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מילון מונחים - פטנטים

2004-10-25T21:25:00.000-07:00

Applicant
The person or corporate body that applies for the patent and intends to 'work' the invention (to
manufacture or license the technology). Under US law the applicants must be the inventor(s)
except in exceptional circumstances.
Assignee
The person(s) or corporate body to whom all or limited rights under a patent are legally
transferred. Assignment Transfer of all or limited rights under a patent.
Assignor
One who assigns a patent right.
Basic Patent
The first member of a Derwent patent family. This may or may not be the first published
patent (which is usually the first to be documented by services such as Derwent World Patents
Index).
Citations
Citations may be made by the examiner or author. They comprise a list of references that are
believed to be relevant prior art and which may have contributed to the "narrowing" of the
original application. The examiner can also cite references from technical journals, textbooks,
handbooks and sources.
Claim(s)
The definition of the monopoly rights that the applicant is trying to obtain for the invention.
The Claims are the effective part of a patent. They are numbered paragraphs that give a precise
description of the invention and list all essential features.
Continuation
Applicable mainly in the US, continuations are second or subsequent applications which are
subsequently filed while the original parent application is pending. Continuations must claim
the same invention as the original application to gain the benefit of the parent filing date.
(see also Continuing Applications).
Continuation-in-part
Generally referred to as a 'C.I.P' this is essentially the same as the continuation with the
exception that some new material may be included. The disclosure of the parent is usually
amplified and the C.I.P may claim the same or a different invention. A C.I.P application is
accorded the benefit of the filing date of the parent application to the extent of the two
applications' common subject matter. The C.I.P must be filed while the original parent
application is pending for any disclosed material in common with the parent.
(see also Continuing Applications).
Continuing Applications
There are three types of continuing applications: division, continuation and
continuation-in-part.
Copyright
Copyright is protection for the expression of an idea. The important difference between
copyright and patent is the concept of function: the thing being protected must be useful in
order to be patented.
Design Patent
A type of patent covering the shape characteristics of an object.
Disclosure
The first public disclosure of details of an invention. This may be: (1)deliberately revealed
outside the patent system to make the invention unpatentable, or (2)what is described in a
patent application.
Disposal
In some countries, such as the USA, this refers to where an application has been resolved by
being withdrawn, rejected or granted. It can also have the connotation of being rejected only.
Division
If the patent office decides that an application covers too large an area to be considered as a
single patent, then the application is split into one or more divisional applications. A
divisional application has the same specification as the "parent" but claims a different
invention. (see also Continuing Applications).
Drawing
One or more specially-prepared figures filed as a part of a patent application to explain and
describe the invention. Drawings (or illustrations, where appropriate) are more commonly
found with inventions for mechanical or electrical devices. As a rule, chemical patents will
include chemical formulae in the description of the invention and/or in the examples.
Duty of Disclosure
This is a requirement imposed on all persons involved with the patenting process to disclosure
information (patents, articles, laboratory data etc.) to the patent examiner that may affect the
granting of a patent.
EPC
EPC stands for European Patent Convention. This convention has given rise to what is called the European Patent Office (EPO). The European Patent Office offers a way to file a single patent application which can lead to patent coverage in all the European countries that belong to the EPC. While the European Patent Office has its historical origins in the European Union, it is interesting to note that the European Patent Office formalities can lead to patent coverage in countries that do not belong to the European Union. For example, Switzerland does not presently belong to the European Union, and yet it is possible to secure Swiss patent protection through the European Patent Convention and the European Patent Office.
The countries that belong to the European Patent Office include Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, United Kingdom, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, and Sweden.
Equivalent
A patent entering the Derwent system which relates to the same invention and shares the
same priority application as a patent from a different issuing authority already held in Derwent
World Patents Index (see also Non-convention equivalent).
European Patent Convention (EPC)
Nineteen European countries are parties to the European Patent Convention. A patent
application filed under this convention will, when granted, usually automatically be effective
in each of the countries designated by the applicant.
Examiner
A patent office official who is appointed to determine the patentability of applications.
Expiry Date
The date when a patent has run its full term in a country and is no longer protected there (see
also Lapse & Withdrawn).
Filing Date
The date when the application reaches the patent office in complete form.
First to File
In the European patent system, the applicant who is the first to file an application for an
invention will be awarded the patent over all others. This law is becoming increasingly the
standard for countries adhering to Trade-Related aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPs)
guidelines. (See also First to Invent)
First to Invent
In some countries, such as in United States, the applicant who is the first to invent will be
awarded the patent over all others. (See also First to File)
Grant
A temporary right given by a patent office for a specified period, to prevent anyone else from
using the technology defined in the claims of a patent.
H document
An H document is a Statutory Invention Registration (SIR). An applicant for a US patent may, if desired, give up the ability to obtain a patent and instead pay the US Patent Office to publish it as an SIR. The main benefit of this is that it keeps others from getting a patent on the same invention. (see also RD document).
Inventor
Someone who has a new idea and pursues its development. Inventors apply for patents on their
inventions as a part of their developing their invention. Many inventors are also product
developers, entrepreneurs and businessmen and most inventors find it good marketing practice to
sell themselves as product developers or, entrepreneurs or businessman, as the term inventor
often having a bad connotation to a businessman.
IPC - International Patent Classification
IPC is an internationally recognised classification system, which is controlled by the
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and
assigned to patent documents by Patent Offices. The IPC is world-widely used - the industrial
property offices of more than 90 States, four regional offices and the International Bureau of
WIPO under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
There are 8 sections (A - H) and these sections are further subdivided into classes.
Each Class consists of the Section letter, followed by two digits.
For example H01 is the Class designation for Basic Electronic Circuitry
and F17 is the Class for Storing or Distributing Gases or Liquids.
The electronic version of IPC is available on the WIPO web site.
Kinds
The letter, often with a further number, indicating the level of publication of a patent. For
example DE-A1 is the German Offenlegungsschrift (application laid open for public
inspection) while a DE-C1 is the German Patentschrift (first publication of the granted patent).
Kokai
An unexamined Japanese patent application.
Kokoku
An examined and allowed Japanese patent application.
Lapse
The date when a patent is no longer valid in a country or system due to failure to pay renewal
(maintenance) fees. Often the patent can be reinstated within a limited period.
License
A transfer of patent rights that does not amount to an assignment. A license, which can be
exclusive or non-exclusive, does not give the licensee the legal title to the patent.
Non-Convention Equivalents
An application filed in a second, or subsequent country which does not claim a priority
application in another country. Usually a result of filing the application after the 12 month
Convention period, but may be within that period by choice of the applicant. (See also
Equivalent)
Novelty
The concept that the claims must be totally new. The invention must never have been made
public in any way, anywhere, before the date on which the application for a patent is filed. Obviousness
The concept that the claims defining an invention in a patent application must involve an
inventive step if, when compared with what is already known (i.e. prior art), it would not be
obvious to someone skilled in the art.
Opposition
The time period allowed for an interested party to post oppositions to the grant of a patent.
For example, this may be up to nine months from the date of grant of a European patent.
Prior art
In a broad sense, technology that is relevant to an invention and was publicly available (e.g.
described in a publication or offered for sale) at the time an invention was made. In a narrow
sense, any such technology which would invalidate a patent or limit its scope. The process of
prosecuting a patent or interpreting its claims largely consists of identifying relevant prior
art and distinguishing the claimed invention from that prior art.
Paris Convention
The Paris Convention was established March 20 1883, effective July 7 1884, and amended
June 2 1934 and July 14 1967. Signatories to the Paris Convention are allowed one year
from first filing their patent application (usually in their own country) in which to make further
applications in member countries and claim the original priority date.
Patent
A document defining the rights conferred by the grant, but often used generally to mean any
published specification. A patent, which is the mature form of a patent application, consists of
drawings of the invention, a specification explaining it, and claims which define the scope of
exclusivity.
Patent application
A document submitted by an inventor to request he be issued a patent. It consists of the
elements of a patent but will likely be modified during patent prosecution.
PCT - Patent Co-operation Treaty
The PCT was signed in Washington D.C. on June 19th 1970 and entered into force January
24th 1978. It was amended with effective dates of May 3rd 1984 and January 1st 1985. There are
currently 96 signatories to this treaty. Contracting states may file an international application
designating member states. If an applicant wants to press for grant in any of their designated
states the patent application is moved to the national phase(s) but may carry the PCT
priority filing date.
Patent Family
All the equivalent patent applications corresponding to a single invention, covering different
geographical regions.
Patentability
The ability of an invention to satisfy the legal requirements for obtaining a patent, including
novelty. In some countries certain types of inventions, e.g. computer software and plants, may
be unpatentable.
Patentee
The person who is named as the inventor of a patent.
PCT
PCT stands for the Patent Cooperation Treaty, which is adhered to by more than100 countries. PCT patent applications are administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization. The Patent Cooperation Treaty permits
an inventor to file what is called a PCT patent application. The Treaty is the result of an effort by many countries to provide some streamlining of patent applications across several countries at once. The US Patent and Trademark Office has additional information about PCT.
Pending
The period in which the patent office has not yet decided whether to reject or to grant a
patent application, and it has not yet been withdrawn.
Preliminary Examination
The initial study of an application by an official in the patent office to check that the
specification is properly arranged and for preparing search reports.
Priority Date
The initial date of filing of a patent application, normally in the applicant's domestic patent
office. This date is used to help determine the novelty of an invention.
RD document
An RD document is a Research Disclosure (RD). Anyone who wishes to do so may pay a British company, Kenneth Mason Publications Ltd., to publish an invention disclosure. Some disclosures are anonymous, while others are attributed. Like an SIR, an RD has the effect of keeping others from getting a patent on the same invention. (see also
H document).
Reinstatement
Restoring a patent to protection after it has apparently lapsed by error or been revoked.
Rejection
When a patent application is refused by a patent office.
Research Disclosure
Defensive-type publications which are published, often anonymously, to give companies and
inventors "freedom of use" rather than legal protection. Once research disclosures are
published the invention described cannot be patented.
Revocation
Termination of the protection given to a patent on one or more grounds, e.g. lack of novelty. Search Report
A list of published items (both patent and non-patent literature), issued by the patent
examiners checking the novelty of the patent application, which are relevant to the subject of
the invention.
Specification
The description, drawings and claims of an invention prepared to support a patent
application. The term does not imply that the invention is necessarily new or was ever
protected.
Status
The legal standing of a patent or patent application, i.e. whether it is pending, lapsed or still
protected etc.
Substantive Examination
The full examination of a patent application substance or content by a patent office examiner
to determine whether a patent should be granted.
Term of patent
The maximum number of years that the monopoly rights conferred by the grant of a patent
may last.
Trademark
Trademark is protection on slogans, logos, or product names. The primary function of trademark
is to indicate the origin of goods and to distinguish them from those sold or manufactured by
others.

מילון מונחים - הנדסת תוכנה - A-H

2004-10-25T07:58:00.000-07:00

Abstractness
the degree to which a system or component performs only the necessary functions relevant to a particular purpose.
Acceptance testing
formal testing conducted to determine whether or not a system satisfies its acceptance criteria and to enable the customer to determine whether or not to accept the system .
Accessibility
(Denial of Service) the degree to which the software system protects system functions or service from being denied to the user
(Reusability) the degree to which a software system or component facilitates the selective use of its components
Accuracy
a quantitative measure of the magnitude of error
Acquisition cycle time
the period of time that starts when a system is conceived and ends when the product meets its initial operational capability.
Adaptability
the ease with which software satisfies differing system constraints and user needs.
Adaptive maintenance
software maintenance performed to make a computer program usable in a changed environment.
Adaptive measures
a category of quality measures that address how easily a system can evolve or migrate.
Agent
a piece of software which acts to accomplish tasks on behalf of its user [McGill 96].
Anonymity
the degree to which a software system or component allows for or supports anonymous transactions.
ANSI
American National Standards Institute. This organization is responsible for approving U.S. standards in many areas, including computers and communications. Standards approved by this organization are often called ANSI standards (e.g., ANSI C is the version of the C language approved by ANSI). ANSI is a member of ISO. See also: International Organization for Standardization.
Application program interface
a formalized set of software calls and routines that can be referenced by an application program in order to access supporting system or network services.
Architectural design
the process of defining a collection of hardware and software components and their interfaces to establish the framework for the development of a computer system .
Artificial intelligence
a subfield within computer science concerned with developing technology to enable computers to solve problems (or assist humans in solving problems) using explicit representations of knowledge and reasoning methods employing that knowledge.
Auditable
the degree to which a software system records information concerning transactions performed against the system.
Availability
the degree to which a system or component is operational and accessible when required for use .
Capacity
a measure of the amount of work a system can perform .
Code
the transforming of logic and data from design specifications (design descriptions) into a programming language .
Commonality
the degree to which standards are used to achieve interoperability.
Communication software
software concerned with the representation, transfer, interpretation, and processing of data among computer systems or networks. The meaning assigned to the data must be preserved during these operations.
Compactness
the degree to which a system or component makes efficient use of its data storage space- occupies a small volume.
Compatibility
the ability of two or more systems or components to perform their required functions while sharing the same hardware or software environment .
Completeness
the degree to which all the parts of a software system or component are present and each of its parts is fully specified and developed.
Complexity
(Apparent) the degree to which a system or component has a design or implementation that is difficult to understand and verify.
(Inherent) the degree of complication of a system or system component, determined by such factors as the number and intricacy of interfaces, the number and intricacy of conditional branches, the degree of nesting, and the types of data structures .
Component testing
testing of individual hardware or software components or groups of related components .
Concept phase
the initial phase of a software development project, in which the user needs are described and evaluated through documentation (for example, statement of needs, advance planning report, project initiation memo, feasibility studies, system definition, documentation, regulations, procedures, or policies relevant to the project).

