DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : A.Vinay Kumar
Designation : H.O.D
Institute : Q.Q.GPT
Branch : AEIE
Subject : Process Instrumentation – II
Code No : AEI-405
Major Topic : Pressure
Duration : 50 Mins.
Sub Topic : Thin film pressure transducer
Teaching Aids : Animations, diagrams
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 Recap

In last class we have learnt about the

• Variable capacitance type pressure transducer

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 Objectives
Upon completion of this topic you will able to know
about

Thin film pressure transducer

• Description
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• Applications

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 Description

• This can be considered as the modified version of

capacitive pressure transducer

• A Thin film of dielectric having constant modulus of

elasticity over wide temperature range is used

• Metal film is coated on both faces

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 Description…

• They serve as electrodes

• One electrode is bonded near to the profile base

• Other electrode is free to move

• The free end is subjected to the pressure under

measurement

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 Thin film pressure transducer

Metal coating
Solid dielectric

Bonding

Base

Fig. 1

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 Equation…

∆C ∆ P
=
C0 E
Where,

∆C = variation in capacitance

∆P = variation in applied pressure

C0 = Initial value of the capacitance

E = Modulus of elasticity of the material

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 Advantages
• The transducer can be attached to the surface with a
simple bonding technique
• The structure on which this transducer is mounted may
be very thin
• Where other types of transducers are not feasible for
direct measurement
• Loading effects due to the transducer are insignificant

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 Disadvantages

• They are prone to long term mechanical instability at

high temps

• Output is affected by vibration and hysteresis

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 Applications

• Applicable for measurement of pressure on aerofoil's

Ex :- Fan or compressor blades

• Supersonic flow studies

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 Summary

we have discussed about

Thin film pressure transducer

• Operation
• Advantages
• Limitations

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 Quiz

1.Thin film pressure transducer consists of

a. One electrode
b. Two electrodes
c. Three electrodes
d. Four electrode

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 Frequently asked questions

1.Explain the operation of Thin film pressure transducer?

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