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Flowmeters Flow Switches Shipboard Applications
U.S. Navy Shipboard R/O Systems Use
Hoffer Flowmeters
Hoffer Flow Control is a supplier of flow products to various
agencies within the U.S. government including the Navy.
We have supplied flowmeters and flow switches for a number of
shipboard applications. Our customers, along with the U.S.
Navy, include prime contractors such as Ingalls Shipbuilding,
Bath Iron Works, and Newport News Shipbuilding. Systems
supplied to these customers include fuel flow measurement systems
for the propulsion plant, missile cooling systems, trim
and drain systems and flow switches for use in the fire control systems.
Most recently, we have worked with a major supplier of reverse
osmosis ("R/O") systems for use on the U.S. Navy
DDG-51 Class Destroyer. This class of ship, which carries
weaponry for battle, is 505 feet overall in length and carries
a crew of 341.
Hoffer is supplying the turbine flowmeters used on both the
supply and discharge sides of the R/O systems. The R/O systems
will handle "all" shipboard water requirements.
The supply side flowmeters are suitable for use on seawater,
thus, they are constructed of naval brass and monel. These
materials provide long life against seawater's corrosive nature.
The flowmeters on the discharge side are constructed of 316
stainless steel and will meter the potable water. All flowmeters
will supply simultaneous pulse and analog outputs that will
be fed to the ship's main control room. Historically, the
Navy has employed gauge type flowmeters whereby the "roving
watch" was responsible for taking and recording readings.
The information obtained from the supply and discharge flowmeters
on the R/O plant enables the crew to determine the efficiency
of the R/O system.
This is one of the design goals on this class of ship. The
use of the Hoffer turbine flowmeters, with precision output
flow information, will enable the Navy to minimize manpower
requirements onboard the vessel.
The Hoffer turbine flow system incorporates a robust design
that has been
tested to meet Mil-S-901D shock requirements, Mil-Std-167/1
mechanical vibration requirements and Mil-Std-462D EMI requirements.
The Hoffer flowmeters have been first-article tested and certified
by independent laboratories to meet these Military standards.
These flow systems are available in a variety of sizes supporting
flow ranges starting at.25 GPM through 12,000 GPM.
The Hoffer "Navy design" turbine flowmeter is well
suited for this application because of the robustness, versatility
with regard to construction materials, and reliability. "Bath
Iron Works had recommended that the R/O system manufacturer
contact Hoffer for the turbine flowmeters needed for their
system," according to Linda Markham, account manager
for the project. "This speaks volumes about the long
term reliability of the Hoffer systems," she indicates,
"because Bath Iron Works has been using the Hoffer turbine
flowmeter for a variety of shipboard applications for years."
Now in addition to supplying flow systems for the propulsion
plant and other critical shipboard flow processes, Hoffer
has also provided a solution for the R/O water plant.
Hoffer provides flow systems from simple
to customized applications.
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