Conciseness
the degree to which a software system or component has no excessive information present.
Confidentiality
the nonoccurrence of the unauthorized disclosure of information .
Consistency
the degree of uniformity, standardization, and freedom from contradiction among the documents or parts of a system or component .
Corrective maintenance
maintenance performed to correct faults in hardware or software .
Correctness
the degree to which a system or component is free from faults in its specification, design, and implementation .
Cost estimation
the process of estimating the "costs" associated with software development projects, to include the effort, time, and labor required.
Cost of maintenance
the overall cost of maintaining a computer system to include the costs associated with personnel, training, maintenance control, hardware and software maintenance, and requirements growth.
Cost of operation
the overall cost of operating a computer system to include the costs associated with personnel, training, and system operations.
Cost of ownership
the overall cost of a computer system to an organization to include the costs associated with operating and maintaining the system, and the lifetime of operational use of the system.
Data management security
the protection of data from unauthorized (accidental or intentional) modification, destruction, or disclosure .
Data management
the function that provides access to data, performs or monitors the storage of data, and controls input/output operations.
Data recording
to register all or selected activities of a computer system. Can include both external and internal activity.
Data reduction
any technique used to transform data from raw data into a more useful form of data. For example, grouping, summing, or averaging related data .
Database administration
the responsibility for the definition, operation, protection, performance, and recovery of a database .
Database design
the process of developing a database that will meet a user's requirements. The activity includes three separate but dependent steps: conceptual database design, logical database design, and physical database design .
Database
a collection of logically related data stored together in one or more computerized files. Note: Each data item is identified by one or more keys .

an electronic repository of information accessible via a query language interface .

Denial of service
the degree to which a software system or component prevents the interference or disruption of system services to the user.
Dependability
that property of a computer system such that reliance can justifiably be placed on the service it delivers .
Design phase
the period of time in the software life cycle during which the designs for architecture, software components, interfaces, and data are created, documented, and verified to satisfy requirements .
Detailed design
the process of refining and expanding the preliminary design of a system or component to the extent that the design is sufficiently complete to be implemented .
Distributed computing
a computer system in which several interconnected computers share the computing tasks assigned to the system .
Domain analysis
the activity that determines the common requirements within a domain for the purpose of identifying reuse opportunities among the systems in the domain. It builds a domain architectural model representing the commonalities and differences in requirements within the domain (problem space) .
Domain design
the activity that takes the results of domain analysis to identify and generalize solutions for those common requirements in the form of a Domain-Specific Software Architecture (DSSA). It focuses on the problem space, not just on a particular system's requirements, to design a solution (solution space) .
Domain engineering
the process of analysis, specification and implementation of software assets in a domain which are used in the development of multiple software products .The three main activities of domain engineering are: domain analysis, domain design, and domain implementation .
Domain implementation
the activity that realizes the reuse opportunities identified during domain analysis and design in the form of common requirements and design solutions, respectively. It facilitates the integration of those reusable assets into a particular application .
Effectiveness
the degree to which a system's features and capabilities meet the user's needs.
Efficiency
the degree to which a system or component performs its designated functions with minimum consumption of resources (CPU, Memory, I/O, Peripherals, Networks) .
Error handling
the function of a computer system or component that identifies and responds to user or system errors to maintain normal or at the very least degraded operations.
Error proneness
the degree to which a system may allow the user to intentionally or unintentionally introduce errors into or misuse the system.
Error tolerance
the ability of a system or component to continue normal operation despite the presence of erroneous inputs .
Evolvability
the ease with which a system or component can be modified to take advantage of new software or hardware technologies.
Expandability
Extendability
the ease with which a system or component can be modified to increase its storage or functional capacity.
Fail safe
pertaining to a system or component that automatically places itself in a safe operating mode in the event of a failure .
Fail soft
pertaining to a system or component that continues to provide partial operational capability in the event of certain failures .

Fault tolerance
the ability of a system or component to continue normal operation despite the presence of hardware or software faults .
Fault
an incorrect step, process, or data definition in a computer program .

Fidelity
the degree of similarity between a model and the system properties being modeled .

Flexibility
the ease with which a system or component can be modified for use in applications or environments other than those for which it was specifically designed .
Functional scope
the range or scope to which a system component is capable of being applied.
Functional testing
testing that ignores the internal mechanism of a system or component and focuses solely on the outputs generated in response to selected inputs and execution conditions. Synonym: black-box testing .
Generality
the degree to which a system or component performs a broad range of functions.
Graphics
methods and techniques for converting data to or from graphic display via computers .

Hardware maintenance
the cost associated with the process of retaining a hardware system or component in, or restoring it to, a state in which it can perform its required functions.
Human Computer Interaction
a subfield within computer science concerned with the design, evaluation, and implementation of interactive computing systems for human use and with the study of major phenomena surrounding them .
Human engineering
the extent to which a software product fulfills its purpose without wasting user's time and energy or degrading their morale .

מילון מונחים - הנדסת תוכנה - I-P

2004-10-24T18:48:00.000-07:00

Implementation phase
the period of time in the software life cycle during which a software product is created from design documentation and debugged .
Incompleteness
the degree to which all the parts of a software system or component are not present and each of its parts is not fully specified or developed.
Information Security
the concepts, techniques, technical measures, and administrative measures used to protect information assets from deliberate or inadvertent unauthorized acquisition, damage, disclosure, manipulation, modification, loss, or use .
Installation and checkout phase
the period of time in the software life cycle during which a software product is integrated into its operational environment and tested in this environment to ensure it performs as required.
Integration testing
testing in which software components, hardware components, or both are combined and tested to evaluate the interaction between them .
Integrity
the degree to which a system or component prevents unauthorized access to, or modification of, computer programs or data .
Interface testing
testing conducted to evaluate whether systems or components pass data and control correctly to one another .
Interfaces design
the activity concerned with the interfaces of the software system contained in the software requirements and software interface requirements documentation. Consolidates the interface descriptions into a single interface description of the software system .
Interoperability
the ability of two or more systems or components to exchange information and to use the information that has been exchanged.
ISO
International Organization for Standardization. A voluntary, non-treaty organization founded in 1946 which is responsible for creating international standards in many areas, including computers and communications. Its members are the national standards organizations of the 89 member countries, including ANSI for the U.S.
Latency
the length of time it takes to respond to an event [Barbacci 95].
Lifetime of operational capability
the total period of time in a system's life that it is operational and meeting the user's needs.
Maintainability
the ease with which a software system or component can be modified to correct faults, improve performance, or other attributes, or adapt to a changed environment [IEEE 90].
Maintenance control
the cost of planning and scheduling hardware preventive maintenance, and software maintenance and upgrades, managing the hardware and software baselines, and providing response for hardware corrective maintenance.
Maintenance measures
a category of quality measures that address how easily a system can be repaired or changed.
Maintenance personnel
the number of personnel needed to maintain all aspects of a computer system, including the support personnel and facilities needed to support that activity.
Managed device
any type of node residing on a network, such as a computer, printer or routers that contain a management agent.
Managed object
a characteristic of a managed device that can be monitored, modified or controlled.
Management agent
software that resides in a managed device that allows the device to be monitored and/or controlled by a network management application.
Manufacturing phase
the period of time in the software life cycle during which the basic version of a software product is adapted to a specified set of operational environments and is distributed to a customer base .
Model
an approximation, representation, or idealization of selected aspects of the structure, behavior, operation, or other characteristics of a real-world process, concept, or system. Note: Models may have other models as components [IEEE 90].
Modifiability
the degree to which a system or component facilitates the incorporation of changes, once the nature of the desired change has been determined [Boehm 78].
Necessity of characteristics
the degree to which all of the necessary features and capabilities are present in the software system.
Need satisfaction measures
a category of quality measures that address how well a system meets the user's needs and requirements.
Network management
the execution of the set of functions required for controlling, planning, allocating, deploying, coordinating, and monitoring the resources of a computer network [ITS 96].
Network management application
application that provides the ability to monitor and control the network.
Network management information
information that is exchanged between the network management station(s) and the management agents that allows the monitoring and control of a managed device.
Network management protocol
protocol used by the network management station(s) and the management agent to exchange management information.
Network management station
system that hosts the network management application.
Openness
the degree to which a system or component complies with standards.
Operability
the ease of operating the software [Deutsch 88].
Operational testing
testing conducted to evaluate a system or component in its operational environment [IEEE 90].
Operations and maintenance phase
the period of time in the software life cycle during which a software product is employed in its operational environment, monitored for satisfactory performance, and modified as necessary to correct problems or to respond to changing requirements [IEEE 90].
Operations personnel
the number of personnel needed to operate all aspects of a computer system, including the support personnel and facilities needed to support that activity.
Operations system
the cost of environmentals, communication, licenses, expendables, and documentation maintenance for an operational system.
Organizational measures
a category of quality measures that address how costly a system is to operate and maintain.
Parallel computing
a computer system in which interconnected processors perform concurrent or simultaneous execution of two or more processes [McDaniel 94].
Perfective maintenance
software maintenance performed to improve the performance, maintainability, or other attributes of a computer program [IEEE 90].
Performance measures
a category of quality measures that address how well a system functions.
Performance testing
testing conducted to evaluate the compliance of a system or component with specified performance requirements [IEEE 90].
Portability
the ease with which a system or component can be transferred from one hardware or software environment to another [IEEE 90].
Productivity
the quality or state of being productive [Webster 87].
Protocol
a set of conventions that govern the interaction of processes, devices, and other components within a system [IEEE 90].
Provably correct
the ability to mathematically verify the correctness of a system or component.

מילון מונחים - הנדסת תוכנה - Q-Z

2004-10-23T17:53:00.000-07:00

Qualification phase
the period of time in the software life cycle during which it is determined whether a system or component is suitable for operational use.
Qualification testing
testing conducted to determine whether a system or component is suitable for operational use .
Quality measure
a software feature or characteristic used to assess the quality of a system or component.
Readability
the degree to which a system's functions and those of its component statements can be easily discerned by reading the associated source code.
Real-time responsiveness
the ability of a system or component to respond to an inquiry or demand within a prescribed time frame.
Recovery
the restoration of a system, program, database, or other system resource to a prior state following a failure or externally caused disaster; for example, the restoration of a database to a point at which processing can be resumed following a system failure.
Reengineering
rebuilding a software system or component to suit some new purpose; for example to work on a different platform, to switch to another language, to make it more maintainable.
Regression testing
selective retesting of a system or component to verify that modifications have not caused unintended effects and that the system or component still complies with its specified requirements [IEEE 90].
Reliability
the ability of a system or component to perform its required functions under stated conditions for a specified period of time [IEEE 90].
Requirements engineering
involves all life-cycle activities devoted to identification of user requirements, analysis of the requirements to derive additional requirements, documentation of the requirements as a specification, and validation of the documented requirements against user needs, as well as processes that support these activities [DoD 91].
Requirements growth
the rate at which the requirements change for an operational system. The rate can be positive or negative.
Requirements phase
the period of time in the software life cycle during which the requirements for a software product are defined and documented [IEEE 90].
Requirements tracing
describing and following the life of a requirement in both forwards and backwards direction (i.e., from its origins, through its development and specification, to its subsequent deployment and use, and through periods of ongoing refinement and iteration in any of these phases) [Gotel 95].
Resource utilization
the percentage of time a resource (CPU, Memory, I/O, Peripheral, Network) is busy [Barbacci 95].
Responsiveness
the degree to which a software system or component has incorporated the user's requirements.
Restart
to cause a computer program to resume execution after a failure, using status and results recorded at a checkpoint [IEEE 90].
Retirement phase
the period of time in the software life cycle during which support for a software product is terminated [IEEE 90].
Reusability
the degree to which a software module or other work product can be used in more than one computing program or software system [IEEE 90].
Reverse engineering
the process of analyzing a system's code, documentation, and behavior to identify its current components and their dependencies to extract and create system abstractions and design information. The subject system is not altered; however, additional knowledge about the system is produced.
Robustness
the degree to which a system or component can function correctly in the presence of invalid inputs or stressful environment conditions [IEEE 90].
Safety
a measure of the absence of unsafe software conditions. The absence of catastrophic consequences to the environment [Barbacci 95].
Scalability
the ease with which a system or component can be modified to fit the problem area.
Security
the ability of a system to manage, protect, and distribute sensitive information.
Select or develop algorithms
the activity concerned with selecting or developing a procedural representation of the functions in the software requirements documentation for each software component and data structure. The algorithms shall completely satisfy the applicable functional and/or mathematical specifications [IEEE 91].
Self-descriptiveness
the degree to which a system or component contains enough information to explain its objectives and properties [IEEE 90].
Simplicity
the degree to which a system or component has a design and implementation that is straightforward and easy to understand [IEEE 90].
Software architecture
the structure of the components of a program/system, their interrelationships, and principles and guidelines governing their design and evolution over time [Clements 96].
Software change cycle time
the period of time that starts when a new system requirement is identified and ends when the requirement has been incorporated into the system and delivered for operational use.
Software life cycle
the period of time that begins when a software product is conceived and ends when the software is no longer available for use. The life cycle typically includes a concept phase, requirements phase, design phase, implementation phase, test phase, installation and checkout phase, operation and maintenance phase, and sometimes, retirement phase. These phases may overlap or be performed iteratively, depending on the software development approach used [IEEE 90].
Software maintenance
the cost associated with modifying a software system or component after delivery to correct faults, improve performance or other attributes, or adapt to a changed environment.
Software migration and evolution
see Adaptive maintenance.
Software upgrade and technology insertion
see Perfective maintenance.
Speed
the rate at which a software system or component performs its functions.
Statistical testing
employing statistical science to evaluate a system or component. Used to demonstrate a system's fitness for use, to predict the reliability of a system in an operational environment, to efficiently allocate testing resources, to predict the amount of testing required after a system change, to qualify components for reuse, and to identify when enough testing has been accomplished [Poore 96].
Structural testing
testing that takes into account the internal mechanism of a system or component. Types include branch testing, path testing, statement testing. Synonym: white-box testing [IEEE 90].
Structuredness
the degree to which a system or component possesses a definite pattern of organization of its interdependent parts [Boehm 78].
Sufficiency of characteristics
the degree to which the features and capabilities of a software system adequately meet the user's needs.
Survivability
the degree to which essential functions are still available even though some part of the system is down [Deutsch 88].
System allocation
mapping the required functions to software and hardware. This activity is the bridge between concept exploration and the definition of software requirements [IEEE 91].
System analysis and optimization
a systematic investigation of a real or planned system to determine the information requirements and processes of the system and how these relate to each other and to any other system, and to make improvements to the system where possible.
System security
a system function that restricts the use of objects to certain users [McDaniel 94].
System testing
testing conducted on a complete, integrated system to evaluate the system's compliance with its specified requirements [IEEE 90].
Taxonomy
a scheme that partitions a body of knowledge and defines the relationships among the pieces. It is used for classifying and understanding the body of knowledge [IEEE 90].
Test drivers
software modules used to invoke a module(s) under test and, often, provide test inputs, control and monitor execution, and report test results [IEEE 90].
Test phase
the period of time in the software life cycle during which the components of a software product are evaluated and integrated, and the software product is evaluated to determine whether or not requirements have been satisfied [IEEE 90].
Test tools
computer programs used in the testing of a system, a component of the system, or its documentation. Examples include monitor, test case generator, timing analyzer [IEEE 90].
Test
an activity in which a system or component is executed under specified conditions, the results are observed or recorded, and an evaluation is made of some aspect of the system or component [IEEE 90].
Testability
the degree to which a system or component facilitates the establishment of test criteria and the performance of tests to determine whether those criteria have been met [IEEE 90]. Note: Not only is testability a measurement for software, it can also apply to the testing scheme.
Testing
the process of operating a system or component under specified conditions, observing or recording the results, and making an evaluation of some aspect of the system or component [IEEE 90].
Throughput
the amount of work that can be performed by a computer system or component in a given period of time [IEEE 90].
Traceability
the degree to which a relationship can be established between two or more products of the development process, especially products having a predecessor-successor or master-subordinate relationship to one another [IEEE 90].
Training
Provisions to learn how to develop, maintain, or use the software system.
Trouble report analysis
the methodical investigation of a reported operational system deficiency to determine what, if any, corrective action needs to be taken.
Trustworthiness
the degree to which a system or component avoids compromising, corrupting, or delaying sensitive information.
Understandability
the degree to which the purpose of the system or component is clear to the evaluator [Boehm 78].
Unit testing
testing of individual hardware or software units or groups of related units [IEEE 90].
Upgradeability
see Evolvability.
Usability
the ease with which a user can learn to operate, prepare inputs for, and interpret outputs of a system or component [IEEE 90].
User interface
an interface that enables information to be passed between a human user and hardware or software components of a computer system [IEEE 90].
Verifiability
the relative effort to verify the specified software operation and performance [Evans 87].
Vulnerability
the degree to which a software system or component is open to unauthorized access, change, or disclosure of information and is susceptible to interference or disruption of system services.

