Pressure transducers are commonly used industrial devices. Given are some of the different aspects of pressure transducers. Understanding these aspects will help you in gauging the functions and uses of pressure transducers.

Functions

Pressure transducers are used to measure or gauge pressure. They are used to sense or measure the overall pressure applied in industrial applications or devices. Pressure transducers play an important role in facilitating the smooth operations of industrial applications. Major tragedies can also be averted with the use of these devices.

Uses of pressure transducers

Pressure transducers are used in many different industrial as well as domestic applications. Given are some of the uses of pressure transducers.

Industrial uses

Pressure transducers are used as ‘control systems’ in different industries. They are also known as pressure transmitters. Miniature pressure transducers are used in the transportation industry. For example, pressure transducers or transmitters are used in aviation for different aspects such as hydraulics and navigation. They are also used in medical instruments for measuring blood pressure and other readings.

Domestic uses

Pressure transducers are used to sense or detect washer water levels. Similarly, they are also used in plugged filters and vacuum cleaner bags. Transducers are also used in digital tyre pressure gauges. Weather stations also employ pressure transducers for measuring barometric pressure.

The innumerable uses of pressure transducers have contributed to their widespread usage.

Pressure transducers are commonly used for detecting and measuring process variables like temperature, level, composition and flow, and transmit a constant analogue output signal. These output signals can be current, voltage or proportional pneumatic. They are used for recording, indication, control and data acquisition systems.

Different types of pressure transducers are available for measuring the vacuum pressure, differential pressure, static pressure and the derived variables like partial pressures of gases and vapours.

How pressure transducers work

Pressure transducers determine a pressure, and convert it into a proportional output signal. This output signal can then be transmitted to a remote location. For instance, if the calculated pressure range is 0-100 psi (pounds per square inch) with an output range of 0-5 volts DC proportional to that range, the output signal of 50 percent full range, or 2.5 volts would indicate a 50 psi pressure value.

The calibrated voltmeter display would read 50 psi, and not 2.5 volts. In the past, transducers used diaphragms, bellows and bourdon tubes in motion balance systems like slide wires, capacitance and variable resistors. Most transducers available today use high-accuracy, solid-state capacitance, piezoelectric or strain gage sensing principles.

Types of pressure measured

Pressure transducers come with a pounds per square inch gauge (psig). This is a positive pressure compared to the absolute, atmospheric pressure like the differential pressure and pounds per square inch absolute (psia). Pressure transducers compare two different pressures and transmit a proportional output, vacuum pressure – a negative pressure compared to the atmospheric pressure.

A transducer is a device that transforms one form of energy into another. Most transducers convert electrical waves into the mechanical vibrations, or vice versa. Phonograph pickup cartridges, microphones and loudspeakers are some types of transducers.

Types of transducers include –

• Thermocouple
• Strain gauge
• Pressure transducers
• Sonar transducers

Thermocouple

The thermocouple is a type of transducer that comprises of a pair of wires of different semi-conductors or conductors, soldered or welded at one end. They are used for temperature measurement. Thermocouple temperature sensors are convenient and have a low heat capacity.

Strain Gauge

These transducers are devices that are used for measuring the distortion or strain on the surface. Some strain gauges work by the alterations in electrical resistance of a wire that is connected to the surface. Other strain gauges work on the magnetic induction in two coils, one of which is attached to the surface. Changes in capacitance can also be used in a similar way.

Pressure Transducers

The pressure measurement is usually achieved by determining the deflection of an elastic tube or diaphragm (for instance, a Bourdon tube). Material properties required for such type of pressure transducers include tubes or diaphragms that are similar to the restoring springs used in high-mechanical-impedance displacement transducers. These pressure transducers can also be applied with semiconductor fabrication techniques.

Sonar Transducers

These transducers transmit and receive the sound waves in water. Sonar transducers are also known as ultrasonic transducers that detect and generate vibrations above the normal frequency range of human hearing. They are used to clean delicate instruments, to cut hard materials, to measure liquid levels in fuel tanks of space vehicles and to drill oil wells.

The offshore oil industry uses pressure transducers for a number of different applications. They are used for drilling controls, measurement and the control of process variables and drilling down-hole tools.

The uses of pressure transducers are elaborated in the following points:

Down-hole tools

Different kinds of pressure transducers are used in down-hole tools to keep a check on hydraulic pressure and also pipeline oil pressure. A pressure transducer with a high functional temperature is due to the extreme environment. Some models provide ranges up to 1,000 bar and operating temperatures up to 150 degrees Celsius.

