Submarine: Water Flow Rate Detection Solution
Swirl Vortex-Based Flow Rate Meter for Monitoring Filling and Draining Pumps in Submarines
Challenge: Accurate Flow Monitoring in Submarine Systems
In the confined and high-pressure environments of submarines, precise detection of water flow is critical to ensure the correct operation of filling and draining pumps used in tanks and control systems.
Traditional turbine or mechanical flow switches were unable to provide reliable operation under extreme submarine conditions, including high vibration, salinity, pressure variation, and humidity.
Frequent false triggers and maintenance challenges posed risks to the submarine’s onboard automation and safety systems.
The submarine required a robust, electronic, and maintenance-f ree flow rate monitoring system capable of functioning accurately under variable flow conditions, while providing potential-f ree relay outputs for control system integration and remote diagnostics for onboard operators.
SBEM’s Engineering Solution
SBEM designed and manufactured the Swirl Vortex Flow Rate Meter (FRS Series), a customengineered, marine-grade electronic flow monitoring solution developed specifically for the submarine fleet.
The system is composed of:
Primary Converter (Flow Rate Converter)
Installed inline with the pipe, it features a swirl vortex sensor tube and enclosed electronic amplifier unit that converts water flow into proportional electrical signals.
Secondary Converter (Flow Rate Setting Unit)
Mounted remotely in the control room, it houses power circuitry, comparator logic, monitoring and diagnostic functions, and relay output circuits for pump control and alarm indication.
The two units are connected through a marine-grade shielded cable (up to 100 meters), ensuring safe signal transmission and isolation between sensing and control circuits within the submarine’s control inf rastructure.
Working Principle
The FRS operates on the swirl vortex flow measurement principle:
- The swirler at the inlet converts linear fluid motion into a rotational vortex.
- As the fluid passes through the nozzle-diffuser assembly, pressure pulsations are created and transferred to the Dynamic Pressure Converter (DPC).
- The piezoceramic sensor element within the DPC converts these pulsations into electrical frequency signals.
- The amplifier electronics convert this f requency into a time interval proportional to the flow rate.
- The setting unit compares this measured signal to the preset nominal flow rate.
- When the measured flow crosses the set value, the relay output in the secondary unit is activated, signaling the submarine’s control system for pump operation or alarm condition.
Why SBEM’s Solution Stands Out
Naval-Grade Engineering:
Designed for operation in submerged, high-vibration environments.
Swirl Vortex Principle:
Accurate, drift-f ree detection with no moving parts.
Electronic Precision:
Converts flow rate into stable electrical f requency signals.
Remote Monitoring Capability:
Setting unit allows diagnostics and threshold calibration from control panels.
Corrosion-Resistant Construction:
Built using marine-grade stainless steel and sealed electronics (IP68).
Fail-Safe Relay Output:
Provides potential-f ree contacts for pump control logic.
Long Cable Reach:
Reliable performance up to 100 meters between sensing and control units.
Maintenance-Free Design:
No mechanical wear, ensuring long service life in saline conditions.
Applications
Submarine Tank Filling and Draining Systems
Bilge Water Flow Detection
Cooling and Circulation Systems in Submarines
Pressure Hull Service Water Monitoring
Marine and Naval Pump Control Systems
Outcome: Reliable Defence-Grade Performance
- SBEM’s Swirl Vortex Flow Rate Meter ensures accurate, fail-safe flow monitoring within critical submarine systems, enabling the to maintain reliable pump operations and prevent system failures.
- With its maintenance-f ree design, corrosion-resistant construction, and remote monitoring features, the solution upholds SBEM’s commitment to “Engineering Precision for Mission-Critical Defence Applications.”