Industry Instrumentation

Recommended Prerequisites

Electronics

Teaching Methods

This course is taught balancing theory and lab work, with an emphasis on the analysis and design of solutions for specific instrumentation challenges that will require that the students do bibliographic searches and prepare short presentations.
Pupils will be encouraged to work in groups.

Learning Outcomes

- Understand the overall elements of different type of measurement instruments.
- Learn to interpret in detail the static and dynamic characteristics of the measurement instruments.
- Understand the fundamental operating principles of the more widely used industrial instrumentation.
- Develop the skills to use and specify industrial measurement instruments.
- Become familiar with the trend towards digital and intelligent instruments.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Measurement systems
General description of the measurement instruments. Type of application.

2. Measurement instruments characterization
Static and dynamic characteristics. Zero order, first order, and second order systems.

3. Linear and angular position
Potentiometric transducer. LVDT. Optical encoder.

4. Force
Strain gauge. Load cells.

5. Linear and angular velocity and acceleration
Potentiometric transducer. LVT. Strain gauge. Capacitive and piezoelectric transducers.

6. Temperature
Thermocouple. RTD. Thermistor. Semiconductor.

7. Pressure
Barometer and manometer. Resistive, capacitive, potentiometric, piezoelectric, inductive, optical, and semiconductor transducers.

8. Flow
Orifice plate, Venturi, nozzle, Pitot tube sensors. Mechanical, electromagnetic, vortex and ultrasonic sensors.

9. Level
Capacitive and conductive probes. Differential pressure and ultrasonic sensors.

Head Lecturer(s)

Custódio Francisco Melo Loureiro

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Laboratory work or Field work: 50.0%
Exam: 50.0%

Bibliography

- Ernest Doebelin, Measurement Systems, Application and Design, McGraw-Hill, 2004.
- John Webster and Halit Eren, Measurement, Instrumentation, and Sensors Handbook, CRC Press, 2014.
- Selected scientific papers