WILJAM FLIGHT TRAINING

Chapter 8.2
Pressure and Temperature Sensors
Introduction
Devices are fitted to aeroplanes that sense, or measure pressure and temperature, and then
create a signal, which is proportional to that measurement.
Pressure Measurement
In aviation, pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI), inches of mercury (in. Hg),
millibars (mbar) or kilopascals (kPa). Pressure is also compared to some reference value, and
the three most common types are:Absolute Pressure. This is the pressure compared to a perfect vacuum, which is
either equal to, or greater than this value. It is given as PSIA or in. Hg absolute.
Gauge Pressure. This pressure is compared to ambient pressure, and is given as
PSIG.

Differential Pressure. This is the difference between two different pressures in an

aeroplane, and is given as PSID.
Aeroplane instruments which are used to register these pressures are typically the:Manifold pressure gauge. This gauge measures absolute pressure.
Oil pressure gauge. This gauge measures gauge pressure
Cabin differential pressure gauge. This gauge measures the difference in pressure
between the inside and the outside of the aeroplane, and is calibrated in PSID
Pressure measurements are required for various applications such as:

Static air pressure

Fluid pressure
Manifold pressure
Differential pressure
Pressure ratios

Pressures are usually measured by using a flexible metal chamber (aneroid capsule or
bellows), which is spring loaded against the effect of changes in pressure, or a Bourdon tube.
Aneroid Capsule.
To measure static pressure, the capsule is partially evacuated
and then sealed, is prevented from collapsing by the action of a spring. The spring may
be fitted externally or, for some applications, may be fitted internally, as shown on the
next page.
If the pressure acting on the external face of the capsule is reduced, the spring will
cause the capsule to open, but if the external pressure is increased the effectiveness of
the spring will be reduced, and the capsule will collapse. This type of device is used to
measure relatively low pressures.

8-2-1

WILJAM FLIGHT TRAINING

Bellows. In some cases it is necessary to measure the difference between two sensed
pressures. One common use is to measure the differential pressure, where the bellows
are divided into two separate chambers, and a different pressure source is connected to
each side.

Expansion and contraction of the bellows will thus be dependent on the algebraic some
of these pressures. This type of device is used to measure medium pressures.
Bourdon Tube. This device is manufactured from a metal such as phosphor bronze or
beryllium-copper. It is in the form of a coil, as shown on the next page, and when
affected by a change in pressure will extend or contract. The Bourdon tube may be
used to measure oxygen pressure, hydraulic pressure, and engine oil pressure. This
type of device is used to measure relatively high pressures.

8-2-2

WILJAM FLIGHT TRAINING

In all of these types of pressure sensor, the change in pressure acting on them is converted into
a mechanical motion by the change in shape of the sensor. The sensors have an initial
resistance to any change in shape that results in a time lag between the time the pressure
changes, and the resultant change in shape.
Temperature Measurement
The temperatures that require to be measured on an aeroplane are:

Air temperatures
Gas temperatures
Component temperatures
Fluid temperatures

The variation in the physical properties of a substance is used to measure temperature, and
any devices used on aeroplanes to measure temperature, are called Temperature-Measuring
Systems. Aeroplane temperature indicators give readings in degrees Celsius (C) or in
degrees Fahrenheit (F). To make a comparison the temperatures in the following paragraphs
will be given in F.
Bi-metallic Temperature System.
This system is used to measure temperatures
up to 140F, and uses the property of expansion. Different materials expand and
contract at different rates when subjected to the same change in temperature. If two
thermally dissimilar metals, eg. iron and brass, are strapped together, and heat is
applied, one will expand more than the other, and the bi-metallic strip will distort.

8-2-3

WILJAM FLIGHT TRAINING

The bi-metallic strip can be formed into a coil so that any change in temperature will
cause the strip to wind or unwind, and produce a rotational movement. This motion will
then rotate a needle around a scale, and will display the temperature on a temperature
gauge. This system is commonly used on small aeroplanes, where it is normally
installed through the side window.
Mechanical Bulbs Temperature System.
This system consists of a Bourdon
tube gauge, which measures pressure, a thin walled bulb, which is at the point of
measurement, and a thin capillary tube to connect them together, as shown below.

It uses the principle of the increase in vapour pressure within a confined space to
measure temperature. The system is filled with a chemical, eg. Methyl Chloride, which
in its normal state is part liquid and part gas. The system is sealed and as the
temperature increases the pressure changes within the tube, and gives an accurate
reading of temperature on the Bourdon tube gauge. This method is used on small
aeroplanes to measure engine oil pressure, and on some jet aeroplanes to measure the
compressor inlet temperature of the engine.

8-2-4

WILJAM FLIGHT TRAINING

Wheatstone Bridge System. This method of measuring temperature requires
electrical power, and is useful for measuring temperatures up to 300F. The bridge
circuit consists of three fixed resistors and one variable resistor.

The variable resistor is the temperature probe, and contains a coil of fine nickel wire.
As the temperature of the coil increases, its resistance will also increase, and current
will flow in the bridge. This will in turn move the needle on the gauge, and will give a
temperature reading. A disadvantage of the Wheatstone bridge is that any bad
connections can drastically affect the resistance value, and produce an inaccurate
temperature reading.
Thermocouple Temperature System. This system is used to measure temperatures
up to about 500F or more, and is the most commonly used device. Unlike the
Wheatstone bridge, this system does not require an electrical power source.

When one junction of two dissimilar metals is heated a voltage proportional to the
temperature between the hot and cold junctions will occur, and current will flow in
the circuit, with a reading being taken at the cold junction. Two commonly used metals
are Copper-Constantan and Iron-Constantan, which are both able to withstand high
temperatures and produce a useable voltage. The actual voltage produced is very low,
so this device is not usually used to measure temperatures below 400F. To measure
high temperatures up to 1000F and above a combination of Chromel-Alumel is used.
Thermocouples are used on piston engines to measure the cylinder head temperature.
If only one probe is used it is fitted in the hottest running cylinder, eg. the rear cylinder
on a horizontally opposed engine. The probe is often in the form of a spark plug gasket,
which fits under the spark plug, or alternatively a bayonet type probe, which fits into a
special recess in the cylinder head. Thermocouples are also used to operate exhaust
gas temperature (EGT) gauges on jet engines, because high temperatures can severely
damage the turbine sections. They are fitted around the engine jet pipe and are

8-2-5

WILJAM FLIGHT TRAINING

connected in parallel, so that the failure of one thermocouple, will not adversely affect
the overall reading.

8-2-6