Low Pressure Measurement

McLeod Gage
The unknown pressure source is connected at point A, and the mercury level is adjusted to fill
the volume represented by the shading. Under these conditions the unknown pressure fills the
bulb B and capillary C. Mercury is then forced out of the reservoir D, up into the bulb and
reference column E. When the mercury level reaches the cut-off point F, a known volume of
gas trapped in the bulb and capillary. The mercury level is then further raised until it reaches
a zero reference point in E. Under these conditions the volume remaining in the capillary is
read directly from the scale, and the difference in height of the two columns is the measure of
the trapped pressure. The initial pressure may then be calculated by use of Boyles law.

Pirani Gage or Thermal Conductivity Gage

A single platinum filament enclosed in a chamber is used by the Pirani gage. The temperature
of the wire, for a given magnitude of current, depends on the rate of heat dissipation, which in
turn depends on the conductivity of the surrounding medium and hence its pressure. As the
surrounding pressure changes, the filament temperature, and hence its resistance, also
changes. The resistance change is measured by use of a resistance bridge that is calibrated in
term of pressure. A compensating cell is used to minimize variation caused by ambient
temperature changes.

Flapper Nozzle
Flapper nozzle system is the basis of all pneumatic transmitters, it consist of a fixed flow
restriction. Which is an orifice and a variable restrictor in the form of a nozzle and flapper.
Here at a fix pressure say, P flows through the nozzle pass this restriction. Due to the presents
of the flapper there, will be a back pressure. That will alter the output pressure or signal
pressure. Altering the gap between the nozzle and flapper, alters the resistance to yet flow
and hence the output pressure. Increase in the gap between nozzle and the flapper will lower
the resistance and fall in output pressure. Therefore, the output pressure or signal pressure
represented here, by P0 can be calibrated in terms of the gap that exists between flapper and
the nozzle which is displacement.

Dead Weight Tester

It is a very simple instrument. So what we have in the dead weight tester is, we have a fluid in
this case oil which is in this cylinder and the oil can be pressurized by using a screw as is
shown here, this plunger is going to go in and out and increase or decrease the pressure as the
case may be and there is a dead weight and there is a piston on which the dead weight is
placed, this whole thing is vertically oriented. And if you can realize the pressure of the oil
here, if the dead weight is just floating, that is if the oil pressure is such that the pressure
exerted by the pressure weight on the piston which is simply given by the weight which is
placed on the piston, the dead weight here divided by area of cross section of the piston is the
pressure. Therefore, calibration is done by having a known weight and the known area of

cross section of the piston such that the pressure can be calculated directly as the weight
divided by the area of the piston as simple as that and this pressure is acting on the oil and
there is a side tube through which it is communicated to the gage under test and the gage will
experience the same hydro static pressure, the fluid pressure, the oil pressure is
communicated whatever is experienced by the liquid here which is the oil usually is
communicated to the gage under test.

Bourdon Pressure Gage

Bourdon tube pressure gages are extensively used for local indication. This type of pressure
gages were first developed by E. Bourdon in 1849. Bourdon tube pressure gages can be used
to measure over a wide range of pressure: form vacuum to pressure as high as few thousand
psi. It is basically consisted of a C-shaped hollow tube, whose one end is fixed and connected
to the pressure tapping, the other end free, as shown in figure. The cross section of the tube is
elliptical. When pressure is applied, the elliptical tube tries to acquire a circular cross section;
as a result, stress is developed and the tube tries to straighten up. Thus the free end of the tube
moves up, depending on magnitude of pressure. A deflecting and indicating mechanism is
attached to the free end that rotates the pointer. The materials used are commonly Phosphor
Bronze, Brass and Beryllium Copper. For a 2 overall diameter of the C-tube the useful travel
of the free end is approximately 1/8. Though the C-type tubes are most common, other
shapes of tubes, such as helical, twisted or spiral tubes are also in use.

Proving Ring
Proving Rings can be used for measurement of both compressional and tensile forces. The
advantage of a Proving Ring is that, because of its construction more strain can be developed
compared to a load cell. The typical construction of a Proving Ring is shown in figure. It
consists of a hollow cylindrical beam of radius R, thickness t and axial width b. The two ends
of the ring are fixed with the structures between which force is measured. Four strain gages
are mounted on the walls of the proving ring, two on the inner wall, and two on the outer
wall. When force is applied as shown, gages 2 and 4 will experience strain (compression),
while gages 1 and 3 will experience strain + (tension). The magnitude of the strain is given
by the expression:

1.08FR
Ebt 2

The four strain gages are connected in a bridge and the unbalanced voltage can easily be
calibrated in terms of force to be measured.