A cartridge-style flow sensor for sensing fluid flow. The includes an exterior, interior, head, base, a circuit board, and first and second ports. The first and second ports permit fluid to flow into and out of the interior. A Hall Effect Sensor in the interior detects the number of revolutions of an impeller. An electric coupler interfaces with the sensor and a transmitter for communication of the revolutions of the impeller to a controller. The controller determines the rate of fluid flow in a conduit. The controller automatically issues a command signal to a component of a hydraulic system to alter the rate of fluid flow in the conduit. The cartridge hydraulic flow sensor is easily and releasably engaged to a cavity of a hydraulic circuit manifold.

An example valve includes: a seat member; a spool configured to be seated on the seat member to block fluid flow from a first port to a second port when the valve is in a closed state, wherein fluid at the first port applies a fluid force on the spool; a spring applying a biasing force on the spool toward the seat member, wherein as the fluid force overcomes the biasing force, the spool moves in the proximal direction off the seat member, thereby allowing fluid flow from the first port to the second port through a flow area formed between the spool and the seat member; a turbine configured to rotate as fluid flowing through the flow area flows downstream across the turbine; and an electric generator coupled to the turbine, such that rotation of the turbine causes the electric generator to generate electric power.

Some embodiments provide an irrigation flow sensor system, comprising: a housing forming a fluid channel to cooperate with conduits of an irrigation system; a paddle wheel device with at least a first blade of a set of the blades comprises a magnetic element; the paddle wheel device is positioned with at least a portion of the blades extends into the fluid channel as the blades rotate about an axis; a magnetic sensor proximate a pathway of the magnetic element as it rotates configured to provide a sensor output every time the magnetic element passes the magnetic sensor; a switch coupled to the magnetic sensor and a current loop, wherein the switch in an activate state is configured to temporarily change the current in the current loop in response to the sensor output, with a rate of change in current corresponding to a flow rate of the fluid flowing.

A cartridge-style flow sensor for sensing fluid flow within a manifold. The sensor includes an exterior, interior, a circuit board, and first and second ports. The first and second ports permit fluid to flow into and out of the interior. A encoder/sensor in the interior detects the number of revolutions of an impeller. An electric coupler interfaces with the sensor and a transmitter for communication of the revolutions of the impeller to a controller. The controller determines the rate of fluid flow in a conduit. The controller automatically issues a command signal to a component of a hydraulic system to alter the rate of fluid flow in the conduit. The cartridge hydraulic flow sensor is easily and releasably engaged to a cavity of a hydraulic circuit manifold.

The delivery of fuel oil through a fuel oil delivery pipe is monitored to measure the flow rate, temperature, viscosity, density and dielectric constant of the fuel oil as it moves through the delivery pipe. The digital data signals from the sensors which are a function of the measured parameters are recorded in a memory. An IR sensor detects the presence of air in the pipe and prevents the data signals from being recorded. The actual total quantity of fuel oil delivered through the pipe is calculated based upon the recorded data signals, which may be adjusted to take into account the temperature of the fuel oil being delivered. A clock circuit generates a timing signal reflecting the date and time the measurements were taken. Information as to the quantity delivered and the time of delivery may be sent to a remote location.

An example valve includes: a plurality of ports comprising: a first port, a second port, and a third port; a spool configured to block fluid flow from the first port to the third port while allowing fluid flow from the third port to the second port when the valve is in an unactuated state; a spring applying a biasing force on the spool in a proximal direction, wherein when the valve is actuated, the spool moves in a distal direction against the spring, thereby allowing fluid flow from the first port to the third port while blocking fluid flow from the third port to the second port; and a turbine configured to rotate as fluid flows from the first port to the third port when the valve is in an actuated state.

A flow rate sensor system for an agricultural sprayer includes a drum housing and a central passage housing defining a flow path, a Hall-effect sensor, a Hall-effect sensor window in a display housing, a magnetic carrier within the drum housing, and a magnet positioned in the magnetic carrier. The flow path has a first portion generally parallel to an axis, and a second vortex portion around the axis. The Hall-effect sensor faces the axis. The Hall-effect sensor window is between the Hall-effect sensor and the axis. The magnetic carrier is configured to rotate about the axis. Related methods are also disclosed.

Some embodiments provide an irrigation flow sensor system, comprising: a housing forming a fluid channel to cooperate with conduits of an irrigation system; a paddle wheel device with at least a first blade of a set of the blades comprises a magnetic element; the paddle wheel device is positioned with at least a portion of the blades extends into the fluid channel as the blades rotate about an axis; a magnetic sensor proximate a pathway of the magnetic element as it rotates configured to provide a sensor output every time the magnetic element passes the magnetic sensor; a switch coupled to the magnetic sensor and a current loop, wherein the switch in an activate state is configured to temporarily change the current in the current loop in response to the sensor output, with a rate of change in current corresponding to a flow rate of the fluid flowing.

Some embodiments provide an irrigation flow sensor system, comprising: a housing forming a fluid channel to cooperate with conduits of an irrigation system; a paddle wheel device with at least a first blade of a set of the blades comprises a magnetic element; the paddle wheel device is positioned with at least a portion of the blades extends into the fluid channel as the blades rotate about an axis; a magnetic sensor proximate a pathway of the magnetic element as it rotates configured to provide a sensor output every time the magnetic element passes the magnetic sensor; a switch coupled to the magnetic sensor and a current loop, wherein the switch in an activate state is configured to temporarily change the current in the current loop in response to the sensor output, with a rate of change in current corresponding to a flow rate of the fluid flowing.

A flowmeter suitable for flow measurement of extremely-low temperature fluids and high temperature fluids includes a flow path pipe having a flow path for fluid to flow through; an impeller supported in the interior of the flow path pipe in a rotatable manner; and a sensor that measures the flow of the fluid flowing in the flow path through the rotation of the impeller. The sensor has a metal-based wiring substrate inside a sensor housing provided outside the flow path pipe. The wiring substrate is equipped with a magnetic sensor package that detects the magnetic force of the impeller; a heater that heats the wiring substrate; and a temperature control circuit that controls the heater to power on/off based on the temperature of the wiring substrate.