Flowmeters Offers New Advantages to Water Flow Measurement

The Mainstream (UK) AV-flowmeters features many new advantages to flow measurement in open channels and part-filled pipes. In its recent product launch one of the most advantageous is power saving.

Mainstream Smart Power Saving (MSPS) each velocity measurement is based on a fixed quantity of information. Traditionally, each velocity measurement required activating the sensor for a fixed period of time. With the Mainstream AV-flowmeters measurement time for high flow velocities or high signal quality is reduced, whereas measurement time for low velocities or low signal quality is increased. This intelligent use of power ensures consistent measurement performance over all flow conditions, and delivers increased battery life.

For example, when using the Mainstream Portable AV-flowmeter power comes from a lowcost, exchangeable internal 12V battery or from an external 12V battery, or an external 15-28V supply. The internal deep discharge battery is rated at 7.5 Ah and gives one year’s operation when operating at 1 measurement per minute. Alternatively, Mainstream’s built-in battery charger can maintain the internal battery from an external supply. Connecting a solar panel gives unlimited measurement endurance.

The Mainstream Portable AV-flowmeter hardware includes power monitoring circuits to track the supply status. Supply voltages can be displayed on the LCD; viewed via the user interface; stored in the data logger and used to control the switch outputs. The status of the power supply is also visible on an external LED.

Mainstream delivers all its original features and benefits including: High sensitivity extends applications to ‘clean’ water, Ultrasound signal quality monitor confirms measurement integrity, Sophisticated ultrasound processing ignores spurious signals, Bi-directional flow measurement for forward and reverse velocities from 10 mm/S up to 5 m/S, Streamlined velocity probe reduces fouling and flow disturbances and Opto-isolated switch outputs to operate samplers, alarms and controls.