Calibration and Field Deployment of Low-Cost Fluid Flow-Rate Sensors Using a Wireless Network

Harnett, C. K.; Schueler, Martin; Blumenthal, N R; Hopf, Katharina; Fox, James F.; Pulugurtha, S

doi:10.1109/tim.2010.2051625

Cited by 9 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Prediction of the deflected shape follows the fundamental work by Alben et al (2002Alben et al ( , 2004. Harnett et al (2011) applied the fundamental work to bend sensors and provided the relationships between the deflected shape and electrical resistance. The approach introduced here builds off the earlier work and provides a calibration method for the VBS.…”

Section: Results Of Time-averaged Velocitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1(a) and consists of a voltage divider. A fixed (10 kΩ) resistor is placed in series with a variable resister (e.g., Flexpoint brand bend sensor) and is powered by a 5 V power source (Harnett et al 2011). The bend sensor has a base resistance of approximately 4 kΩ and increases up to 30 kΩ when deflected.…”

Section: Velocity Bend Sensorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The VBS battery life is a function of power demand per location and the frequency at which data are collected, but for reference a VBS that samples once every 2 min can operate for at least a week in the field. The wireless communication capabilities provided by the wireless node enables multiple VBSs to send data to a localized data storage unit, which makes data retrieval from a stream network time-efficient (Harnett et al 2011). The wireless signal can also be relayed to a long-range communication device so that researchers can view data without ever physically going to the field.…”

Section: Velocity Bend Sensorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The newly developed velocity sensors are called velocity bend sensors (VBS) (Harnett et al 2011). This paper provides a detailed study of VBSs and their ability to measure time-averaged velocity and turbulence characteristics of open channel flow with a rough bed typical of stream conditions where the VBS can be implemented.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Time-Average Velocity and Turbulence Measurement Using Wireless Bend Sensors in an Open Channel with a Rough Bed

2013

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This paper is motivated by the need to develop low cost, wireless velocity sensors for hydraulic research and application in streams. A velocity bend sensor (VBS) is a flexible plastic polyimide substrate sheet with an electronic resistor connected to a voltage divider. Drag of a moving fluid bends the sensor, changes the electronic resistance, and produces a voltage drop that can be related to the time-averaged freestream velocity of the fluid. VBSs were tested in a recirculating hydraulic flume with a gravel bed. The VBSs show transition from rigid to elastic bending with increasing freestream velocity, which can be described using dimensionless fluid and beambending properties. The relationship between stream velocity and voltage drop across the circuit is nonlinear. A semitheoretical approach to estimate time-averaged streamwise velocity from the voltage drop based on fluid drag, elastic member bending, and circuit principles is applied and shows good agreement with experimentally derived calibration curves. The triple decomposition theorem and spectral analysis are performed on VBS and acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV) time series. Results show that the VBS captures low-frequency characteristics of macroturblence present within the turbulent open channel flow but is unable to measure smaller-scale characteristics of eddy shedding for these hydraulic conditions. Turbulent intensity calculated using VBS data is 12% of that from the ADV attributed to the lack of detection of shedding-sized eddies. But, the linear fit between turbulent intensity from the VBS and ADV suggests that the VBS can be used as a proxy for more detailed turbulent measurements when applied in streams.

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Section: Results Of Time-averaged Velocitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Velocity Bend Sensorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Velocity Bend Sensorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Time-Average Velocity and Turbulence Measurement Using Wireless Bend Sensors in an Open Channel with a Rough Bed

2013

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“…The low cost of LASS allow deployment in large numbers and reduce the cost associated with lost or damaged sensors. The wireless communication capabilities provided by the wireless node enables multiple LASS to send data to a localized data storage unit which makes data retrieval from a stream network more time efficient (Glasgow et al 2004;Harnett et al 2011). The wireless signal can also be relayed to a long-range communication device for remote data viewing and health monitoring of the network.…”

Section: Description Of Lassmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating Suspended Sediment Concentration in Streams by Diffuse Light Attenuation

2014

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A light attenuation sensor system (LASS) for measurements in waters is described in this paper. The LASS records irradiance at multiple levels in the water column to provide a measure of the diffuse light attenuation coefficient which is strongly affected by suspended sediment. Dimensional analysis and geometric optical theory are used to relate the irradiance attenuation to sediment properties through a dimensionless product. The latter is termed as a light attenuation number for suspended sediment in waters. The LASS and dimensional analysis results are validated in the laboratory using fluvial sediments collected from a third-order stream and monodisperse quartz sediment. The attenuation coefficient estimated with LASS data varied nonlinearly with total suspended sediment concentration due to particle shadowing and multiple scattering at large optical depths. The light attenuation coefficient for each sediment type is well described as a function of total suspended sediment concentration by empirical power law relationships, which provides confidence in the functioning of LASS. Light attenuation curves for different sediment types collapsed onto a single curve when replotted according to dimensionless numbers arising from the dimensional analysis, which confers confidence in the analysis for future research and application. A successful field demonstration of LASS in a small stream highlights its potential application in hydraulic and ecological research as well as future avenues of research to improve the sensor.

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Development of New Sensors for Monitoring Velocity and Sediment Discharge in a Watershed

Stewart¹,

Ford²,

Fox³

et al. 2011

World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2011

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Calibration and Field Deployment of Low-Cost Fluid Flow-Rate Sensors Using a Wireless Network

Cited by 9 publications

References 11 publications

Time-Average Velocity and Turbulence Measurement Using Wireless Bend Sensors in an Open Channel with a Rough Bed

Time-Average Velocity and Turbulence Measurement Using Wireless Bend Sensors in an Open Channel with a Rough Bed

Estimating Suspended Sediment Concentration in Streams by Diffuse Light Attenuation

Development of New Sensors for Monitoring Velocity and Sediment Discharge in a Watershed

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