Scribd
Upload
320 views2 pages

P103 Pressure Gauge Theory

There are three main mechanisms used in mechanical pressure gauges: the bourdon tube, Schaffer diaphragm, and capsules and bellows. The most common is the bourdon tube, which uses the deflection of a curved metal tube under pressure to rotate a pointer. For very low pressures below 5 kPa, capsules or bellows containing multiple diaphragms are used to increase the movement needed to measure the pressure. The bourdon tube provides the most accurate measurements within 1% for industrial applications above 50 kPa.

Uploaded by

shyamrana9
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
320 views2 pages

P103 Pressure Gauge Theory

There are three main mechanisms used in mechanical pressure gauges: the bourdon tube, Schaffer diaphragm, and capsules and bellows. The most common is the bourdon tube, which uses the deflection of a curved metal tube under pressure to rotate a pointer. For very low pressures below 5 kPa, capsules or bellows containing multiple diaphragms are used to increase the movement needed to measure the pressure. The bourdon tube provides the most accurate measurements within 1% for industrial applications above 50 kPa.

Uploaded by

shyamrana9
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

PRESSURE SOLUTIONS

P103: Pressure Gauge Theory


There are basically 3 mechanisms which may be found in a mechanical pressure gauge. Almost all
pressure gauges for industrial use above 50 kPa use a bourdon tube.

Bourdon Tub e:
The bourdon tube is made from a section of tube, rolled into a circular shape,
and fixed at one end. This may be a C-shape as shown, or may form a helix.

If we consider a small section, with pressure on the inside, we


can see that the area on the outside is greater than the area on
the inside. This results in a net resultant force which wants to
straighten the tube. As long as we are working within the yield point of the
material, the tube will act as a spring, and the tube will deflect until the spring
force matches the unbalanced pressure resultant.

The mathematics are quite complex, but the end of the tube will describe a
curve moving upward and outward.

To make a pressure gauge, we need to convert this curvi-linear


motion into a rotary motion. If we magnify this motion, we
approximate to straight line motion, and obtain a more linear
relationship between tube travel and pointer rotation. The
movement consists of a quadrant, which has a C-shaped section of
gear (not shown) at one end which meshes with a pinion on the
pointer shaft. The other end is slotted as shown, and there is a
pivot in the middle. Thus the movement of the end of the tube
pulls the link which pulls the quadrant and causes it to rotate
against the pointer shaft pinion, which causes the pointer to rotate.

In a properly designed bourdon tube pressure gauge, the accuracy


will be within 1%. When great care is taken, as for test gauges,
linear scales can be produced to at least 0,2% FS.

The cross-section of the bourdon tube does not matter from a theoretical point of view. In practice,
we come across the following shapes:-

Elliptical cross sections are the most sensitive, giving the most movement for a given
pressure. The small radius at the edges is a stress raiser and reduces the life of the
tube. This cross-section is used for low pressures, typically 60 to 100 kPa on the Blanes 100mm
gauges.
Flat oval cross sections are stronger, yet still fairly sensitive. This cross-section is used
for medium pressures, typically 160 kPa up to as high as 25 MPa.

P.O.Box 3357, Benoni 1500. 169, Elston Ave, Benoni, 1501, Gauteng, South Africa
Phone 422-1749/1840 Fax 421-5379 Dial code international +2711 local 011
E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.pressuresolutions.co.za
Z:\My Documents\Training\P103 Pressure Gauge Theory.doc
Page 1 of 2
Products for Pressure Professionals
For high pressures, a circular cross section is used. This is the strongest shape, but not sensitive, so
multiple turns are used in a helical arrangement to provide sufficient movement. This is the normal
design for high pressure gauges, from 6 MPa upwards.

Schaffer Diaphragm:
This design is as old as the bourdon
tube. It consists of a circular corrugated
diaphragm which acts like a flat spring.
The outer diameter of the diaphragm is clamped. Pressure applied underneath will move the centre
part upwards. This element is not very common today, because it is not as accurate as the bourdon
tube, and more difficult to make, hence more expensive. It has some advantages, mainly that it can
be used for low pressure measurement of liquids.

Capsule and Bellows:


The Schaffer diaphragm has a lower limitation typically 1 to 5 kPa. To measure lower pressures, down
to about 250 Pa, we can increase the movement from a diaphragm by fastening two together, sealed
at the outside with the pressure on the inside. Two diaphragms make up a capsule. If more are used,
we make a bellows. The more diaphragms used, the greater the sensitivity. Capsules and bellows are
usually used with gases only since the effect of liquid inside the element can cause significant errors.

P.O.Box 3357, Benoni 1500. 169, Elston Ave, Benoni, 1501, Gauteng, South Africa
Phone 422-1749/1840 Fax 421-5379 Dial code international +2711 local 011
E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.pressuresolutions.co.za
Z:\My Documents\Training\P103 Pressure Gauge Theory.doc
Page 2 of 2
Products for Pressure Professionals

You might also like