Analysis and optimization of a thermal sensor system for measuring water flow

•Simple thermal sensor system designed for measuring water flow.•NTC thick film segmented thermistor as a self-heating sensor.•Range constant voltage supply.•Modeling of thermal sensor response, interpolation of curves. A simple thermal sensor system was designed for measuring water flow in the wate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sensors and actuators. A. Physical. 2013-10, Vol.201, p.371-376
Main Authors: Aleksic, O.S., Nikolic, M.V., Lukovic, M.D., Aleksic, S.O., Nikolic, P.M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Dynamical systems
Electric potential
Sensors
Thermistors
Thick film devices
Thick films
Voltage
Water flow
Water temperature
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Summary:•Simple thermal sensor system designed for measuring water flow.•NTC thick film segmented thermistor as a self-heating sensor.•Range constant voltage supply.•Modeling of thermal sensor response, interpolation of curves. A simple thermal sensor system was designed for measuring water flow in the water mains using the heat loss principle with a NTC thick film segmented thermistor as a self-heating sensor. Thick film segmented thermistors were screen printed on alumina substrate. NTC thermistor paste was formed of very fine Cu0.2Ni0.5Zn1.0Mn1.3O4 powder obtained by a combined mechanical activation/thermal treatment process, an organic vehicle and glass frit. The thermal sensor system was analyzed in the static and dynamic regime. A range constant voltage power supply was defined in the range 9–19V for input water temperatures of 30–2°C, maintaining a supply voltage in steps of 2V for a change in 5°C of input water temperature. This enables optimal operating power, i.e. heat generation on the self-heating thermistor. Measured calibration curves for different input water temperatures and input water flow rates were modeled, enabling interpolation of additional calculated curves to cover a wide range of input water temperatures.
ISSN:0924-4247
1873-3069
DOI:10.1016/j.sna.2013.07.035