A recently patented transducer introduces new options for controlling and monitoring mobile equipment by measuring flow pressure, and temperature. Traditional flow transducers lack the robustness, accuracy, or responsiveness to be effectively used in actual hydraulic circuits outside the laboratory environment. Pressure transducers are used, but present packaging and cost obstacles to machine designers. Temperature sensors are also available in various subsystems in mobile equipment.
Accurate monitoring or control of a fluid system depends upon dynamic measurement of the flow and pressure in a system, but at the same time it is important that the monitoring apparatus is capable of measuring small variations in relatively large flow rates.
A new device has been developed in a cartridge format which solves previous limitations. The cartridge mounts easily into a manifold block, and can be produced economically. Output signals are analogue voltages suitable for digital display or processing by a control unit. Robust design as well as efficient low power operation round out the packaging criteria.
The cartridge is capable of measuring flow, pressure and temperature in a single unit with response fast enough to be used for feedback in circuit applications as well as for diagnostic information. This transducer is an example of how available technologies and well understood principles can be applied and packaged into a format easily adaptable to the next generation of electrohydraulic control systems and to bring the long promised benefits of electrohydraulics to users.