aneroides

Aneroides is the plural form used in some languages, such as Spanish, to refer to aneroid barometers and related pressure-sensing devices that operate without liquids. An aneroide (the singular form) is a device that measures atmospheric pressure using a sealed, flexible metal capsule that contains only a partial vacuum or very low pressure. Changes in ambient pressure cause the capsule to deform, and this motion is transmitted through mechanical linkages to a dial pointer or to a digital sensor, yielding a pressure reading.

The term aneroid derives from Greek roots meaning “without air.” The first practical aneroid barometer was developed in the 1840s by the French instrument maker Lucien Vidie, who designed a compact, portable device based on a flexible capsule rather than a mercury column. The invention facilitated measurements in field conditions and contributed to the broader adoption of pressure-based instruments in meteorology and aviation.

Types and applications: standard aneroid barometers are used to measure surface atmospheric pressure, while specialized forms include altimeters, which translate pressure changes into altitude, and compact pressure gauges used in portable meteorology and fieldwork. Modern aviation and outdoor instruments may integrate or replace traditional aneroid mechanisms with electronic sensors.

Advantages and limitations: aneorides are lightweight, do not contain hazardous liquids, and can be rugged and portable. They require periodic calibration and can be affected by temperature, mechanical wear, and capsule creep, which can alter accuracy over time. In many modern devices, solid-state sensors have supplanted classical aneroid mechanisms, though the basic principle remains foundational to pressure measurement.