VorTek U44 Series User manual

Series U44 Instruction Manual
M-000-00090 1
VorTek Series U44
Ultrasonic Flow Meter
Instruction Manual
M-000-00090
Rev 8/2021
8475 W I-25 Frontage Rd
Suite 300
Longmont, CO 80504
[phone] [phone] Fax [phone]
http://www.vortekinst.com

Series U44 Instruction Manual
M-000-00090 2
Notice
Thank you for choosing our Ultrasonic Flow Meter.
Please read the instruction manual carefully before you use the flow meter to avoid damaging the flow meter or
improper use.
Warning
May cause injury.
Attention
May damage the flow meter.
Some of the instructions may be different for the flow meter you purchased, depending on the configuration
requirements. Otherwise, there is no indication about the product design and upgrade requirements in the
instructions. Please refer to the version number as well as the Appendices.

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Product Components
Be sure to inspect all product components before installing the flow meter. Check to see if the spare parts are in
accordance with the packing list. Make sure that there is no damage to the enclosure due to a loose screw or wire or
other damage that may have occurred during transportation. If you have any questions, please contact your
representative immediately.
Accessories
1. Carrying Case
2. Handheld Transmitter
3. Transducers (Pair)
4. Transducer Mounting Bracket
5. Transducer Mounting Bracket Pipe Straps (Pair)
6. Acoustic Coupling Grease
7. Battery Charger
8. Output Cable
9. Measuring Tape

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Table of Contents
1. Product Overview.......................................................................................................................................7
1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................7
1.2 Features of the Ultrasonic Flow Meter...............................................................................................7
1.3 Theory of Operation ...........................................................................................................................7
1.4 Applications........................................................................................................................................8
1.5 U44 Specifications..............................................................................................................................8
2. Installation................................................................................................................................................10
2.1 Wire Connections.............................................................................................................................10
2.1.1 U44 Connections ......................................................................................................................10
2.1.2 Breakout Box Connections.......................................................................................................10
2.2 Powering On.....................................................................................................................................11
2.3 Clamp-On Transducer Installation ...................................................................................................11
2.3.1 Measurement Site Selection .....................................................................................................11
2.3.2 Transducer Spacing ..................................................................................................................12
2.3.3 Transducer Mounting Method..................................................................................................12
2.3.4 V Method..................................................................................................................................13
2.3.5 W Method.................................................................................................................................14
2.3.6 Z Method ..................................................................................................................................15
2.4 Insertion Transducer Installation......................................................................................................15
2.4.1 Measurement Site Selection .....................................................................................................16
2.4.2 Transducer Mounting Instructions............................................................................................17
2.4.3 V Method..................................................................................................................................18
2.4.4 Z Method ..................................................................................................................................18
2.5 Transducer Mounting Inspection......................................................................................................18
2.5.1 Signal Strength .........................................................................................................................18
2.5.2 Signal Quality (Q Value)..........................................................................................................19
2.5.3 Total Time and Delta Time.......................................................................................................19
2.5.4 Transit Time Ratio....................................................................................................................19
2.5.5 Warnings...................................................................................................................................19
3. Display & Menus......................................................................................................................................21
3.1 Display & Keypad............................................................................................................................21
3.1.1 Keypad Functions.....................................................................................................................21
3.1.2 Keypad Operation.....................................................................................................................21

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3.2 Using the Setup Menus.....................................................................................................................22
3.2.1 Programming the Flow Meter...................................................................................................23
3.2.2 Output Menu.............................................................................................................................23
3.2.3 Display Menu ...........................................................................................................................24
3.2.4 Totalizer #1 Menu ....................................................................................................................24
3.2.5 Totalizer #2 Menu ....................................................................................................................25
3.2.6 Energy Menu ............................................................................................................................25
3.2.7 Fluid Menu ...............................................................................................................................26
3.2.8 Units Menu...............................................................................................................................26
3.2.9 Time & Date Menu...................................................................................................................27
3.2.10 Diagnostics Menu.....................................................................................................................27
3.2.11 Calibration Menu......................................................................................................................28
3.2.12 Password Menu.........................................................................................................................28
3.2.13 Engineer Menu .........................................................................................................................29
3.2.14 Engineer Menu 2 ......................................................................................................................30
4. Operation Instructions ..............................................................................................................................31
4.1 System Normal Identification...........................................................................................................31
4.2 Low Velocity Cutoff Value..............................................................................................................31
4.3 Zero Point Settings ...........................................................................................................................31
4.4 Scale Factor ......................................................................................................................................31
4.5 System Lock.....................................................................................................................................32
4.6 Active 4 - 20 mA Current Loop Output............................................................................................32
4.7 Frequency Output.............................................................................................................................32
4.8 Totalizer Pulse Output......................................................................................................................33
4.9 Active 4 - 20 mA Analog Output Calibration ..................................................................................33
4.10 SD Card Operation ...........................................................................................................................34
4.10.1 Specifications............................................................................................................................34
4.10.2 Install or Remove the SD Card While the Meter is Powered On .............................................34
4.11 Serial Number...................................................................................................................................34
5. Troubleshooting........................................................................................................................................35
6. Appendix 1 –Serial Interface Network Use and Communications Protocol ...........................................38
6.1 Overview ..........................................................................................................................................38
6.2 Connection via RS-485 to the Host Device......................................................................................38
6.3 Modbus Communications Protocol and Use ....................................................................................38

