“I”

  • Sensor is a general term for anything that performs measurements
    • Transducer is a sensor that outputs voltage representative of the physical signal.
    • Transmitter is a sensor that outputs current representative of the physical signal.
  • Temperature
    • RTD relate changes in resistance to material temperature. The realationship is determined by manufacturer in ‘steinhart’ equation
    • Thermocouple (TC) uses the Seebeck effect. Temperature differences in different materials can create a voltage, which is compared to a reference.
  • Strain How to apply strain gauge
    • Metallic materials also increase in resistance under strain. They are typically bonded to the substrate, and although they are fairly hardy and cheap, they are somewhat prone to drift.
    • Piezoresistive materials which increase in resistance while under strain. Namely semiconductors
    • Piezoelectric materials which generate an electric field when under strain. Can also work the other way (field induces mechanical strain)
  • Pressure
    • Generally can use the same principle as strain gauges, plus a few more:
    • Optical measures deflection in fiber optic cable
    • Capacitive sensors change their capacitance based on deflection. Similar to metallic.

”C”

  • Pressure relief
    • To size relief valves you have to determine your relief rate based on the system. If you are worried about overpressure, what is the maximum rate pressure could be added?
    • Oversizing is better than under, but creates waste and larger response oscillations