Segment V2.2: Bourdon Gage

(Related to Textbook Section 2.7 - Mechanical and Electronic Pressure Measuring Devices)

Many pressure measuring devices use the fact that a force (pressure times area) causes an elastic object to deform.

The Bourdon gage is a very common type of pressure gage. When the pressure within the hollow curved tube of the gage is increased, the tube tends to straighten. Through a set of linkages the resulting slight motion of the end of the tube is translated into the rotation of a dial that indicates the gage pressure.