The dynamic response of a pressure transducer for measurements in water

Dynamic pressure measurements are indispensable in the field of fluid mechanics. Attaching tubing as a transmission line to the pressure transducer is often unavoidable but significantly reduces the usable bandwidth of the measurement system. Complex fluid-wall interactions and potential outgassing of air are present within systems with water-filled tubes. Comprehensive studies aiding researchers in selecting suitable transmission line parameters (i.e., material, length, and diameter) are not available. A simple calibration apparatus is designed for the frequency response characterization of multiple pressure transducers simultaneously applying a pressure step. The setup is thoroughly characterized and a detailed description is provided to optimize the bandwidth. A piezoresistive pressure transducer attached to water-filled tubes, as commonly used in hydrodynamic experiments, is characterized in the low-frequency range (i.e., \(f \le {300}\) Hz). Tube-related effects, such as length, diameter, and material are investigated. The impact of entrapped air within the tubing is analyzed. The feasibility of substituting water with silicone oil to fill the tubes is explored. To optimize the usable bandwidth of the pressure measurement system for dynamic applications, it is essential to maintain short tubing that is as rigid as possible and free from entrapped air. Pressure wave propagation speed is reduced by two orders of magnitude in elastic transmission lines made of silicone. Pressure corrections through dynamic calibration are challenging due to the system’s sensitivity to various parameters affecting the dynamic response.