SlipMeter

Data Sheet
Overview
The SlipMeter is a combined flow meter and control gate designed to automate
irrigator turnouts. Accurate flow measurement, precise flow control, power supply and
radio telecommunications are fully integrated in a single device.
Rubicons unique acoustic array flow measurement technology provides an accurate 3D
representation of the velocity profile in the meter box. The SlipMeter accurately
measures flows even in turbulent conditions. Instantaneous flow rate and total volume
passed are recorded, providing a precise account of water usage.
It features a local LCD display which provides irrigators with the ability to control the
turnout and view instantaneous flow rate, volume of current delivery, and total flow
volume for the season.
The SlipMeter can be managed and monitored on-site or operated remotely when
connected to a SCADA network such as Rubicons SCADAConnect system.
The SlipMeter automatically controls the flow of water by varying the gate position
based on a desired set-point or on irrigation demand as shown in the table.

Control objective Gate action

Local Position Moves to a desired set-point and stays there

Features
Flow Maintains a constant flow regardless of canal levels Acoustic array flow measurement technology
provides proven measurement accuracy in real-world
open channel flow conditions
A TCC product Ultrasonic water level measurement
The SlipMeter is part of a collection of integrated products called TCC (Total Channel Local display software in multiple languages
Control). TCC is a modular suite of hardware and software components that Solar-charged battery system or 120V AC line power
integrate to provide tailored solutions such as network management and control, SCADA ready communication system can be
demand management, or customer order management and invoicing. The SlipMeter integrated to many SCADA platforms
can integrate with other TCC components to address challenges faced by irrigation Robust high duty cycle operation and long life
districts such as distribution efficiency, operational control, accurate measurement and Flow measurement accuracy is not affected by
service levels to farmers. obstructions, turbulence or silt
Independently verified flow measurement accuracy
of 2.5%
Standard sizes include 24, 36 and 48
Very low power consumption compared to
magnetic flow measurement

Ideal solution for

Measuring and controlling flow in farm turnouts
Canal-to-pipe applications especially when large
conduits are used
Applications affected by turbulence
Lowering civil costs because there is no need to
stabilize flow at entry and exit
Turnouts requiring very low head loss and/or high
accuracy

No exit requirement
No entry requirement
 SlipMeter
Data Sheet
Sonaray flow measurement
Local control pedestal technology
Rubicons SlipMeter employs Sonaray acoustic
Each SlipMeter installation includes a robust pedestal
array technology. The acoustic array principle maps
that provides power and control to the gate and is a
the velocity profile by using multiple transecting
secure, weather proof housing for electronic
paths to provide an accurate 3D representation of
components and batteries.
the velocity distribution within the meter box.
The pedestal also serves as a local user interface.
This technique measures across the entire velocity
A keypad and LCD display are located under the Local user interface
field within the meter box and is unaffected by
lockable pedestal lid, allowing farmers to monitor, or
swirl, or other non-uniform velocity distributions
operators to control and troubleshoot on-site.
caused by garbage or other debris.
High strength construction
FormiPanel is Rubicons high strength construction Synthetic core
method that uses techniques adopted from the
aerospace and marine industries.
Eight horizontal planes
The gate panel and meter assembly is made from a sample the velocity
laminate construction that utilizes high strength distribution passing through
industrial adhesives to bond structural grade Aluminum panel the meter (side view)
aluminum extrusions and skin plates to a synthetic FormiPanel construction
core material. The result is strong, lightweight, and
corrosion resistant.
Gate control technology
CableDrive is Rubicons actuation system designed
to provide precision gate position accuracy and Each measurement plane
repeatability in harsh environments. The drive is a implements crossed-path
transit time acoustics to
wire-rope (cable) and drum mechanism that provides sample the entire velocity
positive drive in both the raise and lower directions. It field in that plane (plan view
is designed for high duty cycle operation and provides of measurement plane)
precise gate positioning to within 0.5mm (0.02in). SolarDrive electronics
The drive is managed by Rubicons SolarDrive
technology a purpose built integrated circuit board that manages gate positioning,
solar power regulation, battery charge, fusing and the pedestal user interface.
Low maintenance The horizontal velocity
The SlipMeters modular design allows it to be maintained in the field with minimal distributions are then
integrated vertically
tools, training, and easily replaceable parts. to construct the three
dimensional flow velocity
L evel sensors are easily removed during in-field servicing distribution (side view)
Seals can be replaced
On-site diagnostics built into the software
Service can be done by local Rubicon field technicians or authorized/trained
independent local integrators

