The typical bracket used to mount an ultrasonic sensor over a flume or weir is a contractor fabricated one-off assembly.  These assemblies often mount the ultrasonic sensor too high, too close to the flume / weir sidewall, or aren't sufficiently rigid - making accurate flow measurement difficult. 

Likewise, the fixed brackets offered by other flume manufacturers don't provide flexibility to adjust the sensor's location or height to maximize flow measurement accuracy.  Often times the fixed brackets are too tall to either fit into the confined spaces flumes and weirs are sometimes installed in or they mount the sensor so high above the water level that the sensor's beam spread creates false echoes - a particular problem with today's "zero height" ultrasonic sensors.

To solve these problems Openchannelflow has developed a unique, modular ultrasonic bracket that is readily adjustable in the field so that the sensor's location is optimized for accurate flow measurement. 

Modular

Openchannelflow ultrasonic mounting brackets are designed, first and foremost, to be modular.  Any of the components that make up the completed bracket can be upgraded or field swapped with a minimum of time or effort.

Corrosion Resistant

Each bracket component is fabricated from T-316 stainless steel to ensure a long service life in the damp, corrosive conditions commonly found in sanitary manholes.  While many applications – particularly those involving clean or treated water, at Openchannelflow we want to ensure that each installation has a long service life.  Remember, Openchannelflow’s FiberLock equipment warranty offers a full five (5) year warranty to registered users.

Mounting

Openchannelflow ultrasonic mounting brackets are secured next to the flume, weir, or channel with a base mount into which the vertical bracket arm is secured (through the use of dual set screws).  In applications where floor space is restricted, the tee connector where the horizontal and vertical arms are connected together can be removed and the base mount installed - transforming the unit into to vertical mount bracket.  In the event that the mounting surface isn't level, ratcheting base assemblies can also be provided. 

Like the base mount where the vertical arm mounts, the horizontal bracket arm - to which the sensor bracket is mounted - is also secured with dual sets screws.  This arm can be lengthened to span wide flumes or channels. 

For particularly wide channels or where the ultrasonic sensor is particularly sensitive to vibration, a second vertical arm can be added on the other side of the flume or channel to rigidly lock the sensor in place. 

The modular construction of Openchannelflow's bracket makes servicing wide spanning sensors easy:  simply loosen the set screws on one side of the bracket assembly, rotate the horizontal arm holding the ultrasonic sensor to where the sensor can be reached, perform the sensor maintenance / calibration, and then revise the process.  With fixed brackets, this process is considerably more difficult.

Adjustable

This new bracket is adjustable in the X, Y, and Z-axis.  By using tee connectors, lock screws, and U-bolts, Openchannelflow ultrasonic mounting brackets are infinitely adjustable.

The height of the sensor can be adjusted to accommodate a range of sensor deadbands or position the sensor around obstacles through the use of the tee connector, which joins the vertical and horizontal sensor arms.

U-bolts allow the sensor bracket to move along the horizontal sensor arm, as well as allowing the sensor bracket to rotate around the horizontal arm itself. 

Both the sensor arms - vertical and horizontal - can be field swapped with longer or short arms as needed.  For shallow burial flumes of the type common in industrial pretreatment applications - this can be of particular benefit. 

The reach of the horizontal sensor arm can be adjusted and should the sensor need to span a large flume or channel, an additional vertical support arm and tee connection can be added to provide additional rigidity to the sensor's mounting.

Flexible

The sensor holder - to which the ultrasonic sensor is secured - is designed to accommodate sensors with a standard 1" NPT connection.  Behind where the sensor mounts, there is an accommodation for a separate temperature sensor - allowing the mounting of dual sensors at the same measurement point.

Should you need to accommodate ultrasonic sensors with mounting connections larger than 1”, Openchannelflow has an optional 2” sensor holder available.  In addition, custom sensor holders can also be provided.

Complete

Each Openchannelflow ultrasonic sensor mounting bracket ships complete with all the hardware that you need to adjust the bracket.  Should changes to the factory configuration be required, each bracket arm – horizontal and vertical – is provided with push-in end caps to finish off the installation.  The end caps not only keep insects for nesting inside the arms, but they also protect the operator from any burs that might be present at the end of the arms.