"Leaks in pipes or sanitary fittings not only cause water wastage, but also damage to property. Leak sensors are usually installed on the floor and warn when water or moisture is escaping. However, these cannot report if the leakage occurs in places that are not visible, such as damaged water pipes. This is where the ultrasonic sensors from Audiowell come in," explains Eduard Schäfer, head of the sensor department at Unitronic.

Real-time flow rate detection
Audiowell's ultrasonic flow measurement module uses ultrasonic waves to measure liquid flow and digitally outputs the flow rate in real time. It consists of a lead-free measuring tube and a pair of connected ultrasonic sensors that operate in master-slave mode. The circuit integrated in the sensor can calculate the instantaneous flow rate and the accumulated water consumption according to the time-of-flight method and thus monitor the condition of the liquid and the pipe. It contains no moving part in the pipe section and therefore causes less pressure loss and provides higher accuracy than conventional flow meters. The flow data is available for further processing via a serial communication interface.

Leakage detection and irrigation
Due to the wide dynamic range, any dripping can be detected at volumes from 1 to 6 liters per hour, regardless of where the leakage occurs. The flow rates are calculated by the integrated OT circuit, which provides the data in a digital format. This flow data is used in smart home systems, for example, where leak warnings can be sent to residents via a mobile app when they are absent. If an optional electronic valve is present, it is even possible to switch off the water supply as a precaution.

Lawn watering can now be automated with the help of digitalization. Most current systems use a timer to control the sprinkler system. However, the actual water consumption in horticulture can deviate greatly from what the user expects, especially if pipes are blocked or leaking. In such cases, the Audiowell ultrasonic flow sensors are predestined for monitoring and detecting the flow rates. As no moving parts are used in these modules, they continue to perform even after prolonged use, as even the particles in the water cannot damage the sensors. as

Hall 1, Stand 1-559