Fast-response piezoresistive pressure transducers for thermofluids experiments

Hockings, Peter (2004) Fast-response piezoresistive pressure transducers for thermofluids experiments. [USQ Project]

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Abstract

Thermofluids experiments often require the use of fast-response pressure transducers
that maintain their accuracy over a wide range of operating temperatures. Existing
pressure sensing technologies are available which suit these demanding applications,
however these transducers are usually relatively expensive. This project investigates the
use of inexpensive piezoresistive pressure transducers in the measurement of transient
fluid pressures.
A temperature compensation routine was developed which improved the accuracy of
the piezoresistive pressure transducers over a substantial range of operating temperatures. A

dynamic response analysis indicated that the diaphragm resonant frequency
of these sensors was 246.7 kHz (without the addition of latex or grease) and that the
response times could be improved from approximately 12.5 'ms' to 0.38 'ms' with simple
case modifications. These results demonstrated the suitability of piezoresistive pressure
transducers for use in fast-response thermofluids experiments.
A piezoresistive pressure transducer produced very similar results to a piezoelectric
sensor when both devices were tested simultaneously in the USQ Gun Tunnel. This
indicated that the piezoresistive sensor was capable of accurately recording rapid fluctuations in

pressure levels. The cylinder pressures of an internal combustion engine
recorded by a piezoresistive and piezoelectric sensor also compared well. The high
operational temperatures of the engine verified the success of the piezoresistive sensor
temperature compensation routine.


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Item Type: USQ Project
Refereed: No
Item Status: Live Archive
Additional Information: Additional files (MATLAB files) are available on CD-ROM held in USQ library.
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: Historic - Faculty of Engineering and Surveying - Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering (Up to 30 Jun 2013)
Date Deposited: 11 Oct 2007 00:13
Last Modified: 02 Jul 2013 22:30
Uncontrolled Keywords: piezoresistive pressure transducers, thermofluids experiments
Fields of Research (2008): 09 Engineering > 0913 Mechanical Engineering > 091399 Mechanical Engineering not elsewhere classified
09 Engineering > 0999 Other Engineering > 099902 Engineering Instrumentation
Fields of Research (2020): 40 ENGINEERING > 4017 Mechanical engineering > 401799 Mechanical engineering not elsewhere classified
40 ENGINEERING > 4099 Other engineering > 409902 Engineering instrumentation
URI: https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/56

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