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Pressure sensor — Parallax Forums

Pressure sensor

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2003-02-16 07:10 in General Discussion
Greetings,

I'm looking for a water pressure sensor I can attach to a BS2. It
should hopefully be small and reasonably priced. Need a voltage output
proportional (not necessarily linear) to the water pressure. The idea is
to use this in a small Autonomous Underwater Vehicle to recognize zero
buoyancy. When the pressure is not changing the vehicle is maintaining
depth, when pressure is increasing it is diving, etc. Any suggestions
appreciated.

Regards, Theron Wierenga
Muskegon, Michigan

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-02-22 03:38
    What sort of pressure ranges , precision and accuracy are you looking for?

    Fritz
    Original Message
    From: "Theron Wierenga" <twiereng@m...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2001 10:13 PM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Pressure sensor


    > Greetings,
    >
    > I'm looking for a water pressure sensor I can attach to a BS2. It
    > should hopefully be small and reasonably priced. Need a voltage output
    > proportional (not necessarily linear) to the water pressure. The idea is
    > to use this in a small Autonomous Underwater Vehicle to recognize zero
    > buoyancy. When the pressure is not changing the vehicle is maintaining
    > depth, when pressure is increasing it is diving, etc. Any suggestions
    > appreciated.
    >
    > Regards, Theron Wierenga
    > Muskegon, Michigan
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-02-22 03:58
    Fritz,

    This will probably not be used in water over 50 feet deep, if we could
    get an 8 bit reading over this kind of range it would suffice.

    Theron

    Fritz Braun wrote:
    >
    > What sort of pressure ranges , precision and accuracy are you looking for?
    >
    > Fritz
    >
    Original Message
    > From: "Theron Wierenga" <twiereng@m...>
    > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2001 10:13 PM
    > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Pressure sensor
    >
    > > Greetings,
    > >
    > > I'm looking for a water pressure sensor I can attach to a BS2. It
    > > should hopefully be small and reasonably priced. Need a voltage output
    > > proportional (not necessarily linear) to the water pressure. The idea is
    > > to use this in a small Autonomous Underwater Vehicle to recognize zero
    > > buoyancy. When the pressure is not changing the vehicle is maintaining
    > > depth, when pressure is increasing it is diving, etc. Any suggestions
    > > appreciated.
    > >
    > > Regards, Theron Wierenga
    > > Muskegon, Michigan
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > >
    > >
    > >
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-02-22 16:59
    Theron,
    I am working on a similar project, an autonomous submarine with a
    design dive depth of 125 feet. Over these kinds of pressure ranges
    and accuracies, we are finding an automative oil pressure transducer
    to be a very workable sensor solution, especially considering the $20
    price range compared with $150 and up for industrial units.

    Remember that water pressure is about 1 atmosphere / 15 feet of
    depth, so to dive to 50 feet you would need a sensor capable of
    measuring up to (50 / 15) = 3.5 (margin for error) + 1 (for the
    actual atmosphere above that) = 4.5 atmospheres of pressure. This is
    equivalent to about 70 pounds per square inch.

    I am not sure if you will see an accurate, timely enough signal from
    differentiating such a sensor to finely control your bouyancy, that
    seems like quite a task to me, especially considering many bouyancy
    systems are difficult to control and do not respond well to the kind
    of low-hysteresis-induced cycling that this may produce, but I'm sure
    with enough tinkering you can get something workable.

    Good luck, and if you have more questions I'd be happy to do what I
    can,
    Douglas McClean
    jxm156@p... or IDiggles@a...

