Published Accuracy
±1.0% of reading for liquid, gas and steam within the applicable calibrated operating range.
Vortex CV-HS Meter for Natural Gas
Our CV-HS Vortex meter employs the use of Piezoelectric crystals as sensors, mounted in the flow body downstream of the shedder bar.
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The meter of choice for high pressure saturated and super-heated steam
The Cadillac® High Sensitivity (CV-HS) Vortex Meter is a rate and totalizing meter which is capable of measuring liquid, steam and gas. Due to its rugged design it is particularly suitable for direct saturated steam measurement. In any steam system the Cadillac® Vortex Meter is the number one technology choice due to Cadillac®’s accuracy, linearity, reliability and rangeability.
Like many other flow meters, the Cadillac® Vortex Meter is a velocity measuring device which computes flow by multiplying the effective cross sectional area of the flow meter with the detected fluid velocity. The meter has no moving parts and consists of a meter & bluff body (shedder bar) and amplifier assembly. It detects velocity by measuring the frequency of the vortices, as they peel off the shedder bar of the flow meter. The frequency of these “Karman” vortices is directly proportional to the velocity of the moving fluid, whether this is a gas or liquid.
Technical Product Guide
Cadillac Vortex CV-HS Meter
Explore the CV-HS high-sensitivity vortex meter for measuring liquid, steam and gas flow. This guide covers applications, operating principles, configurations, performance, sizing, installation, dimensions and model-selection guidance.
High-Sensitivity Vortex Meter
Cadillac Vortex CV-HS Meter Overview
The Cadillac Vortex CV-HS is a high-sensitivity rate and totalizing flow meter designed to measure liquids, steam and gases. Its no-moving-parts construction makes it particularly suitable for demanding direct-steam, natural-gas, energy-management and industrial process applications.
The meter determines flow velocity by measuring the frequency of Karman vortices generated as the process medium passes a precisely shaped shedder bar. Because vortex frequency is directly proportional to fluid velocity, the electronics can calculate instantaneous flow rate and accumulated flow from the calibrated meter factor.
Wide Turndown
Typically 15:1, with turndown up to 30:1 possible when the meter is selected and sized for best fit.
No Moving Parts
The robust vortex-shedding design reduces mechanical wear and supports reliable long-term operation with low maintenance.
Steam, Gas and Liquid Measurement
CV-HS Applications
The CV-HS can be applied where accurate flow-rate and totalized-flow information is required for energy management, process monitoring, billing or internal cost allocation. Its high-sensitivity design is intended to improve low-flow measurement and usable rangeability when the meter is correctly sized.
Steam Measurement
- Direct saturated-steam measurement
- Superheated-steam applications with appropriate compensation
- Boiler-house flow monitoring
- Point-of-use steam measurement
- Campus and district steam-distribution systems
Natural Gas and Process Gas
- Natural-gas boiler fuel-flow measurement
- Process-gas monitoring
- Gas consumption and cost-allocation systems
- Building and plant energy-management systems
- Compensated mass-flow applications using pressure and temperature inputs
Energy and Process Systems
- Energy-management and DCS data sources
- District-wide metering systems
- Customer billing from totalized flow
- Internal cost distribution
- Process monitoring from central control rooms
Karman Vortex Shedding
How the CV-HS Measures Flow
The CV-HS measures flow using the Karman vortex-shedding principle. As the process medium passes the meter’s shaped shedder bar, alternating vortices form downstream. The frequency at which these vortices are produced is directly proportional to the velocity of the moving fluid.
Piezoelectric sensing elements detect the alternating pressure or mechanical stress created by the vortices and convert it into electrical pulses. The meter electronics count the pulse frequency and apply the calibrated meter factor to calculate flow rate and accumulated flow.
Fluid Enters the Meter
Liquid, steam or gas flows through the meter body and approaches the shedder bar.
Alternating Vortices Form
Vortices peel away alternately from each side of the obstruction, creating a repeating pressure pattern.
Sensors Detect Frequency
Piezoelectric sensing converts the vortex-induced pressure pattern into a corresponding series of electrical pulses.
Electronics Calculate Flow
Pulse frequency is converted into instantaneous flow rate and accumulated total using the calibrated K-factor.
Flow Outputs
Published configurations provide a 4–20 mA analog signal, with pulse-output capability also identified in current product information. An optional LCD indicator/totalizer can display instantaneous and accumulated flow in selected engineering units.
Mass-Flow Compensation
Compressible-fluid applications may require pressure and temperature compensation. Published MASS electronics incorporate temperature measurement and fluid-property lookup tables. Gas and superheated steam applications require an external pressure input under the published arrangement.
