F1 cars will have a new ultrasonic flow meter in 2015
Sentronics is currently in the final stages of developing a new flowmeter that is more reliable than the one used in 2014. It could be used starting from 2015.
At the beginning of the season, the controversy over the flow meters raged. Red Bull was particularly affected with a podium lost after a FIA court ruling. The world champion team complained about both a lack of accuracy and reliability.
These questions may now be a thing of the past as the magazine Racecar Engineering reveals that a new company is currently working on the second generation of ultrasonic flow meters.
Called Sentronics, this company is a partnership of three British companies: sensor producer Reventec, precision machining company Mikina Engineering, and electronics specialists Polyhedrus Electronics, as well as Hyspeed LLC, which was behind the first ultrasonic flow meters used in Formula 1 and endurance racing and collaborated with Gill Sensors.
According to Neville Meech, the general manager of Sentronics and formerly chief engineer for motorsport at Gill Sensors, this new flow meter called FlowSonic has the advantage of being a compact and robust unit, which uses a minimum of parts and materials, and is therefore less prone to failure.
In addition to this presumed reliability, the sensor is also lighter than the older flow meters. It is limited to half the maximum weight allowed for this part by the FIA.
If approved by the FIA, Sentronics plans to offer the sensor for F1 and WEC at very competitive terms and it is significantly less expensive than the competing product.
On his part, Daniel Partel, the president of Sentronics, states: « We are convinced that we have produced a next-generation ultrasonic flow meter that represents a major improvement in terms of performance and value. We are also committed to providing the type of warranty, service, and support that motorsport customers expect. »
If approved, these new flow meters could be used starting next season. Partel specifies that we are in the final phase of development, […] we will present the FlowSonic to major accreditation bodies and other stakeholders worldwide in the coming months with a view to adoption for 2015 and beyond.