מילון מונחים הנדסת חשמל

2004-10-22T10:44:00.000-07:00

Absolute Pressure Transducer: A transducer which measures pressure in relation to zero pressure (a vacuum on one side of the diaphragm).
Absolute Pressure: Gage pressure plus atmospheric pressure.
Absolute Zero: Temperature at which thermal energy is at a minimum. Defined as 0 Kelvin, calculated to be -273.15°C or -459.67°F.
ac: Alternating current; an electric current that reverses its direction at regularly recurring intervals.
Acceleration: A change in the velocity of a body or particle with respect to time. The parameter that an accelerometer measures (dv/dt). Units expressed in "g".
Accelerometer: A device which converts the effects of mechanical motion into an electrical signal that is proportional to the acceleration value of the motion. A sensor. A transducer.
Accuracy: The closeness of an indication or reading of a measurement device to the actual value of the quantity being measured. Usually expressed as ± percent of full scale output or reading.
Acoustics: The degree of sound. The nature, cause, and phenomena of the vibrations of elastic bodies; which vibrations create compressional waves or wave fronts which are transmitted through various media, such as air, water, wood, steel, etc.
Activity (ai): A thermodynamic term for the apparent or active concentration of a free ion in solution. It is related to concentration by the activity coefficient.
Activity Coefficient (fi): A ratio of the activity of species i(ai) to its molality (C). It is a correction factor which makes the thermodynamic calculations correct. This factor is dependent on ionic strength, temperature, and other parameters.
Individual ionic activity coefficients, f+ for cation and f- for an anion, cannot be derived thermodynamically. They can be calculated only by using the Debye-Huckel law for low concentration solutions in which the interionic forces depend primarily on charge, radius, and distribution of the ions and on the dielectric constant of the medium rather than on the chemical properties of the ions.
Mean ionic activity coefficient (f±) or the activity of a salt, on the other hand, can be measured by a variety of techniques such as freezing point depression and vapor pressure as well as paired sensing electrodes. It is the geometric mean of the individual ionic activity coefficients: f± = (f+n+f-n-)1/n
Adapter: A mechanism or device for attaching non-mating parts.
ADC: Analog-to-Digital Converter: an electronic device which converts analog signals to an equivalent digital form, in either a binary code or a binary-coded-decimal code. When used for dynamic waveforms, the sampling rate must be high to prevent aliasing errors from occurring.
Address: The label or number identifying the memory location where a unit of information is stored.
Aliasing: If the sample rate of a function (fs) is less than two times the highest frequency value of the function, the frequency is ambiguously presented. The frequencies above (fs/2) will be folded back into the lower frequencies producing erroneous data.
Alloy 11: A compensating alloy used in conjunction with pure copper as the negative leg to form extension wire for platinum-platinum rhodium thermocouples Types R and S.
Alloy 200/226: The combination of compensating alloys used with tungsten vs. tungsten 26% rhenium thermocouples as extension cable for applications under 200°C.
Alloy 203/225: The combination of compensating alloys used with tungsten 3% rhenium vs. tungsten 150 rhenium thermocouples as extension cable for applications under 200°C.
Alloy 405/426: The combination of compensating alloys used with tungsten 5% rhenium vs. tungsten 26% rhenium thermocouples as extension cable for applications under 870°C.
ALOMEGA® An aluminum nickel alloy used in the negative leg of a type K thermocouple (registered trademarks of OMEGA ENGINEERING, INC.).
Alphanumeric: A character set that contains both letters and digits.
ALU: Arithmetic Logic Unit. The part of a CPU where binary data is acted upon with mathematical operations.
Alumel: An aluminum nickel alloy used in the negative leg of a Type K thermocouple (Trade name of Hoskins Manufacturing Company).
Ambient Compensation: The design of an instrument such that changes in ambient temperature do not affect the readings of the instrument.
Ambient Conditions: The conditions around the transducer (pressure, temperature, etc.).
Ambient Pressure: Pressure of the air surrounding a transducer.
Ambient Temperature: The average or mean temperature of the surrounding air which comes in contact with the equipment and instruments under test.
Ammeter: An instrument used to measure current.
Ampere (amp): A unit used to define the rate of flow of electricity (current) in a circuit; units are one coulomb (6.28 x 1018 electronics) per second.
Amplifier: A device which draws power from a source other than the input signal and which produces as an output an enlarged reproduction of the essential features of its input.
Amplitude Span: The Y-axis range of a graphic display of data in either the time or frequency domain. Usually a log display (dB) but can also be linear.
Amplitude: A measurement of the distance from the highest to the lowest excursion of motion, as in the case of mechanical body in oscillation or the peak-to-peak swing of an electrical waveform.
Analog Output: A voltage or current signal that is a continuous function of the measured parameter.
Analog-to-Digital Converter (A/D or ADC): A device or circuit that outputs a binary number corresponding to an analog signal level at the input.
Anemometer: An instrument for measuring and/or indicating the velocity of air flow.
Angstrom: Ten to the minus tenth meters (10-10) or one millimicron, a unit used to define the wave length of light. Designated by the symbol ‰.
Angular Frequency: The motion of a body or a point moving circularly, referred to as the circular frequency O which is the frequency in cycles per second (cps) multiplied by the term (2) and expressed in radians per second (2pf).
Anion: A negatively charged ion (Cl-, NO3-, S2- etc.)
ANSI: American National Standards Institute.
Anti-reset Windup: This is a feature in a three-mode PID controller which prevents the integral (auto reset) circuit from functioning when the temperature is outside the proportional band.
Application Program: A computer program that accomplishes specific tasks, such as word processing.
ASCII: American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A seven or eight bit code used to represent alphanumeric characters. It is the standard code used for communications between data processing systems and associated equipment.
ASME: American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Assembler: A program that translates assembly language instructions into machine language instructions.
Assembly Language: A machine oriented language in which mnemonics are used to represent each machine language instruction. Each CPU has its own specific assembly language.
ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials.
Asymmetry Potential: The potential developed across the glass membrane with identical solutions on both sides. Also a term used when comparing glass electrode potential in pH 7 buffer.
Asynchronous: A communication method where data is sent when it is ready without being referenced to a timing clock, rather than waiting until the receiver signals that it is ready to receive.
ATC: Automatic temperature compensation.
Auto-Zero: An automatic internal correction for offsets and/or drift at zero voltage input.
Automatic Reset: 1. A feature on a limit controller that automatically resets the controller when the controlled temperature returns to within the limit bandwidth set. 2. The integral function on a PID controller which adjusts the proportional bandwidth with respect to the set point to compensate for droop in the circuit, i.e., adjusts the controlled temperature to a set point after the system stabilizes.
AWG: American Wire Gage.
Axis of Rotation (Spin Axis): The axis of rotation (spin axis) is that straight line about which a body rotates.
Background Noise: The total noise floor from all sources of interference in a measurement system, independent of the presence of a data signal.
Backup: A system, device, file or facility that can be used as an alternative in case of a malfunction or loss of data.
Bandwidth: A symmetrical region around the set point in which proportional control occurs.
Basic Transportation Reference: The basic transportation section of the U.S. Government Test Specification MIL-STD-810D, Method 514.3, Paragraph I-3.2.1, Page 514.3-5. Basic transportation defines the test profiles that have been defined for equipment that is shipped as secured cargo; by land, by sea or by air. The test levels are based upon land transport stress levels because these are higher than stresses imposed by air or sea transportation environments.
Basic: A high-level programming language designed at Dartmouth College as a learning tool. Acronym for Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code.
Baud: A unit of data transmission speed equal to the number of bits (or signal events) per second; 300 baud = 300 bits per second.
BCD, Buffered: Binary-coded decimal output with output drivers, to increase line-drive capability.
BCD, Parallel: A digital data output format where every decimal digit is represented by binary signals on four lines and all digits are presented in parallel. The total number of lines is 4 times the number of decimal digits.
BCD, Serial: A digital data output format where every decimal digit is represented by binary signals on four lines and up to five decimal digits are presented sequentially. The total number of lines is four data lines plus one strobe line per digit.
BCD, Three-State: An implementation of parallel BCD, which has 0, 1 and high-impedance output states. The high-impedance state is used when the BCD output is not addressed in parallel connect applications.
Bearing: A part which supports a journal and in which a journal revolves.
Beat Frequency: Beat frequencies are periodic vibrations that result from the addition and subtraction of two or more sinusoids. For example, in the case of two turbine aircraft engines that are rotating at nearly the same frequency but not precisely at the same frequency; Four frequencies are generated:(f1) the rotational frequency of turbine one, (f2) the rotational frequency of turbine two, (f1 + f2) the sum of turbine rotational frequencies one and two, and (f1 - f2) which is the difference or "beat" frequency of turbines one and two. The difference of the two frequencies is the lower frequency and is the one that is "felt" as a beat or "wow" in this case.
Beryllia: BeO (Beryllium Oxide) A high-temperature mineral insulation material; toxic when in powder form.
Best Fit Straight Line (BFSL): A line midway between two parallel straight lines enclosing all output vs. pressure values.
Beta Ratio: The ratio of the diameter of a pipeline constriction to the unconstricted pipe diameter.
BIAS Current: A very low-level DC current generated by the panel meter and superimposed on the signal. This current may introduce a measurable offset across a very high source impedance.
Binary Coded Decimal (BCD): The representation of a decimal number (base 10, 0 through 9) by means of a 4 bit binary nibble.
Binary: Refers to base 2 numbering system, in which the only allowable digits are 0 and 1. Pertaining to a condition that has only two possible values or states.
BIOS: Acronym for basic input/output system. The commands used to tell a CPU how it will communicate with the rest of the computer.
Bipolar: The ability of a panel meter to display both positive and negative readings.
Bit: Acronym for binary digit. The smallest unit of computer information, it is either a binary 0 or 1.
Blackbody: A theoretical object that radiates the maximum amount of energy at a given temperature, and absorbs all the energy incident upon it. A blackbody is not necessarily black. (The name blackbody was chosen because the color black is defined as the total absorption of light energy.)
BNC: A quick disconnect electrical connector used to inter-connect and/or terminate coaxial cables.
Boiling Point: The temperature at which a substance in the liquid phase transforms to the gaseous phase; commonly refers to the boiling point of water which is 100°C (212°F) at sea level.
BPS: Bits per second.
Breakdown Voltage Rating: The dc or ac voltage which can be applied across insulation portions of a transducer without arcing or conduction above a specific current value.
Bridge Resistance: See Input impedance and Output impedance.
BTU: British thermal units. The quantity of thermal energy required to raise one pound of water at its maximum density, 1 degree F. One BTU is equivalent to .293 watt hours, or 252 calories. One kilowatt hour is equivalent to 3412 BTU.
Buffer Capacity (B): A measure of the ability of the solution to resist pH change when a strong acid or base is added.
Buffer: 1. A storage area for data that is used to compensate for a speed difference, when transferring data from one device to another. Usually refers to an area reserved for I/O operations, into which data is read, or from which data is written.2. Any substance or combination of substances which, when dissolved in water, produces a solution which resists a change in its hydrogen ion concentration on the addition of an acid or alkali.
Bulb (Liquid-in-Glass Thermometer): The area at the tip of a liquid-in-glass thermometer containing the liquid reservoir.
Burn-In: A long term screening test (either vibration, temperature or combined test) that is effective in weeding out infant mortalities because it simulates actual or worst case operation of the device, accelerated through a time, power, and temperature relationship.
Burst Pressure: The maximum pressure applied to a transducer sensing element or case without causing leakage.
Burst Proportioning: A fast-cycling output form on a time proportioning controller (typically adjustable from 2 to 4 seconds) used in conjunction with a solid state relay to prolong the life of heaters by minimizing thermal stress.
Bus: Parallel lines used to transfer signals between devices or components. Computers are often described by their bus structure (i.e., S-100, IBM PC).
Byte: The representation of a character in binary. Eight bits.
Calender-van Dusen Equation: An equation that defines the resistance-temperature value of any pure metal that takes the form of RT = RO(1 + AT + BT2) for values between the ice point (0°C) and the freezing point of antimony (630.7°C) and the form RT = RO[1 + AT + BT2 + C(T-100)T2] between the oxygen point (-183.0°C) and the ice point (0°C).
Calibration: The process of adjusting an instrument or compiling a deviation chart so that its reading can be correlated to the actual value being measured.
Calorie: The quantity of thermal energy required to raise one gram of water 1°C at 15°C.
Cation: A positively charged ion (Na+, H+).
Cavitation: The boiling of a liquid caused by a decrease in pressure rather than an increase in temperature.
Celsius (centrigrade): A temperature scale defined by 0°C at the ice point and 100°C at boiling point of water at sea level.
Center of Gravity (Mass Center): The center of gravity of a body is that point in the body through which passes the resultant of weights of its component particles for all orientations of the body with respect to a uniform gravitational field.
Centripetal Force: A force exerted on an object moving in a circular path which is exerted inward toward the center of rotation.
Ceramic Insulation: High-temperature compositions of metal oxides used to insulate a pair of thermocouple wires The most common are Alumina (Al2O3), Beryllia (BeO), and Magnesia (MgO). Their application depends upon temperature and type of thermocouple. High-purity alumina is required for platinum alloy thermocouples. Ceramic insulators are available as single and multihole tubes or as beads.
