Key Highlights
A. Multi-Parameter Measurement: Measures water velocity, depth, and conductivity simultaneously, while calculating flow rate and total flow.
B. Versatile for Challenging Flow Conditions: Suitable for open channels, partially filled pipes, rivers, streams, culverts, and irrigation channels.
C. Flexible Installation Options: Available in wall-mounted and portable versions for both long-term monitoring and temporary field measurement.
D. Bi-Directional Velocity Measurement: Measures both forward and reverse flow to handle changing flow conditions.
E. Reliable Submersible Sensor: Features an IP68 epoxy-sealed sensor designed for underwater installation in demanding environments.
F. Easy System Integration: Supports RS485/MODBUS communication for connection to computers and monitoring systems.
1. How Does the DOF6000 Series Provide Versatile Solutions for Open Flow Monitoring?
The DOF6000 series Open Channel Flow Meterconsists of a flow calculator and the Ultraflow QSD 6537 sensor. The IP68 submersible Ultraflow QSD 6537 sensor is used to measure water velocity, depth, and conductivity of water flowing in rivers, streams, open channels, and pipes. When used with a companion Lanry Instruments DOF6000 Calculator, flow rate and total flow can also be calculated.
| Model | DOF6000-W | DOF6000-P |
| Type | Wall-mounted | Portable |
| Main Application | Long-term fixed monitoring | Temporary measurement and field testing |
| Installation | Fixed installation | Flexible and movable |
| Best For | Permanent monitoring points | Field surveys and temporary projects |
| Typical Applications | Wastewater channels, rivers, irrigation systems | Flow verification, site surveys, troubleshooting |
Unlike traditional inline flow meters that normally require a full pipe or a dedicated measuring section, the DOF6000 is designed for situations where the flow cross-section is open or only partially filled. This makes it particularly useful for existing drainage systems, wastewater channels, irrigation channels, natural streams, and other locations where installing an inline meter would be difficult or costly.
The system combines measured velocity and water depth with the configured cross-sectional geometry to determine the flow area and calculate the corresponding flow rate. This area-velocity measurement approach allows the instrument to adapt to changing water levels and flow conditions.
2. How Does the DOF6000 Series Calculate Flow in Different Flow Conditions?
Unlike a conventional flow meter designed only for a full and regular pipe, the DOF6000 series is designed to handle a wide range of open and partially filled flow conditions. The Flow Calculator can calculate the cross-sectional area of a partially filled pipe, open channel, or stream. or river.
For streams and rivers, the system can use up to 20 coordinate points to describe the shape of the cross section. This is particularly useful for natural watercourses with irregular or changing profiles. By combining cross-sectional information with measured water velocity and depth, the DOF6000 series can calculate flow rate and total flow more effectively across different application conditions.
This measurement capability makes the system suitable for applications where the flow path is not always full, uniform, or geometrically regular. It can provide a practical solution for sites where traditional inline flow meters are difficult to install or where the flow condition changes continuously.
3.What Are the Key Features of theDOF6000 Series Flow Meter?
| Feature | Specification / Description |
| Cross-Section Description | Up to 20 coordinate points can be used to describe the river cross-sectional shape. |
| Multi-Parameter Measurement | One instrument can measure velocity, depth, and conductivity simultaneously |
| Velocity Range | 0.02 mm/s to 12 m/s, bi-directional measurement. |
| Velocity Accuracy | 1% accuracy. |
| Flow Direction Measurement | Measures both forward flow and back flow. |
| Depth Range | 0 to 10 m. |
| Depth Measurement Method | Depth is measured using both pressure sensor and ultrasonic level sensor principles. |
| Barometric Pressure Compensation | Equipped with a barometric pressure compensation function. |
| Sensor Protection | IP68 epoxy-sealed body design, suitable for underwater installation. |
| Communication Output | RS485/MODBUS output for direct connection to a computer. |
4. How does the DOF6000 Series Measure Flow Using the Ultrasonic Doppler Principle?
The DOF6000 series uses the Ultrasonic Doppler Principle in Quadrature Sampling Mode to measure water velocity. The Ultraflow QSD 6537 Sensor transmits ultrasonic energy through its epoxy casing into the water.
Suspended sediment particles or small gas bubbles in the water reflect part of the transmitted ultrasonic energy back to the sensor's ultrasonic receiver. The received signal is then processed by the instrument to calculate the water velocity.
This operating principle is particularly suitable for many natural and industrial water applications where suspended particles or small bubbles are present in the liquid. In these conditions, the reflected ultrasonic signal enables the sensor to determine the flow velocity without requiring a traditional mechanical measuring element inside the flow.
The sensor can also measure velocity in both forward and reverse directions. This capability is important when flow direction is not always constant, helping users monitor dynamic flow conditions more effectively.
5.How to Install the sensor
The DOF6000 series includes two configurations: DOF6000 W wall mounted unit for permanent monitoring and DOF6000 P portable unit for temporary field surveys. Both versions work with the IP68 sealed Ultraflow QSD 6537 submersible multi parameter sensor for underwater deployment.
For sensor installation, place the QSD 6537 sensor on the invert bottom of pipes, culverts or open channel beds within a straight flow section. A straight run of minimum 5×pipe diameter upstream is required to achieve laminar, stable flow and reduce turbulence interference. Avoid bends, joints and corrugated pipes. Multiple mounting solutions are available: stainless steel expanding band kits for inner pipe fixation and metal brackets for river bed or channel installation. The built in accelerometer inside the sensor helps check tilt angle; keep the sensor roughly parallel to the water surface (within ±10°) to guarantee depth reading accuracy. Up to 20 coordinate points can be programmed in the calculator to define irregular cross section shapes for rivers or custom profile channels.
