CONTENTS

I. Product Overview ..............................................................................................................................................................3

II. Operational Principle .......................................................................................................................................................3

III. Product Characteristics .................................................................................................................................................. 4

IV. Technical Parameter(s) ...................................................................................................................................................5

V. Installation ........................................................................................................................................................................ 6

VI. Main Accessories .......................................................................................................................................................... 11

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 Company Profile

Weifang AOBO Instrument Technology Development Co., Ltd., founded in 2002, with
registration capital of 10 million RMB, is a "High-Tech" and "Double-Software Certification"
enterprise specialized in "flow measurement and intelligent measurement & control"
industry, integrating R&D, production, sales and service.
The company has a core R&D team for computer software and technology, automatic
intelligent control, HVAC engineering design and flow measurement. It has the ability to
provide customers with specific solutions and complete sets of products according to their
different needs, based on years of practical experience. Especially in the heating industry, by
the customer's recognition, has a high reputation in the industry.
The products are mainly used in the measurement and control of "steam, liquid, gas,
sewage and tap water"; and especially suitable for energy monitoring and energy-saving
control in many industries, such as thermal power plants, thermal companies, residential
heating, petroleum, chemical industry, papermaking, food, coating, printing & dyeing and
HVAC.
Since its foundation, based on self-developed and leading technology, reliable quality,
high-quality service and good reputation, our company has been warmly accepted by
customers, and become a designated supplier for many central enterprises and listed
companies.

Contact
AOBO Instrument Technology Development Co.,Ltd
No. 8009 Minzhu St.-Weifang,Shandong Province

261100,China
Mob.: +86 19953631088/+8619953631096

Email: aobometer@gmail.com
All of the catalogue and company information can be found at:

WWW.AOBOINSTRUMENT.COM

Page 2 of 11
I. Product Overview

The ABDT-LCT-S series flow meter incorporates the

latest ICs manufactured from the famous semiconductor
manufacturers like Philips, Maxim, TI, winbond, and xilinx.
The hardware features the ease of operation, high accuracy
and outstanding reliability, while the software provides a
very user friendly interface and much more functions. It
employs a patent balanced lower voltage multi-pulse igniting circuit which increases the
anti-interference ability magnificently so that the flowmeter will work properly even in
demanding industrial environments such as those with power frequency transverter working
nearby.
The signal receiving circuits feature self-adapting performance so as to ensure that the
user can easily operate the instrument without any adjustment.
The built-in rechargeable Ni-H battery can work continuously for more than 12 hours
without recharge.
The advanced circuit design, the integration of the latest semiconductors, the
user-friendly software interface both in English and Chinese languages and small-sized PCB
board, all these features combine to make the ABDT-LCT series ultrasonic flow meter the
best and the biggest seller on the Chinese market. Moreover, it is gaining more and more
recognition on the international flow meter market.

II. Operational Principle

The ABDT-LCT-S ultrasonic flow meter is designed to measure the fluid velocity of liquid
within a closed conduit. The transducers are a non-contacting, clamp-on type, which will
provide benefits of non- fouling operation and easy installation.
The ABDT-LCT-S transit time flow meter utilizes two transducers that function as both
ultrasonic transmitters and receivers. The transducers are clamped on the outside of a closed

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pipe at a specific distance from each other. The transducers can be mounted in V-method
where the sound transverses the pipe twice, or w-method where the sound transverses the
pipe four times, or in Z-method where the transducers are mounted on opposite sides of the
pipe and the sound crosses the pipe once. This selection of the mounting method depends
on pipe and liquid characteristics. The flow meter operates by alternately transmitting and
receiving a frequency modulated burst of sound energy between the two transducers and
measuring the transit time that it takes for sound to travel between the two transducers. The
difference in the transit time measured is directly and exactly related to the velocity of the
liquid in the pipe, as shown in Figure 1.

