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Mechanical Engineering vocabulary · Fluid Mechanics, Pumps and Valves

Pressure

Meaning in mechanical engineering, with examples

/ˈprɛʃər/nounCore term

In mechanical engineering, pressure means: The force with which a liquid or gas pushes on each unit of area. It is measured in pascals, bar or psi.

In Turkish: basınç

How it is used

Used constantly with pumps, compressors, piping, hydraulics and HVAC. Pressure rises, drops, builds up and is relieved; it is read on a pressure gauge. Gauge pressure is measured relative to the atmosphere, absolute pressure relative to a vacuum.

Example sentences

  1. The system pressure dropped from 6 bar to 4 bar when the second line was opened.

  2. Check the pressure on the gauge before you open the valve.

Common collocations

  • operating pressure
  • pressure gauge
  • pressure relief valve
  • high pressure
  • pressure test
  • pressure dropThe loss of pressure as a fluid flows through a pipe, filter, valve or other component, caused by friction and by changes in direction or cross-section.
  • pumpA machine that moves liquid through pipes by adding energy to it, raising its pressure or lifting it to a higher level.
  • valveA device that starts, stops or controls the flow of a liquid or gas in a pipe by opening, closing or partly blocking the passage.
  • compressorA machine that increases the pressure of a gas, such as air or a refrigerant, by reducing its volume. It is driven by an electric motor or an engine.
  • flow rateThe amount of fluid that passes a point in a given time, given as a volume (for example m³/h or L/min) or as a mass (kg/s).

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Fluid Mechanics, Pumps and Valves

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