Gear flow meters are suitable for use on virtually any, clean fluid of medium to high viscosity. As the fluid passes through the meter it causes two inter-meching circular gear wheels to rotate. As the gear wheels rotate, a small amount of fluid is trapped between the gears. Because this volume of fluid is known a K-Factor (number of pulses per litre) can be calculated and used to derive flow rate and total. The volume of fluid transported with each gear tooth is very small, so the K-factor for gear flow meters tends to be very high, providing exceptional resolution and accuracy.
Gear flow meters are available in aluminium, carbon steel and stainless steel with either hard metal bearings or ball bearings for lubricating fluids. Flow rates from as low as 0.005 L/min and as high as 1000 L/min can be catered for, as well as pressure up to 690 bar.
Standard configuration is with a square wave pulse output. Options are available for 4-20mA analogue output, dual pickup for direction sensing and ATEX approval for use in hazardous areas.
GFMs have applications in measuring, or the precisely controlled metering of various pastes and liquids, ranging from mineral and synthetic oils and greases to waxes, paints, chemical slurries and detergents.