Ceramic: Polycrystalline ferroelectric materials which are used as the sensing units in piezoelectric accelerometers. There are many different grades, all of which can be made in various configurations to satisfy different design requirements.
CFM: The volumetric flow rate of a liquid or gas in cubic feet per minute.
Character: A letter, digit or other symbol that is used as the representation of data. A connected sequence of characters is called a character string.
Charge Sensitivity: For accelerometers that are rated in terms of charge sensitivity, the output voltage (V)is proportional to the charge (Q) divided by the shunt capacitance (C). This type of accelerometer is characterized by a high output impedance. The sensitivity is given in terms of charge; picocoulombs per unit of acceleration (g).
Chatter: The rapid cycling on and off of a relay in a control process due to insufficient bandwidth in the controller.
CHROMEGA®: A chromium-nickel alloy which makes up the positive leg of type K and type E thermocouples (registered trademarks of OMEGA ENGINEERING, INC.).
Clear: To restore a device to a prescribed initial state, usually the zero state.
Clipping: The term applied to the phenomenon which occurs when an output signal is limited in some way by the full range of an amplifier, ADC or other device. When this occurs, the signal is flattened at the peak values, the signal approaches the shape of a square wave, and high frequency components are introduced. Clipping may be hard, as is the case when the signal is strictly limited at some level; or it may be soft, in which case the clipping signal continues to follow the input at some reduced gain.
Clock: The device that generates periodic signals for synchronization.
Closeness of Control: Total temperature variation from a desired set point of system. Expressed as "closeness of control" is ±2°C or a system bandwidth with 4°C, also referred to as amplitude of deviation.
CMR (Common-Mode Rejection): The ability of a panel meter to eliminate the effect of AC or DC noise between signal and ground. Normally expressed in dB at dc to 60 Hz. One type of CMR is specified between SIG LO and PWR GND. In differential meters, a second type of CMR is specified between SIG LO and ANA GND (METER GND).
CMV (Common-Mode Voltage): The AC or DC voltage which is tolerable between signal and ground. One type of CMV is specified between SIG LO and PWR GND. In differential meters, a second type of CMV is specified between SIG HI or LO and ANA GND (METER GND).
Coherence Function.: A frequency domain function computed to show the degree of a linear, noise-free relationship between a system's input and output. The value of the coherence function ranges between zero and one, where a value of zero indicates there is no causal relationship between the input and the output. A value of one indicates the existence of linear noise-free frequency response between the input and the output.
Color Code: The ANSI established color code for thermocouple wires in the negative lead is always red. Color Code for base metal thermocouples is yellow for Type K, black for Type J, purple for Type E and blue for Type T.
Common Mode Rejection Ratio: The ability of an instrument to reject interference from a common voltage at its input terminals with relation to ground. Usually expressed in db (decibels).
Common Mode: The output form or type of control action used by a temperature controller to control temperature, i.e. on/off, time proportioning, PID.
Communication: Transmission and reception of data among data processing equipment and related peripherals.
Compensated Connector: A connector made of thermocouple alloys used to connect thermocouple probes and wires.
Compensating Alloys: Alloys used to connect thermocouples to instrumentation. These alloys are selected to have similar thermal electric properties as the thermocouple alloys (however, only over a very limited temperature range).
Compensating Loop: Lead wire resistance compensation for RTD elements where an extra length of wire is run from the instrument to the RTD and back to the instrument, with no connection to the RTD.
Compensation: An addition of specific materials or devices to counteract a known error.
Compiler: A program that translates a high-level language, such as Basic, into machine language.
Complex Function: Any mathematically defined relationship given by the following expression:
y(x) = a(x) + ib(x)
Where: x = the real variable
a(x) = the real part of y(x)
b(x) = the imaginary part of y(x)Complex functions are usually expressed in terms of both their amplitude and phase.
Complex Wave: The resultant form of a number of sinusoidal waves that are summed together forming a periodic wave. Such waves may be analyzed in the frequency domain to readily determine their component parts.
Conductance: The measure of the ability of a solution to carry an electrical current. (See Equivalent Conductance)
Conduction: The conveying of electrical energy or heat through or by means of a conductor.
Confidence Level: The range (with a specified value of uncertainty, usually expressed in percent) within which the true value of a measured quantity exists.
Conformity Error: For thermocouples and RTDs, the difference between the actual reading and the temperature shown in published tables for a specific voltage input.
Connection Head: An enclosure attached to the end of a thermocouple which can be cast iron, aluminum or plastic within which the electrical connections are made.
Constantan: A copper-nickel alloy used as the negative lead in Type E, Type J, and Type T thermocouples.
Continuous Spectrum: A frequency spectrum that is characterized by non-periodic data The spectrum is continuous in the frequency domain and is characterized by an infinite number of frequency components.
Control Character: A character whose occurrence in a particular context starts, modifies or stops an operation that effects the recording, processing, transmission or interpretation of data.
Control Mode: The output form or type of control action used by a temperature controller to control temperature, i.e., on/off, time proportioning, PID.
Control Point: The temperature at which a system is to be maintained.
Convection: 1. The circulatory motion that occurs in a fluid at a non-uniform temperature owing to the variation of its density and the action of gravity. 2. The transfer of heat by this automatic circulation of fluid.
Coriolis Force: A result of centripetal force on a mass moving with a velocity radially outward in a rotating plane.
Correction (Balancing) Plane: A plane perpendicular to the shaft axis of a rotor in which correction for unbalance is made.
Coulomb Sensitivity: Charge/unit acceleration, expressed in Pc/g (charge sensitivity).
Coulomb: A measurement of the quantity of electrical charge, usually expressed as pico coulomb (10-12 coulombs).
Counter Weight: A weight added to a body so as to reduce a calculated unbalance at a desired place.
Counts: The number of time intervals counted by the dual-slope A/D converter and displayed as the reading of the panel meter, before addition of the decimal point.
CPS: Cycles per second; the rate or number of periodic events in one second, expressed in Hertz (Hz).
CPU: Central processing unit. The part of the computer that contains the circuits that control and perform the execution of computer instructions.
Critical Damping: Critical damping is the smallest amount of damping at which a given system is able to respond to a step function without overshoot.
Critical Speed: The rotational speed of the rotor or rotating element at which resonance occurs in the system. The shaft speed at which at least one of the "critical" or natural frequencies of a shaft is excited.
Cryogenics: Measurement of temperature at extremely low values, i.e., below -200°C.
CSA: Canadian Standards Administration.
Cure Point: The temperature at which a normally magnetic material goes through a magnetic transformation and becomes non-magnetic.
Current Proportioning: An output form of a temperature controller which provides a current proportional to the amount of control required. Normally is a 4 to 20 milliamp current proportioning band.
Current: The rate of flow of electricity. The unit of the ampere (A) defined as 1 ampere = 1 coulomb per second.
Curve Fitting: Curve fitting is the process of computing the coefficients of a function to approximate the values of a given data set within that function. The approximation is called a "fit". A mathematical function, such as a least squares regression, is used to judge the accuracy of the fit.
Cycle Time: The time usually expressed in seconds for a controller to complete one on/off cycle.
Damping: The reduction of vibratory movement through dissipation of energy. Types include viscous, coulomb, and solid.
Data Base: A large amount of data stored in a well-organized manner. A data base management system (DBMS) is a program that allows access to the information.
dB (Decibel): 20 times the log to the base 10 of the ratio of two voltages. Every 20 dBs correspond to a voltage ratio of 10, every 10 dBs to a voltage ratio of 3.162. For instance, a CMR of 120 dB provides voltage noise rejection of 1,000,000/1. An NMR of 70 dB provides voltage noise rejection of 3,162/1.
DC: Direct current; an electric current flowing in one direction only and substantially constant in value.
Dead Band: 1. For chart records: the minimum change of input signal required to cause a deflection in the pen position. 2. For temperature controllers: the temperature band where heat is turned off upon rising temperature and turned on upon falling temperature expressed in degrees. The area where no heating (or cooling) takes place.
Dead Volume: The volume of the pressure port of a transducer at room temperature and ambient barometric pressure.
Debug: To find and correct mistakes in a program.
Debye-H¸ckel Equation: Used in relating the activity coefficient (fi) to ion strength (see Activity coefficient):where I is the ionic strength, A and B the temperature-dependent constants (see Table A.5), Zi the valence of the ion (i), and ֲ the ion-size parameter in angstroms.
Decimal: Refers to a base ten number system using the characters 0 through 9 to represent values.
Default: The value(s) or option(s) that are assumed during operation when not specified.
Degree: An incremental value in the temperature scale, i.e., there are 100 degrees between the ice point and the boiling point of water in the Celsius scale and 180°F between the same two points in the Fahrenheit scale.
Density: Mass per unit of volume of a substance. I.E.: grams/cu.cm. or pounds/cu.ft.
Derivative: The derivative function senses the rate of rise or fall of the system temperature and automatically adjusts the cycle time of the controller to minimize overshoot or undershoot.
Deviation: The difference between the value of the controlled variable and the value at which it is being controlled.
Diaphragm: The sensing element consisting of a membrane which is deformed by the pressure differential applied across it.
Dielectric Constant: Related to the force of attraction between two opposite charges separated by a distance in a uniform medium.
Differential Input: A signal-input circuit where SIG LO and SIG HI are electrically floating with respect to ANALOG GND (METER GND, which is normally tied to DIG GND). This allows the measurement of the voltage difference between two signals tied to the same ground and provides superior common-mode noise rejection.
Differential Pressure: The difference in static pressure between two identical pressure taps at the same elevation located in two different locations in a primary device.
Differential: For an on/off controller, it refers to the temperature difference between the temperature at which the controller turns heat off and the temperature at which the heat is turned back on. It is expressed in degrees.
Digit: A measure of the display span of a panel meter. By convention, a full digit can assume any value from 0 through 9, a 1/2-digit will display a 1 and overload at 2, a 3/4-digit will display digits up to 3 and overload at 4, etc. For example, a meter with a display span of ±3999 counts is said to be a 3-3/4 digit meter.
Digital Output: An output signal which represents the size of an input in the form of a series of discrete quantities.
Digital-to-Analog Converter (D/A or DAC): A device or circuit to convert a digital value to an analog signal level.
DIN (Deutsche Industrial Norm): A set of German standards recognized throughout the world. The 1/8 DIN standard for panel meters specifies an outer bezel dimension of 96 x 48 mm and a panel cutout of 92 x 45 mm.
DIN 43760: The standard that defines the characteristics of a 100 ohm platinum RTD having a resistance vs. temperature curve specified by a = 0.00385 ohms per degree.
Discharge Time Constant: The time required for the output-voltage from a sensor or system to discharge 37% of its original value in response to a zero rise time step function input. This parameter determines a low frequency response.
Disk Operating System (DOS): Program used to control the transfer of information to and from a disk, such as MS DOS.
Displacement: The measured distance traveled by a point from its position at rest. Peak to peak displacement is the total measured movement of a vibrating point between its positive and negative extremes. Measurement units expressed as inches or millinches.
Dissipation Constant: The ratio for a thermistor which relates a change in internal power dissipation to a resultant change of body temperature.
Dissociation Constant (K): A value which quantitatively expresses the extent to which a substance dissociates in solution. The smaller the value of K, the less dissociation of the species in solution. This value varies with temperature, ionic strength, and the nature of the solvent.
DMA: Acronym direct memory access. A high speed data storage mode of the IBM PC.
Double Precision: The degree of accuracy that requires two computer words to represent a number. Numbers are stored with 17 digits of accuracy and printed with up to 16 digits.
Drift: A change of a reading or a set point value over long periods due to several factors including change in ambient temperature, time, and line voltage.
Droop: A common occurrence in time-proportional controllers. It refers to the difference in temperature between the set point and where the system temperature actually stabilizes due to the time-proportioning action of the controller.
Dual Element Sensor: A sensor assembly with two independent sensing elements.
Dual-slope A/D Converter: An analog-to-digital converter which integrates the signal for a specific time, then counts time intervals for a reference voltage to bring the integrated signal back to zero. Such converters provide high resolution at low cost, excellent normal-mode noise rejection, and minimal dependence on circuit elements.
Duplex Wire: A pair of wires insulated from each other and with an outer jacket of insulation around the inner insulated pair.
Duplex: Pertaining to simultaneous two-way independent data communication transmission in both direction. Same as "full duplex".
Duty Cycle: The total time to one on/off cycle. Usually refers to the on/off cycle time of a temperature controller.
Dynamic (Two-Plane) Balancing Machine: A dynamic balancing machine is a centrifugal balancing machine that furnishes information for performing two-plane balancing.
Dynamic Calibration: Calibration in which the input varies over a specific length of time and the output is recorded vs. time.
Dynamic Pressure: The difference in pressure levels from static pressure to stagnation pressure caused by an increase in velocity. Dynamic pressure increases by the square of the velocity.
Dynamic Unbalance: Dynamic unbalance is that condition in which the central principal axis is not coincident with the shaft axis.
Echo: To reflect received data to the sender. For example, keys depressed on a keyboard are usually echoed as characters displayed on the screen.
