MECE 211-601 Engineering Measurements Lab

Spring 2017
Department of Mechanical engineering
Kate Gleason College of Engineering
Rochester institute of technology - Dubai

Lab 3- Experiment 1, Calibration of a Bourdons gauge connected to dead weight tester

Submission:
LAB TEAM 2
Instructor: Dr. Samaha, Mohamed
Teaching Assistant: Eng. Ali, Muhannad

Abstract

In this lab, we calibrate a Bourdons gauge by connecting it to a dead weight tester. Known

weights are placed on the piston of a known surface area. The readings are taken from the gauge

itself in bars. We take readings both while loading and unloading. These readings are compared

to the theoretical values.

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Introduction

In this experiment a Bourdon gauge is calibrated by connecting it to a dead weight tester. A dead-
weight tester (figure 1) is a device used for balancing a fluid pressure with a known weight. Typically, it is
used for static calibration of pressure gages. The mechanism of a dead weight apparatus is that a flexible
tube containing oil transfers the pressure on the piston with a known area to the Bourdon tube and the
readings are collected.

The objectives of the experiment

To calibrate the gauge

Calculate the maximum hysteresis error using eq (1)
= , , (1)
Perform curve fit to find the calibration curve between Pavg and Pact.

Experimental Procedure:

Remove the piston and fill the cylinder with oil

Place the piston into cylinder and press until all the air bubbles disappear to avoid error.
Add the first mass block on the cylinder and read the pressure gage. You need to rotate the
piston as the weights are increased in order to insure free movement and rotation of the piston
inside the cylinder

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 Repeat step 3 until all mass blocks are added (loading)
Remove the mass block which is lastly added and read the pressure gage (unloading)
Repeat step 5 until all mass blocks are removed.
Record all the loading and unloading pressure and tabulate them.

Experimental Data:

Table 1 tabulated data

Exp Load Actual Actual Reading Gauge Reading Average Hysteresis

(kg) Pressure Pressure Pressure (Loading) Gauge Reading Error
(Pa) (bar) Pressure Gauge
(Unloading) Pressure
1 0.8 44410.59532 0.444105953 0.4 0.6 0.5 -0.2
2 1.8 99923.83947 0.999238395 1 1 1 0
3 2.8 155437.0836 1.554370836 1.5 1.6 1.55 -0.1
4 4.8 266463.5719 2.664635719 2.6 2.6 2.6 0
5 9.8 544029.7927 5.440297927 5 5 5 0

Apparatus used for the experiment

For this experiment, we used a dead weight tester connected to a bourdon gauge in the lab on
ground floor along with some weights.

Figure 2. Dead weight tester apparatus Figure 3. Set of weights used for the experiment
mounted with a bourdon tube.

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Results and graphs:

Actual Pressure vs. Reading Pressure

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AVERAGE READING GAUGE PRESSURE (BAR)

y = 0.9014x + 0.1284
5 R = 0.9994

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
ACTUAL PRESSURE (BAR)

Figure 4 plot between actual pressure and reading pressure

Errors and precautions:

Hysteresis calibration error of a system can be best explained as when the instrument
responds differently to an increasing input compared to a decreasing input. This can be
calculated using eq (1).
= , , (1)

Hysteresis
Error
-0.2
0
-0.1
0
0

Therefore, the hysteresis error is -0.2

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 the friction between the cylinder and the piston
the uncertainty in the area of piston

These errors can be rectified by taking some precautions:

The viscous friction between the piston and the cylinder in the axial direction may be
substantially reduced by rotating the piston-weight assembly while the measurement is
taken.
The weights must be applied and removed in the same order
The piston, cylinder should be well lubricated with minimum friction
No air bubbles should be present
The user should not forget or neglect the weight of the piston. (i.e ~300g)

Discussion

From figure 4 and table 1 it is evident that the pressure loading and unloading are preety close in
magnitude, with 0.2 being the largest dirrerence in magnitude. The slope of the graph is also
equal to 0.9014 which is not completely linear because of the errors. Therefore, the buyer of this
gauge should look at the calibration curve and pay attention to the above listed precautions in
order to get the most accurate reading.