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The Evolution of Thermal Mass Flow Meters

From Sierra Instruments, Inc.
 

 
Thermo-Systems, Inc. (TSI) began in its founder's basement in 1959, with a cooled-film anemometer designed for transient measurements in high temperature fluid flows. This led to TSI's hot-film and hot-wire anemometers, the first commercial products of this type. These immersion-type devices were used mainly as research instruments, many related to environmental pollution. Tylan Instruments was another pioneer in thermal flow technology. In the early 1960's, Tylan developed the first capillary-type thermal instrument to regulate gases used for chemical vapor deposition in the semiconductor industry. These mass flow controllers (MFCs) utilize two resistance temperature (RTD) coils around a capillary sensing tube to measure mass flow, and an integral control valve to regulate the flow. Both instrument types use the thermal principle, but most manufacturers have concentrated on development of either the immersion-type or the capillary-type device. Sierra enjoys a unique position in the thermal technology field, because the company has been designing and manufacturing both types of instrument for the last thirty years.
Products & Services
Liquid flow meters are used for measuring the flow or quantity of a moving fluid. Search by Specification | Learn more about Liquid Flow Meters
Gas flow meters are used for measuring the flow or quantity of a moving gas in an enclosed pipe or passage. Search by Specification | Learn more about Gas Flow Meters
Positive displacement flow meters measure the volume or flow rate of a moving fluid or gas by dividing the media into fixed, metered volumes. These devices consist of a chamber that obstructs the media flow and a rotating or reciprocating mechanism that allows the passage of fixed-volume amounts. Search by Specification | Learn more about Positive Displacement Flow Meters
Flow controllers monitor and maintain flow-rate variables, typically in process applications. Search by Specification | Learn more about Flow Controllers
Flow meters (flowmeters) and flow sensors are devices used for measuring the flow rate or quantity of a moving fluid or gas. Search by Specification | Learn more about Flow Meters
Product Announcements
Sierra Instruments, Inc. - New Video Explains How Flowmeters Work
Sierra Instruments announces the release of a new animated video entitled "Precise Gas Flow Measurement: The Sierra Way" explaining the operating principle of capillary thermal technology. (read more)
Sierra Instruments, Inc. - Mass Flow Controller Wins Innovation Awards
Sierra's Max-Trak™ Model 180 has been named the best and most innovative mass flow controller of 2006 by two top industry magazines. (read more)
Sierra Instruments, Inc. - Model 640S Available for High Temp. Applications
Sierra's industry-leading Steel-Trak™ Model 640S Immersible Thermal Mass Flow Meter is now available in a special high-temperature option capable of trouble-free operation in process... (read more)
Sierra Instruments, Inc. - New Online Flow Application Resource
The Sierra Chronicles is a unique online resource that features real-life examples of how mass flow technology improves customer productivity and efficiency, saves money, and increases customer... (read more)
Sierra Instruments, Inc. - Going To The End of The Earth To Prove A Point
With just days left before Stanford researcher David Mucciarone would leave on his annual pilgrimage to Antarctica, the mass flow controller in his carbon analyzer failed. His instrumentation supplier... (read more)
Grainger Industrial Supply - Thermo Anemometer
Anemometer, Thermo, Velocity 0 to 9999 FPM, Velocity 0 to 50 MPS, Air Volume 0 to 999,999 CFM, Relative Humidity Range 0 to 95%, Dew Point Range 14 to 140 F, Temp Range 14 to 140 F, Pressure Range -15... (read more)
Sierra Instruments, Inc. - Compressed Air Energy Savings- Find Wasted Cash
Thermal Flow Meters Find Wasted Cash In this era of rising energy costs and global competitiveness, compressed air waste in facilities can be a major financial drain to the bottom line. Air may be... (read more)
Sierra Instruments, Inc. - New Programmable Control Module (Compod™)
Sierra's new programmable control module, the Compod™ greatly simplifies basic flow control installations and permits networking of multiple instruments using open-source MODBUS RTU protocol . (read more)
Extech Instruments Corp. - INCLUDING NON-CONTACT TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
Before climbing up a ladder to make a measurement or touching test leads to a high voltage breaker panel or making contact with an active motor wouldn't it be safer and faster to be able to simply... (read more)
Sierra Instruments, Inc. - NEMA 6/IP67 Waterproof Industrial Flow Controller
Sierra's Max-Trak Model 180 industrial mass flow controllers are now available in a high flow version. Max-Trak now controls gas mass flow rates from 10 to 1000 slpm with lower flows (to 2 slpm full... (read more)
Topics of Interest
For gas mass flow measurement and control, Sierra offers the broadest selection of thermal mass flow measurement products on the market. This is because our thermal mass flow products incorporate two... (Read More)
Thermal flow measuring technology has come a long way since the introduction of thermocouple technology and early hot wire anemometers. Thermal technologies depend on heat transfer and traditionally... (Read More)
Bioreactor instruments range from the simple to the most complex. In many cases, the more complex instruments may be off-line bench-type instruments. Instruments may be mounted directly on the... (Read More)
There have been numerous applications for the thermal mass flowmeter since they were first introduced commercially. Early development was spurred by the space program, which required a small,... (Read More)
Chromatography instruments used to separate chemical mixtures, carried by liquids or gases, into components as a result of differential distribution of the solutes as they flow around or over a... (Read More)
See more product announcements for Liquid Flow Meters
New G-Series Gear Flow Meters from Max Machinery

New G-Series Gear Flow Meters from Max Machinery
Max Machinery, Inc.


Metering for Custody Transfer Applications

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Ultrasonic Flowmeter for Liquid Applications

Ultrasonic Flowmeter for Liquid Applications
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11 See more product announcements for Liquid Flow Meters