>> Miniaturized high frequency transducers mate the ultrasound effectively with the gas. Wave guide structures in titanium replace the adaptation layers which are normally used in other transducer-based systems. This new design allows us to make major advances in the measuring technology. The completely metallic construction increases the operating life of the transducers enormously.

Stringent requirements for accuracy have been set for velocity measuring instruments. Therefore, in addition to the transducers, all of the other compo- nents of the system must meet these high performance standards. Here is an example: The basis of the measuring principle is the determination of the travel time difference of the ultrasonic signal with an accuracy of 1.5 nano- seconds. For comparison, the distance that light travels during this time is approx. 1/2 meter, the sonic signal can just about reach a half a micrometer.

The FLOWSIC 600 measures the flow and counts the gas volume without contact to the media and without loss of pressure. It does this with a precision which until now has never been thought possible. The geometric precision of the enclosure is especially important here; it is constructed using a numerically controlled machine, where extremely narrow manufacturing tolerances must be maintained. Modern signal processing electronics and new evaluation algorithms also contribute to the accuracy of the gas counter.

With reference to modern electronics: The instrument has been built using only the newest generation of energy saving components. With a typical power consumption of less than 1 W, the instrument can be run on solar energy – certainly an argument for use in remote regions where electrical supply is not available. For the first time ever, an ultrasonic gas counter can be operated on a completely intrinsically-safe basis due to this low power consumption.

All of this points to the fact that with the SICK-MAIHAK FLOWSIC 600, the market share in the Ultrasonic flow measuring technology will increase dramatically. Even as early as 1981, the company introduced the VMA2 to the market, one of the first completely analog instruments which operated on the principle of travel time difference. Since then, the ultrasonic measuring technology has been steadily improved. Ultrasonic gas counters, in the current state of technology offer today a much higher precision with minimal maintenance requirements and in a simple construction – naturally without the former, typical potentiometer (“adjustment screw”).