    --- In basicstamps@y..., Theron Wierenga <twiereng@m...> wrote:
    > Greetings,
    >
    > I'm looking for a water pressure sensor I can attach to a
    BS2. It
    > should hopefully be small and reasonably priced. Need a voltage
    output
    > proportional (not necessarily linear) to the water pressure. The
    idea is
    > to use this in a small Autonomous Underwater Vehicle to recognize
    zero
    > buoyancy. When the pressure is not changing the vehicle is
    maintaining
    > depth, when pressure is increasing it is diving, etc. Any
    suggestions
    > appreciated.
    >
    > Regards, Theron Wierenga
    > Muskegon, Michigan
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-02-22 17:06
    On Thu, 22 Feb 2001, IDiggles@a... wrote:

    > Remember that water pressure is about 1 atmosphere / 15 feet of
    > depth, so to dive to 50 feet you would need a sensor capable of

    one atm is 33 feet
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-02-22 18:09
    Doug,

    Thanks for the reply, we'll give this a try. Do you know what type of
    output we will get from this? Another question is have you found a source for
    an "inexpensive" solenoid operated valve for something like a 1/4 inch line?

    Regards, Theron

    IDiggles@a... wrote:

    > Theron,
    > I am working on a similar project, an autonomous submarine with a
    > design dive depth of 125 feet. Over these kinds of pressure ranges
    > and accuracies, we are finding an automative oil pressure transducer
    > to be a very workable sensor solution, especially considering the $20
    > price range compared with $150 and up for industrial units.
    >
    > Remember that water pressure is about 1 atmosphere / 15 feet of
    > depth, so to dive to 50 feet you would need a sensor capable of
    > measuring up to (50 / 15) = 3.5 (margin for error) + 1 (for the
    > actual atmosphere above that) = 4.5 atmospheres of pressure. This is
    > equivalent to about 70 pounds per square inch.
    >
    > I am not sure if you will see an accurate, timely enough signal from
    > differentiating such a sensor to finely control your bouyancy, that
    > seems like quite a task to me, especially considering many bouyancy
    > systems are difficult to control and do not respond well to the kind
    > of low-hysteresis-induced cycling that this may produce, but I'm sure
    > with enough tinkering you can get something workable.
    >
    > Good luck, and if you have more questions I'd be happy to do what I
    > can,
    > Douglas McClean
    > jxm156@p... or IDiggles@a...
    >
    > --- In basicstamps@y..., Theron Wierenga <twiereng@m...> wrote:
    > > Greetings,
    > >
    > > I'm looking for a water pressure sensor I can attach to a
    > BS2. It
    > > should hopefully be small and reasonably priced. Need a voltage
    > output
    > > proportional (not necessarily linear) to the water pressure. The
    > idea is
    > > to use this in a small Autonomous Underwater Vehicle to recognize
    > zero
    > > buoyancy. When the pressure is not changing the vehicle is
    > maintaining
    > > depth, when pressure is increasing it is diving, etc. Any
    > suggestions
    > > appreciated.
    > >
    > > Regards, Theron Wierenga
    > > Muskegon, Michigan
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-02-22 18:45
    Domestic washing machines uses low cost solenoids.

    ACJacques
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-02-22 19:57
    Unless you're in fresh water - where one atmosphere is
    34 feet.

    --
    "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a
    little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor
    safety." - Benjamin Franklin
    >
    > On Thu, 22 Feb 2001, IDiggles@a... wrote:
    >
    > > Remember that water pressure is about 1 atmosphere / 15 feet of
    > > depth, so to dive to 50 feet you would need a sensor capable of
    >
    > one atm is 33 feet
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-02-23 00:14
    What is the pressure at 50 feet?

    Depending on what pressure range you need, you may want to look at the
    PX240 series from www.omega.com. Prices start at $149. You can pick
    from several different pressure ranges. BTW, request Omega's Reference
    Set -- 6 hardback volumes packed with cool sensors, instrumentation, and
    technical info -- all for free. Phone is 800-222-2665.

