FINAL EXAMINATION

JANUARY 2013 SEMESTER

1/12/34 ACADEMIC SESSION

COURSE
COURSE CODE
DURATION
FACULTY
PROGRAM
LECTURER

: INDUSTRIAL MEASUREMENT & INSTRUMENTATION

: KMS2343/KJS 3113
: 3 HOURS
: ENGINEERING
: BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING (HONS.) MECHANICAL
: MDM SAZIANA BT SAMAT

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
This question paper consists of Four (4) questions.
Answer ALL questions.
The answer for each question must start on a new page.
Candidates are NOT ALLOWED to bring any unauthorized items into the exam hall
except with the permission of your invigilator.

Do Not Open the Question Paper Until Instructed

This Question Paper Consists of Six (6) Printed Pages
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QUESTION 1
a) An odometer records the distance that a vehicle travels. Figure 1a and 1b shows the
mechanical odometer and their mechanical diagram.
i.
Identify the general measurement system stages by sketch the block diagram
[5 marks]
ii.
Discuss the purpose of each element.
[6 marks]
iii.
Develop a test plan that might be used to evaluate the fuel consumption of
car
[14 marks]
iv.
Discuss also the presence of systematic and random error in your test plan.
[5 marks]

Figure 1a: Odometer

Figure 1b: Mechanical Diagram of Odometer

[Total: 30 marks]
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QUESTION 2
a) A thermohygrometer is to be used to measure the humidity and monitor ambient
condition and dew point. Based on the information datasheet provided in
appendix 1.
i.
ii.

Extract four (4) characteristics and for each characteristic or parameter

explain what it means in practice and show its value
[8 marks]
Evaluate which model is more suitable to be used if the temperature
reading is 35C and justify your answer.
[6 marks]

b) A student carries out measurements on the value of temperature in a chemical

reaction in a factory. She takes 11 samples and gets the following results:
The mean value of his readings is 45 C.
The standard deviation of is 3.2 C.
You can assume that the readings follow a Gaussian distribution. The managing
director of the factory asks the student the following question:
i.
ii.

iii.

How confident are you in percentage terms that the true value of the
temperature of the chemical reaction lies in the range of 44 C to 46 C.
Express the answer that might be from the student.
[5 marks]
The factory manager is not happy with the students answer and says that
he needs to be 95.4% confident of the answer. What does the student need to
do to so that the confident interval increase and show new temp reading.
[5marks]
Explain the sources of variation that contribute to this error.
[6 marks]

[Total: 30 marks]

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QUESTION 3
a) A transducer used to measure translational motion as shown in Figure 3.The
permanent magnet produces uniform magnetic field in the air gap with flux density
and can move with displacement x. A wire that is fixed in space has a length l,

Figure 3: Transducer
Complete the following
i.
Determine the equation describing the system if areas of plates are 4 x 10-3m2 in
area and the distance between plates is 5 x 10-4 m and dielectric of air is 1.
[5 marks]
ii.
Discuss the relationship if plate area is double and distance between plates
reduced by one half(sketch the graph)
[5 marks]
b) Amplifier is needed to increase the magnitude of the transducer so that it can be
conveniently displayed or recorded. Explain the mechanism, output signal and
disadvantages the mechanical amplifying elements in
i.
Lever type device
[5 marks]
ii.
Automobile hydraulic brakes
[5 marks]

[Total: 20 marks]

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QUESTION 4
You are required to design a load cell that converts force to an output voltage, with the
maximum possible sensitivity. The load cell will measure the weight of a load (up to a
maximum of 1 000 kg weight).
You are given a carbon steel rod that has a square cross section of 10 mm side (i.e., a
square that has a side 10 mm long). You can use a many strain gauges as you need,
where the nominal resistance (unstrained resistance) of the strain gauge is 120 . Hence
find the output voltage at the maximum load of 1000 kg. Then find the average
sensitivity between 0 kg load and 1000 kg load in units of mVN-1. The current in the
strain gauge must be limited to 15 mA maximum to avoid any heating effects. Ignore
any piezoresisitve effect in the material.
Discuss how you want to increase your sensitivity of the system
Use the following parameters if needed:
Carbon Steel
Poissons ratio: 0.3
Youngs Modulus of elasticity: 210 GPa
Yield strength: 350 MPa
Maximum allowable torque:275 N.m
G=9.81 ms-2

[Total: 20 marks]

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APPENDIX

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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