This section provides an overview for flow switches as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 10 flow switch manufacturers and their company rankings.
Table of Contents
A flow switch is a device that detects the instantaneous flow rate of a fluid, such as a liquid or gas. There are various types of flow switch with different measurement methods, such as the impeller type that calculates flow rate from the number of revolutions of the history of motion, the volume/mass type suitable for measuring viscous liquids, and the electromagnetic type that can detect even minute amounts of fluid. This section describes vortex flowmeters.
Vortex flowmeters can be used to measure a wide range of fluids, including liquids, gases, and the above, and have a relatively small pressure drop. Since it can detect a wide variety of fluids with high accuracy, it is expected to become even more popular in the future.
Flow switches are sensors that measure the flow rate of liquids and gases. High-precision flow switches are used to monitor minute changes in fluid levels in vehicles, plants, and other applications.
They can also be used to measure the fluid properties of oils, fuels, biofuels, cooling fluids, and other liquids used in engines, compressors, and transmissions. They are also used in the medical field for breathing apparatus and as a consumer product for air conditioning management.
The Kalman vortex flow switches are flow switches that utilize the oscillation phenomenon of fluid. When a rod-shaped object is placed in the flow, it becomes a vortex generator and alternating vortices are generated downstream of it. This vortex is stable under certain conditions, and its frequency is proportional to the flow velocity, giving rise to the equation f=k*v. where f is the frequency of the vortex, v is the flow velocity, and k is a proportionality constant determined by the size and shape of the vortex generator. This means that the flow rate can be measured by measuring this frequency.
There is also a thermal flow switches called the thermistor method. When a heated thermistor is placed in the flow path and fluid flows through it, the fluid absorbs heat from the thermistor. The thermistor's resistance value increases as it loses heat, and the rate of increase is uniquely related to the flow velocity of the fluid, which is used to measure the flow velocity.
Another thermal flow measurement method is the MEMS method, which is mainly for gases. This method utilizes the property that the difference in resistance between the upstream temperature sensor (Ru) and the downstream temperature sensor (Rd) is proportional to the flow velocity of the flowing fluid, and calculates the resistance value to measure the flow direction and flow velocity.
Simply put, the difference between flow switches and a flowmeter is the difference between an on/off device and a measurement device. In other words, flow switches operate by detecting the flow of liquid, so its operation is either ON or OFF, or in other words, L (low) or H (high) in terms of voltage. In other words, flow switches are switch that operates by detecting the flow of liquid, so its operation is ON or OFF, or L (low) or H (high) in terms of voltage, or 0 or 1 in terms of microcomputer processing information, and is completely digital in operation.
In contrast, a flowmeter is a device that measures the flow velocity or flow rate of a liquid itself, so it operates in an analog manner, and the displayed measurement result is a continuous state that indicates the number of liters per minute, and the measurement result is displayed as a numerical value.
However, although there is a difference between "on/off" only and continuous "numerical display," the detection method itself actually has many common parts. For example, in the case of flow switches, when the level of a liquid such as water in the detector rises, a part floating in the liquid called a float rises with the water level and switches off when it reaches a threshold value, which is a relatively simple mechanism.
On the other hand, flowmeters are available in a wide variety of types, including ultrasonic, electromagnetic, impeller, thermal, and differential pressure types, although there is also a float type similar to a float switch.
This section describes the relationship between flow switches and pumps. As the name suggests, flow switches detect the flow of liquid and turn it on or off. Since these devices are looking at the flow of liquid, they are inevitably combined with a pump that produces the flow of liquid. The flow of liquid is created when the pump starts moving, and stops when the pump stops. These flow switches are used to detect the flow of liquid by the pump by turning it ON or OFF.
Therefore, in most cases, the system is controlled by watching the state of the liquid flow, so it is natural that a combination of a pump that produces liquid flow and flow switches that detect the liquid flow occurs.
Flow switches are also designed for use in systems where pumps are used, so it can be said they are a good match.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Xylem Inc. was incorporated in 2011 and is headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia. Xylem engages in the design, manufacture, and servicing of engineered products and solutions for the water and wastewater applications across global markets. Xylem operates through three segments: water infrastructure, applied water, and measurement & control solutions. Xylem’s water infrastructure segment offers numerous products such as water pumps, filtration, disinfection, and biological treatment equipment. Xylem’s applied water segment distributes pumps, valves, heat exchangers, controls, and dispensing equipment systems. Xylem’s measurement & control Solutions segment offers devices such as smart meters, networked communication devices, data analytics, test equipment, controls, sensor devices, and software and managed services.
Ranking as of March 2023 in United States of America
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | REFRIGERATION SUPPLIES DISTRIBUTOR | 100% |
Ranking as of March 2023 Globally
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Industrial Parts R Us Inc. | 12.5% |
2 | Process Instrument Solutions Ltd. | 12.5% |
3 | ALSCO Industrial Products, Inc. | 12.5% |
4 | REFRIGERATION SUPPLIES DISTRIBUTOR | 12.5% |
5 | Custom Control Sensors, LLC | 12.5% |
6 | RCM Industries, Inc. | 12.5% |
7 | Taco Comfort Solutions | 12.5% |
8 | Xylem Inc. | 12.5% |
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the flow switch page as of March 2023. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
13 products are listed.
The Currant Series is an in-line liquid and gas detection switch for pipe sizes from 3/8" to 1". A reed switch is used for high accuracy, and detection is possible from 0.5 L/min. as standar
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