TI Home > Applications > Flow Meter

Flow Meter

Flow Meter Solutions from Texas Instruments.

Block Diagram

Click on the colored blocks to view or sample recommended solutions


Analog to Digital Converter (MIF) Analog to Digital Converter (CFM) Analog to Digital Converter (CFM) Current/Voltage Driver Current/Voltage Driver Driver Driver Instrumentation Amplifiers Instrumentation Amplifiers Instrumentation Amplifiers Clock Clock RS-232 / RS-485 RS-232 / RS-485 CAN CAN Low Noise Power Core and I/O Power Processor Processor RF / LPW RF / LPW Ref Ref

Design Considerations

The application requirements of flow measurement in industrial settings varies from low cost to very high precision and fast flow metering found in petrochemical and pharmaceutical plants. The two main methods are Magnetic-Inductive and the Coriolis Flow Meter.

The magnetic-inductive flow meter consists of a non-ferromagnetic tube wrapped with a magnetic coil. Electrodes in the tube’s inner isolated surface are in contact with the liquid (must be conductive) that flows through the tube. The coils around the pipe generate a magnetic field within the tube, inducting a voltage in the liquid proportional to the speed of the liquid. The coriolis flowmeter measures oscillating liquid particles flowing through the tube that are deviated by the low frequency power driver. The mechanical forces are measured/detected by inductive sensor systems. Because voltages are very low, precise low-noise instrumentation amplifiers, such as the INA10x, are needed at the front end. Usually the voltage is digitized with precision ADCs such as the ADS125x.

Differences Between the Two Measurement Techniques:

The magnetic inductive system can only measure the liquid’s speed through the tube. As the diameter of the tube is known, the volume of flow can be calculated. The liquid must have minimal electrical resistance. Non-conductive liquids can’t be measured. The coriolis technique makes it possible to actually measure the amount of mass flowing through the tube.

Microcontrollers with integrated ADCs:

TI’s MSP430 and MSC12xx are integrated microcontroller solutions often allowing near single chip solutions for the definition of critical flow thresholds levels. These are often transmitted back to a central station through the digital interface of RS-485 or CAN for recording and operator review. The ADS125x are precision, wide dynamic range, delta-sigma, Analog-to-Digital (A/D) converters with 18 to 24-bit resolution operating from a single +5V supply and guarantee no missing codes. They are ideal for high-resolution measurement applications like cardiac diagnostics, smart transmitters, industrial process control, weigh scales.

Clocks:

The CDCE9xx clock families are modular PLL-based low cost, high-performance, programmable clock synthesizers, multipliers and dividers. They generate up to 9 output clocks from a single input frequency. Each output can be programmed in-system for any clock frequency up to 230 MHz, using independent configurable PLLs.

Power:

LDOs are good for low noise power for amplifiers and Data converters because they provide low-ripple power rails leading to better signal fidelity. The REF31xx is a family of precision, low power, low dropout, series voltage references. The REF31xx does not require a load capacitor, but is stable with any capacitive load and can sink/source up to 10mA of output current.

Application Notes

Most useful technical documents for Flow Meter Help

     

Selection and Solution Guides

Most useful technical documents for Flow Meter Help

Solution Guides

Tools and Software

Name Part # Company Software/Tool Type
CC1101 Development Kit 868-915MHz CC1101DK868-915 Texas Instruments Development Boards/EVMs

News Releases & Authored Articles

Visit the News Center

Similar End-Equipment Solutions

TI End-Equipment

All TI End-Equipment Solutions

Support and Community

Other Support