Electronic Transducers — Lesson 1

This lesson covers the fundamentals of electronic transducers used in wind tunnel experiments. It delves into the importance of electronic instruments in wind tunnel testing and the three main categories of these instruments: transducers, signal conditioners, and data acquisition systems. The lesson further explains the role of each component in the process of wind tunnel experimentation. It also discusses the different types of transducers, their characteristics, and their applications in wind tunnel experiments. For instance, the lesson explains how a variable resistance transducer, such as a strain gauge, works and how it is used in wind tunnel experiments. The lesson also introduces the concept of the Wheatstone Bridge circuit, which is used in the measurement of forces and moments in wind tunnel balances.

Video Highlights

01:55 - Explanation of the importance of electronic instruments in wind tunnel testing.
07:57 - Explanation of the function of a transducer.
11:55 - Discussion on the different types of electronic transducers used in wind tunnels.
19:55 - Explanation of the concept of gauge factor and its dependence on Poisson's ratio.
23:53 - Introduction to the concept of Wheatstone bridge circuit and its types.

Key Takeaways

- Electronic instruments play a crucial role in wind tunnel testing, and they can be broadly classified into transducers, signal conditioners, and data acquisition systems.
- Transducers receive physical quantities like pressure or force and deliver a proportional electrical signal to the signal conditioner.
- Variable resistance transducers, such as strain gauges, are commonly used in wind tunnel experiments.
- The Wheatstone Bridge circuit is used in the measurement of forces and moments in wind tunnel balances.
- The gauge factor of a strain gauge, which is a measure of its sensitivity, can be directly correlated with the Poisson ratio.