Fluid Control experts Bürkert revolutionised the flowmeter market with the introduction of their FLOWave flowmeter. This game-changing device harnesses surface acoustic waves (SAWs), similar to those found in earthquakes, to deliver highly accurate flow measurements. Here, Fluid Controls explains how Bürkert’s SAW technology works.
Surface acoustic waves, also known as Rayleigh waves, are a type of sound wave. Discovered by Lord Rayleigh in 1885, surface acoustic waves travel parallel to the surface of an elastic material and are considered the most destructive type of seismic wave produced by earthquakes. Surely it would be madness to harness the power of an earthquake for flow measurement? Well, that’s exactly what Bürkert achieved with the FLOWave!
Surface acoustic waves are like ripples on the surface of a pond or river. As they spread across the surface of a material their amplitude reduces exponentially. With the FLOWave, Bürkert uses inter-digital transducers to create a man-made wave, somewhat akin to a nanoscale earthquake, that propagates across the surface of the measurement tube and decouples into the fluid being measured at a specific angle.
These waves generate electrical signals when they pass through the fluid and any time differences that are detected are proportional to the flow. The Bürkert FLOWave is ideal for the inline flow measurement of fluids with low or no conductivity. This flowmeter is especially useful in hygienic applications because of its highly sanitary measuring tube, which is constructed from stainless steel and has no wetted parts.
The Bürkert FLOWave flowmeter offers an impressive array of features and benefits, including:
Fluid Controls is extremely proud to call ourselves an official Bürkert distributor. We have been supplying a wide array of Bürkert’s precision-engineered fluid control products for many years now. That means we have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of all their market leading devices and instrumentation, including the unique Bürkert FLOWave flowmeter.
Our expert team can provide all the advice, guidance and ongoing technical support you need to get the most out of your Bürkert device. We provide a full installation and technical back-up service across all the products we supply, as well as in-house/on-site product training. At Fluid Controls, we are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of service and go the extra mile to add value to your operations.
For more information about the Bürkert FLOWave, or to discuss your application requirements in more detail, please contact Fluid Controls today on +44 (0)118 970 2060 or email fluid@fluidcontrols.co.uk.