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What is a Pressure Sensor?

What is a Pressure Sensor?

Here we explain the mechanism of a pressure sensor, the available types and selection criteria to suit the wide variety of applications.

A pressure sensor is a type of force sensor that measures the pressure of liquids or gases such as oil, water or gas flowing through pipes or inside equipment. There are several measurement principles used for pressure sensors, but the basic principle is that pressure is calculated by measuring the strain generated, by applying pressure to a metal part mounted to the pressure receiver of the pressure sensor.

Pressure Sensor Applications

Pressure sensors are used in a variety of situations. For example, they are used in the following applications when measuring fluids flowing through pipes and equipment.

  • Pressure measurement of compressors and chillers
  • Water pressure measurement at hydroelectric power plants
  • Hydraulic equipment at factories, etc.
  • Amount of boiler steam for steam generation
  • Confirmation of gas tank level for carbonic acid production
  • Hydraulic measurement of construction equipment and special vehicles
  • Gas combustion pressure measurement
  • Injection molding machines
  • High-pressure sterilization equipment

They can also used to measure the air pressure of soccer balls, basketballs, tires, and other similar items.

One place in particular where MinebeaMitsumi’s pressure sensors are used is in the space industry, a symbol of the high-tech sector. Japan’s first domestically produced rocket H-II A/B is equipped with about 60 MinebeaMitsumi pressure gauges, which are used to measure the tank pressure and combustion pressure of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. They were also used on the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), also known as Kounotori, which was used to carry supplies to the International Space Station (ISS).

It should be noted that the pressure gauges used in these rockets and spacecraft were not custom-made items. We supply products manufactured on the same lines as those sold to our general customers.

Features of MinebeaMitsumi's Pressure Sensors

MinebeaMitsumi pressure sensors are currently separated into two types: those with built-in amplifiers, and those requiring separate amplifiers. They can be further separated into “SOS type” and “strain gauge type” depending on the material of which the sensing components are made.

The SOS type is a strain gauge formed by crystallizing a thin film of silicon onto a sapphire (Al2O3 single crystal) substrate, which is an insulator, using the Silicon On Sapphire (SOS) technology, and processing it into a silicon semiconductor. These silicon semiconductor strain gauges function as extremely stable pressure sensors, both physically and electrically, because the electrical resistance lines themselves are atomically bonded to the sapphire substrate. This yields high responsiveness, reliability and precision.

Classifying Pressure Sensors Using Reference Pressure Method

MinebeaMitsumi’s pressure sensors are separated into “absolute pressure type” and “gauge pressure type” according to the method taken for the pressure reference.

Absolute pressure is the pressure based on an absolute vacuum, i.e., zero atmospheric pressure with no molecules at all present in the atmosphere. In contrast, gauge pressure is the pressure measured with respect to the current atmospheric pressure. Negative pressure refers to pressure that is lower than the current pressure. Pressure sensors measuring positive gauge pressure are called pressure gauges, and those measuring negative gauge pressure (negative pressure) are called vacuum gauges.

See our portfolio of pressure sensors Products

Selecting the appropriate pressure sensor for the application is crucial

A pressure sensor must be selected that is appropriate for the application, or not only will it result in incorrect measurements, but it may also interfere with running and operation—in the worst case, an incorrect sensor may cause damage to equipment or a serious accident or disaster. Thus when selecting a pressure sensor, the application must be considered properly.

Major selection factors for pressure sensors
  • Type of object (oil, water, air, nitrogen, oxygen, acetylene, propane, etc.)
  • Type of pressure sensor (gauge pressure type, absolute pressure type)
  • Pressure sensor measurement method
  • Pressure sensor size
  • Operating pressure range
  • Required measurement accuracy

If you need a pressure sensor, contact MinebeaMitsumi and inquire about our extensive product lineup.

There are various types of pressure sensors available for each application, measurement method, and accuracy.

MinebeaMitsumi has experts who are familiar with pressure sensors and can provide suggestions on what kind of pressure sensor to select. If you are seeking to deploy pressure sensors, do not hesitate to send us an inquiry.

Need more information for your application? Contact Us