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Book Review: Sensors
Mechanical Measurements 5/e -by T Beckwith, R Marangoni and J Lienhard ISBN 0201-569477 Pages 876 (publ Addison Wesley 1993/1995)
This is a classic textbook that covers the experimental design, measurement and interpretation of data for a host of everyday mechanical and related processes.
Chapter 1 (16 pages): The process of measurement: an overview: Major areas covered include fundamental methods of measurement, generalised measurement systems, types of input quantities, calibration, uncertainty and and reporting results. The chapter ends with a suggested reading list of 7 textbooks and 5 exercises.
Chapter 2 (22 pages): Standards and dimension units of measurements. The major topics include The SI system, (including discussions on the standards of length, mass, time and frequency, temperature and electrical quantities). Comparison between systems units systems is next discussed. The chapter ends with a suggested reading list of some 14 textbooks, a set of 9 exercises and a bibliography of 27 references.
Chapter 3 (81 pages): Assessing and presenting experimental data: The major topics include a discussion on common types of errors, The next topic discussed in estimating uncertainty. Here theories based on population and sample are discussed in detail. Graphical representation of data including line-fitting and method of least square are discussed. The chapter ends with a suggested reading list of 16 books, 46 exercises and a bibliography of 11 references.
Chapter 4 (35 pages) : The analog measurand: time dependent characteristics: Major topics discussed include simple harmonic motion (circular and cyclic frequency), frequency spectrum and Fourier analysis. The chapter ends with a suggested reading list of 3 books 18 exercises and bibliography of 2 references.
Chapter 5 (48 pages): The response of the measuring system: The major topics include discussions on amplitude response, frequency response and phase response. A simplified physical system of mass on spring is considered also. For the latter damping is discussed. Discussed for the latter are zeroth, first and second order and mechanical systems. First order and second order electrical systems are next discussed. The chapter is well illustrated throughout with diagrams and the necessary mathematical equations. It ends with a suggested reading list of 5 books, 22 problems and 3 references.
Chapter 6 (46 pages) : Sensors: The major topics include the secondary transducer. The first type of transducers considered are resistance type transducers, variable-resistance transducer elements, the resistance strain gauge, thermistors and thermocouples are described. For inductive type sensors, variable inductance transformer elements, the differential transformer, variable reluctance transformers are also described. Capacitive transducers and piezoelectric transducers are next discussed. Semiconductors incorporating LED transducers and Hall-effect sensors are discussed. The chapter is well illustrated throughout with diagrams and the necessary mathematical equations. It ends with a reading list of 17 books , 15 exercises and a bibliography of 37 references.
Chapter 7 (67 pages) : Signal conditioning: The major topics covered include current sensitive circuits, ballast circuits, voltage-dividing circuits, A large section cover resistance bridges which includes voltage-sensitive wheatstone bridges, constant-current bridges, and AC Resistance bridges. Next discussed is electronic amplification (or gain) this is followed by amplifier types. This latter leads to a large section on the important area of op-amps. The latter includes applications of op-amps and amplifier circuits. Shielding and grounding are next described followed by filters. The chapter is well illustrated throughout with diagrams and the necessary mathematical equations. The chapter ends with a suggested reading list of 17 textbooks, 32 exercises and a bibliography of 12 references.
Chapter 8 (47 pages) : Digital techniques in mechanical measurements. The major topics include fundamental digital circuit elements, number systems, binary codes, simple digital circuits, microprocessors analogue-to-digital and digital-to-analogue conversion and buses. The chapter ends with a reading list of 21 textbooks, 8 exercises and a bibliography of 3 references.
Chapter 9 (32 pages): Readout and data processing: The major topics include the electronic counter, analogue electric motor indicators, digital multimeters, the cathode ray oscilloscope, XY plotters, and spectrum analysers. The chapter is well illustrated throughout with diagrams and the necessary mathematical equations. It ends with a reading list of 5 books, and 17 exercises.
Chapter 10 (22 pages): Determination of count, events per unit time and time interval: The major topics covered includes use of counters, the stroboscope, frequency standards calibration of frequency sources, the heterodyne method of frequency measurements and measurements of angular motion. The chapter is well illustrated diagramatically. It ends with a reading list of 3 books, 14 exercises and bibliography of 3 references.
