. It uses a float that is moved by the force of the substance passing through a calibrated tube. By taking the reading from the calibrated tube an indication of the flow rate can be determined. This is the principle of the peak flow meter used for lung capacity and asthma.
Article Source: http://www.rent-car.infositehome.com
Learn more about the flow meter, specifically on the portable flow meter at www.flowmetermatters.com.
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