+44 330 818 7254Okechukwu Felix Erondu and Azibakene Ogulu
The technical considerations in the design of a tropical acoustic exposimeter using the strain gauge principle are enormous.The choice of design parameters must not only be precise, but modeling should be done in such a manner as to produce a rugged, cheap, portable and sensitive device, comparable to existing designs.We have attempted to adapt the well known radiation force balance designs to conditions specifically relevant in the tropical environment.Our study has identified salient peculiarities in the requirements for desirable liquid medium, physical and isotropic properties of the cantilever materials, choice of target angle and material as well as precise electrical circuitry.The treatment of water with Sodium aluminium sulphate, use of polystyrene and duraluminium as cantilever materials and precise choice and method of mounting the strain gauges have been suggested as novel modifications for a potential tropical model.Exploiting the technical considerations outlined in this paper, drawing from experience of various authors and precise modifications in the construction of suitable cantilever arms,we attempted to develop an experimental model.Using cantilever arms made of locally available materials,namely polystyrene and duraluminium with dimensions 100 x 5 x 0.6mm and 100 x5 x 0.6mm, our design had sensitivity of 2.13mV/watt,and 1.47mV/watt respectively.The power range is given for both arms approximately 6.1watts and a detection threshold of 128mW.With slight improvements,especially in the electronic circuitary,and use of locally available materials such as polystyrene and duraluminium,our device offer prospects for a successful design of an acoustic exposimeter for use in the tropical environment.
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