Published Meter Options
Configurations, Electronics and Outputs
The CV-HS is available in multiple mechanical and electronic configurations. The correct combination depends on pipe size, installation access, operating conditions, required indication and the type of flow information needed by the control or energy-management system.
| Configuration Item | Published Options and Guidance |
|---|---|
| Meter construction | Wafer, insertion and hot-tap insertion configurations. |
| Indication | Local indication, remote indication or a blind electronics housing. |
| Flow information | Instantaneous and accumulated flow can be displayed locally. Remote rate and total information depends on the selected electronics and output configuration. |
| Analog and pulse outputs | Published product information identifies 4–20 mA analog and conditioned pulse-output capability. |
| Standard electronics | The legacy general specification identifies 14–36 VDC, two-wire electronics with a 4–20 mA output. |
| MASS electronics | Published MASS electronics include integral temperature measurement and ideal-gas or steam property tables. Gas and superheated-steam service requires an external pressure input. |
| Calibration | The current product information states that the meter is calibrated and supplied with a NIST calibration certificate. |
| Remote installation | The legacy brochure states a maximum interconnecting-cable length of 300 feet between the remote electronics and flow tube. Confirm the current limit for the selected electronics. |
Wafer Configuration
The published legacy model structure identifies wafer bodies from ¾ inch through 4 inches. A newer natural-gas application drawing refers to ½-inch through 4-inch wafer meters, so the currently available lower size must be confirmed during selection.
Insertion and Hot-Tap Configurations
Legacy information describes insertion and hot-tap insertion configurations for line sizes from 2 through 48 inches. Final insertion length, mounting hardware, valve assembly and pressure rating must be checked for the actual pipe and service.
Selection Limits
Performance and Meter Sizing
CV-HS performance depends on the process medium’s ability to generate stable, measurable vortices. The low-flow threshold is influenced by fluid velocity, density and Reynolds number. At high flow, the usable range is limited by the strength and separation of the vortex signal.
The meter should therefore be selected from actual operating data rather than nominal pipe size alone. Cadillac Meter requires the process medium, pressure, temperature and expected minimum and maximum flow rates to verify suitability and determine the appropriate meter configuration.
| Performance Parameter | Published Guidance |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | ±1.0% of reading for liquid, gas and steam within the applicable calibrated operating range. |
| Typical turndown | Typically 15:1, with up to 30:1 possible when the meter is selected and sized for best fit. |
| Typical gas upper velocity | 250 feet per second in both the current webpage and legacy brochure. |
| Typical liquid upper velocity | The current webpage states 33 feet per second, while the legacy brochure states 25 feet per second. Confirm the applicable limit for the selected meter. |
| Pressure and temperature | Published sources contain conflicting limits. Confirm the complete operating envelope for the meter body, sensing assembly and selected electronics. |
| Required sizing information | Process medium, line size, pressure, temperature, minimum flow, normal flow, maximum flow, available straight run and required output. |
Low-Flow Performance
At very low velocity, the process medium may not generate a vortex signal strong enough for reliable measurement. Fluid density, viscosity, pressure, temperature and Reynolds number all affect this cutoff point.
Best-Fit Selection
Selecting a meter that operates in the stronger portion of its usable range can improve low-flow performance and total turndown. This may require a meter body smaller than the existing process pipe.
Installation Influence
Accuracy outside the stated range can deteriorate, and the extent of that deterioration depends partly on the quality of the installation and the flow profile reaching the meter.
Legacy Published Selection Reference
Saturated Steam Flow Ranges
The following legacy table provides published minimum-to-maximum saturated-steam flow ranges in pounds per hour at selected operating pressures. It is a preliminary selection reference and should not replace application-specific sizing by Cadillac Meter.
On smaller screens, scroll horizontally to view the complete table.
| Meter Size | 5 psig | 10 psig | 20 psig | 50 psig | 100 psig | 150 psig |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¾ in | 8–132 | 11–204 | 14–280 | 16–410 | 23–702 | 29–980 |
| 1 in | 14–220 | 18–331 | 22–454 | 27–676 | 38–1,158 | 48–1,620 |
| 1½ in | 31–537 | 42–780 | 51–1,070 | 65–1,616 | 92–2,850 | 110–4,000 |
| 2 in | 55–901 | 68–1,287 | 84–1,763 | 115–2,775 | 170–4,760 | 215–6,670 |
| 3 in | 120–2,005 | 150–2,834 | 185–3,884 | 255–6,210 | 385–10,650 | 480–15,000 |
| 4 in | 215–3,500 | 260–4,881 | 320–6,688 | 455–11,000 | 670–18,550 | 830–26,000 |
| 6 in | 498–7,920 | 588–11,077 | 725–15,179 | 1,050–24,500 | 1,500–42,000 | 1,900–58,900 |
| 8 in | 850–15,200 | 1,017–19,181 | 1,255–26,280 | 1,800–47,000 | 2,600–81,000 | 3,300–115,000 |
| 10 in | 1,372–23,940 | 1,603–30,234 | 1,980–41,430 | 2,915–74,080 | 4,175–126,990 | 5,235–178,110 |
| 12 in | 1,900–34,000 | 2,275–42,915 | 2,810–58,805 | 4,050–106,000 | 5,900–180,000 | 7,400–253,000 |
Straight-Run and Flow-Conditioning Guidance
CV-HS Installation Requirements
A vortex meter requires a stable velocity profile at the shedder bar. Improperly located reducers, elbows, valves or other disturbances can distort the flow profile and reduce measurement accuracy, repeatability and usable turndown.