Chapter 11 (44 pages): Displacement and dimensional measurement: The major topics covered include use of gauge blocks, surface plates, use of comparators, optical methods (including use of optical flats, interferometry, and measuring microscopes). Displacement transducers are considered next. In this area the differential transformer is considered in fair detail. The chapter is well illustrated diagrammatically. It ends with a suggested reading list of 11 textbooks, 28 problems and a bibliography of 13 references.
Chapter 12 (56 pages): Strain and stress: measurement and analysis. Te major topics covered include strain measurement including methods using electrical resistance, and relevant ballast and bridge circuits, temperature compensation and calibration. The use of strain on rotating shafts, in post-yield applications, fatigue applications, cryogenic as well as high temperature temperature applications and the effects of creep are all discussed. Strain measurements using photo-elasticity is then discussed. The chapter ends a reading list of 13 textbooks 31 exercises and a bibliography pf 23 references.
Chapter 13 (33 pages): Measurement of force and torque: The major topics covered include mechanical weighing systems (including the analytical balance and the pendulum force measuring mechanism), elastic transducers, strain-gage load cells, piezoelectric load cells, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, torque measurement and dynamometers. The chapter is well illustrated and ends with a reading list of 3 textbooks, 19 exercises and 13 references.
Chapter 14 (39 pages): Measurement of pressure: The major topics include static and dynamic pressure, pressure-measuring transducers, elastic-type transducers, elastic diaphragms, strain-gauage pressure cells, measurement of high pressures, measurement of low pressures and dynamic characteristics of pressure-measuring systems. Calibration methods are next discussed including methods for static pressures, steady state methods and transient methods. The chapter is well illustrated diagrammatically and with the necessary mathematical equations. It ends with a reading list of 9 textbooks, 34 exercises and a bibliography of 28 references.
Chapter 15 (47 pages): Measurement of fluid flow: The major topics include flow characteristics, obstruction meters, for incompressible flow. obstruction meters for compressible fluids, predictability of obstruction meter performance. Other types of flow meters are then discussed including magnetic flow meters, static and total pressure probes, thermal anemometry laser-Doppler anemometry and ultrasonic anemometry. Also discussed is the calibration of flow-metering devices. The chapter is well illustrated diagrammatically and where necessary with appropriate mathematical equations. It ends with a reading list of 15 books, 35 exercises and a bibliography of 33 references.
Chapter 16 (69 pages): Temperature measurement: The major topics covered include use of bi-metals, pressure thermometers, thermo resistive elements (including resistance thermometers and thermistors) thermocouples, semiconductor junction temperature sensors and pyrometry. The special problems associated with temperature measurement is considered in a large section. The areas covered include errors from conduction and radiation, measurement of temperature of a rapidly moving gas, temperature element response, measurement of heat flux. Calibration temperature-measuring devises is then covered. The chapter is well illustrated diagrammatically and with the necessary physical equations. It ends with a reading list of 13 textbooks, 32 exercises and a bibliography of 41 references.
Chapter 17 (38 pages) : Measurement of motion: The topics covered include vibrometers and accelerometers (for application in seismology etc – here the seismic accelerometer and seismic vibrometer are considered in detail. The calibration methods of practical accelerometers and vibrometers are next considered. The determination of natural frequency and damping ratio in seismic instruments is next considered. This is followed by vibration and shock testing. The chapter is excellently illustrated with diagrams, photography and the relevant mathematical equations. It ends with a reading list of 5 textbooks, 13 exercises and a bibliography of 27 references.
Chapter 18 (35 pages): Acoustical measurement: The major topics covered include sound pressure, sound pressure level, combination of sound pressure levels and psychoacoustic relationships. Sound-measuring apparatus and techniques, applied spectrum analysis follows. The last section covers measurement and interpretation of industrial and environmental noise. The chapter ends with a reading list of 11 textbooks, 11 exercises and a bibliography of 12 references.
Appendix A: Standards and conversion equations (3 pages)
Appendix B: Theoretical basis for Fourier analysis ( 5 pages )
Appendix C: Number systems ( 6 pages)
Appendix D Some useful data (4 pages)
Appendix E : Stress and strain relationships ( 16 pages )
Appendix F: Pseudo random normally distributed numbers ( 4 pages )
Appendix G: Statistical tests for least-squares fits ( 5 pages )
Answers to problems (4 pages)
Index ( 10 pages)
This a classic. A mature textbook (first published in 1961) but is as useful today as when it was published. To buy this book please contact Basis Volume for price/availability or with your request. Or for additional information please contact Pearson (Addison Wesley Longman).
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