Overview
Week 9 at a Glance
Pitot tube analysisDifferential pressure flow metersRotameter and CoriolisOptical encodersLVDT operationProximity sensors
Why it matters in practice. Flow measurement underpins every industrial process involving fluid. Encoder and displacement sensors are in every servo motor, CNC machine, and robotic joint. These are the sensors you will specify and integrate in real engineering projects.
Objectives
What You Will Be Able to Do
Course objectives (CO) define program-level skills. Module objectives (MO) define specific weekly targets that build toward them.
Course Objectives (CO)
CO6: Select appropriate sensors; predict sensor output; identify error sources in a complete signal chain.
Module Objectives (MO) — Week 9
Apply Bernoulli's equation to compute flow velocity from a Pitot tube differential pressure reading.
CO6
CO6
Calculate volumetric flow rate through an orifice or venturi meter given the discharge coefficient and differential pressure.
CO6
CO6
Determine angular position and velocity from incremental encoder pulse counts and quadrature decoding.
CO6
CO6
Explain LVDT operating principles and compute linear position from differential voltage output.
CO6
CO6
Review these objectives before you start each assignment. They map directly to what is assessed on the quiz, homework, and exams.
Suggested Learning Path
How to Work Through This Week
Follow this sequence. Each step prepares you for the next. Do not attempt graded work before completing the instructional material it depends on.
1
Read Alciatore Ch. 12 (flow sections) and Ch. 13 (motion)
The flow meter derivations apply Bernoulli — a fluid mechanics review is helpful before reading. The encoder section connects to digital signal processing from Week 5.
2
Attend Lecture
Lecture 1 covers flow measurement (Pitot, orifice, venturi, Coriolis). Lecture 2 covers displacement sensors (encoders, LVDTs, proximity). Problem sessions include both an encoder count calculation and a flow rate problem.
3
Lab: Optical Encoder on Arduino
Connect a quadrature encoder to your Arduino, implement interrupt-driven pulse counting, and compute angular position and velocity. Validate against a known rotation rate.
Instructional Material
Required Readings, Videos, and Resources
Complete all required items before moving to graded activities. The Aligns to column maps each resource to the module objectives it directly supports.
| Resource | What You Will Gain | Aligns to | Est. Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read Alciatore Ch. 12 (flow sections) and Ch. 13 — Motion Measurement |
Pitot tube, orifice/venturi coefficients, rotameter principles, Coriolis meter, encoder quadrature decoding, LVDT circuit and output, and inductive proximity sensor operating range. | MO1-MO4 | 75 min |
| Lab Lab: Optical Encoder with Arduino (Interrupt-Driven) |
Implement quadrature decoding using external interrupts on the Arduino. Measure position and compute velocity. Compare to known reference. | MO3 | ~2 hr lab |
Graded Learning Activities
Assignments and Due Dates
All graded work is submitted through Canvas. Complete the listed prerequisites before attempting each assignment.
| Assignment | Prerequisites | What Is Assessed | Aligns to | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Module 4 Homework: Advanced Sensor Systems End of Week 10 |
Complete Ch. 12-13 readings and attend Week 9 lectures before starting flow and encoder problems. | Pitot tube calculation, orifice flow rate, encoder count-to-position conversion, LVDT output analysis, and complementary filter design (Week 10 preview). | MO1-MO4 | 50 pts |
Academic integrity. Your encoder lab data must come from your own hardware session with your own interrupt implementation. Do not copy code or data from another student — the interrupt service routine you submit must be your original work.