Catalogo dei Corsi di studio

The course aims to provide basic training for the students of the Degree Course in Clinical Engineering so that they are able to perform the static and time-varying measurements of the fundamental mechanical and thermal quantities.
The student must also know the elements of basic metrology, be able to independently choose the measuring device, know how to acquire the data and develop a critical sense about the quality of the measure that is reflected in the professional activity of the clinical engineer.
Lessons are integrated with both numerical and experimental exercises with the purpose of demonstrating the application of the topics discussed.

Programme

1. MEASUREMENT UNITS AND SYSTEMS
Introduction, what is a measurement, physical quantities and their dimensions, dimensional equations, measurement unit systems with particular regard to the International Measuring System. Changing of measurement units.
2. METROLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Measurement chain (sensor, signal manipulator, data visualization), instrument classification. The instrument Metrological qualities: measurement range, sensitivity, accuracy, stiffness and instrument dynamic response.
3. STATISTICAL DATA ANALYSIS
Frequency and probability distributions; normal distribution; meand and standard deviation. Theory of errors: error of the mean and standard error of the mean (basic elements). Error propagation theory.
4. SENSOR TYPES
Mechanical sensors and electrical transducers; primary and secondary sensors
5. MEASUREMENT SIGNALS
Voltage and current signals: analog operations (amplifiers, passive filters, WB, voltamperometer circuits, piezoelectric devices), active and passive electronic elements.
6. ANALOG SIGNAL VISUALIZATION
Galvanometer (basic elements), the potentiometer and the analog oscilloscope (basic elements).
7. NUMERICAL AND DIGITAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
Electronic counters, measurement of time. A/D and D/A converters, digital voltmeters, digital oscilloscopes (hints), digital acquisition systems.
8. LENGTH AND DISPLACEMENT MEASUREMENT
Work-shop instruments: Gauge and Palmer, electrical displacement transducers (based on resistance, capacitance and inductance variation): the potentiometer, the Linear Variable Displacement Transducer.
9. STRAIN MEASUREMENT
Mechanical strain gauge (basic elements). Electrical strain gage: working principle, thermal effects compensation, simple mechanical stresses measurement (traction, bending, torsion). Strain gage measurement systems. Multiple strain gage rosette. Strain gage signal manipulators.
10. MASS AND FORCE MEASUREMENT
Balances and dynamometers, load cells.
11. PRESSURE MEASUREMENT
Liquid manometer, metallic manometer (Bourdon), piezoelectric manometer, basics of manometer calibration. Piezoresistive transducers.
12. VELOCITY MEASUREMENT
Linear and angular velocity measurements. Linear and angular encoders. Fluid velocity measurements, the Pitot transducer. The hot-wire anemometer
13. FLOW MEASUREMENT
Variable pressure drop methods: orifice, flow nozzle and venturi tube. Variable area meters: rotameter. Laminar flow meters, turbine meters and electromagnetic meters. Ultrasuonic meters (basic principles).
14. TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
The thermodynamic temperature scale and the International practical temperature scale. Basics of the different thermometer types. Electrical thermometers: Pt100, thermistors, thermocouples (working principles, types, using configuration).

5 experiences: passive filters, traction and bending, “invasive” pressure measurements, mass flow measurements, temperature measurements.

Adopted texts

Doebelin Ernest O. – Measurement systems, application and design – McGraw Hill
Materials from the teacher

Prerequisites

To successfully succeed with the course the following prelimary knowledges are necessary: Analisi I, Analisi II, Fisica I, Fisica II, Scienza delle Costruzioni, Fisica Tecnica

Exam modes

The examination is in an oral form, and is based on both teoretic and practic (excercises) questions