    On Wed, 21 Feb 2001 22:58:27 -0500 Theron Wierenga
    <twiereng@m...> writes:
    > Fritz,
    >
    > This will probably not be used in water over 50 feet deep,
    > if we could
    > get an 8 bit reading over this kind of range it would suffice.
    >
    > Theron
    >
    > Fritz Braun wrote:
    > >
    > > What sort of pressure ranges , precision and accuracy are you
    > looking for?
    > >
    > > Fritz
    > >
    Original Message
    > > From: "Theron Wierenga" <twiereng@m...>
    > > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > > Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2001 10:13 PM
    > > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Pressure sensor
    > >
    > > > Greetings,
    > > >
    > > > I'm looking for a water pressure sensor I can attach to a BS2.
    > It
    > > > should hopefully be small and reasonably priced. Need a voltage
    > output
    > > > proportional (not necessarily linear) to the water pressure. The
    > idea is
    > > > to use this in a small Autonomous Underwater Vehicle to
    > recognize zero
    > > > buoyancy. When the pressure is not changing the vehicle is
    > maintaining
    > > > depth, when pressure is increasing it is diving, etc. Any
    > suggestions
    > > > appreciated.
    > > >
    > > > Regards, Theron Wierenga
    > > > Muskegon, Michigan
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-02-23 05:11
    OK, The FIRST 33 feet in Salt water is one Atsm,
    and the FIRST 34 feet in fresh water.

    The second is only about ____ feet? less than 20
    it's been so long since those SCUBA lessons.

    Pressure at depth will be somewhat logrymithic, not linear.




    --- In basicstamps@y..., arlen.fletcher@a... wrote:
    > Unless you're in fresh water - where one atmosphere is
    > 34 feet.
    >
    > --
    > "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a
    > little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor
    > safety." - Benjamin Franklin
    > >
    > > On Thu, 22 Feb 2001, IDiggles@a... wrote:
    > >
    > > > Remember that water pressure is about 1 atmosphere / 15 feet of
    > > > depth, so to dive to 50 feet you would need a sensor capable of
    > >
    > > one atm is 33 feet
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > >
    > >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-02-23 05:13
    I remember the pressure being linear and not log...whatever.
    Each atm in fresh water happening at multiples of 33 feet.
    With a surface gas mixture becoming poisinous(?) at 330 feet, 10 atms.

    Mike

    davemucha@j... wrote:

    > OK, The FIRST 33 feet in Salt water is one Atsm,
    > and the FIRST 34 feet in fresh water.
    >
    > The second is only about ____ feet? less than 20
    > it's been so long since those SCUBA lessons.
    >
    > Pressure at depth will be somewhat logrymithic, not linear.
    >
    > --- In basicstamps@y..., arlen.fletcher@a... wrote:
    > > Unless you're in fresh water - where one atmosphere is
    > > 34 feet.
    > >
    > > --
    > > "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a
    > > little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor
    > > safety." - Benjamin Franklin
    > > >
    > > > On Thu, 22 Feb 2001, IDiggles@a... wrote:
    > > >
    > > > > Remember that water pressure is about 1 atmosphere / 15 feet of
    > > > > depth, so to dive to 50 feet you would need a sensor capable of
    > > >
    > > > one atm is 33 feet
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > > >
    > > >
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-02-23 05:40
    --- In basicstamps@y..., Mike Eggleston <mikee@m...> wrote:
    > I remember the pressure being linear and not log...whatever.
    > Each atm in fresh water happening at multiples of 33 feet.
    > With a surface gas mixture becoming poisinous(?) at 330 feet, 10
    atms.
    >
    > Mike
    >
    > davemucha@j... wrote:
    >
    > > OK, The FIRST 33 feet in Salt water is one Atsm,
    > > and the FIRST 34 feet in fresh water.
    > >
    > > The second is only about ____ feet? less than 20
    > > it's been so long since those SCUBA lessons.
    > >
    > > Pressure at depth will be somewhat logrymithic, not linear.
    > >
    > > --- In basicstamps@y..., arlen.fletcher@a... wrote:
    > > > Unless you're in fresh water - where one atmosphere is
    > > > 34 feet.
    > > >
    > > > --
    > > > "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a
    > > > little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor
    > > > safety." - Benjamin Franklin
    > > > >
    > > > > On Thu, 22 Feb 2001, IDiggles@a... wrote:
    > > > >
    > > > > > Remember that water pressure is about 1 atmosphere / 15
    feet of
    > > > > > depth, so to dive to 50 feet you would need a sensor
    capable of
    > > > >
    > > > > one atm is 33 feet
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-02-23 05:46
    maybe my brain has the bends... my depth sensor that
    was compised of a little plastic tube and air was log.

