Because of the way that they maintain accurate readings over their measuring range, the sensors can also be used for leakage detection, says manufacturer ifm electronic. Typical applications include bottling and packaging machines in the food industry and welding, cutting or soldering processes in which protective gases are used.
An important benefit of the new monitors is that, in addition to flow rate, they measure flow quantity, pressure and temperature. In many applications, this means that they eliminate the need for additional sensors, saving money, minimising complexity and reducing the number of control system I/O channels needed, according to the company.
The sensors feature an IO-Link interface that provides access to all measured values and which can also be used for parameterisation and for simulating the operation of the sensor before putting it into service. A colour display provides convenient local indication of the measured values, and the sensors also provide conventional analogue and switching outputs.
ifm electronic offers its SD flow sensors for gas consumption measurement in two configurations. The first is for use with argon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and air. To ensure maximum accuracy, it is pre-programmed with the characteristics of each of these gases and it can be supplied in versions to measure flow rates from 0.05 to 225 Nm3/h. The second configuration is specially adapted for use with helium and available in versions to measure flow rates from 0.05 to 10 Nm3/h.
All versions are said to have excellent dynamic performance, with a T09 response time of 0.5 s, and all can be used with media over the temperature range -10 to +60 ºC.