pitotcsövek

A pitotcső, known in English as a Pitot tube, is a scientific instrument used to measure fluid flow velocity. It is named after the French scientist Henri Pitot, who invented it in the 18th century. The device consists of a tube that is closed at one end and open at the other, pointing directly into the fluid stream.

The principle behind the Pitot tube is Bernoulli's principle, which relates pressure, velocity, and elevation in a fluid. As the fluid enters the open end of the tube, it is brought to rest, creating a stagnation point. At this point, the fluid's kinetic energy is converted into potential energy, resulting in a pressure increase known as stagnation pressure or total pressure.

The Pitot tube also has one or more small holes on its sides, perpendicular to the flow. These holes measure the static pressure of the fluid, which is the pressure exerted by the fluid in all directions at that point. The difference between the stagnation pressure and the static pressure is the dynamic pressure, which is directly related to the velocity of the fluid.

By measuring both the stagnation pressure and the static pressure, and using the formula that relates dynamic pressure to velocity, the speed of the fluid can be calculated. Pitot tubes are commonly used in aviation to measure airspeed, in industry for monitoring flow rates in pipes, and in meteorology. They are simple, robust, and provide accurate measurements when properly installed and calibrated.