Vortex Flow Meters

Vortex flow meters (flowmeters) measure fluid velocity using a principle of operation referred to as the von Kármán effect, which states that when flow passes by a bluff body, a repeating pattern of swirling vortices is generated. The vortices cause a small sensing element either behind or within the shedder bar to oscillate back and forth at a specific frequency. The velocity of the working fluid is directly proportional to this frequency of the vortices generated by the shedder bar's unique geometry. With the known cross sectional area of the pipe, volumetric flow can be calculated.