Liquid Flow Sensor
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McMillan Company Model U701 UHP Liquid Flo-Sensor
This sensor is manufactured by the McMillan Company.(Company Website). A link to the spec sheet is also provided.(Specs)
Main Function
The main function of this sensor is to measure the flow rate of a liquid. The range of flows capable of being read by the sensor is 15 mL/min to 50 L/min.
Operation
The sensor operates by having the flowing liquid turn a paddlewheel inside the sensor. The sensor is translated into a wave that is sent out to some device to be read. It is powered by a DC voltage source in the range of 12-25 volts.
Output
The output from the sensor is a square wave that can range from 0 to 400 Hz. The frequency of the wave changes in proportion to the speed of the flow.
Specifications
Accuracy: Measure of how close to the actual value the displayed value is. This sensor is listed as +/- 3% of the full range of the sensor.
Calibration Interval: How often the sensor should be calibrated. For this sensor it is once every 12 months.
Certifications: What certifications this sensor has.
Compatible Liquids: What liquids can be used in the sensor. For this sensor it is low viscous ones, translucent or translucent, with a minimum amount of entrained air.
Electrical Connections: How the sensor is hooked up to electronics. This sensor has an integrated FEP-jacketed cable with pigtail leads.
Exterior Surfaces: What the exterior surfaces of the sensor are made of. For this sensor it is PTFE, Polypropylene, Epoxy, Viton, and Polyester.
O-Ring Material: What material the O-rings are made of. This sensor has Perfluoroelastomer O-rings.
Power Requirements: What voltage and current the sensor needs to operate. This sensor needs anywhere from 12 to 25 Volts of DC power and has a range of current of 50 to 75 mAmps.
Pressure Rating: How much pressure the sensor can withstand before failing. This sensor is rated for 80 psig (working) and 100 psig (overpressure).
Pulse Output: What the output of the sensor looks like. This sensor's output is a square wave that has a frequency of 0 to 400 Hz.
Ratings: Measure of how well the sensor can withstand dirt or liquid splashes. This sensor is rated IP53(NEMA 2) which means it can stand up to incidental contact, falling dirt, and light splashes of liquid.
Recommended Filtration: How well the liquid used should be filtered. This sensor requires liquid to be filtered to 20 microns or less.
Reliability: How long the sensor will last. This sensor will last an average of 100,000 hours before failure.
Repeatability: How well you can take a repeat measurement and get the same value. This sensor will get you to within +/- .2% of the full range for your repeat measurement.
Response Time: How long it takes the sensor to adjust itself. This sensor's response time is less than 300 milliseconds for 97% of final value.
Temperature Rating (Environment): What temperature range the sensor can function in. For this sensor it is 0 to 50 degrees C. And it is 0 to 70 degrees C for storage.
Temperature Rating (Liquid): What temperature of liquid can be used in the sensor. For this sensor it is 0 to 55 degrees C.
Warm-Up Time: How long it takes the sensor to start reading after turned on. This sensor has a warm-up time of 0 seconds.
Wetted Materials: What materials are in contact with the liquid. For this sensor it is PTFE and Sapphire.
Sero Drift: How much the zero point that is calibrated will shift over time. This sensor has no zero shift.
Cost
No price was available for this sensor.
Interface with Electronics
The sensor is hooked into a power supply to provide the needed power. It is also hooked up to some device to measure the frequency of the square wave, like an oscilloscope. Both connections are made with the integrated cable attached to the sensor.
Interface with Dynamic System
The sensor is placed directly in line with the liquid flow. The pipe that it is flowing inside is easily attached to one of two openigs on the sensor. Flow through the sensor causes the liquid flow to turn around while powering the paddlewheel.