MD T
V 
sin 2 Tup  Tdown

Where Figure 1
θ is the include angle to the flow direction
M is the travel times of the ultrasonic beam
D is the pipe diameter

Tup is the time for the beam from upstream transducer to the downstream one
Tdown is the time for the beam from downstream transducer to the upstream one
T  Tup  Tdown

III. Product Characteristics

* 0.5% of linearity * 0.2% of repeatability

* Bilingual interface in Chinese and English * 4 flow totalizers
* Patent balanced lower-voltage multi-pulse ultrasonic igniting *built-in date totalizers
* work properly near transverters * built-in data-logger
* 100 Pico-second resolution of time measurement * 0.5 second totalizing period

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IV. Technical Parameter(s)

Linearity 0.5%

Repeatability 0.2%

Accuracy 士 1% of reading at rates>0.2 mps

Response Time 0.999 seconds, user-configurable

Velocity ±32 m/s

Pipe Size 20mm-6000mm

Meter, Feet, Cubic Meter, Liter, Cubic Feet, USA Gallon, lmperial Gallon, Oil Barrel,
Rate Units
USA Liquid Barrel, lmperial Liquid Barrel, Million USA Gallons. User configurable.

Totalizer 7-digit totals for net, positive and negative flow respectively

Liquid Types Virtually all liquids

Security Setup values Modification Lockout. Access code needs unlocking

Display 4x8 Chinese characters or 4x16 English letters

RS-232C, baud.rate: from 75 to 57600. Protocol made by the manufacturer and

Communication
compatible with that of the FUJl ultrasonic flow meter. User protocols can be
lnterface
made on enquiry.

Transducers Model M2 for standard, other 4 models for optional

Transducer Cord
Standard 2x5 meters, optional 2x10 meters12x15 meters
Length

3 AAA Ni-H built-in batteries. when fully recharged it will last over 10 hours of
Power Supply operation.
100V-240VAC for the charger

Data Logger Built-in data logger can store over 2000 lines of data

Manual Totalizer 7-digit press-key-to-go totalizer for calibration

Housing Material ABS

Case Size 100x66x20mm

Handset weight 514g (1.2 lbs) with batteries

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V. Installation

5.1Transducers Mounting Allocation

The first step in the installation process is the selection of an optimum location in order
to obtain a more accurate measurement. For this to be completed effectively, a basic
knowledge about the piping and its plumbing system would be advisable.
An optimum location would be defined as a straight pipe length full of liquid that is to
be measured. The piping can be in vertical or horizontal position. The following table shows:

Examples of optimum locations.

Principles to Selection of an Optimum Location

(1) Install the transducers on a longer length of the straight pipe. The longer the better,
and make sure that the pipe is completely full of liquid.
(2) Make sure that the temperature on the location does not exceed the range for the
transducers. Generally speaking, the closer to the room temperature, the better.
(3) Take the pipe fouling into consideration. select a straight length of a relatively newer

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pipe. If the condition is not satisfying, consider the fouling thickness as part of the liner for a
better result.
(4) Some pipes have a kind of plastic liner, and between the outer pipe and the liner
there may be a certain thickness difference that will prevent the ultrasonic waves from direct
traveling. such conditions will make the measurement very difficult. whenever possible, try to
avoid this kind of pipes. If impossible, try our plug-in transducers that are installed
permanently on the pipe by drilling holes on the pipe while liquid is running inside.

5.2 Transducers lnstallation

The transducers used by the ABDT-LCT-S series ultrasonic flow meter are made of
piezoelectric crystals both for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals through the wall
of liquid piping system. The measurement is realized by measuring the traveling time
difference of the ultrasonic signals. Since the difference is very small, the spacing and the
alignment of the transducers are critical factors to the accuracy of the measurement and the
performance of the system. Meticulous care should be taken for the installation of the
transducers.
Steps to the installation of the transducers
(1)Locate an optimum position where the straight pipe length is sufficient, and where

pipes are in a favorable condition, e.g., newer pipes with no rust and ease of operation.
(2)Clean any dust and rust. For a better result, polishing the pipe with a sander is
strongly recommended.
(3)Apply adequate coupling agent to the spot where the transducers are to be installed
and leave no gap between the pipe surface and the transducers.
Extra care should be taken to avoid any sand or dust particles left between the pipe
outer surface and the transducers.
To avoid gas bubbles inside the upper part of the pipe, the transducers should be
installed horizontally by the side of the pipe.

