QMEH cartridge valve flow meter offers precise measurement

Sun Hydraulics released its innovative QMEH cartridge-style flow meter late last month, which it soft-launched at CONEXPO in March. It features a new custom-built, state-of-the-art position sensor and is suited for use on hydraulic power units, aerospace ground support test equipment, telehandlers, and excavators operating in high-pressure environments.

Engineered to deliver precise, real-time flow measurements for even the most demanding hydraulic applications, this solution ensures reliable, high-precision performance in critical systems. It is well positioned to capture growing demand in advanced hydraulic and electro-hydraulic applications.

Sun Hydraulics has launched its QMEH cartridge-style flow meter.

As Cory Fisher, Director of Strategic Sales, Sun, told me in Las Vegas, the piston-style flow meter features extremely tight tolerances, helping them to know exactly when motion begins in the system.

Designed for seamless integration and regulatory compliance, QMEH features a proprietary, state-of-the-art position sensor protected by patent and certified to CE standards for safe use in Europe. It has been proven to operate reliably in electronically noisy vehicle environments without causing or experiencing interference (E-mark EMC), making it a dependable choice for modern and electrified hydraulic systems.

The proprietary design incorporates a coiled flexible printed circuit board, enabling a compact sensor footprint. The valve leverages this sensor technology to precisely measure flow and convert electrical signals into proportional flow rates. The modular position sensor platform is expected to be deployed across multiple applications within the Motion Control Technology portfolio.

Sun Hydraulics had the QMEH on display at CONEXPO/CON-AGG.

“This is a flow meter than can be used in any type of application: system flow, individual function, diagnostics/troubleshooting, or even closed loop control when paired with an XMD,” said Fisher. “The QMEH is a piston style flow meter, meaning that we have a ‘closed’ position allowing for better indication when flow is (or is not) present at low flow conditions. The other unique thing that the QMEH offers is on board electronics that allow for multi-point calibration at the factory, so the user receives a calibrated and linear output signal.”

“One of the things that is exciting for me is that the sensor’s new,” Fisher said. He said that the design was originally done several years ago, and prototypes were sent out but it wasn’t fully sold and marketed. They didn’t want to buy an outside sensor for the design, so reached out to Sun’s electronic engineering team to come up with this new idea. “It’s  patented technology on the sensor itself. It has onboard electronics, so obviously the footprint is smaller, which means we can do multi-point calibration in the sensor.”

Available in multiple flow ranges, QMEH supports operating pressures up to 5,000 psi (350 bar) across all ports, ensuring consistent performance even under extreme conditions. The cartridge is designed to fit Sun’s T-16A cavity for effortless integration in demanding hydraulic systems.

Fisher said the flow meter came from repeated requests for small test stands or closed-loop control. He also noted that it can be used for diagnostics with your case drain, so you can know if your case drain flow has increased and prevent critical failure.

“As you know, flow measurement is nothing new. But because of the cost or flow meters being very high, many applications that could benefit from flow measurement simply find ways around not having it,” Fisher said. “The QMEH is ideal for those types of applications because you get all of the benefits of having flow measurement at a fraction of the cost since our list price is only $525.”

Sun Hydraulics
www.sunhydraulics.com 

Filed Under: Components, Sensors, Sensors & Gauges, Valves & Manifolds
Tagged With: heliostechnologies, sunhydraulics