Aerospace Pressure Transducer
An aerospace pressure transducer functions in the same manner as pressure transducers used in other industries. It is a device that converts one type of information into another then transmits it for interpretation. Most pressure transducers produce electrical signals as their output, but not necessarily all.
In the Atmosphere and in Space
As the name implies, the aerospace pressure transducer is used for applications that relate to vehicles, vessels and equipments that operate in the atmosphere and outer space, be it for transportation, research and data gathering, exploration, and other endeavors. It is required in business and general aviation, the military and defense sectors, and space travel. The aerospace pressure transducer can be found in aircrafts like jets and helicopters, missile and surface systems, flight control towers, space probes, and the Space Shuttle.
The aerospace pressure transducer monitors the pressure of fluids, gases and even solids that are found in pipes, engines or the surrounding environment. It is typically small and lightweight, but nevertheless unyielding to the harsh effects of shock, vibration and acceleration. This is all made possible because of the principle of piezoresistance of silicon semiconductors, which can be micro-machined for a compact design.
Measurement References
Any pressure applied to the transducer causes tiny deformations that set off increases or decreases in conducted electricity. This charge, which is associated with the strain intensity, is then passed on to a computer which displays the output on a screen for analysis.
An aerospace pressure transducer can measure pressure using any of three reference points.
The absolute pressure sensor refers to a perfect vacuum, where pressure is equal to zero. The gauge pressure sensor makes pressure measurements relative to an ambient pressure—the atmospheric pressure of the gas or fluid that surrounds it. Two or more pressures can be inputted in differential pressure sensors, which then measure the difference.
New Challenges
As applications for the aerospace pressure transducers grow, so do the demands. Business and military jets are now flying faster at higher altitudes with greater maneuverability. Measurement requirements of ground and flight tests are getting raised so as to improve performance, stability and safety.
The interface with engines and control instruments are posing new challenges every day as the advancing technology of the aerospace pressure transducer brings in more complexity.