The hot wire anemometer for measuring fluid speed offers unique advantages but also has some challenging use issues. Part 1 looked at the basic principles of the hot wire anemometer. This part contains the discussion with issues related to calibration and practical concerns. As with so many other sensors, the HWA looks simple enough: It […]

The hot wire anemometer for measuring fluid speed offers unique advantages but also has some challenging use issues. You are undoubtedly familiar with the classic wind-speed anemometer with three cups rotating as the wind blows, while a tachometer reports the revolutions rate (Figure 1). This is a  “tried and true” way to measure large-scale wind […]

The Coriolis effect, a subtle and often-misunderstood principle of physics, has been adapted for highly accurate mass flowmeter instrumentation. Due to their attractiveness as well as technology advances, Coriolis-based flowmeters are also evolving; also, the effect has been noted in other interesting areas. For example, while the tubes of the meter are usually bent, straight-tube […]

The Coriolis effect, a subtle and often-misunderstood principle of physics, has been adapted for highly accurate mass flowmeter instrumentation. The application of the Coriolis force offered a new way to solve the long-standing problem of measuring the flow of material. In 1977, Micro Motion Inc introduced the first standard industrial flow meter based on the […]

The Coriolis effect, a subtle and often-misunderstood principle of physics, has been adapted for highly accurate mass flowmeter instrumentation. The first part of this article briefly explained the issues associated with accurate measurement of fluid mass and flow, a very common requirement in industrial, laboratory, and medical applications. The Coriolis Effect, or “May the Effect […]

The Coriolis effect, a subtle and often-misunderstood principle of physics, has been adapted for highly accurate mass flowmeter instrumentation. The Coriolis effect is generally viewed, if at all, as a “large-canvas” effect. It is yet another consequence of the rotation of the Earth, with many interesting implications such as the rotational direction of air masses […]

An audacious and very costly orbiting science experiment set out to verify a subtlety of General Relativity by pushing the boundaries of science and engineering but ended with inconclusive and frustrating results. This is the final part of a four-part series on Gravity Probe B. What is the outcome and lessons of the GP-B experiment? […]

An audacious and very costly orbiting science experiment set out to verify a subtlety of General Relativity by pushing the boundaries of science and engineering but ended with inconclusive and frustrating results. Gravity Probe B was intended to measure the unmeasurable. Part 1 explored the principle, and Part 2 explored the plan of the experiment […]