Electrical Interference: Electrical noise induced upon the signal wires that obscures the wanted information signal.
Electrode Potential (E): The difference in potential established between an electrode and a solution when the electrode is immersed in the solution.
Electrode: See Isopotential point.
Electrolyte: Any substance which, when in solution will conduct an electric current. Acids, bases, and salts are common electrolytes.
Electromotive Force (emf): The potential difference between the two electrodes in a cell. The cell emf is the cell voltage measured when no current is flowing through the cell. It can be measured by means of a pH meter with high input impedance.
Electronic Industries Association (EIA): A standards organization specializing in the electrical and functional characteristics of interface equipment.
EMF: Electromotive force. A rise in (electrical) potential energy. The principal unit is the volt.
EMI: Electromagnetic interference.
Emissivity: The ratio of energy emitted by an object to the energy emitted by a blackbody at the same temperature. The emissivity of an object depends upon its material and surface texture; a polished metal surface can have an emissivity around 0.2 and a piece of wood can have an emissivity around 0.95.
End Point (Potentiometric): The apparent equivalence point of a titration at which a relatively large potential change is observed.
End Points: The end points of a full scale calibration curve.
Endothermic: Absorbs heat. A process is said to be endothermic when it absorbs heat.
Enthalpy: The sum of the internal energy of a body and the product of its volume multiplied by the pressure.
Environmental Conditions: All conditions in which a transducer may be exposed during shipping, storage, handling, and operation.
Eprom: Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory. The PROM can be erased by ultraviolet light or electricity.
Equilibrium Constant: The product of the concentrations (or activities) of the substances produced at equilibrium in a chemical reaction divided by the product of concentrations of the reacting substances, each concentration raised to that power which is the coefficient of the substance in the chemical equation.
Equitransference: Equal diffusion rates of the positively and negatively charged ions of an electrolyte across a liquid junction without charge separation.
Equivalent Conductance (l): Equivalent conductance of an electrolyte is defined as the conductance of a volume of solution containing one equivalent weight of dissolved substances when placed between two parallel electrodes 1 cm apart, and large enough to contain between them all of the solution. l is never determined directly, but is calculated from the specific conductance (Ls). If C is the concentration of a solution in gram equivalents per liter, then the concentration of a solution in gram equivalents per liter, then the concentration per cubic centimeter is C/1000, and the volume containing one equivalent of the solute, is, therefore, 1000/C.
Error Band: The allowable deviations to output from a specific reference norm. Usually expressed as a percentage of full scale.
Error: The difference between the value indicated by the transducer and the true value of the measurand being sensed. Usually expressed in percent of full scale output.
Eutectic Temperature: The lowest possible melting point of a mixture of alloys.
Excitation: The external application of electrical voltage current applied to a transducer for normal operation.
Exothermic: Gives off heat. A process is said to be exothermic when it releases heat.
Expansion Factor: Correction factor for the change in density between two pressure measurement areas in a constricted flow.
Explosion-proof Enclosure: An enclosure that can withstand an explosion of gases within it and prevent the explosion of gases surrounding it due to sparks, flashes or the explosion of the container itself, and maintain an external temperature which will not ignite the surrounding gases.
Exposed Junction: A form of construction of a thermocouple probe where the hot or measuring junction protrudes beyond the sheath material so as to be fully exposed to the medium being measured. This form of construction usually gives the fastest response time.
Fahrenheit: A temperature scale defined by 32° at the ice point and 212° at the boiling point of water at sea level.
Ferrule: A compressible tubular fitting that is compressed onto a probe inside a compression fitting to form a gas-tight seal.
Field Balancing Equipment: An assembly of measuring instruments for performing balancing operations on assembled machinery which is not mounted in a balancing machine.
Field of View: A volume in space defined by an angular cone extending from the focal plane of an instrument.
File: A set of related records or data treated as a unit.
Filling Solution: A solution of defined composition to make contact between an internal element and a membrane or sample. The solution sealed inside a pH glass bulb is called an internal filling solution. This solution normally contains a buffered chloride solution to provide a stable potential and a designated zero potential point. The solution which surrounds the reference electrode internal and periodically requires replenishing is called the reference filling solution. It provides contact between the reference electrode internal and sample through a junction.
Firmware: Programs stored in PROMs.
Flag: Any of various types of indicators used for identification of a condition or event; for example, a character that signals the termination of a transmission.
Floppy Disk: A small, flexible disk carrying a magnetic medium in which digital data is stored for later retrieval and use.
Flow Rate: Actual speed or velocity of fluid movement .
Flow: Travel of liquids or gases in response to a force (i.e. pressure or gravity).
Flowmeter: A device used for measuring the flow or quantity of a moving fluid.
FM Approved: An instrument that meets a specific set of specifications established by Factory Mutual Research Corporation.
FM: Factory Mutual Research Corporation. An organization which sets industrial safety standards.
Forced Vibration: Vibration of a system caused by an imposed force. Steady-state vibration is an unchanging condition of periodic or random motion.
FORTRAN: Formula Translation language. A widely used high-level programming language well suited to problems that can be expressed in terms of algebraic formulas. It is generally used in scientific applications.
FPM: Flow velocity in feet per minute.
FPS: Flow velocity in feet per second.
Freezing Point: The temperature at which the substance goes from the liquid phase to the solid phase.
Frequency Modulated Output: A transducer output which is obtained in the form of a deviation from a center frequency, where the deviation is proportional to the applied stimulus.
Frequency of Vibration: The number of cycles occurring in a given unit of time. RPM - revolutions per minute. CPM- cycles per minute.
Frequency Output: An output in the form of frequency which varies as a function of the applied input.
Frequency, Natural: The frequency of free (not forced) oscillations of the sensing element of a fully assembled transducer.
Frequency: The number of cycles over a specified time period over which an event occurs. The reciprocal is called the period.
Full Bridge: A Wheatstone bridge configuration utilizing four active elements or strain gages.
Full Scale Output: The algebraic difference between the minimum output and maximum output.
Functions: Three mode PID controller. A timeproportioning controller with integral and derivative functions. The integral function automatically adjusts the system temperature to the set point temperature to eliminate droop due to the time proportioning function.
g: The force of acceleration due to gravity equal to 32.1739 ft/sec2 or 386 in./sec2.
Gage Factor: A measure of the ratio of the relative change of resistance to the relative change in length of a piezoresistive strain gage.
Gage Length: The distance between two points where the measurement of strain occurs.
Gage Pressure Transducer: A transducer which measures pressure in relation to the ambient pressure.
Gage pressure: Absolute pressure minus local atmospheric pressure.
Gain: The amount of amplification used in an electrical circuit.
Galvanometer: An instrument that measures small electrical currents by means of deflecting magnetic coils.
GPH: Volumetric flow rate in gallons per hour.
GPM: Volumetric flow rate in gallons per minute.
Ground: 1. The electrical neutral line having the same potential as the surrounding earth. 2. The negative side of DC power supply. 3. Reference point for an electrical system.
Grounded Junction: A form of construction of a thermocouple probe where the hot or measuring junction is in electrical contact with the sheath material so that the sheath and thermocouple will have the same electrical potential.
Half Bridge: Two active elements or strain gages.
Half-Duplex: One way at a time data communication; both devices can transmit and receive data, but only one at a time.
Handshake: An interface procedure that is based on status/data signals that assure orderly data transfer as opposed to asynchronous exchange.
Hardcopy: Output in a permanent form (usually a printout) rather than in temporary form, as on disk or display terminal.
Hardware: The electrical, mechanical and electromechanical equipment and parts associated with a computing system, as opposed to its firmware or software.
Head Loss: The loss of pressure in a flow system measured using a length parameter (i.e., inches of water, inches of mercury).
Head Pressure: Pressure in terms of the height of fluid, P = yrg, where r = fluid density and y = the fluid column heights. Expression of a pressure in terms of the height of fluid, r = yrg, where r is fluid density and y = the fluid column height. g = the acceleration of gravity.
Heat Sink: 1. Thermodynamic. A body which can absorb thermal energy. 2. Practical. A finned piece of metal used to dissipate the heat of solid state components mounted on it.
Heat Transfer: The process of thermal energy flowing from a body of high energy to a body of low energy. Means of transfer are: conduction; the two bodies contact. Convection; a form of conduction where the two bodies in contact are of different phases, i.e. solid and gas. Radiation: all bodies emit infrared radiation.
Heat Treating: A process for treating metals where heating to a specific temperature and cooling at a specific rate changes the properties of the metal.
Heat: Thermal energy. Heat is expressed in units of calories or BTU's.
Hertz (Hz): Units in which frequency is expressed. Synonymous with cycles per second.
Hexadecimal: Refers to a base sixteen number system using the characters 0 through 9 and A through F to represent the values. Machine language programs are often written in hexadecimal notation.
Hold: Meter HOLD is an external input which is used to stop the A/D process and freeze the display. BCD HOLD is an external input used to freeze the BCD output while allowing the A/D process to continue operation.
Hooke's Law: Defines the basis for the measurement of mechanical stresses via the strain measurement. The gradient of Hooke's line is defined by the ratio of which is equivalent to the Modulus of Elasticity E (Young's Modulus).
Host: The primary or controlling computer in a multiple part system.
Hydrogen Ion Activity (aH+): Activity of the hydrogen ion in solution. Related to hydrogen ion concentration (CH+) by the activity coefficient for hydrogen (f H+).
Hysteresis (Electrode Memory): When an electrode system is returned to a solution, equilibrium is usually not immediate. This phenomenon is often observed in electrodes that have been exposed to the other influences such as temperature, light, or polarization.
Hysteresis: The difference in output when the measurand value is first approached with increasing and then with decreasing values. Expressed in percent of full scale during any one calibration cycle. See also Deadband.
Icon: A graphic functional symbol display. A graphic representation of a function or functions to be performed by the computer.
ICP: Integrated Circuit Piezoelectric; term sometimes used to describe an accelerometer with built-in electronics.
Impedance: The total opposition to electrical flow (resistive plus reactive).
Infrared: An area in the electromagnetic spectrum extending beyond red light from 760 nanometers to 1000 microns (106 nm). It is the form of radiation used for making non-contact temperature measurements.
Initial Unbalance: Initial unbalance is that unbalance of any kind that exists in the rotor before balancing.
Input Impedance: The resistance measured across the excitation terminals of a transducer.
Input Impedance: The resistance of a panel meter as seen from the source. In the case of a voltmeter, this resistance has to be taken into account when the source impedance is high; in the case of an ammeter, when the source impedance is low.
Input Resistance (Impedance): The input resistance of a pH meter is the resistance between the glass electrode terminal and the reference electrode terminal. The potential of a pH-measuring electrode chain is always subject to a voltage division between the total electrode resistance and the input resistance.
Insulated Junction: See Ungrounded Junction
Insulation Resistance: The resistance measured between two insulated points on a transducer when a specific dc voltage is applied at room temperature.
Integral: A form of temperature control. See Automatic Reset, #2
Interchangeability Error: A measurement error that can occur if two or more probes are used to make the same measurement. It is caused by a slight variation in characteristics of different probes.
Interface: The means by which two systems or devices are connected and interact with each other.
Internal Reference electrode (Element): The reference electrode placed internally in a glass electrode.
Interpreter: A system program that converts and executes each instruction of a high-level language program into machine code as it runs, before going onto the next instruction.
Interrupt: To stop a process in such a way that it can be resumed.
Intrinsically Safe: An instrument which will not produce any spark or thermal effects under normal or abnormal conditions that will ignite a specified gas mixture.
Ionic Mobility: Defined similarly to the mobility of nonelectrolytic particles, viz., as the speed that the ion obtains in a given solvent when influenced by unit power.
Ionic Strength: The weight concentration of ions in solution, computed by multiplying the concentration of each ion in solution (C) by the corresponding square of the charge on the ion (Z) summing this product for all ions in solution and dividing by 2:ionic strength - 1/2 _ Z2 C.
IPTS-48: International Practical Temperature Scale of 1948. Fixed points in thermometry as specified by the Ninth General Conference of Weights and Measures which was held in 1948.
IPTS-68: International Practical Temperature Scale of 1968. Fixed points in thermometry set by the 1968 General Conference of Weights and Measures.
ISA: Instrument Society of America.
Isolation: The reduction of the capacity of a system to respond to an external force by use of resilient isolating materials.
Isopotential Point: A potential which is not affected by temperature changes. It is the pH value at which dE/dt for a given electrode pair is zero. Normally, for a glass electrode and SCE reference, this potential is obtained approximately when immersed in pH 7 buffer.
Isothermal: A process or area that is a constant temperature.
Joule: The basic unit of thermal energy.
Journal: A journal is that part of a rotor that is in contact with or supported by a bearing in which it revolves.
Junction: The point in a thermocouple where the two dissimilar metals are joined.
K: When referring to memory capacity, two to the tenth power (1024 in decimal notation).