5.2.1 Transducers spacing

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 The spacing value shown on menu window M25 refers to the distance of inner spacing
between the two transducers. The actual transducers spacing should be as close as possible
to the spacing value.

5.2.2 V-method Installation

V-method installation is the most widely used mode for daily measurement with pipe
inner diameters ranging from 20 millimeter to 300 millimeter. It is also called reflective mode
or method.

5.2.3 Z-method Installation

Z-method is commonly used when the pipe diameter is between 300 millimeters and
500 millimeters.

5.2.4 w-method Installation

W-method is usually used on plastic pipes with a diameter from 10 millimeters to 100
millimeters.

5.2.5 N-method InstallRarely used method.

5.3 lnstallation Checkup

Through the checkup of the installation, one can: check the receiving signal strength,
the signal quality Q value, the traveling time difference of the signals, the estimated liquid
speed, the measured traveling time of the signals and the calculated traveling time ratio.
Therefore, optimum measurement result and longer running time of the instrument can be
achieved.

5.3.1 Signal Strength

Signal strength indicates the amplitude of receiving ultrasonic signals by a 3-digit

number. [000] means there is no signal detected, and [999] refers to the maximum signal
strength that can be received.
Although the instrument works well if the signal strength ranges from 500 to 999,
stronger signal strength should be pursued, because a stronger signal means a better result.

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 The following methods are recommended to obtain stronger signals:
(1) Relocate a more favorable location, if the current location is not good enough for a
stable and reliable flow reading, or if the signal strength is lower than 700.
(2) Try to polish the outer surface of the pipe, and apply more coupling agent to
increase the signal strength.
(3) Adjust the transducers both vertically and horizontally while checking the varying
signal strength, stop at the highest position, and then check the transducers spacing to
make sure the transducers spacing is the same as what the M25 shows.

5.3.2 Signal Quality

Signal quality is indicated as the Q value in the instrument.A higher Q value would mean
a higher signal and Noise Ratio (short for SNR), and accordingly a higher degree of accuracy
would be achieved. Under normal pipe condition, the Q value is in the range 600-900, the
higher the better. Causes for a lower Q value could be:
(1) Interference of other instruments and devices such as a powerful transverter working
nearby. Try to relocate the flow meter to a new place where the interference can be reduced.
(2) Bad sonic coupling for the transducers with the pipe. Try to apply more coupling
agent or clean the surface, etc.

(3) Pipes are difficult to be measured. Relocation is recommended.

5.3.3 Total Transit Time and Delta Time

The numbers displayed on menu window M93 are called total transit time and delta
time respectively. They are the primitive data for the instrument to calculate the flow rate
inside the pipe. So the flow rate indication will vary accordingly with the total time and delta
time.
The total transit time should remain stable or vary little.
If the delta time fluctuates higher than 20%, it means there are certain kinds of
problems with the transducer installation.

5.3.4 Time Ratio between the Measured Total Transit Time and the Calculated

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 Time

This ratio would be used to check the transducer installation. If the pipe parameters are
entered correctly and the transducers are installed properly, the value for this ratio should be
in the range of 1003. If this range is exceeded, the user should check:
(1) If the pipe parameters are correctly entered.
(2) If the actual spacing of the transducers is right and the same as what the window
M25 shows.
(3) If the transducers are installed properly in the right directions.
(4) If the mounting location is good and if the pipe has changed shape or if there is too
much fouling inside the pipes
(5) Other poor conditions.

Page 10 of 11
VI. Main Accessories

Contact
AOBO Instrument Technology Development Co.,Ltd
No. 8009 Minzhu St.-Weifang,Shandong Province

261100,China
Mob.: +86 19953631088/+8619953631096

Email: aobometer@gmail.com
All of the catalogue and company information can be found at:

WWW.AOBOINSTRUMENT.COM

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