Flow measurement method based on a fringing field capacitor structure

A flow measurement method based on fringing field capacitors is proposed. Alternate annular electrodes are fabricated on the surface of the tube to constitute the capacitor structure, and the fringing field penetrates the wall to achieve the detection of fluid. The electric field between two electrodes distributes along the annular wall, which is conducive to analyse the relationship of the capacitance and the flow. The proposed measurement method is suitable for the industrial applications due to the simple structure and low cost. A water flow measurement experiment was implemented by making foil capacitor on the surface of a plastic tube.