Kelvin: Symbol K. The unit of absolute or thermodynamic temperature scale based upon the Celsius scale with 100 units between the ice point and boiling point of water. 0°C = 273.15K (there is no degree (°) symbol used with the Kelvin scale).
Kilowatt (kw): Equivalent to 1000 watts.
Kilowatt Hour (kwh): 1000 watthours. Kilovolt amperes (kva): 1000 volt amps.
Kinetic Energy: Energy associated with mass in motion, i.e., 1/2 rV2 where r is the density of the moving mass and V is its velocity.
KVA: Kilovolt amperes (1000-volt amps).
Lag: 1. A time delay between the output of a signal and the response of the instrument to which the signal is sent. 2. A time relationship between two waveforms where a fixed reference point on one wave occurs after the same point of the reference wave.
Laminar Flow: Streamlined flow of a fluid where viscous forces are more significant than inertial forces, generally below a Reynolds number of 2000.
Large Scale Integration (LSI): The combining of about 1,000 to 10,000 circuits on a single chip. Typical examples of LSI circuits are memory chips and microprocessor.
Latent Heat: Expressed in BTU per pound. The amount of heat needed (absorbed) to convert a pound of boiling water to a pound of steam.
Leakage Rate: The maximum rate at which a fluid is permitted or determined to leak through a seal. The type of fluid, the differential Limits of Error: A tolerance band for the thermal electric response of thermocouple wire expressed in degrees or percentage defined by ANSI specification MC-96.1 (1975).
Least-squares Line: The straight line for which the sum of the squares of the residuals (deviations) is minimized.
Life Cycle: The minimum number of pressure cycles the transducer can endure and still remain within a specified tolerance.
Limits of Error: A tolerance band for the thermal electric response of thermocouple wire expressed in degrees or percentage defined by ANSI specification MC-96.1 (1975).
Linearity: The closeness of a calibration curve to a specified straight line. Linearity is expressed as the maximum deviation of any calibration point on a specified straight line during any one calibration cycle.
Liquid Junction Potential: The potential difference existing between a liquid-liquid boundary. The sign and size of this potential depends on the composition of the liquids and the type of junction used.
Load Impedance: The impedance presented to the output terminals of a transducer by the associated external circuitry.
Load: The electrical demand of a process expressed as power (watts), current (amps) or resistance (ohms).
Logarithmic Scale: A method of displaying data (in powers of ten) to yield maximum range while keeping resolution at the low end of the scale.
Loop Resistance: The total resistance of a thermocouple circuit caused by the resistance of the thermocouple wire. Usually used in reference to analog pyrometers which have typical loop resistance requirements of 10 ohms.
LS-TTL Compatible: For digital input circuits, a logic 1 is obtained for inputs of 2.0 to 5.5 V which can source 20 µA, and a logic 0 is obtained for inputs of 0 to 0.8 V which can sink 400 µA. For digital output signals, a logic 1 is represented by 2.4 to 5.5 V with a current source capability of at least 400 µA; and a logic 0 is represented by 0 to 0.6 V with a current sink capability of at least 16 MA. "LS" stands for low-power Schottky.
LS-TTL Unit Load: A load with LS-TTL voltage levels, which will draw 20 µA for a logic 1 and -400 µA for a logic 0.
LSD (Least-Significant Digit): The rightmost active (non-dummy) digit of the display.
M: Mega; one million. When referring to memory capacity, two to the twentieth power (1,048,576 in decimal notation).
Machine Language: Instructions that are written in binary form that a computer can execute directly. Also called object code and object language.
Mandrel (Balancing Arbor): An accurately machined shaft on which work is mounted for balancing.
Manual Reset (Adjustment): The adjustment on a proportioning controller which shifts the proportioning band in relationship to the set point to eliminate droop or offset errors.
Manual Reset (Switch): The switch in a limit controller that manually resets the controller after the limit has been exceeded.
Mass Flow Rate: Volumetric flowrate times density, i.e. pounds per hour or kilograms per minute.
Mass Storage: A device like a disk or magtape that can store large amounts of data readily accessible to the central processing unit.
Maximum Elongation: The strain value where a deviation of more than ±5% occurs with respect to the mean characteristic (diagram of resistance change vs strain).
Maximum Excitation: The maximum value of excitation voltage or current that can be applied to the transducer at room conditions without causing damage or performance degradation beyond specified tolerances.
Maximum Operating Temperature: The maximum temperature at which an instrument or sensor can be safely operated.
Maximum Power Rating: The maximum power in watts that a device can safely handle.
Mean Ionic Activity Coefficient: See Activity coefficient.
Mean Temperature: The average of the maximum and minimum temperature of a processequilibrium.
Measurand: A physical quantity, property, or condition which is measured.
Measuring Junction: The thermocouple junction referred to as the hot junction that is used to measure an unknown temperature.
Mechanical Hysteresis: The difference of the indication with increasing and decreasing strain loading, at identical strain values of the specimen.
Medium Effect (f m): For solvents other than water the medium effect is the activity coefficient related to the standard state in water at zero concentration. It reflects differences in the electrostatic and chemical interactions of the ions with the molecules of various solvents. Solvation is the most significant interaction.
Melting Point: The temperature at which a substance transforms from a solid phase to a liquid phase.
Membrane: The pH-sensitive glass bulb is the membrane across which the potential difference due to the formation of double layers with ion-exchange properties on the two swollen glass surfaces is developed. The membrane makes contact with and separates the internal element and filling solution from the sample solution.
Method of Correction: A procedure whereby the mass distribution of a rotor is adjusted to reduce unbalance, or vibration due to unbalance, to an acceptable value. Corrections are usually made by adding material to, or removing it from, the rotor.
Mica: A transparent mineral used as window material in high-temperature ovens.
Microamp: One millionth of an ampere, 10-6 amps, µA.
Microcomputer: A computer which is physically small. It can fit on top of or under a desk; based on LSI circuitry, computers of this type are now available with much of the power currently associated with minicomputer systems.
Micron: One millionth of a meter, 10-6 meters.
Microvolt: One millionth of a volt, 10-6 volts.
Mil: One thousandth of an inch (.001").
Milliamp: One thousandth of an amp, 10-3 amps, symbol mA.
Millimeter: One thousandth of a meter, symbol mm.
Millivolt: Unit of electromotive force. It is the difference in potential required to make a current of 1 millampere flow through a resistance of 1 ohm; one thousandth of a volt, symbol mV.
Mineral-insulated Thermocouple: A type of thermocouple cable which has an outer metal sheath and mineral (magnesium oxide) insulation inside separating a pair of thermocouple wires from themselves and from the outer sheath. This cable is usually drawn down to compact the mineral insulation and is available in diameters from .375 to .010 inches. It is ideally suited for high-temperature and severe-duty applications.
Minor Scale Division: On an analog scale, the smallest indicated division of units on the scale.
Modem: Modulator/Demodulator. A device that transforms digital signals into audio tones for transmission over telephone lines, and does the reverse for reception.
Molality: A measure of concentration expressed in mols per kilogram of solvent.
Monovalent Ion: An ion with a single positive or negative charge (H+, C1-).
Motherboard: The pc board of a computer that contains the bus lines and edge connectors to accommodate other boards in the system. In a microcomputer, the motherboard contains the microprocessor and connectors for expansion boards.
Mounting Error: The error resultant from installing the transducer, both electrical and mechanical.
MSD (Most-Significant Digit): The leftmost digit of the display.
Mueller Bridge: A high-accuracy bridge configuration used to measure three-wire RTDthermometers.
Multiplex: A technique which allows different input (or output) signals to use the same lines at different times, controlled by an external signal. Multiplexing is used to save on wiring and I/O ports.
N/C (No Connection): A connector point for which there is no internal connection.
NBS: National Bureau of Standards.
NEC: National Electric Codes.
Negative Temperature Coefficient: A decrease in resistance with an increase in temperature.
NEMA-4: A standard from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, which defines enclosures intended for indoor or outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against windblown dust and rain, splashing water, and hose-directed water.
NEMA-7: A standard from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, which defines explosion-proof enclosures for use in locations classified as Class I, Groups A, B, C or D, as specified in the National Electrical Code.
NEMA-12: A standard from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, which defines enclosures with protection against dirt, dust, splashes by non-corrosive liquids, and salt spray.
NEMA-Size Case: An older US case standard for panel meters, which requires a panel cutout of 3.93 x 1.69 inches.
Nernst Equation: A mathematical description of electrode behavior: E is the total potential, in millivolts, developed between the sensing and reference electrodes; Ex varies with the choice of electrodes, temperature, and pressure: 2.3RT/nF is the Nernst factor (R and F are constants, n is the charge on the ion, including sign, T is the temperature in degrees Kelvin), and ai is the activity of the ion to which the electrode is responding.
Nernst Factor (S, Slope); The term 2.3RT/nF is the Nernst equation, which is equal (at T = 25°C) to 59.16 mV when n = 1 and 29.58 mV when n - 2, and which includes the sign of the charge on the ion in the term n. The Nerst factor varies with temperature.
Network: A group of computers that are connected to each other by communications lines to share information and resources.
Nibble: One half of a byte.
Nicrosil/Nisil: A nickel chrome/nickel silicone thermal alloy used to measure high temperatures. Inconsistencies in thermoelectric voltages exist in these alloys with respect to the wire gage.
NMR (Normal-Mode Rejection): The ability of a panel meter to filter out noise superimposed on the signal and applied across the SIG HI to SIG LO input terminals. Normally expressed in dB at 50/60 Hz.
Noise: An unwanted electrical interference on the signal wires.
Normal (axial) Stress: The force per unit area on a given plane within a body a = F/A
Normal Hydrogen Electrode: A reversible hydrogen electrode (Pt) in contact with hydrogen gas at 1 atmosphere partial pressure and immersed in a solution containing hydrogen ions at unit activity.
Normal-mode Rejection Ratio: The ability of an instrument to reject interference usually of line frequency (50-60 Hz) across its input terminals.
NPT: National Pipe Thread.
Null: A condition, such as balance, which results in a minimum absolute value of output.
O.D.: Outside diameter.
Octal: Pertaining to a base 8 number system.
Offset: The difference in temperature between the set point and the actual process temperature. Also, referred to as droop.
ofhc: Oxygen-free high-conductivity copper. The industrial designation of the pure copper used in a Type T thermocouple.
Ohmeter: An instrument used to measure electrical resistance.
On/off Controller: A controller whose action is fully on or fully off.
Open Circuit: The lack of electrical contact in any part of the measuring circuit. An open circuit is usually characterized by rapid large jumps in displayed potential, followed by an off-scale reading.
Operating System: A collection of programs that controls the overall operation of a computer and performs such tasks as assigning places in memory to programs and data, processing interrupts, scheduling jobs and controlling the overall input/output of the system.
Operational pH: The determination of sample pH by relating to pH measurements in a primary standard solution. This relationship assumes that electrode errors such as sensitivity and changes in asymmetry potential can be disregarded or compensated for, provided the liquid junction potential remains constant between standard and sample.
Optical Isolation: Two networks which are connected only through an LED transmitter and photoelectric receiver with no electrical continuity between the two networks.
Outboard Rotor: A two-journal rotor which has its center of gravity between the journals.
Output Impedance: The resistance as measured on the output terminals of a pressure transducer.
Output Noise: The RMS, peak-to-peak (as specified) ac component of a transducer's dc output in the absence of a measurand variation.
Output: The electrical signal which is produced by an applied input to the transducer.
Overshoot: The number of degrees that a process exceeds the set point temperature when coming up to the set point temperature.
Parallax: An optical illusion which occurs in analog meters and causes reading errors. It occurs when the viewing eye is not in the same plane, perpendicular to the meter face, as the indicating needle.
Parallel Transmission: Sending all data bits simultaneously. Commonly used for communications between computers and printer devices.
Parity: A technique for testing transmitting data. Typically, a binary digit is added to the data to make the sum of all the digits of the binary data either always even (even parity) or always odd (odd parity).
Peltier Effect: When a current flows through a thermocouple junction, heat will either be absorbed or evolved depending on the direction of current flow. This effect is independent of joule I2 R heating.
Perfectly Balanced Rotor: A rotor is perfectly balanced when its mass distribution is such that it transmits no vibratory force or motion to its bearings as a result of centrifugal forces.
Peripheral: A device that is external to the CPU and main memory, i.e., printer, modem or terminal, but is connected by the appropriate electrical connections.
pH Junctions: The Junction of a reference electrode or combination electrode is a permeable membrane through which the fill solution escapes (called the liquid junction).
pH(S) (Standard pH Scale): The conventional standard pH scale established on the basis that an individual ionic activity coefficient can be calculated from the Debye-H¸ckel law for primary buffers.
Phase Difference: The time expressed in degrees between the same reference point on two periodic waveforms.
Phase Proportioning: A form of temperature control where the power supplied to the process is controlled by limiting the phase angle of the line voltage.
Phase: A time based relationship between a periodic function and a reference. In electricity, it is expressed in angular degrees to describe the voltage or current relationship of two alternating waveforms.
PID: Proportional, integral, derivative. A three mode control action where the controller has time proportioning, integral (auto reset) and derivative rate action.
Piezoelectric Accelerometer: A transducer that produces an electrical charge in direct proportion to the vibratory acceleration.
Piezoresistance: Resistance that changes with stress.
Pixel: Picture element. Definable locations on a display screen that are used to form images on the screen. For graphic displays, screens with more pixels provide higher resolution.
