Cork Institute of Technology

Higher Certificate in Science in Industrial Measurement

& Control Award
(NFQ Level 6)

Summer 2007
Measurement Technology
(Time: 3 Hours)
Instructions:
Answer any 5 questions.
All questions carry equal marks.

Examiner:

Mr. David Lonergan

Mr. Conor OFarrell
Mr. J. McComb
Dr. N. McMillan

Question 1
(a) Describe the operation and theory of Resistance Temperature Detector.
Comment on the main requirements of a resistance thermometer element.
Include all relevant diagrams.
(8 marks)
(b) Explain fully the operation of a Thermocouple Thermometer. Outline in
particular the various thermocouple types and constructions. Include all
relevant diagrams.
(9 marks)
(c) Briefly describe, showing all relevant diagrams one of the following electrical
methods of temperature measurement:
(1)

Thermistor

(2)

Radiation Pyrometer
(3 marks)

Question 2
(a) Describe the operation and theory of one sensor below that can be used to
measure the level of conductive liquids. Sketches of the apparatus must be
included to accompany your explanation.
(1)

Resistive Sensor

(2)

Capacitive Sensor

(4 marks)

(b) Explain with the aid of a diagram the operation of Optical Level Measurement.
(8 marks)
(c) Describe the operation and theory of the following Differential Pressure level
measuring techniques:
(1)

Open tank

(2)

Closed tank, dry reference leg

(3)

Closed tank, wet reference leg

Include diagrams to accompany your explanation.

(8 marks)
Question 3
(a) Describe the construction and operation of one of the following constriction
devices. In particular discuss aspects such as head loss, advantages and
disadvantages.
(1)

Orifice Plate

(2)

Venturi tube

(9 marks)

(b) Describe with the aid of a diagram the operation of an Ultrasonic flowmeter.
(7 marks)
(c) In relation to an Electromagnetic Flowmeters determine the induced voltage when
the diameter is 50mm, the Flux (B) is 0.15 Tesla and the mean flow velocity
is 0.2ms-1.
(4 marks)

Question 4
(a) Describe the following terms in relation to Dynamic Response. Include diagrams
to accompany your explanation where appropriate.
(1)

Response Time (tres)

(2)

Rise time (tr)

(3)

Settling time (ts)

(4)

Bandwidth
(6 marks)

(b) The following results were obtained when a pressure transducer was tested in a
laboratory using traceable calibration equipment
Input (bar)

20

40

60

80

100

Output (mA) increasing

5.8

8.3

11.7

15.7

20

Output (mA) decreasing

8.8

12.7

16.0

18.5

20

(1)

Plot the input/output characteristics of the transducer

(2)

Determine the maximum value of hysteresis

(3)

Determine the maximum value of non-linearity as a percentage of F.S.D.

(10 marks)

(c) State the difference between static and dynamic performance. A step change in
input may be used to determine the response of an instrument. Sketch the dynamic
response to a step change in input of a second order system whose damping
is 0.25.
(4 marks)

Question 5
(a) Describe in detail, using appropriate sketches any two of the following
display devices:
(1) Ultra-violet galvanometer recorders
(2) Light Emitting Diode (L.E.D.) displays
(3) Cathode Ray Tube (C.R.T.) displays
(10 marks)
(b) With respect to pressure measurement, give a brief description of operation of
any two of the following:
(1)

Potentiometric/Resistive Sensor

(2)

Capacitive Sensor

(3)

Piezoresistive Sensor
(10 marks)

Question 6
(a) Describe with the aid of a diagram the operation and theory of any mechanical
tachometer.
(10 marks)
(b) Briefly describe with the aid of a diagram one of the following electrical
tachometers:
(1)

Eddie Current Tachometer (Drag Cup)

(2)

Capacitive Type Tachometer

(3)

Optical Pickup Tachometer

(10 marks)

Question 7
(a) Explain the strain gauge principle, Youngs Modulus and Gauge Factor,
showing all relevant equations.
(6 marks)
(b) A 2kg weight is attached to the end of a vertical wire of length 3m and
diameter of 0.32mm. After the weight is attached, the wire elongated by
0.55mm. Calculate the tensile stress, tensile strain and Youngs modulus.
(4 marks)
(c) Explain in detail, giving a clearly labelled diagram a pneumatic load cell.
(5 marks)
(d) Discuss how the following factors influence the selection of a load cell:
1. Environment
2. Loading conditions
(5 marks)