OMRON enhances product lineup of MEMS flow sensors for fuel cell systems

KYOTO, JAPAN: OMRON Corp. announced plans to release the D6F-70, a 70L/min MEMS flow sensor optimized for measuring the gas flow rate of fuel cell systems. Omron also plans to release in FY2011 a similar MEMS flow sensor capable of measuring up to 200L/min.

These products will greatly enhance Omron's MEMS flow sensor lineup.

D6F-70 MEMS flow sensor
This new product is capable of measuring up to 70L/min- an improvement of 20L/min from the current model- all with a very high level of accuracy thanks to Omron's unique MEMS technology.

Such sensors are needed to control the 70L/min flow rate of air as it reacts with hydrogen in home-use fuel cell systems. With this new addition to the lineup, Omron can now provide flow sensors suitable for use in all home-use fuel cell systems. The new sensor is also available with a standard P14-type quick connector that enables easier connection to fuel cell systems.

Higher flow rate types are increasingly necessary for industrial-use high power generation fuel cells. Omron's 200L/min type flow sensor scheduled for release in FY2011 will be able to meet the requirements of almost any type of fuel cell system. They will also enable wider usage in medical equipment applications, and are expected to also open the door to a wide range of other new applications.

Fuel cells and other such environmentally-friendly products are increasingly moving into the mainstream, and it is predicted that their use will become widespread globally in the near future. Our flow sensors improve the operational efficiency of fuel cells making them an even more attractive option for a wide range of applications.

Features include:
* The detrimental effect of pump vibration has been reduced by 90 percent compared to existing models allowing a higher level of flow sensing accuracy.
* The D6F-70 70L/min flow sensor is almost the same size (84.6 × 32 × 30mm) as existing 50L/min sensors. This was made possible with a unique new flow structure.
* Easier connection: We have added sensors with P14-type quick connectors to the series. It is the standard connector type for fuel cell systems in Japan and significantly reduces the time required for pipe connection work.

The sales target is 200,000 units for use in fuel cell systems in FY2013.