Thermometers,

Thermistor

Thermocouple,

Radiation

pyrometer

&

Temperature measurement instruments

Shipboard machinery must operate within certain desired parameters. Instrumentation
enables the parameterspressure, temperature, and so onto be measured or displayed
against a scale. Temperature measurement by instruments will give a value in degrees Celsius
(C). This scale of measurement is normally used for all readings and temperature values
required except when dealing with theoretical calculations involving the gas laws, when
absolute values are required
Liquid-in-glass thermometer
Various liquids are used in this type of instrument, depending upon the temperature range,
e.g. mercury -35C to +350C, alcohol -80C to 4-70C. An increase in temperature causes
the liquid to rise up the narrow glass stem and the reading is taken from a scale on the glass.
High-temperature-measuring mercury liquid thermometers will have the space above the
mercury filled with nitrogen under pressure.
Liquid in metal thermometer
The use of a metal bulb and capillary bourdon tube filled with liquid offers advantages of
robustness and a wide temperature range. The use of mercury, for instance, provides a range
from 39C to +650C. The bourdon tube may be spiral or helical and on increasing

temperature it tends to straighten. The free end movement is transmitted through linkages
to a pointer moving over a scale.

Bimetallic strip thermometers

A bimetallic strip is made up of two different metals firmly bonded together. When a
temperature change occurs different amounts of expansion occur in the two metals, causing
a bending or twisting of the strip. A helical coil of bimetallic material with one end fixed is
used in one form of thermometer. The coiling or uncoiling of the helix with temperature
change will cause movement of a pointer fitted to the free end of the bimetallic strip. The
choice of metals for the strip will determine the range, which can be from 30C to +550C.

Fig: Bimetallic strip

Thermocouple
The thermocouple is a type of electrical thermometer. When two different metals are joined
to form a closed circuit and exposed to different temperatures at their junction a current will
flow which can be used to measure temperature. The arrangement used is shown in Figure,
where extra wires or compensating leads are introduced to complete the circuit and include
the indicator. As long as the two ends A and B are at the same temperature the thermoelectric
effect is not influenced. The appropriate choice of metals will enable temperature ranges from
~200C to +1400C.

Fig: Thermocouple

Radiation pyrometer
A pyrometer is generally considered to be a high-temperature measuring thermometer. In
the optical, or disappearing filament, type shown in Figure, radiation from the heat source is
directed into the unit.
The current through a heated filament lamp is adjusted until, when viewed through the
telescope, it seems to disappear. The radiation from the lamp and from the heat source are
therefore the same. The current through the lamp is a measure of the temperature of the
heat source, and the ammeter is calibrated in units of temperature. The absorption screen is
used to absorb some of the radiant energy from the heat source and thus extend the
measuring range of the instrument. The monochromatic filter produces single-color, usually
red, light to simplify filament radiation matching.

Fig: Optical pyrometer

Thermistor
This is a type of electrical thermometer which uses resistance change to measure
temperature. The thermistor is a semi-conducting material made up of finely divided copper
to which is added cobalt, nickel and manganese oxides. The mixture is formed under pressure
into various shapes, such as beads or rods, depending upon the application. They are usually
glass coated or placed under a thin metal cap.
A change in temperature causes a fall in the thermistor resistance which can be measured in
an electric circuit and a reading relating to temperature can be given. Their small size and
high sensitivity are particular advantages. A range of measurement from 250G to +
1500C is possible

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