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Flow sensor
 
 
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A flow sensor is a device for sensing the rate of fluid flow. Typically a flow sensor
Sensor

A sensor is a device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer or by an instrument. For example, a mercury thermometer converts the measured temperature into expansion and contraction of a liquid which can be read on a calibrated glass tube....
 is the sensing element used in a flow meter, or flow logger, to record the flow of fluid
Fluid

A fluid is defined as a substance that continually deforms under an applied shear stress. All liquids and all gases are fluids. Fluids are a subset of the Phase and include liquids, gas, Plasma physics and, to some extent, plasticity ....
s. As is true for all sensors, absolute accuracy of a measurement requires a functionality for calibration
Calibration

Calibration is the validation of specific measurement techniques and equipment. At the simplest level, calibration is a comparison between measurements-one of known magnitude or correctness made or set with one device and another measurement made in as similar a way as possible with a second device....
.

There are various kinds of flow sensors and flow meters, including some that have a vane that is pushed by the fluid, and can drive a rotary potentiometer, or similar device.

Other flow sensors are based on sensors which measure the transfer of heat caused by the moving medium.






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A flow sensor is a device for sensing the rate of fluid flow. Typically a flow sensor
Sensor

A sensor is a device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer or by an instrument. For example, a mercury thermometer converts the measured temperature into expansion and contraction of a liquid which can be read on a calibrated glass tube....
 is the sensing element used in a flow meter, or flow logger, to record the flow of fluid
Fluid

A fluid is defined as a substance that continually deforms under an applied shear stress. All liquids and all gases are fluids. Fluids are a subset of the Phase and include liquids, gas, Plasma physics and, to some extent, plasticity ....
s. As is true for all sensors, absolute accuracy of a measurement requires a functionality for calibration
Calibration

Calibration is the validation of specific measurement techniques and equipment. At the simplest level, calibration is a comparison between measurements-one of known magnitude or correctness made or set with one device and another measurement made in as similar a way as possible with a second device....
.

There are various kinds of flow sensors and flow meters, including some that have a vane that is pushed by the fluid, and can drive a rotary potentiometer, or similar device.

Other flow sensors are based on sensors which measure the transfer of heat caused by the moving medium. This principle is common for microsensors to measure flow.

Flow meters are related to devices called velocimeters
Velocimetry

Velocimetry is the measurement of the velocity of fluids, as often used to solve fluid dynamics problems, or to study fluid networks, as well as in industrial and process control applications, or in the creation of new kinds of fluid flow sensors....
 that measure velocity
Velocity

In physics, velocity is defined as the Derivative of Position vector. It is a vector physical quantity; both speed and direction are required to define it....
 of fluids flowing through them. Laser-based interferometry
Interferometry

Interferometry is the technique of diagnosing the properties of two or more waves by studying the pattern of interference created by their Superposition principle....
 is often used for air
AIR

Air is the part of Earth's atmosphere that humans breath and as such Air .Air may also refer to:...
 flow measurement, but for liquids, it is often easier to measure the flow. Another approach is Doppler
Doppler

Doppler can refer to:...
-based methods for flow measurement. Hall effect sensor
Hall effect sensor

A Hall effect sensor is a transducer that varies its output voltage in response to changes in magnetic field. Hall sensors are used for proximity switching, positioning, speed detection, and current sensing applications....
s may also be used, on a flapper valve, or vane, to sense the position of the vane, as displaced by fluid flow.

See also

  • Flow measurement
    Flow measurement

    Flow measurement is the quantification of bulk fluid movement. It can be measured in a variety of ways....
  • Mass flow sensor
    Mass flow sensor

    A mass flow sensor responds to the amount of a fluid flowing through a chamber containing the sensor. It is intended to be insensitive to the density of the fluid....


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