A dial pressure gauge works by converting fluid pressure into a mechanical movement that indicates the pressure on a dial. It measures the force exerted by a fluid (gas or liquid) within a system.
While the provided context doesn't detail the specific mechanism, here's a general explanation of how a typical dial pressure gauge operates:
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Fluid Entry: The fluid (gas or liquid) enters the gauge through an inlet port.
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Pressure Sensing Element: The fluid pressure acts upon a sensing element. Common types include:
- Bourdon Tube: This is a curved, hollow tube that straightens slightly when pressurized. The amount of straightening is proportional to the pressure.
- Diaphragm: A flexible membrane that deflects under pressure. The amount of deflection is proportional to the pressure.
- Bellows: A corrugated, expandable chamber that expands or contracts under pressure. The amount of movement is proportional to the pressure.
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Mechanical Linkage: The movement of the sensing element (straightening of the Bourdon tube, deflection of the diaphragm, or expansion/contraction of the bellows) is transferred to a mechanical linkage system.
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Gearing and Pointer: The mechanical linkage typically includes gears that magnify the movement and translate it to a pointer.
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Dial Indication: The pointer rotates across a calibrated dial, indicating the pressure value. The dial is marked with pressure units (e.g., PSI, kPa, bar).
In summary, the dial pressure gauge uses a sensing element to convert fluid pressure into a mechanical movement, which is then displayed as a pressure reading on a dial. The fluid pressure refers to the measurement of the force.