16
SlipMeter components Motor assembly
1 detail 17
Control pedestal
13 21
1 Antenna
2 Solar panel 14 12
3 Hinged mast 2
4 Secure controller housing 15
11
with LCD display
Meter/control unit 18
5 Entry flare
6 Sonaray sensors 19
7 Meter box 3
8 Gate seals 6
9 Internal frame (one side houses
the ultrasonic level sensors) 20
10 Gate panel 8
11 Output drive assembly
(gear box) CableDrive
12 Lifting hooks detail
13 Motor and encoder 9
4
14 Motor drive shaft
10
15 Planetary gear box
16 Encoder
17 Motor cover
18 CableDrive assembly 5
19 Cable drum
Local control 7
20 Cable guide
pedestal
21 External frame
 SlipMeter Measurement Accuracy
(Relative to ABB Magmaster in Rubicon Hydraulics Laboratory)

5
Easy to install SlipMeter specifications
4
Rubicons SlipMeters are designed to -mount
Sonaray to existing headwall
MagMaster General
3 Error % =
structures as well as purpose builtMagMaster
emplacements significantly
2 Minimum flow rate 2ft wide gate: 0.4 cfs (1ML/d); 3ft wide gate: 0.9 cfs (2.25ML/d);
reducing costs associated with civil work. 4ft wide gate: 1.6 cfs (4ML/d)
1
Installed and operational in two days during irrigation
Error (%)

Data interface Local display (4 line LCD with keypad), Modbus serial, data radio
0
or-1off-season Unit of measure User definable (metric/imperial (US))
Factory
-2
calibrated and pre-configured Data tags 140+ available for integration into SCADA systems
-3 Data storage All volumetric usage is accumulated and backed up internally in
-4
nonvolatile memory. Historical data can be uploaded through the
Modbus interface, a local data logger or from the SCADA host
-5 database.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Not full alarm Alarm indicates when meter box is not full
Reference Flow Rate (cfs)
Control Local or remote via SCADA

Electronics SolarDrive power management and control technology housed in

the local control pedestal. Each unit passes a 12hr heat pre-stress and
100% functional test.

Typical weight 2ft wide gate 430lbs; 3ft wide gate 640lbs; 4ft wide gate 750lbs

Motor 12V DC
Remove existing manual gate and... replace with face mounted
SlipMeter head loss SlipMeter Gate position 256 count magnetic encoder
(24" SlipMeter measured at Manly Hydraulics Laboratory)
Seal performance <0.05 gal /ft/min (exceeds AWWA* 513 leakage standards)
Independently
0.5
tested flow measurement accuracy
Actuation options 12V DC powered (solar); 120V AC powered;
The SlipMeters flow measurement accuracy has been Manual with hand-crank or car battery
independently
0.4 verified under a wide range of conditions in the
laboratory and in the field. Flow measurement
Head loss (ft)

Technique Cross-path acoustic transit-time

0.3
Provost & Pritchard engineers in California conducted in-situ
Transit time 100 picoseconds
testing in a customer turnout configuration under calm, measurement resolution
0.2
turbulent, and extreme turbulent conditions
Measurement frequency 100 milliseconds (configurable)
0.1
Manly Hydraulics Laboratory in Sydney, Australia conducted
Accuracy 2.5%
laboratory tests under wave disturbance, upstream disturbance
0 SlipMeter
and submerged Measurement
conditions Accuracy Velocity measurement Accuracy listed above is achieved at flow velocities greater than 1 inch
range per second
Testing
0 has
(Relative demonstrated
to ABB Magmaster
5 compliance
in Rubicon Hydraulics with SBX7-715
10 Laboratory)
Flow rate (cfs) Sensor quantity 32 individual acoustic sensors, arranged in four cartridges, across 8
planes of measurement
5
SlipMeter
4
measurement accuracy Calibration method Factory pre-calibrated. Ultrasonic level sensors are also internally
(24" SlipMeter measured under normal operating self-calibrated
Sonaray conditions
- MagMasterrelative to
3 Error % =
ABB Magmaster) MagMaster Material
2
5 Construction 40 year design life
1
4
Error (%)