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6.3.1 HL Protocol ..............................................................................................................................38
6.3.2 Modbus Protocol.......................................................................................................................40
7. Appendix 2 –Flow Application Data.......................................................................................................45
7.1 Sound Velocity and Viscosity for Fluids Commonly Used..............................................................45
7.2 Sound Velocity for Various Materials Commonly Used..................................................................45
7.3 Sound Velocity in Water (1 atm) at Different Temperatures ...........................................................46

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1. Product Overview
1.1 Introduction
This product is a portable, clamp-on type ultrasonic flow meter using transfer time technology. The clamp-on
type ultrasonic flow meter is easy to attach and has no need to cut off the pipe, which saves you a lot of
trouble and cost. At the same time, this flow meter has our unique calculation software to ensure high
accuracy and low velocity response.
This ultrasonic flow meter is applicable to the oil industry, water treatment, pure water, chemical, etc.
The ultrasonic flow meter could add an RTD model and temperature sensor to become an energy meter for
the monitoring of energy use.
1.2 Features of the Ultrasonic Flow Meter
When comparing this flow meter with other traditional flow meters or ultrasonic flow meters, it has
distinctive features including high precision, high reliability, high capability, and low cost. The flow meter
features other advantages:
1. With ARM chip, low power consumption, high reliability, anti-jamming, and outstanding benefits.
2. User-friendly menu design. Parameters of pipe range, pipe material, pipe wall thickness, output signals,
etc. can be conveniently entered via the menus. US and Metric measurement units are available.
3. Daily, monthly, and yearly totalized flow: totalized flow for the last 64 days and months as well as for the
last 6 years may be viewed. With the SD Card, 512 files can be stored; the time interval can be within 1
second.
4. Parallel operation of positive, negative, and net flow totalizer with scale factor and 7-digit display. An internally
configured batch controller makes batch control convenient.
The flow meter ensures a higher resolution and wider measuring range by the 0.04 ns high resolution, high
linearity, and high stability time measuring circuit and 32 bits digits processing program.
1.3 Theory of Operation
When the ultrasonic signal is transmitted through the flowing liquid, there will be a difference between the
upstream and downstream transit time (travel time or time of flight), which is proportional to flow velocity,
according to the formula below:
Remarks:
VMedium velocity
MUltrasonic frequency of reflection
DPipe diameter
θAngle between the ultrasonic signal and the flow
Tup Transit time in the forward direction
Tdown Transit time in the reverse direction
ΔT = Tup – Tdown
downup TT TMD
V•

=
 2sin
Downstream Transducer
Upstream Transducer
Flow D
T down
T up

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1.4 Applications
⚫Water, sewage (with low particle content), and seawater;
⚫Water supply and drainage water;
⚫Power plants (nuclear power plant, thermal, and hydropower plants), heat energy, boiler feed water, and energy
management system;
⚫Metallurgy and mining applications (cooling water and acid recovery, for example);
⚫Petroleum and chemicals;
⚫Food, beverage, and pharmaceutical;
⚫Marine operation and maintenance;
⚫Energy economy supervision and water conservation management;
⚫Pulp and paper;
⚫Pipeline leak detection;
⚫Regular inspection, tracking, and collection;
⚫Energy measuring and balance;
⚫Network monitoring systems and energy / flow computer management.
1.5 U44 Specifications
Performance Specifications
Flow Range
± 40 ft/s (± 12 m/s).
Accuracy
± 1% of reading
Repeatability
0.2% of reading
Pipe Size
1″ ~ 48” (25 mm ~ 1200 mm).
Function Specifications
Output
Analog output: 4 ~ 20 mA, (max load 750 Ω);
Pulse output: 0 ~ 9999 Hz, Open Collector Transistor (OCT) (min. and max.
frequency is adjustable);
Communication
Interface
RS-485 Modbus
SD Card (standard)
Max record: 512 days.
Record time interval: 1 ~ 3600 s.
Power Supply
Rechargeable Lithium Battery Power, 3000mAh
(16 hour batter life under continuous operation)
Keypad
16 light tactile keys.
Display
240*128 lattice, backlit LCD.

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Transmitter Temperature
Transmitter: -40 °F ~ 140 °F (- 40 ℃~ 60 ℃).
Humidity
Up to 99% RH, non-condensing.
Physical Specifications
Transmitter
NEMA13, IP54
Transducer
Encapsulated design, IP68
Standard / Maximum cable length: 16ft (5m)

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2. Installation
2.1 Wire Connections
2.1.1 U44 Connections
2.1.2 Breakout Box Connections
Refer to the below diagram for specific connection:
Sign
Description
I +
4 - 20 mA
I -
A
RS-485 Output
B
IN2+
Temperature Sensor Outline +
IN2-
Temperature Sensor Outline -
GND
Temperature Sensor Outline Grounding