Wellheads

Wellhead assemblies make use of different technologies to measure wellhead pressure. Pressure transducers are used in perilous environments. Due to this, the device should be internally safe and should have an explosion–free design. Pressure transducers used in hazardous environments should also be robust and weather-proof.

Hydraulic manifolds

Offshore oil production makes use of sub sea hydraulic packs for various control functions. Pressure transducers used for such purposes should be of a small design and capable of working with extreme case pressure. 10 pressure transducers may be required by sub sea hydraulic packs. The pressure transducer can have the outside housing removed with only the PCB exposed to the outside environment to decrease the profile.

Core analysis

Process of core analysis involves an oil sample to be gushed at high pressure via a segment of rock core. The pressure sensor should provide precise measurements in such applications.

The invention of modern pressure sensing devices has indeed proved to be a blessing in disguise for the industry professionals. They can now carry out difficult tasks with ease thanks to these useful devices. Moreover, they can also prevent accidents by issuing an alarm whenever the applied pressure exceeds a given limit.

This is why pressure transducers are used for several industrial as well domestic applications. The following are some of the more common uses of pressure transducers.

Industrial applications

Pressure transducers are mainly used in the transportation industry. However, the miniature pressure transducers are used for this particular purpose. They are used along with oil pressure transducers for transmissions in vehicles. Some of the different transportation uses for which pressure transducers are used are as follows:

• Aviation industry
• Hydraulics
• Navigation

Thus, pressure transducers help to prevent any sort of vehicle accidents by keeping a tab on the applied pressure. They are also included in medical instruments. However, a different type of medical grade transducers is used for this particular purpose. They are also used for measuring blood pressure and other readings.

Domestic applications

Pressure transducers are also embedded in many different domestic applications. Some of these include transducers to measure the overall applied pressure. They are used for the following purposes:

• Sense washer levels
• Measure the water levels
• Identify plugged filters
• Detect vacuum cleaner bags

Pressure transducers are also available as digital pressure gauges. Similarly, weather stations measure barometric pressure with the use of electronic pressure transducers. It is thus evident that pressure transducers are used for many different applications.

Are you searching for devices which can monitor or detect pressure changes? If yes, then pressure transducers are the perfect option for you. These transducers are designed in such a way that they can check the pressure which is imposed on different applications. After measuring, these transducers convert the pressure into an analog output signal. These signals can be in two different forms such as current and voltage.

One of the best things about pressure transducers is that they can measure different variables such as temperature, flow, level and composition. The latest devices are designed to check static pressure, vacuum pressure and differential pressure.

Why the need for pressure transducers?

Once you have installed pressure transducers in your industrial plant then you can check pressure changes accurately. These devices will inform you when the pressure crosses the safety levels. The best thing is that they eliminate the dangerous tubing runs. These transducers have screens to display the pressure of different variables. You can check the pressure of different applications by connecting it through wires.
Pressure transducers have advanced sensing elements which can gauge a wide range of pressure levels.

Where pressure transducers are used?

Pressure transducers are commonly used in the transportation industry. They are installed in engines and transmitters to gauge the pressure imposed. Pressure transducers are also used in medical instruments to gauge pressure. Apart from these places, they are also seen in several industrial and utility plants where high pressure is required for production.

If you have decided to buy pressure transducers for your industrial applications, consider the type, price and their measurement capacity.

The offshore oil industry uses pressure transducers for a variety of purposes. Pressure transducers are used for calculation and control in processes, drilling controls and downhole components. Oil resources are getting depleted day by day. At the same time the consumption of oil is also increasing with every passing minute. This gives a need to explore oil in all previously inaccessible places.

The equipment used in finding oil resources with exploration, production and drilling processes become more complicated day by day has resulted in an increased production and use of pressure transducers.

Downhole tools
Monitoring hydraulic pressure and pipeline oil pressure in downhole tools requires using pressure sensors. A pressure transducer with a high operating temperature is specifically used in intense environments. The omni series 8 and omni series 10 pressure transducer models give a range of up to 1000 bars with their operating temperatures going as high as 150 degrees.