0 Frames Extruded marine grade aluminum (6351-T5)

3
-1 Gate panels Composite laminate construction using marine grade 5083-H321
2 aluminum sheet bonded to RTM Styrofoam on 6351-T5 aluminum
-2 extrusion
1
-3
Hardware 304, 316 stainless steel
Error (%)

0
-4
-1 Shafts 304, 316, 431 stainless steel
-5
-2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 Seals EDPM rubber (Duro hardness of 50 on bottom seal and 70 on side seals)
-3 Reference Flow Rate (cfs) Wear strip PVC
-4
Pressure rating Refer to the Dimensions and Maximum Water Levels table on page 4
-5
Water level sensor Anodized 6063-T6 grade aluminum and copolymer acetyl plastic with
0 5 10 15 316 grade stainless-steel fittings and gold-plated connectors
Flow rate (cfs) Provost & Pritchard
MHL Power
Power supply 12VDC self-contained battery charged from solar panel or AC line power
SlipMeter head loss Solar panel 85W monocrystalline
(24" SlipMeter measured at Manly Hydraulics Laboratory)
Batteries (2) or (3) 12V 28 ampere-hour sealed gel led acid with temperature
0.5 sensor (~5yr life, ~5 day operation)

Communications
0.4
Protocols Modbus, analog/digital outputs
Head loss (ft)

0.3 Data communications DNP3, MDLC, Modbus

Environmental
0.2
Operating temp 14F to 140F (-10C to 60C)

0.1 Operating humidity 0% to 100%

Water temperature 33.8F to 122F (1C to 50C)

0
0 5 10 15 *AWWA (American Water Works Association)
Flow rate (cfs) Specifications subject to change

SlipMeter measurement accuracy

(24" SlipMeter measured under normal operating conditions relative to
ABB Magmaster)

5
4
Dimensions and maximum water levels Front and side views

A B C D E F

in in in in in

SM-F.600.600.1500.4 24 60 34 84 39 5

SM-F.600.600.1800.4 24 72 34 97 39 6
F
SM-F.600.600.2400.4 24 96 34 121 39 8

SM-F.600.600.3000.4 24 120 34 145 39 9

D
SM-F.900.900.1800.4 36 72 46 103 52 6 B

SM-F.900.900.2400.4 36 96 46 123 52 8

SM-F.900.900.3000.4 36 120 46 147 52 9 A

SM-F.1200.1200.2400.4 48 96 58 127 64 8

SM-F.1200.1200.3000.4 48 120 58 147 64 10

C E
Contact Rubicon for complete mechanical dimensions or additional gate sizes.

A Gate size
B

Maximum check height (upstream water depth); also referred to as
pressure rating
About Rubicon Water
C Frame width Rubicon Water delivers advanced technology that optimizes gravity-fed
D Overall gate height
E Box length
irrigation, providing unprecedented levels of operational efficiency and
F Minimum number of anchors per side control, increasing water availability and improving farmers lives.
Founded in 1995, Rubicon have more than 15,000 gates installed in
TCC systems in 10 countries.
Mounting options

Headwall Sidewalls

Control box

Rubicon Water Rubicon Water Rubicon Water

4563 Denrose Court 615 Kansas Avenue, Unit B 612 South J Street, Suite 7
Fort Collins, CO 80524 Modesto, CA 95350 Imperial, CA 92251
Tel: +1 970-482-3200
Fax: +1 970-482-3222
Email: inquiry@rubiconwater.com

Rubicon Research Pty Ltd 2013

RUBICON logo and SlipMeter, MicronLevel, CableDrive, FormiPanel, Total Channel Control, TCC,
DS-SM-01/13-US

Sonaray and SolarDrive are trademarks and service marks, or registered trademarks and service marks
of Rubicon Research Pty Ltd or its affiliates in Australia, the United States of America and other
jurisdictions. Systems, components, methodologies and software supplied by Rubicon Research Pty Ltd
www.rubiconwater.com may be the subject of patent and design rights in Australia and elsewhere.