San Marcos, California – The dual output AS-FS Flow Switch from FCI Aerospace features a next-generation, no- maintenance design that is flight qualified for a wide range of liquid or air/gas measurement requirements in commercial and military mission-critical rotorcraft and fixed-wing aircraft applications.
FCI’s Dual Output flow/level sensor provides fully redundant and separate outputs in the same envelope dimension. The dual output assures continued operation in spite of a single-channel failure, reducing the probability of an erroneous low flow or dry signal caused by a single sensor failure. Sensor failures may cause false warnings, resulting in unnecessary and costly mission aborts. Built-in redundancy helps prevent false positive indication of critical flow sensing in a single sensor, reducing weight and power consumption.
The unit features a switch point range of 0.25SFPS to 1000SFPS (0.07MPS to 305MPS) in air, and up to10SFPS (3MPS) in liquids. Repeatability is ±2% of full signal range. Response time is typically 1 to 10 seconds, depending on media conditions and switch point setting.
The sensor/switch functions over a wide operating temperature range and is temperature-compensated for accuracy in extreme temperature conditions. The flow element is specified for service from -65°F to 500°F (-54°C to 260°C). The electronics are suitable for service from -40°F to 257°F (-40°C to 125°C).
Built for rugged service and zero maintenance, the sensor/switch features a no-moving-parts design. The mean-time between failure (MTBF) rate is 100,000 hours of service.
The AS-FS electronics package features an all-welded, hermetically sealed enclosure. Power input is 19VDC to 32VDC, per MIL-STD-704. Standard outputs include an open collector, (sink) or a filtered, buffered op-amp (source) (< 1VDC [low flow] or > 17VDC [high flow]).
Electronic hysteresis functionality is included with the AS-FS sensor/switch to prevent undesired switching when flow rates are in the vicinity of the set point. Because the flow induced heat dissipation effect is a logarithm function, FCI mass flow switches can perform over a wide flow range with low-flow sensitivity.
The AS-FS includes qualifications to MIL-STD-810 and RTCA/DO-160, EMI protection meeting MIL-STD-461 and RTCA/DO-160, and quality systems approval to ISO 9001 and AS9100.
Fully NIST traceable flow calibration laboratories test and calibrate FCI products to ensure instrument accuracy with the customers’ actual fluid and process conditions. FCI’s calibration laboratories are ISO9001:2008 certified and AS9100 compliant. The laboratories also meet MIL-STD-45662A and ANSI/NCSL-Z-540 requirements.
FCI Aerospace is a business unit of Fluid Components International.
Source: FCI Aerospace