8.

3 A variable dielectric capacitive displacement

sensor consists of two square metal plates of side
5 cm, separated by a gap of 1 mm. A sheet of
dielectric material 1 mm thick and of the same
area as the plates can be slid between them as
shown in Figure 8.9. Given that the dielectric
constant of air is 1 and that of the dielectric
material 4, calculate the capacitance of the sensor
when the input displacement x=0.0, 2.5 and 5.0
cm


8.7 An iron v. constantan thermocouple is to be used to
measure temperatures between 0 and 300 C. The
e.m.f. values are as given in Table 8.2.
(a) Find the non-linearity at 100 C and 200 C as a
percentage of full scale.
(b) Between 100 C and 300 C the thermocouple
e.m.f. is given by E
T,0
=a
1
T+a
2
T
2
. Calculate a
1
and a
2
.
(c) The e.m.f. is 12 500V relative to a reference
junction of 20 C and the corresponding reference
junction circuit voltage is 1000V. Use the result of
(b) to estimate the measured junction temperature.


8.11 A piezoelectric crystal, acting as a force sensor, is connected by a short
cable of negligible capacitance and resistance to a voltage detector of
infinite bandwidth and purely resistive impedance of 10 M.
(a) Use the crystal data below to calculate the system transfer function
and to sketch the approximate frequency response characteristics of
the system.
(b) The time variation in the thrust of an engine is a square wave of
period 10 ms. Explain carefully, but without performing detailed
calculations, why the above system is unsuitable for this application.
(c) A charge amplifier with feedback capacitance CF=1000 pF and
feedback resistance RF =100 Mis incorporated into the system. By
sketching the frequency response characteristics of the modified
system, explain why it is suitable for the application of part (b).
Crystal data Charge sensitivity to force = 2pCN
-1
Capacitance = 100 pF
Natural frequency = 37 kHz
Damping ratio = 0.01