| Abstract: | A measuring principle for the flow rate of liquid follows consists in the determination of the volume change of a liquid in a tank in relation to unit of time. The development and the realization of three measurement systems based on this principle are presented in this paper. The devices can measure liquid flows below 0.2 L/h. One flow meter uses an air bubble in the form of a stopper as tracer. A special design keeps the bubble in the measuring tube; it does not have to be replaced. Another flow meter measures the volume changes by determining the pressure at the bottom of a vertical tube. To achieve a continuous operation, a differential design with two corresponding tubes was realized. The third flow meter measures the mass of a drop at the end of a horizontal silicone tube working as a bending beam. The liquid flows through the tube and is forced to form drops at its end. Owing to their design, each of the three devices has distinctive characteristics. A theory of measurement systems that facilitates synthesis and analysis of measuring devices serves as the basis for the development of the flow meters. |
