Aerospace Sensors

Aircraft instruments are driven by aerospace sensors.pressure-sensitive switches and, in the case of fuel,
Aero engine temperature sensorsflowmeters which indicate the actual flow. All transmit
The thrust indicator measures jetpipe pressure,to the cockpit in the form of electrical signals.
sensing pressures at inlet and exhaust, pressureVibration transmitters are transducers of the
sensors. Temperature sensors have a sensingmagnetostrictive or piezoelectric crystal type, which
element, a thermocouple, a heat-resistant tubesend out signals to a sensitive milliammeter with a dial
containing two wires of different materials, such ascalibrated in terms of vibration amplitude, the
one of nickel-aluminium and one of nickel-chromium.unacceptable region being red. Often signal filters are
They are joined at the end of the protective tube,inserted so that the pilot can check on vibration in
which projects into a suitable point in the hot gas.particular bands of frequency corresponding to an
Usually there will be from two to ten thermocouplesrpm value.
arranged round the turbine section, plus others toThermocouples can give warning of excessive
sense the inlet air temperature. Each pair of wires istemperatures, and avoid costly damage to the
joined again inside a cool box, and it is the differenceturbine and other hot parts of the engine. Warnings
in temperature between the hot and cold junctionscan also be given by thermally triggered switches in
which generates a small voltage which drives cockpitstrategic locations such as overboard air vents. The
instruments and their indicators.entire installed aircraft powerplant must be protected
Both fuel and lubricating-oil systems incorporateagainst fire.
various temperature sensors and pressure sensors,