Developing a Flow Meter with Microcontroller & IR Sensors

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the development of a flow meter utilizing a microcontroller and infrared sensors, focusing on the mechanical fluid dynamics involved in the design. Participants explore challenges related to fluid mechanics, particularly concerning turbulence and the precision of measurements in the context of the flow meter's operation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Lucian describes the project involving a flow meter that uses infrared sensors and a microcontroller, expressing difficulties with the fluid mechanics aspects, particularly regarding turbulent flow.
  • Some participants suggest that the squared-off ends of the segments in the flow meter design may induce turbulence, potentially affecting measurement accuracy.
  • Lucian acknowledges the suggestion to modify the channel design to reduce turbulence and expresses a desire for further advice on fluid mechanics.
  • Lucian shares data plots from the flow meter's readings, indicating uncertainty about the validity of his assumptions regarding the measurements.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the potential impact of turbulence on measurement precision, but there is no consensus on the best approach to mitigate these effects or on the validity of Lucian's assumptions regarding the fluid dynamics involved.

Contextual Notes

Lucian's understanding of fluid mechanics is limited, and the discussion includes references to concepts like Reynolds number and turbulent flow without fully resolving their implications for the flow meter design.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in fluid dynamics, microcontroller applications in engineering, and the design of measurement devices may find this discussion relevant.

Lucian Silva
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Hi evryone.
My name is Lucian, I'm a Computer Engineer.
I'm working in a project of a company to develop a flow meter using a microcontroller and Infrared sensors.
I'm stuck in the mechanic fluid part.
We're trying to develop this product basing in the mechanic model of the attached picture.
The liquid will enter in the top and pairs of IR leds and Phototransistors and the A/D converter of the microcontroller will read the voltage oscillation caused by the difference of the density of the liquid.
The liquid will pass with pulsating vacuum.
The goal of the 3 channels is to segment the liquid and increase the precision of the read.
I'm having sobre problems with the voltage read and I'm starting to think that this problems are related with fluid mechanics like turbulent flow.
We're developing this mechanics prototypes using a 3-D Printer.
My goal is to develop a mechanic prototype that will segment the liquid with no turbulent flow (or less tuebulent possible).

I don't know much about fluid mechanic, but I studied a little bit about Reynold Number and turbulent flow.

If someone could help I would be grateful.

Thanks and sorry for the bad english.
 

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Lucian Silva said:
The goal of the 3 channels is to segment the liquid and increase the precision of the read.
The squared off ends of the two segments bounding the center stream are going to cause turbulence (be they upstream or downstream).
 
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Hi Bystander, thanks for the answer.
That's a great hint. Thanks. I'll tell to the Solidwork guy of the company to put a softly format in the end of the channel for testing.
If you have more advices I'll be very grateful.
As I said before, I have little or nothing experience with fluid mechanics.

Thanks.
 
Keep us posted. Flow meters are always interesting.
 
I'm posting a picture with the plot of the values of the middle channel and the right channel.

test.png


I don't know if my assumptions are right, but I think that something like that.
 

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