Tech Specs | Product Specification

ScioSense UFM-01 Ultrasonic Flow Sensing Module

Contactless Ultrasonic flow sensor for water flow measurement

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Technical Specifications

Product TypeUltrasonic Flow Sensor
Sensing RangeUp to 2000 l/h
Sensing Accuracy5% for 60 to 2000 l/h and 10% for 10 to 60 l/h
Operating CurrentUp to 3mA
Communication InterfaceSingle Wire and UART
Operating Voltage4.5 to 5.5 Vdc
Water Temperature Range1 to 60 Degrees Celsius
ApplicationsSmart taps, Faucets, Water Purifiers, Brewing Machines, Coffee Machines, Smart homes and building

Overview

The ScioSense UFM-01 is a comprehensive sensing unit featuring a 5-pin connector, spool piece, serial communication module, and ultrasonic sensing mechanism. It features a standard BSP ½” thread for instant mounting on water lines. The sensor transmits water flow measurement readings to an external computer or microcontroller via a single-wire and/or UART communication protocol. Unlike traditional Hall-sensor-based flow sensors, the ScioSense UFM-01 doesn’t have any moving parts. It’s a contactless sensor that serves a wide range of applications for flow measurement systems including smart taps, brewing machines, boilers, etc. 

Contactless Ultrasonic Technology for High Accuracy Flow Sensing

The contactless mechanism is a unique element that separates the UFM-01 from conventional flow sensors. There are no moving parts such as rotors or actuators, so there is no risk of water contamination. Moreover, it reduces the potential wear and tear in the sensing mechanism, improving the longevity of the device. 

It operates on the time-of-flight principle, measuring the duration of the travelling ultrasonic pulse to calculate water flow. Due to the very precise time measurement in picoseconds the calculation of the flow is  very accurate in a wide range.. Moreover, easy installation and simplistic hardware design make it a convenient option for low-maintenance systems. 

Built-In Temperature Measurement for Control and Monitoring

In addition to flow sensing, the ScioSense UFM-01 Ultrasonic flow sensor features a built-in temperature measurement to monitor liquid temperature. It seamlessly integrates with control systems for temperature feedback. 

Hence, it makes the sensor module useful for brewing machines and flow monitoring systems that require temperature control.

Reliable Data Acquisition with Serial Communication Protocol 

The UFM-01 Ultrasonic flow sensor is designed to work for longevity. It’s a low-maintenance device offering reliable communication and sensing accuracy of up to 5%. With a simplistic serial connectivity module, it easily transfers sensing data to external microcontrollers and PCs. 

  • The UART protocol offers a baud rate of 2400 bits per second and a capacity of 8 data bits. 

  • The 1-wire protocol works by receiving the reading time sequence and sending out the measurement data. 

Designed with Food-Grade Material to Facilitate Wide-Ranging Applications

UFM-01 is designed with food-grade materials. So, it can directly be used with drinking water and hence finds applications in water purifiers, boilers, and coffee machines. Among the major applications of this sensor, the following stand out:

  • Home Automation with Water Meters: Modern static water meters have no moving parts so the Ultrasonic time-of-flight approach allows smooth and accurate measurement of water flow due to the very precise time measurement in picoseconds. 

  • Smart Taps and Faucets: The flow sensors can improve water consumption by integrating with smart taps and faucets, limiting water flow and detecting potential leakages. It improves the overall system efficiency and helps in water preservation for enhanced resource optimization. 

References

ScioSense [PDF]

ScioSense [PDF]

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