mainstream™
AV-FLOW TRANSMITTER
Language options: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese
High performance flow transmitter designed for use as a system component in open channel and part-filled pipe applications.
This product operates with:
- Level Sensor standard 10 metre length (varying lengths available upon application) Code: P7001
- Velocity Sensor standard 10 metre length (varying lengths available upon application) Code: VP002
- Comms Cable (USB or RS232)
- Software
- User Manual
system details
- High sensitivity extends applications to ‘clean’ water
- Sophisticated ultrasound processing ignores spurious signals
- Ultrasound signal quality monitor confirms measurement integrity
- Real-time processing of velocity signals thereby reducing power consumption
- Smart power saving mode – intelligent use of power saving which automatically reduces the measurement time for high flow velocities and high signal qualities and increases the measurement time for low velocities and low signal qualities
- Quick to install – no weirs or flumes
- Powerful, easy to use PC software simplifies transmitter commissioning
- Streamlined velocity probe eliminates fouling and reduces flow disturbances
- Distances up to 500 meters from system unit to velocity sensor
- ATEX Zone 0 velocity sensor, options available (to be used with barriers)
Mainstream uses the area-velocity method to give a continuous or time sample measurement of fluid flow. Mainstream uses a streamlined probe that operates immersed in the flowing liquid. The velocity probe transmits ultrasound into the liquid to create a zone of inspection. Bubbles and solid particles carried through this zone by the flow, even when present in only minute quantities, reflect ultrasound back to the probe.
The received ultrasound signal is processed to produce a histogram of the flow velocities. Analysing this histogram gives the mean flow velocity. Only signals containing verified velocity information are used, thereby ensuring measurement integrity.
Liquid level is measured by a submerged pressure transmitter or ultrasonic sensor. The flow cross-sectional area is deduced from the liquid level measurement and the stored description of the channel or pipe cross section. The flow rate is the flow velocity multiplied by the flow cross-sectional area.
level measurement
| Transducer Type: | Any 4-20mA current loop level sensor |
| Method: | Pulse activation with configurable sensor warm-up time. Loop current measurement by self-calibrating 16-bit delta-sigma A-D converter |
| Current Range: | 0-30mA |
| Resolution: | Better than 1µA |
| Transducer Calibration: | Calibration table (maximum 23 points) with built-in interpolator converts loop current into level measurement. Simple transducer calibration tool included in UI software |
| Interchangability: | Transducers and calibration data directly interchangeable between Mainstream system units |
velocity measurement
| Transducer Type: | Submerged ultrasonic sensor containing signal generator, transmitter, receiver and decoder electronics |
| Method: | Phase Coherence time delay measurement determines the time for tracers carried by the flow to travel a fixed distance (~ 0.75 mm) |
| Velocity Range: | -5 m/s to -10 mm/s and 10 mm/s to 5 m/s |
| Resolution: | Better than 1 mm/s |
| Measurement Integrity: | Ultrasound signal quality monitor gives the percentage of the measurement time that the received ultrasound signal contains useful velocity information |
| Smart Power Saving: | Each velocity measurement is based on the same quantity of information. Automatically reduces the measurement time for high flow velocities and high signal qualities and increases the measurement time for low velocities and low signal qualities |
derived measurements
| Area: | Flow cross-sectional area calculated from the level measurement and the dimensions of the pipe or channel. Calculation can take into account a specified (constant) silt level. Flow cross-section specification tools included in UI software |
| Flow Rate: | Fluid flow rate calculated by multiplying cross-sectional area by flow velocity |
power supplies
| Power Inputs: | Terminals for external 12V and 24V supplies |
| External 12V supply: | 12V input for low power battery operation |
| External 24V supply: | 24V input for industrial power supplies |
| Power Supply Monitor: | Power monitoring circuits track supply status. Supply voltages can be viewed via the UI |
communications
| Local: | RS232 and USB compatible interface with automatic baud rate detection. Supports 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 14400, 19200, 38400, 57600 and 115200 baud |
| Remote: | Optional external SDI or MODBUS device |
| Software: | Mainstream Communicator UI software for system configuration, diagnostics, real- time measurement display and data retrieval. Mainstream Communicator runs on PC platforms under Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 with data transmission from device to PC, for data control, processing and export |
measurands units and formats
| Power Supply Voltage: | V |
| Signal Quality: | % |
| Linear (pipe & channel dimensions): | Selectable from mm, cm, m, in, ft |
| Level: | Selectable from mm, cm, m, in, ft |
| Area: | Selectable from m2, cm2, mm2, in2, ft2 |
| Velocity: | Selectable from mm/s, cm/s, m/s, in/s, ft/s, ft/min |
| Flow Rate: | Selectable from l/s, m3/s, ft3/s, igals/s, USG/s, 1/min, M3/min, ft3/min |
| Display Format: | Independently configurable display format for each measurement. Options are integer, fixed point with 1 to 6 decimal places, and scientific (E-format). Display defaults to scientific format if data cannot be correctly represented in selected format |
4-20mA output
| Hardware: | One opto-isolated passive 4-20mA output configurable to transmit any selected measurand. Isolated 12V supply derived from 24V power input for active 4-20mA output operation. |
ptx level sensor
| Materials: | Titanium, acetal and polyurethane |
| Dimensions: | 185 mm long x 17.5 mm diameter |
| Cable: | 8 mm diameter vented polyurethane cable with Kevlar strain cord |
| Weight: | 1 kg including standard 10 m cable length |
| Level Range: | 0 to 2 m working. Maximum 8 m overrange |
| Resolution: | Better than 1 mm |
| Combined Accuracy: | Combined effects of non-linearity, hysterisis and repeatability better than 0.25% best straight line. Non- linearity and offsets removed by transducer calibration |
| Environmental Protection: | Fully encapsulated to IP68 |
| Operating Temperature: | -20°C to 60°C (temperature compensated 2°C to 30°C) |
velocity sensor
| Materials: | Streamlined µPVC moulding and polyurethane cable |
| Dimensions: | 105 mm long x 50 mm wide x 20 mm high |
| Cable: | 8 mm diameter polyurethane cable with Aramid strain cord. Breaking load 45 kg. Minimum static bend radius 52 mm |
| Weight: | 1 kg including standard 10 m cable length |
| Maximum Cable Length: | 500 m |
| Environmental Protection: | Totally encapsulated to IP68 |
| Operating Temperature: | -10°C to 80°C |
| Minimum Operating Depth: | 30 mm |
system unit
| Materials: | Ultra pure cast aluminium |
| Dimensions: | 220 mm wide x 120 mm deep x 80 mm high |
| Weight: | 1.65 kg |
| Environmental Protection: | Enclosure is IP67. Electronic assembly is encapsulated to IP68 |
| Operating Temperature: | -10°C to 70°C |
product support
To order additional products please call: +44 (0) 01535 654333 or email: support@mainstream-measurements.com