A piezoelectric film sensor improvement and evaluation for measuring water droplet impact energy and determining droplet impact effects on soil surfaces /

the response linearity of a large piezoelectric film

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Basahi, Jalal M.A.M., 1962-
Format: Thesis Book
Language:English
Published: [Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified] ; 1998.
Subjects:
Online Access:http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=732834051&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD
Description
Summary:the response linearity of a large piezoelectric film
to water droplet impact and to evaluate the sensor in
a real application
of measuring water droplet impact. A piezoelectric elm
with a large sensing area (203
mm long x 140 mm wide) was used in this research. The
sensing area was divided into
five sections to test the sensor similarity. Water
drops of the same kinetic energy were
allowed to hit each section several times. The output
of each section was averaged and
compared with the output of the other sections to test
the sensor similarity. The results
of the similarity test show that the sensor responded
similarly to the same water droplet impact at
different locations on the sensing area. Then, the
piezoelectric film was calibrated using water drops of
different sizes released from specific heights. The
calibration data was used to develop a calibration
curve for this particular type of piezoelectric film.
The result showed that piezoelectric film responded
linearly So varying water droplet impact forces.
Sprinkler droplet kinetic energy generated by a 6.35
mm nozzle at three operating pressures was measured
using the piezoelectric film. The result showed that
kinetic energy produced by the sprinkler decreased as
operating pressure increased. The output data was
analyzed and used to develop a simulation model for
predicting kinetic energy under sprinkler irrigation.
Finally, the effect of droplet impact produced by
irrigation sprinklers on erosion was investigated
using a simulated section of a center pivot irrigation
system. The system was assembled in the laboratory and
consisted of 4 nozzles spaced 2.44 m (8 h) apart.
Runoff-samples were collected every 5 min for about
210 min at three operating pressures. After measuring
the 'no/volume of each sample, the sample was oven
dried to determine the eroded soil mass. The erosion
results, in conjunction with the kinetic energy
measurement results, were used to develop a
mathematical model to predict soil erosion under the
sprinkler.
Item Description:Vita.
"Major Subject: Agricultural Engineering".
Physical Description:xiv, 121 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm.
Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilm Inc.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references: pages 100-103.