Ultrasonic clamp-on flow meters for water use ultrasonic sound waves to measure the flow rate of water in a pipe. The meter has two transducers, one that sends an ultrasonic pulse and the other that receives it. The transducers are mounted on the outside of the pipe and do not come into contact with the water.
The ultrasonic pulse is sent from one transducer and travels through the water in the pipe. As the pulse travels through the water, it is reflected by the water particles and returns to the receiving transducer. The time it takes for the pulse to travel from the sending transducer to the receiving transducer is measured.
The flow rate of the water can be calculated based on the time it takes for the pulse to travel through the water and the distance between the two transducers. The speed of sound in water is known and is used to calculate the distance the sound wave has traveled. By knowing the distance and the time it took to travel that distance, the flow rate can be calculated.
Ultrasonic flow meters are non-intrusive, easy to install and can be used for various pipe materials and diameters, and are suitable for liquids with a minimum of 50 microsiemens/cm conductivity. These meters are suitable for measurement of clean water, wastewater, and other liquids with low solids content.