Current Cadillac Meter guidance calls for at least ten nominal pipe diameters of straight run upstream and five nominal pipe diameters downstream when reducer or expander piping is used. Disturbance-specific requirements should be confirmed during application review.
Provide at least ten nominal meter diameters of straight pipe upstream under the published reducer and expander arrangement.
Provide at least five nominal meter diameters of straight pipe downstream under the published installation arrangement.
General Installation Checklist
- Install the meter in the specified direction of flow.
- Keep the meter away from severe upstream disturbances unless the complete layout has been reviewed.
- Support adjoining pipework so external loading is not transferred to the meter assembly.
- Confirm that the pressure and temperature ratings apply to the complete meter, mounting hardware and electronics.
- Provide safe isolation and depressurization procedures before installation or removal.
Insertion and Hot-Tap Guidance
- The alignment arrow must point in the direction of flow.
- Verify the required insertion depth for the actual internal pipe diameter.
- Legacy hot-tap guidance calls for a 1½-inch full-port FNPT ball or gate valve.
- Confirm the permitted valve-assembly height against the supplied dimensional drawing.
- Use application-appropriate pressure-rated insertion hardware and an approved hot-tap safety procedure.
Compensated Gas-Flow Measurement
CV-HS Natural-Gas System Integration
The published natural-gas arrangement combines the CV-HS vortex meter with pressure and temperature transmitters and a wall-mounted CMASS system. These inputs allow the system to compensate for changing gas conditions and calculate the required corrected or mass-flow result.
The illustrated system can provide isolated analog or pulse outputs and can interface with a building-automation system using the selected communication option. Exact input, output and protocol requirements should be defined before the equipment is ordered.
Flow Input
The CV-HS supplies the primary vortex flow signal to the CMASS system and is shown as loop-powered by the enclosure.
Compensation Inputs
Pressure and temperature transmitters provide the additional measurements needed to compensate for changing natural-gas conditions.
System Outputs
Published options include isolated 4–20 mA or pulse outputs and Modbus or BACnet communication with the building-automation system.
Legacy Dimensional Reference
Dimensions and Model-Code Guidance
Published CV-HS literature includes wafer, insertion and hot-tap insertion arrangements. The following wafer dimensions and model-code options are legacy selection references. Confirm all dimensions, materials, ratings and option codes on the current quotation and approved submittal drawing before fabrication.
Published Wafer Meter Dimensions
Dimensions are in inches. On smaller screens, scroll horizontally to view the complete table.
| Dimension | ¾ in | 1 in | 1½ in | 2 in | 3 in | 4 in | 6 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.75 | 1.25 | 1.50 | 2.00 |
| H | 12.75 | 13.13 | 14.00 | 14.75 | 16.00 | 17.50 | 19.50 |
| E | 2.25 | 2.63 | 3.50 | 4.25 | 5.50 | 7.00 | 9.00 |
| C | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.50 |
| B | 5.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 |
| A | 11.63 | 11.82 | 12.25 | 12.63 | 13.25 | 14.00 | 15.00 |
| Weight | 5 lb | 5 lb | 6 lb | 7 lb | 11 lb | 16 lb | 26 lb |
Legacy CV-HS Model-Code Structure
| Code Position | Published Meaning |
|---|---|
| Product | CV — Cadillac Vortex flow meter HS — high-sensitivity wafer or insertion meter |
| Meter size | A ¾ in; B 1 in; C 1½ in; D 2 in; E 3 in; F 4 in; G 6 in; H 8 in; I 10 in; J 12 in; K 14 in; L 16 in; N 18 in. Consult the factory for larger sizes. |
| Electronics | S — standard electronics M — mass electronics with integral RTD |
| Converter arrangement | II — integral indicator/totalizer IN — integral blind converter RC — remote converter |
| Meter body | W — wafer style I — insertion style HT — hot-tap insertion style |
| Rating and approval | The legacy structure identifies ANSI Class 150 and 300 wafer options, a 900-psig insertion testing option and optional FM approval. Confirm current pressure classes, tests and certifications. |
Information for Quotation
CV-HS Selection Checklist
Provide the following application information so Cadillac Meter can verify the usable flow range, select the correct meter style and electronics, and confirm the installation requirements for the proposed service.
01
Measured medium and composition
02
Pipe size, schedule and material
03
Minimum, normal and maximum flow
04
Minimum, normal and maximum pressure
05
Minimum, normal and maximum temperature
06
Required volumetric, corrected or mass-flow result
07
Required rate, total and display units
08
Wafer, insertion or hot-tap preference
09
Available upstream and downstream straight run
10
Nearby elbows, valves, reducers and disturbances
11
Local, remote or blind electronics
12
4–20 mA, pulse and communication requirements
13
Required pressure class and wetted materials
14
Area classification and required approvals
Complete Technical Reference
Download the CV-HS Technical Guide
Keep the complete product, performance, sizing, installation, dimensional and model-selection guidance available for engineering review or quotation preparation.