Plane Separation: Of a balancing machine, is the operation of reducing the correction plane interference ratio for a particular rotor.
Platinel: A non-standard, high temperature platinum thermocouple alloy whose thermoelectric voltage nearly matches a Type K thermocouple (Trademark of Englehard Industries).
Platinum 6% Rhodium: The platinum-rhodium alloy used as the negative wire in conjunction with platinum-30% rhodium to form a Type B thermocouple.
Platinum 10% Rhodium: The platinum-rhodium alloy used as the positive wire in conjunction with pure platinum to form a Type S thermocouple.
Platinum 13% Rhodium: The platinum-rhodium alloy used as the positive wire in conjunction with pure platinum to form a Type R thermocouple.
Platinum 30% Rhodium: The platinum-rhodium alloy used as the positive wire in conjunction with platinum 6% rhodium to form a Type B thermocouple.
Platinum 67: To develop thermal emf tables for thermocouples, the National Bureau of Standards paired each thermocouple alloy against a pure platinum wire (designated Platinum 2 prior to 1973, and currently Platinum 67). The thermal emf's of any alloy combination can be determined by summing the "vs. Pt-67" emf's of the alloys, i.e., the emf table for a Type K thermocouple is derived from the Chromel vs. Pt-67 and the Alumel vs. Pt-67 values.
Platinum: A noble metal which in its pure form is the negative wire of Type R and Type S thermocouples.
Poisson Ratio: The ratio between the strain of expansion in the direction of force and the strain of contraction perpendicular to that force v = -Et/E1.
Polarity: In electricity, the quality of having two oppositely charged poles, one positive one negative.
Polarization: The inability of an electrode to reproduce a reading after a small electrical current has been passed through the membrane. Glass pH electrodes are especially prone to polarization errors caused by small currents flowing from the pH meter input circuit and from static electrical charges built up as the electrodes are removed from the sample solution, or when the electrodes are wiped.
Port: A signal input (access) or output point on a computer.
Positive Temperature Coefficient: An increase in resistance due to an increase in temperature.
Potential Energy: Energy related to the position or height above a place to which fluid could possibly flow.
Potentiometer: 1. A variable resistor often used to control a circuit. 2. A balancing bridge used to measure voltage.
Power Supply: A separate unit or part of a circuit that supplies power to the rest of the circuit or to a system.
PPM: Abbreviation for "parts per million," sometimes used to express temperature coefficients. For instance, 100 ppm is identical to 0.01%.
Primary Device: Part of a flowmeter which is mounted internally or externally to the fluid conduit and produces a signal corresponding to the flowrate and from which the flow may be determined.
Primary Standard (NBS): The standard reference units and physical constants maintained by the National Bureau of Standards upon which all measurement units in the United States are based.
Primary Standards: Aqueous pH buffer solutions established by the National Bureau of Standards within the 2.5 to 11.5 pH range of ionic strength less than 0.1 and which provide stable liquid junction potential and uniformity of electrode sensitivity.
Principal Axes: The axes of maximum and minimum normal stress.
Probe: A generic term that is used to describe many types of temperature sensors.
Process Meter: A panel meter with sizeable zero and span adjustment capabilities, which can be scaled for readout in engineering units for signals such as 4-20 mA, 10-50 mA and 1-5 V.
Program: A list of instructions that a computer follows to perform a task.
Prom: Programmable read-only memory. A semiconductor memory whose contents cannot be changed by the computer after it has been programmed.
Proof Pressure: The specified pressure which may be applied to the sensing element of a transducer without causing a permanent change in the output characteristics.
Proportioning Band: A temperature band expressed in degrees within which a temperature controller's time proportioning function is active.
Proportioning Control Mode: A time proportioning controller where the amount of time that the relay is energized is dependent upon the system's temperature.
Proportioning Control plus Derivative Function: A time proportioning controller with derivative function. The derivative function senses the rate at which a system's temperature is either increasing or decreasing and adjusts the cycle time of the controller to minimize overshoot or undershoot.
Proportioning Control plus Integral: A two-mode controller with time proportioning and integral (auto reset) action. The integral function automatically adjusts the temperature at which a system has stabilized back to the setpoint temperature, thereby eliminating droop in the system.
Proportioning Control with Integral and Derivative Functions: Three mode PID controller. A time proportioning controller with integral and derivative functions. The integral function automatically adjusts the system temperature to the set point temperature to eliminate droop due to the time proportioning function. The derivative function senses the rate of rise or fall of the system temperature and automatically adjusts the cycle time of the controller to minimize overshoot or undershoot.
Protection Head: An enclosure usually made out of metal at the end of a heater or probe where connections are made.
Protection Tube: A metal or ceramic tube, closed at one end into which a temperature sensor is inserted. The tube protects the sensor from the medium into which it is inserted.
Protocol: A formal definition that describes how data is to be exchanged.
PSIA: Pounds per square inch absolute. Pressure referenced to a vacuum.
PSID: Pounds per square inch differential. Pressure difference between two points.
PSIG: Pound per square inch gage. Pressure referenced to ambient air pressure.
PSIS: Pounds per square inch standard. Pressure referenced to a standard atmosphere.
Pulse Width Modulation: An output in the form of duty cycle which varies as a function of the applied measurand.
Radiation: See Infrared
Random Access Memory (RAM): Memory that can be both read and changed during computer operation. Unlike other semi-conductor memories, RAM is volatile-if power to the RAM is disrupted or lost, all the data stored is lost.
Range: Those values over which a transducer is intended to measure, specified by its upper and lower limits.
Rangeability: The ratio of the maximum flowrate to the minimum flowrate of a meter.
Rankine (°R): An absolute temperature scale based upon the Fahrenheit scale with 180° between the ice point and boiling point of water. 459.67°R = 0°F.
Rate Action: The derivative function of a temperature controller.
Rate time: the time interval over which the system temperature is sampled for the derivative function.
Ratiometric Measurement: A measurement technique where an external signal is used to provide the voltage reference for the dual-slope A/D converter. The external signal can be derived from the voltage excitation applied to a bridge circuit or pick-off supply, thereby eliminating errors due to power supply fluctuations.
Read Only Memory (ROM): Memory that contains fixed data. The computer can read the data, but cannot change it in any way.
Real Time: The time interval over which the system temperature is sampled for the derivative function.
Record: A collection of unrelated information that is treated as a single unit.
Recovery Time: The length of time which it takes a transducer to return to normal after applying a proof pressure.
Redox Potential: The potential developed by a metallic electrode when placed in a solution containing a species in two different oxidation states.
Reference Junction: The cold junction in a thermocouple circuit which is held at a stable known temperature. The standard reference temperature is 0°C (32°F). However, other temperatures can be used.
Reference Mark: Any diagnostic point or mark which can be used to relate a position during rotation of a part to its location when stopped.
Reference Plane: Any plane perpendicular to the shaft axis to which an amount of unbalance is referred.
Refractory Metal Thermocouple: A class of thermocouples with melting points above 3600°F. The most common are made from tungsten and tungsten/rhenium alloys Types G and C. They can be used for measuring high temperatures up to 4000°F (2200°C) in non-oxidizing, inert, or vacuum environments.
Register: A storage device with a specific capacity, such as a bit, byte or word.
Relay (Mechanical): An electromechanical device that completes or interrupts a circuit by physically moving electrical contacts into contact with each other.
Relay (Solid State): A solid state switching device which completes or interrupts a circuit electrically with no moving parts.
Remote: Not hard-wired; communicating via switched lines, such as telephone lines. Usually refers to peripheral devices that are located a site away from the CPU.
Repeatability: The ability of a transducer to reproduce output readings when the same measurand value is applied to it consecutively, under the same conditions, and in the same direction. Repeatability is expressed as the maximum difference between output readings.
Reserved Word: A word that has a defined function in the language, and cannot be used as a variable name.
Residual (Final) Unbalance: Residual unbalance is that unbalance of any kind that remains after balancing.
Resistance Ratio Characteristic: For thermistors, the ratio of the resistance of the thermistor at 25°C to the resistance at 125°C.
Resistance Temperature Characteristic: A relationship between a thermistor's resistance and the temperature.
Resistance: The resistance to the flow of electric current measured in ohms (1/2) for a conductor. Resistance is function of diameter, resistivity (an intrinsic property of the material) and length.
Resolution: The smallest detectable increment of measurement. Resolution is usually limited by the number of bits used to quantize the input signal. For example, a 12-bit A/D can resolve to one part in 4096 (2 to the 12 power equals 4096).
Resonant Frequency: The measurand frequency at which a transducer responds with maximum amplitude.
Response Time (time constant): The time required by a sensor to reach 63.2% of a step change in temperature under a specified set of conditions. Five time constants are required for the sensor to stabilize at 600 of the step change value.
Response Time: The length of time required for the output of a transducer to rise to a specified percentage of its final value as a result of a step change of input.
Reynolds Number: The ratio of inertial and viscous forces in a fluid defined by the formula Re = rVD/µ, where: r = Density of fluid, µ = Viscosity in centipoise (CP), V = Velocity, and D = Inside diameter of pipe.
RFI: Radio frequency interference.
Rheostat: A variable resistor.
Rigid Rotor: A rotor is considered rigid when it can be corrected in any two (arbitrarily selected) planes [see "Correction (Balancing)Plane"] and after that correction, its unbalance does not significantly exceed the balancing tolerances (relative to the shaft axis) at any speed up to maximum operating speed and when running under conditions which approximate closely to those of the final supporting system.
Rise Time: The time required for a sensor or system to respond to an instantaneous step function, measured from the 10% to 90% points on the response waveforms.
Room Conditions: Ambient environmental conditions under which transducers must commonly operate.
Root Mean Square (RMS): Square root of the mean of the square of the signal taken during one full cycle.
Rotor: A rotor is a rotating body whose journals are supported by bearings.
RTD: Resistance temperature detector.
Salt Bridge: The salt bridge of a reference electrode is that part of the electrode which contains the filling solution to establish the electrolytic connection between reference internal cell and the test solution. Auxiliary Salt Bridge: A glass tube open at oneend to receive intermediate electrolyte filling solution, and the reference electrode tip and a junction at the other end to make contact with the sample.
Salt Effect (fx): The effect on the activity coefficient due to salts in the solution.
SAMA: Scientific Apparatus Makers Association. An association that has issued standards covering platinum, nickel, and copper resistance elements (RTDs).
SCE: Saturated calomel electrode.
SCR: Ssilicone controlled rectifier.
Scroll: To move all or part of the screen material up to down, left or right, to allow new information to appear.
Secondary Device: A part of the flowmeter which receives a signal proportional to the flowrate, from the primary device, and displays, records and/or transmits the signal.
Secondary Standard: pH buffer solutions which do not meet the requirements of primary standard solutions but provide coverage of the pH range not covered by primary standards. Used when the pH value of the primary standard is not close to the sample pH value.
Seebeck Coefficient: The derivative (rate of change) of thermal EMF with respect to temperature normally expressed as millivolts per degree.
Seebeck Effect: When a circuit is formed by a junction of two dissimilar metals and the junctions are held at different temperatures, a current will flow in the circuit caused by the difference in temperature between the two junctions.
Seebeck EMF: The open circuit voltage caused by the difference in temperature between the hot and cold junctions of a circuit made from two dissimilar metals.
Self Heating: Internal heating of a transducer as a result of power dissipation.
Sensing Element: That part of the transducer which reacts directly in response to the input.
Sensitivity Shift: A change in slope of the calibration curve due to a change in sensitivity.
Sensitivity: The minimum change in input signal to which an instrument can respond.
Sequential Access: An access mode in which records are retrieved in the same order in which they were written. Each successive access to the file refers to the next record in the file.
Serial transmission: Sending one bit at a time on a single transmission line. Compare with parallel transmission.
Set Point: The temperature at which a controller is set to control a system.
Settling Time: The time taken for the display to settle within one digit final value when a step is applied to the meter input.
Shear Modulus: The ratio of the shear stress and the angular shear distortion.
Shear Stress: Where normal stress is perpendicular to the designated plane, shear stress is parallel to the plane.
Shearing Strain: A measure of angular distortion also directly measurable, but not as easily as axial strain.
Sheath Thermocouple: A thermocouple made out of mineral-insulated thermocouple cable which has an outer metal sheath.
SI: System Internationale. The name given to the standard metric system of units.
Signal Conditioner: A circuit module which offsets, attenuates, amplifies, linearizes and/or filters the signal for input to the A/D converter. The typical output signal conditioner is +2 V dc.
Signal Conditioning: To process the form or mode of a signal so as to make it intelligible to, or compatible with, a given device, including such manipulation as pulse shaping, pulse clipping, compensating, digitizing, and linearizing.
Signal: An electrical transmittance (either input or output) that conveys information.
Single Precision: The degree of numeric accuracy that requires the use of one computer word. In single precision, seven digits are stored, and up to seven digits are printed. Contrast with double precision.
Single-ended Input: A signal-input circuit where SIG LO (or sometimes SIG HI) is tied to METER GND. Ground loops are normally not a problem in AC-powered meters, since METER GND is transformer-isolated from AC GND.