Intelligent pigs
An intelligent pig line is used for testing sub sea pipe lines on a regular basis. Different pressure transducers can be fitted along with the intelligent pig to monitor hydraulic pressure and pipeline pressure. The difference in pressure between the back and the front of the pig can be measured using a differential pressure transducer. It is recommended to choose a pressure transducer with low power consumption as these devices are battery operated. The omni series10 pressure transducer is considered ideal for these applications as it consumes only 1Ma.

Core analysis
The process involved in core analysis uses an oil sample at a very high pressure to be forced through a segment of rock core. This application requires a well equipped pressure transducer which can provide accuracy measurement of up to 10,000 PSI. It should be made out of either hastelloy or Monel to protect the diaphragm from any corrosion.

With new discoveries every day, the technical processes are becoming more and more complicated. As a result, pressure transducers are being used extensively for many purposes.

Pressure transducers are used to convert one form of energy into another. They are mostly used in industry to check the pressure exerted by machinery and convert it into an electrical signal. These measurements are then recorded on to data loggers for further use. Pressure transducers are further classified into two categories as below.

Force collectors and non force collectors

Force collectors use bellows, diaphragms or pistons to exert pressure. On the other hand, strain gauge transducers, piezoelectric transducers and thermal and resonant transducers fall into the category of non force collectors as they do not use this equipment.

Performance

The performance of these transducers depend upon the range, over-range capability, burst pressure, full scale output, zero unbalance and resolution. Range refers to the accuracy of pressure measured by the pressure transducer. The over range capability is the maximum pressure exerted on the transducer without changing its performance. Burst pressure is the expected level of leakage from the transducer. Full scale output, also known as FSO, refers to the difference in the output signal. Zero unbalance is the output given by the transducer due to no pressure being exerted. Resolution refers to the minutest change in the pressure detected in the output of the transducer.

Different types of pressure transducers like gauge pressure sensors, absolute pressure, differential pressure are used to measure different types of pressure in various industries. Pressure transducers are an easy way to measure the pressure and record it in the form of data which would otherwise have been impossible.

A pressure transducer can be commonly defined as a device which monitors the amount of pressure being exerted on its sensors. The transducers change this pressure into an electric signal which can be used for triggering an alarm.

Without pressure transducers, the whole pressure sensor mechanism is senseless. It will monitor the pressure in the machineries, but will not give out an alarm. Its just like a man watching the rising pressure but not doing anything about it.

The importance of pressure transducers demands its regular maintenance. The use of pressure transducers can be commonly found in the field of aeronautics and oceanography. The data which is recorded by these transducers can be referred later as it stores all its data in a log.

Different types of pressure transducers

Perhaps, the most commonly used pressure transducer would be the strain gauge. This is the simplest form of transducer available and can be used on almost any equipment. The pressure exerted in its diaphragm strains the gauges of the instrument. This is eventually converted into an electric signal.

A millivolt transducer system is the least expensive type of transducer available in the market. These transducers are usually used for short distances. One of the drawbacks of this instrument is that it needs constant supply of electric power.

The benefits of using a Pressure Transducer

The major advantage of using a pressure transducer is that it protects your equipment from being over worked. It can save you lots of money by identifying a faulty machine which might need maintenance. Apart from just monitoring the pressure, it can also be used in the manufacturing sector where the amount of pressure to be applied on an object is adjusted by the use of pressure sensor.

Pressure transducers are industrial devices that are used for converting liquid or gas pressure into an electrical signal. In addition to this, pressure transducers can also generate signals by using the pressure enforced on electrical, optical, visual and auditory signals.

Pressure transducers provide different kinds of pressure measurements.

Gauge pressure- This is a measure which is related to ambient pressure. An appropriate example for this pressure measurement is blood pressure. A common unit for measurement is psig (pressure per inch gauge). Another example of gauge measurement is the intake manifold vacuum that can be found in a vehicle’s engine. However, this vacuum would be a negative gauge pressure.

Differential pressure- This measurement is the variation in pressure between two or more points of measurement. Differential pressure measurements are mostly used for units that measure psid (pounds per square inch differential).

Absolute pressure- This kind of measure is relative to a perfect vacuum. For instance, atmospheric pressure is a good example of this pressure measurement. A common unit of this measure is psia (pounds per square inch absolute).

It is important to understand that pressure transducers can only sense fluctuations in pressure by using mechanical elements. These elements include tubes, shells and plates, which are developed to deflect if pressure is applied to them. These mechanical elements vary from one pressure transducer to another.