Monday, July 5, 2010

How Do Pressure Sensors Work

Pressure sensors, also known as transducers or indicators, are used to gauge pressure. Mostly it is used to compute the force of gases or liquids. Pressure is supplied to the liquids and gases to prevent them from increasing and pressure sensors help with this process. Pressure sensors work as a warning when the applied pressure is more, or less, than implied.


Pressure sensors are used for many different industries. Manufactures use them to measure aspects such as the altitude, level, flow and speed of liquids and gases. Depending on the industry, the design and technology behind pressure sensors vary. The greater the cost, the more the pressure sensor will be able to perform and produce.


There are five different types of pressure sensors. To classify the type of pressure sensor, you must first know what and how it measures. For instance, the type of element being used, the range of measurements and the temperature are used to classify the type of pressure.


The five different types of pressure sensors are absolute, gauge, differential, sealed and vacuum. Absolute pressure sensors are used to gauge pressures such as atmospheric pressure. In other terms, it measures pressure that is 0 PSI. This is perfect-vacuum or no pressure. Another type of pressure sensor is a gauge pressure sensor. This technology is used to measure the pressure in tires. These test the pressure relative to absolute pressure. Differential pressure sensor gauges find the difference in pressure between two or more pressure points. Sealed pressure sensors are used to gauge pressure as it relates to sea-level pressure. Vacuum pressure sensors measure pressure that is less than 0 PSI.


To make pressure sensors, certain materials are needed: fiber optic sensors, mechanical deflection, semiconductor piezoresistives and variable capacitance, to name a few. Currently, there are over 50 products that use pressure sensors and most of them prefer sensors made out of some piezoelectric material. Quartz is the one most commonly used.


Pressure sensors are used to analyze collected data or to cause an action to occur if the pressure changes. Some pressure sensors are used to collect statistics of the data from the pressure, such as the speed and amount. Some are used to cause other devices to react when the pressure reaches a measurement that is predetermined.


Pressure sensors are found in many of the products you use in your everyday life. Car alarms use pressure sensors to determine whether the doors have been opened while the security system is engaged. Traffic cameras also use pressure sensors to know whether someone is speeding. There is also a type of pressure sensor that lets you know when your car is low on gas or oil.







Tags: pressure sensor, sensors used, pressure sensors, type pressure, gauge pressure, pressure sensors