How AxleSense Technology is Setting a New Standard in Flow Measurement

Traditional impeller flow meters have four blades, each with a magnet, spaced 90 degrees apart, resulting in a signal every 90 degrees. This arrangement leads to insensitive signaling. Additionally, when the impeller is between two blades, the absence of magnetic induction means the machine cannot differentiate between no detection or the impeller being missing.

One characteristic of impeller flow meters is their ability to monitor flow speed in both directions. However, to determine the flow direction, one must install a flow viewer or use another method. This inconvenience may increase management costs for site managers.

When an impeller flow meter detects zero flow, it could be due to very low actual flow or no flow, or it could result from pump, pipeline, equipment faults, or impeller blade detachment and damage due to crystallization or wear. Traditional impeller flow meters cannot indicate whether a zero flow reading is caused by the former or the latter, presenting a significant instability factor in site management.

To reduce costs, some impeller flow meters use less expensive rare-earth magnets, resulting in one to two signals per rotation, further reducing signal sensitivity. Additionally, uneven weight distribution can cause uneven rotation speeds, affecting flow accuracy and lifespan.

LORRIC values customer feedback and maintains a rigorous standard for our products. To improve user experience, LORRIC's R&D team has developed an innovative patent design that addresses the shortcomings of traditional impeller flow meters, allowing for more accurate flow speed and volume measurement.

Traditional impeller flow meters, with sensing magnets on the blades, exhibit significant errors or even fail to detect at low fluid velocities in the pipe. As shown in the left graph, at speeds below 0.3 m/s, detection becomes difficult, with errors reaching 36.33% of the reading. Below 0.3 m/s, errors dramatically increase to over 50%, making the data several times different from actual figures and unusable.

Conversely, LORRIC's impeller flow meters, using the patented "AxleSense" technology to detect flow through rotational direction, can transmit a signal within a 3-degree rotation, offering denser signals and higher resolution. Even at slow flow speeds, continuous signals can be detected, broadening the flow measurement range, with a full-scale error of 0.5%. At a low flow speed of 0.3 m/s, the technology sensitively detects blade rotation, controlling full-scale error to 9%, and can stably measure down to 0.15 m/s. LORRIC's impeller flow meters provide continuous low-error flow monitoring, offering a wider range of applications for users.

When a flow meter fails to detect flow, it could be due to pump, pipeline, equipment issues, or impeller flow meters' blades falling off or being damaged by crystallization or wear. LORRIC's patented "AxleSense" technology, with magnets designed on the axis for even weight distribution, allows the sensor's algorithm to detect the status of the blades, actively and immediately identifying blade anomalies. This provides clear information on blade anomalies to site managers, preventing flow meters from passively displaying zero flow. For users implementing Industry 4.0, integrating detailed anomaly information from LORRIC's impeller flow meters with factory management systems can help onsite personnel quickly resolve flow anomalies.

*The impeller anomaly warning function is intended only to assist onsite personnel in accelerating the diagnosis of equipment malfunctions. Due to unpredictable environmental factors and magnetic interference from nearby equipment, this function may fail. Do not rely on this function as the sole source of critical or safety-related signals. For troubleshooting, please contact LORRIC for further assistance.