    As the depth compressed th air in the tube, it read similar to a
    thermometer. you could really see the line between water and air.
    as the air compredded, the scale was not linear. it was logrymitic.

    like I said, so may years ago. anybody know Lloyd Bridges e-mail
    address?




    --- In basicstamps@y..., Mike Eggleston <mikee@m...> wrote:
    > I remember the pressure being linear and not log...whatever.
    > Each atm in fresh water happening at multiples of 33 feet.
    > With a surface gas mixture becoming poisinous(?) at 330 feet, 10
    atms.
    >
    > Mike
    >
    > davemucha@j... wrote:
    >
    > > OK, The FIRST 33 feet in Salt water is one Atsm,
    > > and the FIRST 34 feet in fresh water.
    > >
    > > The second is only about ____ feet? less than 20
    > > it's been so long since those SCUBA lessons.
    > >
    > > Pressure at depth will be somewhat logrymithic, not linear.
    > >
    > > --- In basicstamps@y..., arlen.fletcher@a... wrote:
    > > > Unless you're in fresh water - where one atmosphere is
    > > > 34 feet.
    > > >
    > > > --
    > > > "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a
    > > > little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor
    > > > safety." - Benjamin Franklin
    > > > >
    > > > > On Thu, 22 Feb 2001, IDiggles@a... wrote:
    > > > >
    > > > > > Remember that water pressure is about 1 atmosphere / 15
    feet of
    > > > > > depth, so to dive to 50 feet you would need a sensor
    capable of
    > > > >
    > > > > one atm is 33 feet
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-02-23 08:07
    > maybe my brain has the bends... my depth sensor that
    > was compised of a little plastic tube and air was log.
    >
    > As the depth compressed th air in the tube, it read similar to a
    > thermometer. you could really see the line between water and air.
    > as the air compredded, the scale was not linear. it was logrymitic.

    That was a consequence of the instrument.
    Pressure increases by one atmosphere (14.7psi, 1 bar) for every 33
    feet (34 in fresh water) linearly. 66 feet = 2atm, 99 feet=3atm, etc.
    33 feet of sea water weighs the same as a column of air from the
    sea to the beginning of space.

    Your guage (you are showing your age) works according to Boyles
    law which says that if you double the pressure, you halve the
    volume (of a gas). So if the bubble was 1 inch long at the surface (1
    atm) at 33 feet there is a total of 2atm (water plus air) so the
    bubble is 0.5" long. At 66 feet there are 2atm of water plus one of
    air so the bubble is one third the original length. At 99 feet the
    bubble is a quarter, 132 feet one fifth, etc.
    The pressure increases linearly but the volume of your bubble is log
    (well 1/x actually but it has that log look about it).

    > like I said, so may years ago. anybody know Lloyd Bridges e-mail
    > address?

    You _are_ showing your age. :-)

    Steve.


    ======================================================
    Steve Baldwin Electronic Product Design
    TLA Microsystems Ltd Microcontroller Specialists
    PO Box 15-680, New Lynn http://www.tla.co.nz
    Auckland, New Zealand ph +64 9 820-2221
    email: steveb@t... fax +64 9 820-1929
    ======================================================
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-02-23 15:26
    If you got that, then you are showing yours as well!

    > > anybody know Lloyd Bridges e-mail address?
    > You _are_ showing your age. :-)
    > Steve.


    I was thinking about flow pressure and not static pressure.
    In a duct, the pressure from a Pitot tube is a log function.

