Objective

Objective:
Diagram:
Apparatus:
Bourdon pressure gauge, Dead weight, Lubrication (Mobil Oil), Weights.
Theory:
1. Bourdon Tube:
The Bourdon tube is the main sensing element of the pressure
gauge. It's a hollow, curved tube with an elliptical or oval cross-section.
The reason for the elliptical shape is that it allows the tube to deform
more easily under pressure changes. The tube is usually bent into a
circular arc covering about 270 degrees.
The material used for the Bourdon tube is typically chosen for its
flexibility and strength, such as brass, phosphor bronze, or stainless
steel. This allows it to withstand high pressures without getting
permanently deformed or damaged.
2. Pressure Application and Tube Behavior:
 Pressure Inlet: One end of the tube is rigidly fixed and connected
to the source of pressure (e.g., a pipeline, a tank, or a pump). This
end is sealed tightly to prevent any leaks and is where the pressure
medium (like gas or liquid) enters.
 Response to Pressure: When the pressure is applied, the fluid (gas
or liquid) inside the tube exerts force on the walls of the tube. This
internal pressure causes the tube to try and straighten out. This
behavior is a result of the tube’s geometry—since it’s bent, the
internal pressure pushes more on the outer arc of the tube, leading
it to expand slightly. Essentially, the greater the internal pressure,
the more the tube attempts to straighten.
3. Mechanical Movement of the Free End:
The other end of the Bourdon tube, which is not fixed, is free to
move. As pressure inside the tube increases, the tube straightens out
slightly, causing the free end to shift. Conversely, if the pressure
decreases, the tube returns to its original curved shape, pulling the free
end back.
The degree of movement of the free end of the tube is
proportional to the amount of pressure applied. In other words, more
pressure leads to more straightening, and less pressure leads to less
straightening.
4. Transmission to Mechanical Linkage:
 Mechanical Amplification: The movement of the free end is
usually quite small and needs to be amplified to be visible on a
gauge dial. To achieve this, a mechanical system is connected to
the free end of the Bourdon tube. This system consists of a series of
levers, gears, and pivots that translate the small movement of the
tube into a larger rotational motion.
 Linkage and Gearing: The linkage typically involves a rack-and-
pinion mechanism. The free end of the tube is connected to a link
that pulls or pushes a small gear (the pinion), which in turn is
attached to the shaft of the pointer. The gears amplify the
movement so that even a slight change in pressure results in a
noticeable shift of the pointer.
5. The Dial and Pointer Mechanism:
 Pointer Movement: The pointer is mounted on a pivot and is
connected to the mechanical linkage described above. As the tube
moves and the gears turn, the pointer rotates around the face of
the gauge.
 Calibrated Scale: The gauge face is marked with a calibrated
scale that corresponds to the range of pressures that the gauge can
measure. These units could be psi (pounds per square inch), bar,
kPa (kilopascal), or other pressure units. Since the Bourdon
tube’s deformation is proportional to the pressure, the pointer’s
position on the scale gives a direct reading of the pressure inside
the system being measured.
6. Sensitivity and Accuracy:
The sensitivity and accuracy of the gauge depend on several
factors:
 Material of the Bourdon Tube: Different materials have different
elastic properties. For example, stainless steel is more resilient to
high pressure and corrosive environments, whereas brass is less
expensive and suitable for lower-pressure applications.
 Dimensions of the Tube: The length, thickness, and curvature of
the tube play a critical role. A longer or thinner tube will be more
sensitive, meaning it will move more for a given pressure change.
Conversely, a shorter or thicker tube will be less sensitive but
capable of withstanding higher pressures.
 Temperature Effects: Temperature can affect the accuracy of the
gauge, as thermal expansion might cause slight changes in the
tube's shape and thus in the reading. In many gauges, the material
is selected to minimize these temperature-related effects.
Maintenance
To ensure longevity and accurate readings, regular maintenance is
required:
 Periodic Calibration: The gauge should be recalibrated
periodically, especially if used in critical applications.
 Inspect for Leaks: Make sure the pressure connection is tight, and
there are no leaks.
 Protect from Mechanical Damage: Since the pointer and linkage
are mechanical parts, they can be affected by vibrations and
shocks.
Key Features of the Working Principle
 Proportional Relationship: The deformation of the Bourdon tube is directly

proportional to the internal pressure. Therefore, the movement of the pointer
around the dial is also proportional to the applied pressure, enabling accurate
measurement.
 Mechanical Design: The system relies entirely on mechanical components, so no
external power is needed. This simplicity makes it reliable and robust for a wide
range of industrial applications.
 Sensitive and Durable: The gauge can be designed with different materials and
dimensions to measure various pressure ranges, from very low to extremely high
pressures.
Procedure:
1. Remove the piston from unit.
2. Close valve V1 and open valve V2.
3. Fill cylinder with oil.
4. Now close valve V2.
5. Put piston back in position with V1 and V2 in close position.
6. Read out pressure value on gauge and compare it with
theoretical results.
7. Repeat the experiment by adding weights.
Graph:
Force vs Pressure
200000
180000
160000
140000
120000
Pressure
100000
80000
60000
40000
20000
0
0.5 1 2 4.5 Force
Practical Pressure 20000 35000 76000 175000
Theoretical Pressure 19231 38501 77002 173250

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 Proportional Relationship: The deformation of the Bourdon tube is directly

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