Single-Plane (Static) Balancing Machine: A single plane balancing machine is a gravitational or centrifugal balancing machine that provides information for accomplishing single plane balancing.
Slope (Electrode Sensitivity, Span): See Nernst factor.
Smallest Bending Radius: The smallest radius that a strain gage can withstand in one direction, without special treatment, without suffering visible damage.
Software: Generally, programs loaded into a computer from external mass storage but also extended to include operating systems and documentation.
Solvation: Ions in solution are normally combined with at least one molecule of solvent. This phenomenon is termed solvation.
Source Code: A non-executable program written in a high-level language. A compiler or assembler must translate the source code into object code (machine language) that the computer can understand and process.
Span Adjustment: The ability to adjust the gain of a process or strain meter so that a specified display span in engineering units corresponds to a specified signal span. For instance, a display span of 200°F may correspond to the 16 mA span of a 4-20 mA transmitter signal.
Span: The difference between the upper and lower limits of a range expressed in the same units as the range.
Spare: A connector point reserved for options, specials, or other configurations. The point is identified by an (E#) for location on the electrical schematic.
Specific Gravity: The ratio of mass of any material to the mass of the same volume of pure water at 4°C.
Specific Heat: The ratio of thermal energy required to raise the temperature of a body 1° to the thermal energy required to raise an equal mass of water 1°.
Spectral Filter: A filter which allows only a specific band width of the electromagnetic spectrum to pass, i.e., 4 to 8 micron infrared radiation.
Spectrum Analysis: Utilizing frequency components of a vibration signal to determine the source and cause of vibration.
Spectrum: The resolving of overall vibration into amplitude components as a function of frequency.
Spot Size: The diameter of the circle formed by the cross section of the field of view of an optical instrument at a given distance.
Spurious Error: Random or erratic malfunction.
SSR: Solid state relay (see relay, solid state).
Stability: The quality of an instrument or sensor to maintain a consistent output when a constant input is applied.
Stagnation Pressure: The sum of the static and dynamic pressure.
Standard Electrode Potential (E0): The standard potential E0 of an electrode is the reversible emf between the normal hydrogen electrode and the electrode with all components at unit activity.
Standardization: a process of equalizing electrode potentials in one standardizing solution (buffer) so that potentials developed in unknown solutions can be converted to pH values.
Static Calibration: A calibration recording pressure versus output at fixed points at room temperature.
Static Error Band: The error band applicable at room temperature.
Static Pressure: Pressure of a fluid whether in motion or at rest. It can be sensed in a small hole drilled perpendicular to and flush with the flow boundaries so as not to disturb the fluid in any way.
Static Unbalance: Static unbalance is that condition of unbalance for which the central principal axis is displayed only parallel to the shaft axis
Steady Flow: A flow rate in the measuring section of a flow line that does not vary significantly with time.
Steady State Vibration: That condition of vibration induced by an unchanging continuing periodic force.
Stiffness: The ratio of the force required to create a certain deflection or movement of a part expressed as (Force/deflection) lbs/in or grams/cm.
Stop Bit: A signal following a character or block that prepares the receiving device to receive the next character or block.
Strain Gage: A measuring element for converting force, pressure, tension, etc., into an electrical signal.
Strain: The ratio of the change in length to the initial unstressed reference length.
String: A sequence of characters.
Strouhal Number: A nondimensional parameter important in vortex meter design defined as: s = Fh/V where f = frequency, V = velocity, and h = a reference length
Super Cooling: The cooling of a liquid below its freezing temperature without the formation of the solid phase.
Super Heating: 1. The heating of a liquid above its boiling temperature without the formation of the gaseous phase. 2. The heating of the gaseous phase considerably above the boiling-point temperature to improve the thermodynamic efficiency of a system.
Surge Current: A current of short duration that occurs when power is first applied to capacitive loads or temperature dependent resistive loads such as tungsten or molybdenum heaters-usually lasting no more than several cycles.
Suspension Effect: The source of error due to varied reference liquid junction potential depending upon whether the electrodes are immersed in the supernatant fluid or deeper in the sediment. Normally encountered with solutions containing resins or charged colloids.
Syntax: The rules governing the structure of a language.
Tape: A recording media for data or computer programs. Tape can be in permanent form, such as perforated paper tape, or erasable, such as magnetic tape. Generally, tape is used as a mass storage medium, in magnetic form, and has a much higher storage capacity than disk storage, but it takes much longer to write or recover data from tape than from a disk.
Teflon: A fluorocarbon polymer used for insulation of electrical wires (trademark of DuPont Company).
Telecommunication: Synonym for data communication. The transmission of information from one point to another.
TEMPCO: Abbreviation for "temperature coefficient": the error introduced by a change in temperature. Normally expressed in %/°C or ppm/°C.
Temperature Error: The maximum change in output, at any measurand value within the specified range, when the transducer temperature is changed from room temperature to specified temperature extremes.
Temperature Range, Compensated: The range of ambient temperatures within which all tolerances specified for Thermal Zero Shift and Thermal Sensitivity Shift are applicable (temperature error).
Temperature Range, Operable: The range of ambient temperatures, given by their extremes, within which the transducer may be operated. Exceeding compensated range may require recalibration.
Terminal: An input/output device used to enter data into a computer and record the output.
Thermal Coefficient of Resistance: The change in resistance of a semiconductor per unit change in temperature over a specific range of temperature.
Thermal Conductivity: The property of a material to conduct heat in the form of thermal energy.
Thermal emf: See Seebeck emf
Thermal Expansion: An increase in size due to an increase in temperature expressed in units of an increase in length or increase in size per degree, i.e. inches/inch/degree C.
Thermal Gradient: The distribution of a differential temperature through a body or across a surface.
Thermal Sensitivity Shift: The sensitivity shift due to changes of the ambient temperature from room temperature to the specified limits of the compensated temperature range.
Thermal Zero Shift: An error due to changes in ambient temperature in which the zero pressure output shifts. Thus, the entire calibration curve moves in a parallel displacement.
Thermistor: A temperature-sensing element composed of sintered semiconductor material which exhibits a large change in resistance proportional to a small change in temperature. Thermistors usually have negative temperature coefficients.
Thermocouple Type Material(ANSI Symbol)J Iron/ConstantanK CHROMEGA®/ALOMEGA®T Copper/ConstantanE CHROMEGA®/ConstantanR Platinum/Platinum 13% RhodiumS Platinum/Platinum 10% RhodiumB Platinum 6% Rhodium/Platinum30% RhodiumG* Tungsten/Tungsten 26% RheniumC* Tungsten 5% Rhenium/Tungsten 26% RheniumD* Tungsten 3% Rhenium/Tungsten 150 Rhenium*Not ANSI symbols.
Thermocouple: The junction of two dissimilar metals which has a voltage output proportional to the difference in temperature between the hot junction and the lead wires (cold junction) (refer to Seebeck emf).
Thermopile: An arrangement of thermocouples in series such that alternate junctions are at the measuring temperature and the reference temperature. This arrangement amplifies the thermoelectric voltage. Thermopiles are usually used as infrared detectors in radiation pyrometry.
Thermowell: A closed-end tube designed to protect temperature sensors from harsh environments, high pressure, and flows. They can be installed into a system by pipe thread or welded flange and are usually made of corrosion-resistant metal or ceramic material depending upon the application.
Thomson Effect: When current flows through a conductor within a thermal gradient, a reversible absorption or evolution of heat will occur in the conductor at the gradient boundaries.
Transducer Vibration: Generally, any device which converts movement, either shock or steady state vibration, into an electrical signal proportional to the movement; a sensor.
Transducer: A device (or medium) that converts energy from one form to another. The term is generally applied to devices that take physical phenomenon (pressure, temperature, humidity, flow, etc.) and convert it to an electrical signal.
Transient Vibration: A temporary vibration or movement of a mechanical system.
Transitional Flow: Flow between laminar and turbulent flow, usually between a pipe Reynolds number of 2000 and 4000.
Transmitter (Two-Wire): 1. A device which is used to transmit data from a sensor via a two-wire current loop. The loop has an external power supply and the transmitter acts as a variable resistor with respect to its input signal. 2. A device which translates the low level output of a sensor or transducer to a higher level signal suitable for transmission to a site where it can be further processed.
Triac: A solid state switching device used to switch alternating current wave forms.
Triboelectric Noise: The generation of electrical charges caused by layers of cable insulation. This is especially troublesome in high impedance accelerometers.
Triple Point (Water): The thermodynamic state where all three phases, solid, liquid, and gas may all be present in equilibrium. The triple point of water is .01°C.
Triple Point: The temperature and pressure at which solid, liquid, and gas phases of a given substance are all present simultaneously in varying amounts.
True RMS: The true root-mean-square value of an AC or AC-plus-DC signal, often used to determine power of a signal. For a perfect sine wave, the RMS value is 1.11072 times the rectified average value, which is utilized for low-cost metering. For significantly non-sinusoidal signals, a true RMS converter is required.
TTL Unit Load: A load with TTL voltage levels, which will draw 40 µA for a logic 1 and -1.6 mA for a logic 0.
TTL-Compatible: For digital input circuits, a logic 1 is obtained for inputs of 2.0 to 5.5 V which can source 40 µA, and a logic 0 is obtained for inputs of 0 to 0.8 V which can sink 1.6 mA. For digital output signals, a logic 1 is represented by 2.4 to 5.5 V with a current source capability of at least 400 µA; and a logic 0 is represented by 0 to 0.6 V with a current sink capability of at least 16 mA.
TTL: Transistor-to-transistor logic. A form of solid state logic which uses only transistors to form the logic gates.
Turbulent Flow: When forces due to inertia are more significant than forces due to viscosity. This typically occurs with a Reynolds number in excess of 4000.
Typical: Error is within plus or minus one standard deviation (±1%) of the nominal specified value, as computed from the total population.
UL: Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. An independent laboratory that establishes standards for commercial and industrial products.
Ultraviolet: That portion of the electromagnetic spectrum below blue light (380 nanometers).
Unbalance: That condition which exists in a rotor when vibratory force or motion is imparted to its bearings as a result of centrifugal forces.
Unbalance Tolerance: The unbalance tolerance with respect to a radial plane (measuring plane or correction plane) is that amount of unbalance which is specified as the maximum below which the state of unbalance is considered acceptable.
Undershoot: The difference in temperature between the temperature a process goes to, below the set point, after the cooling cycle is turned off and the set point temperature.
Ungrounded Junction: A form of construction of a thermocouple probe where the hot or measuring junction is fully enclosed by and insulated from the sheath material.
Union: A form of pipe fitting where two extension pipes are joined at a separable coupling.
Vacuum: Any pressure less than atmospheric pressure.
Velocity: The time rate of change of displacement; dx/dt.
Vibration Error Band: The error recorded in output of a transducer when subjected to a given set of amplitudes and frequencies.
Vibration Error: The maximum change in output of a transducer when a specific amplitude and range of frequencies are applied to a specific axis at room temperature.
Viscosity: The inherent resistance of a substance to flow.
Volt: The (electrical) potential difference between two points in a circuit. The fundamental unit is derived as work per unit charge-(V = W/Q). One volt is the potential difference required to move one coulomb of charge between two points in a circuit while using one joule of energy.
Voltage: An electrical potential which can be measured in volts.
Voltmeter: An instrument used to measure voltage.
Volume Flow Rate: Calculated using the area of the full closed conduit and the average fluid velocity in the form, Q = V x A, to arrive at the total volume quantity of flow. Q = volumetric flowrate, V = average fluid velocity, and A = cross sectional area of the pipe.
Watt Density: The watts emanating from each square inch of heated surface area of a heater. Expressed in units of watts per square inch.
Wheatstone Bridge: A network of four resistances, an emf source, and a galvanometer connected such that when the four resistances are matched, the galvanometer will show a zero deflection or "null" reading.
Window: In computer graphics, a defined area in a system not bounded by any limits; unlimited "space" in graphics.
Word: Number of bits treated as a single unit by the CPU. In an 8-bit machine, the word length is 8 bits; in a sixteen bit machine, it is 16 bits.
Working Standard: A standard of unit measurement calibrated from either a primary or secondary standard which is used to calibrate other devices or make comparison measurements.
Write: To record data in a storage device or on a data medium.
Young's Modulus: Young's Modulus (the Modulus of Elasticity) is equivalent to the ratio of normal stress to strain.
Zero Adjustment: The ability to adjust the display of a process or strain meter so that zero on the display corresponds to a non-zero signal, such as 4 mA, 10 mA, or 1 V dc. The adjustment range is normally expressed in counts.
Zero Offset: 1. The difference expressed in degrees between true zero and an indication given by a measuring instrument. 2. See Zero Suppression
Zero Point: The electrical zero point where zero millivolts would be displayed. Used in conjunction with the slope control to provide a narrower range calibration.
Zero Power Resistance: The resistance of a thermistor or RTD element with no power being dissipated.
Zero Suppression: The span of an indicator or chart recorder may be offset from zero (zero suppressed) such that neither limit of the span will be zero. For example, a temperature recorder which records a 100° span from 400° to 500° is said to have 400° zero suppression.
Zero Voltage Switching: The making or breaking of circuit timed such that the transition occurs when the voltage wave form crosses zero voltage; typically only found in solid state switching devices.
Zooming: In computer graphics, causing an object to appear smaller or larger by moving the window and specifying various window sizes