The calculator unit has different handling rules for two models. DOF6000 W wall mount calculator shall be fixed indoors or under shelter, kept away from direct sunlight and heavy vibration. DOF6000 P portable calculator comes with a protective ABS hard case and built in rechargeable battery supporting up to 50 hour field operation. It can be powered by AC mains for charging. Ensure sufficient sensor cable length for site layout; the standard cable length is 15 m, with maximum optional length up to 500 m. Prevent sediment and silt from covering sensor measuring faces during long term operation.
6. Communication & Outputs
The DOF6000 series is equipped with rich multi signal outputs to connect to PLC, SCADA, remote monitoring platforms or local data storage. It delivers real time velocity, water depth, conductivity, instant flow rate and accumulated total flow data.
RS485 Modbus RTU acts as the main digital communication interface. Users can read measurement registers and modify partial instrument parameters remotely. Supported baud rates range from 4800 bps to 115200 bps, with configurable slave address and parity check. Besides digital bus, pulse output is available for total volume counting; 4 20 mA analog channels transmit real time flow value and water depth value separately. The built in 16 GB SD card supports automatic local data logging in CSV format. Logging interval can be configured from 5 seconds up to 100 hours, which is highly suitable for off site field projects without permanent remote transmission infrastructure. GPRS option is also available for remote data upload.
| Signal Type | Main Function | Key Parameters |
| RS485 Modbus RTU | Remote data reading & partial parameter configuration | Baud rate: 4800 115200 bps; configurable slave address, parity check |
| 4 20 mA (Dual channel) | Analog output for real time flow and water depth | Separate channels for flow and depth signal transmission |
| Pulse Output | Totalized flow pulse counting | For cumulative flow volume statistics |
| SD Card Data logger | Local CSV data storage for offline review | 16 GB onboard storage; logging interval: 5 s 100 h |
| GPRS (Optional) | Remote cloud data transmission | For projects without fixed remote transmission infrastructure |
7. What Applications Is the DOF6000 Series Suitable For?
Thanks to its unique working principle, the Multi Sensor DOF6000 series Irrigation Flow Meter excels in many applications where traditional flow meters struggle, including:
| Application | Description |
| Partially Filled Pipes | Handles fluctuating non-full flow in municipal and industrial pipelines. |
| ulverts | Ensures stable operation in harsh buried cross-drainage systems for highways and railways. |
| Channels | Supports rectangular, trapezoidal, and U-shaped channels for irrigation and drainage needs. |
| Rivers and Streams | Enables hydrological surveys, flood warning, and ecological monitoring. |
| Irrigation | Supports precise water allocation for farmland, orchards, and greenhouses. |
| Environmental Monitoring | Provides long-term data for impact assessments and restoration projects. |
| Industrial Wastewater | Facilitates compliant monitoring of wastewater and waste liquid. |
8.What Makes the DOF6000 Series a Reliable Solution for Diverse Flow Monitoring Applications?
The water velocity and depth measurement DOF6000-W Series Wall Mounted River Flow Meter and DOF6000-P Series Portable Partially Filled Pipe Flow Meter provide versatile flow measurement solutions tailored for open and semi-closed flow scenarios.
By combining a dedicated Ultraflow QSD 6537 Sensor with wall-mounted or portable calculators, the DOF6000 series can meet the diverse needs of applications including partially filled pipes, culverts, channels, rivers, irrigation, industrial waste management, and environmental monitoring.
The system measures water velocity, depth, and conductivity simultaneously, while the calculator determines flow rate and total flow. With bi-directional velocity measurement, flexible cross-sectional calculations, an IP68 submersible sensor design, and RS485/MODBUS communication, it provides a practical solution for a wide range of monitoring requirements.
Whether used for permanent monitoring or temporary field measurement, the DOF6000 series offers a reliable and easy-to-integrate choice for professionals seeking efficient flow measurement across varied open flow and partially filled flow conditions.
FAQ:
Q2: Does the DOF6000 work with clean water?
The DOF6000 uses the ultrasonic Doppler principle to measure water velocity. Its operation depends on suspended particles or small gas bubbles in the water to reflect the ultrasonic signal back to the sensor. Therefore, it is generally more suitable for water containing suspended solids or bubbles.
Q2: What parameters can the DOF6000 Series Flow Meter measure?
The DOF6000 Series can simultaneously measure water velocity, depth, and conductivity. When used with the DOF6000 Flow Calculator, it can also calculate flow rate and total flow.
Q3: What is the difference between the DOF6000-W and DOF6000-P?
The DOF6000-W is a wall-mounted model designed for fixed and long-term flow monitoring, while the DOF6000-P is a portable model designed for temporary measurements, field surveys, and on-site flow testing.
Q4: How does the DOF6000 Series measure water velocity?
The DOF6000 Series uses the Ultrasonic Doppler Principle in Quadrature Sampling Mode. Suspended particles or small gas bubbles in the water reflect ultrasonic signals back to the sensor, allowing the instrument to calculate water velocity.
Q5: Can the DOF6000 Series measure flow in both directions?
Yes. The DOF6000 Series supports bi-directional velocity measurement, allowing it to measure both forward flow and back flow.
Daniel Chen丨Technical Support Engineer
As Technical Support Engineer at Lanry Instruments, I possess more than 10 years of hands on experience across the flow meter industry. I cover technical consultation, field application analysis and customized solution support for our complete flow meter product range.
Post time: Aug-31-2026