
Oval Gear Flow Meter: Why It Still Dominates High-Viscosity Flow Measurement in Modern Automation
The Quiet Persistence of Oval Gear Flow Meters In an era where smart sensors, digital twins, and AI-driven instrumentation dominate...

The oval gear flow meter is a positive displacement (PD) flow measurement device designed for precise volumetric measurement of liquids, especially high-viscosity and low-flow-rate media.
By mechanically trapping and transferring fixed volumes of fluid, the meter provides stable and repeatable measurement independent of flow profile, pressure, or fluid conductivity.
Instrava oval gear flow meters are engineered for industrial applications requiring high accuracy, strong repeatability, and reliable performance under changing process conditions, including viscous, lubricating, or chemically aggressive fluids.
Flow Meter Description
Oval Gear Flow Meter Key Features
Direct volumetric measurement with high accuracy and repeatability
Excellent performance for high-viscosity liquids
Measurement unaffected by flow profile or Reynolds number
Stable performance at low flow rates
Compact structure with minimal installation space
Multiple signal outputs: pulse, 4–20 mA, digital communication
Wide material options for chemical compatibility


Flow Meter Oval Gear Typical Applications
Lubricating oil and hydraulic oil measurement
Fuel oil, diesel, and light hydrocarbons
Resin, polymer, adhesive, and coating processes
Chemical dosing and batching systems
Food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic liquids
OEM skid-mounted and metering systems
Oval Gear Flow Meter Working Principle
The oval gear flow meter operates on the positive displacement principle.
As fluid enters the measuring chamber, it drives two synchronized oval gears to rotate. Each rotation traps and transfers a fixed and known volume of liquid from the inlet to the outlet.
The rotation of the gears is detected by a sensor, generating pulse signals proportional to the volumetric flow rate. Because each pulse corresponds to a precise displaced volume, the flow meter delivers highly accurate instantaneous flow and totalized flow measurement.


Oval Gear Flow Meter Structure & Reliability
Dual oval gear design ensures continuous and smooth fluid transfer
Precision-machined measuring chamber for long-term accuracy
Bearings and gears optimized for viscous and lubricating media
Robust housing materials for pressure and corrosion resistance
Low internal leakage for improved measurement accuracy
This mechanical simplicity results in excellent long-term stability and low maintenance requirements.
Flow Meter Parameter
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Model | OGF 128 Oval Gear Flow Meter |
| Material | Cast iron, Cast steel, 304 stainless steel, 316 stainless steel |
| Nominal Diameter | DN10 – DN200 |
| Measuring Medium | High-viscosity liquids such as heavy oil, polyvinyl alcohol, resin |
| Flow Range | 40 – 120,000 L/h |
| Medium Temperature | -20 ~ 100 °C |
| Measurement Accuracy | ±0.5% of reading |
| Working Pressure | ≤ 1.6 MPa |
| Output Signal | Pulse output |
| Power Supply | 12 VDC or 24 VDC |
Instrava OEM/ODM
Instrava provides application-based customization for oval gear flow meters, including:
Material selection for aggressive or hygienic fluids
Output signal configuration for PLC and DCS systems
Pressure and temperature rating adaptation
Calibration with actual process fluid for maximum accuracy
Backed by engineering support, commissioning guidance, and long-term service, Instrava acts as a reliable partner for flow measurement in safety-critical and process control applications.

Related Product Recommendations
Oval gear flow meters operate on the positive displacement principle, mechanically transferring fixed fluid volumes. This makes them highly insensitive to viscosity changes, allowing stable and accurate measurement of heavy oils, resins, polymers, and other high-viscosity media.
Unlike velocity-based meters, oval gear flow meters maintain excellent accuracy at low flow rates because each gear rotation represents a fixed volume. This makes them ideal for low-flow dosing, batching, and precision transfer applications.
Pulse output provides a direct digital representation of volumetric flow, where each pulse corresponds to a defined volume. This enables precise totalizing, batching, and easy integration with PLC, DCS, and industrial automation systems.
No. Because oval gear flow meters measure actual displaced volume, their accuracy is largely unaffected by pressure changes or flow profile disturbances, provided the system operates within the rated pressure range.
Yes. Oval gear flow meters are well suited for intermittent, pulsating, or start-stop flow conditions, as the mechanical displacement principle ensures accurate totalization even during unstable flow patterns.
Maintenance is minimal when measuring clean, lubricating liquids. Periodic inspection focuses on gear wear and signal stability, especially in high-viscosity applications, ensuring long-term measurement reliability.
By choosing Instrava, you gain a partner with a deep understanding of industrial applications and the expertise to meet today’s operational challenges.
Our role extends beyond products—we support your success through dependable solutions and long-term commitment.
Innovation at Instrava is guided by real industrial requirements. We continuously refine our technologies to address evolving operational challenges, ensuring practical and reliable performance in demanding environments.
We provide engineering-level customization to match specific process conditions. From measurement range and materials to output signals and installation options, our solutions are configured to fit real applications.
Quality and reliability are fundamental to every Instrava product. Manufactured under strict quality control and thoroughly tested, our instruments deliver accurate, stable, and long-term performance.
Instrava combines global engineering expertise with responsive local support, ensuring our partners benefit from internationally aligned technology and timely regional service.
Our broad portfolio of measurement and control instruments enables us to address a wide range of industrial needs, providing integrated solutions from a single, reliable source.
We work closely with our partners from technical consultation to after-sales support. Our focus is on delivering solutions that create lasting value and support long-term operational success.
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