    Pressure of water depth, as you stated is linear. It is also a simple
    device to calibrate. Since the salinity and temperature don't change
    much over time, you can just drop a measuring tape in with your
    sensor to check your software calibration.

    Does Diver Dan have a URL?

    Dave




    >
    >
    > ======================================================
    > Steve Baldwin Electronic Product Design
    > TLA Microsystems Ltd Microcontroller Specialists
    > PO Box 15-680, New Lynn http://www.tla.co.nz
    > Auckland, New Zealand ph +64 9 820-2221
    > email: steveb@t... fax +64 9 820-1929
    > ======================================================
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-02-23 19:48
    There is a pressure transmitter available with the following specifications:

    Differentional pressure transmitter MPX5100DP
    - Sensor output 0.5 - 4.5 Volt in the pressure range from 0 - 100kPa ( 0 -
    ±10 meter water)
    - Power supply 5 Volt
    - I = 8 mA
    - accuracy unknown

    Prize : Euro 36.28

    Order no. 18.38.90-24 page 568 of the catalog 2001, see www.conrad.com
    (check for water resistance)


    Best regards

    Piet Deen


    Oorspronkelijk bericht
    Van: Theron Wierenga <twiereng@m...>
    Aan: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Verzonden: donderdag 22 februari 2001 4:13
    Onderwerp: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Pressure sensor


    > Greetings,
    >
    > I'm looking for a water pressure sensor I can attach to a BS2. It
    > should hopefully be small and reasonably priced. Need a voltage output
    > proportional (not necessarily linear) to the water pressure. The idea is
    > to use this in a small Autonomous Underwater Vehicle to recognize zero
    > buoyancy. When the pressure is not changing the vehicle is maintaining
    > depth, when pressure is increasing it is diving, etc. Any suggestions
    > appreciated.
    >
    > Regards, Theron Wierenga
    > Muskegon, Michigan
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-02-14 18:41
    I am looking for a small size and light weight
    pressure sensor. I am interested in 10hpa to 1100hpa
    range. Been looking for 2 weeks now and I am not able
    to locate an appropriate one for my project. I came
    across ones that are over $500. I need something
    within $100. Any suggestions?



    __________________________________________________
    Do You Yahoo!?
    Everything you'll ever need on one web page
    from News and Sport to Email and Music Charts
    http://uk.my.yahoo.com
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-02-14 19:03
    Try Digikey www.digikey.com and Motorola www.motorola.com. Motorola makes a
    bunch of different models in various pressure ranges and configurations
    (differential, absolute, etc). Digikey carries several series of inexpensive
    pressure transducers, mostly <$100. Look around! ;o)

    Robert
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-02-14 19:36
    In a message dated 2/14/2003 10:43:35 AM Pacific Standard Time,
    kambms@y... writes:

    > I am looking for a small size and light weight
    > pressure sensor. I am interested in 10hpa to 1100hpa
    > range. Been looking for 2 weeks now and I am not able
    > to locate an appropriate one for my project. I came
    > across ones that are over $500. I need something
    > within $100. Any suggestions?
    >

    I am not sure of the units (hpa) but at a junk yard you could get a vehicle
    Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor that will measure 0 to 15 psi
    absoulute.....


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-02-16 07:10
    Try:
    All Sensors Corp.
    6296 San Ignacio, Ste. E
    San Jose, CA 95119
    Voice 408-225-4314, Fax 408-225-2079
    and/or their site.

    Original Message
    From: "Ali" <kambms@y...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Friday, February 14, 2003 20:41
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Pressure Sensor


    >
    > I am looking for a small size and light weight
    > pressure sensor. I am interested in 10hpa to 1100hpa
    > range. Been looking for 2 weeks now and I am not able
    > to locate an appropriate one for my project. I came
    > across ones that are over $500. I need something
    > within $100. Any suggestions?
    >
    >
    >
    > __________________________________________________
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    > Everything you'll ever need on one web page
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