A new flowmeter design is presented which is suitable for accurately measuring flows ranging from ≂1 to ≂1000 cm3 s1. It may be simply constructed from readily available parts and may be adapted to measure flow of any fluid for which a noncorrosive ball and transparent tube are available. Starting with standard Venturi meter theory, a formula is derived for the volume flowrate in terms of ball and tube dimensions, ball and fluid densities, and the angle at which the ball comes to rest in the tube. Actual examples of curved‐tube flowmeters are given for particular cases of nitrogen at 0 – 42.4 cm3 s1 and water at 0–11.4 cm3 s1, constructed using bearing balls in standard Eastman Polyflo tubing. Using the formula as a guide, extension to lower and higher flowrates is straightforward.

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