Pressure Transducers

Are Lab1

Fariba Ajalli j
Amirkabir University of Technology

Pressure sensor

A pressure sensor measures pressure, typically of gases or liquids. li id A pressure sensor generates a signal related to the pressure imposed imposed. Typically, such a signal is electrical, but optical, visual and auditory signals are not uncommon. visual, uncommon Pressure sensors can also be used to indirectly measure other variables such as fluid/gas g flow, , speed, water level, and altitude.

Pressure sensor

Pressure sensors can alternatively be called pressure transducers, ,p pressure transmitters, ,p pressure sensers and pressure indicators, among other names. There is also a category of pressure sensors that are designed to measure in a dynamic mode for capturing very high speed changes in pressure. Example applications for this type of sensor would be i the in h measuring i of f combustion b i pressure in i an engine i cylinder or in a gas turbine. These sensors are commonly y manufactured out of piezoelectric p materials such as quartz.

Types of pressure measurements

Absolute pressure sensor This sensor measures the pressure relative to perfect vacuum pressure (0 PSI or no pressure). Atmospheric pressure, is 101.325 kPa (14.7 PSI) at sea level with reference to vacuum. Gauge g p pressure sensor This sensor is used in different applications because it can be calibrated to measure the pressure relative to a given atmospheric pressure at a given location. A tire pressure gauge is an example of f gauge pressure i indication. di ti Wh When th the tire ti pressure gauge reads d 0 PSI, there is really 14.7 PSI (atmospheric pressure) in the tire. Vacuum pressure sensor Thi sensor is This i used d to t measure pressure less l than th the th atmospheric t h i pressure at a given location.

Types yp of pressure p measurements

Differential pressure sensor This sensor measures the difference between two or more pressures introduced as inputs to the sensing unit, for example, measuring the pressure drop across an oil filter. Differential pressure is also used to measure flow or level in pressurized vessels. Sealed pressure sensor Thi sensor is This i the h same as the h gauge pressure sensor except that h it i is previously calibrated by manufacturers to measure pressure relative to sea level pressure (14.7 PSI).

Different technologies used in making pressure sensors

Fiber optic sensors This technology uses the properties of fiber optics to affect light propagating in a fiber such that it can be used to form sensors. Pressure sensors can be made by constructing miniaturized i i t i d fiber fib optic ti interferometers i t f t to t sense nanometer t scale displacement of membranes. Pressure can also be made to induce loss into a fiber to form intensity based sensors. Mechanical deflection This technology uses the mechanical properties of a liquid to measure its it pressure. Such S h as, the th effect ff t of f pressure on a spring system and the changes of compression of spring can be used to measure pressure.

Different technologies used in making pressure sensors

Semiconductor piezoresistive
This technology uses the change in conductivity of semiconductors due to the change in pressure to measure the pressure.

Strain gauge
This technology makes use of the changes in resistance that some materials experience due to change in its stretch or strain. This technology makes use of the change of conductivity of material when experiencing different pressures and calculates that difference and maps it to the change of pressure.

Vibrating elements (silicon resonance, for example)

This technology uses the change in vibration on the molecular level of the different materials elements due to change in pressure to calculate the pressure.

Strain gauge g g
one of the most common is the strain-gage base transducer. The conversion of pressure into an electrical signal is achieved by the physical deformation of f strain i gages which hi h are bonded b d d into i the h diaphragm di h of f the h pressure transducer and wired into a Wheatstone bridge configuration. Pressure applied to the pressure transducer produces a deflection of the diaphragm which introduces strain to the gages. gages The strain will produce an electrical resistance change proportional to the pressure.

Applications pp

Pressure sensing g
This is the direct use of pressure sensors to measure pressure. This is useful in weather instrumentation, aircraft, cars, and any other machinery that has pressure functionality implemented.

Altitude sensing
This is useful in aircraft, rockets, satellites, weather balloons, and many other applications. All these applications make use of the relationship between changes in pressure relative to the altitude. altitude This relationship is governed by the following equation:

This equation is calibrated for an altimeter, up to 36,090 feet (11,000 m).

Styles y of Pressure Transducers

PC Board Mountable Pressure Transducers

PC board mountable pressure transducers are generally compact economical pressure transducers designed to mount on an electrical PC board and be integrated into other products.

Styles y of Pressure Transducers

General Purpose Transducers

General purpose pressure transducers are the most common since they are designed to fit the broadest set of applications.

Styles y of Pressure Transducers

High Stability/High Accuracy Pressure Transducers

Most pressure transducers feature an accuracy of 0.25% of full scale or higher. High stability and high accuracy pressure t transducers d can offer ff errors as low l as 0.05% 0 05% of f full f ll scale, l depending on model. Although more expensive than general purpose transducers, they may be the only option if high precision is required.

Styles of Pressure Transducers

Miniature Pressure Transducers

A Miniature Pressure Sensor designed for sensing applications that have very limited space.

Omega g Company p y

PX138-0.3D5V

Experimental p Facility y

A/D board Daughter board Wind tunnel Pressure gauge computer

Calibration
Sensor #4
0.7000 0.6000 0.5000 Voltage 0.4000 0.3000 0.2000 0.1000 0.0000 0 100 200 300 P(pas) 400 500 600

Pressure ports distributions

Thanks for your attentions