LVDT

Linear Variable Differential

Transformer

PREPARED BY:
SOURABH YADAV
ASSISTANT PROF
GEC BILASPUR

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 Working Principle of LVDT
 It is the most widely used inductive transducer that coverts the linear motion
into the electrical signal, Used for measurement of force, pressure,
displacement etc.

Construction
 The transformer consists of a primary winding P and two secondary windings
S1 and S2 wound on a cylindrical former (which is hollow in nature and
contains the core).

 Both the secondary windings have an equal number of turns, and we place
them on either side of primary winding

 The primary winding is connected to an AC source which produces a flux in

the air gap and voltages are induced in secondary windings.

 A movable soft iron core is placed inside the former and displacement to be
measured is connected to the iron core.

 The both the secondary windings are connected in such a way that resulted
output is the difference between the voltages of two windings.(the two
secondary windings are connected in series opposition)
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Working principle
 Since the primary winding of Linear Variable Differential
Transformer (LVDT) is supplied with AC supply, it produces an
alternating magnetic flux in the core which in turn link with
the secondary winding S1 and S2 to produce emf due
to transformer action. The electrical equivalent circuit of LVDT
is shown below.

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 The output in secondary S1 is v1 and in the secondary S2 is
v2. So the differential output is,
V0=V1-V2
 Now three cases arise according to the locations of core
which explains the working of LVDT are discussed below as,

CASE I
When the core is at null position (for no
displacement) When the core is at null position
then the flux linking with both the secondary
windings is equal so the induced emf is equal in
both the windings. So for no displacement the
value of output is zero as and both are equal.
So it shows that no displacement took place.

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 CASE II When the core is moved to left of null
position ,In the this case the flux linking with
secondary winding S1 is more as compared to flux
linking with S2. Due to this will be more as that of
. Due to this output voltage is positive.

 CASE III When the core is moved to right of Null

position ,In this case magnitude of will be more
as that of . Due to this output will be negative
and shows the output to left of the reference
point.

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 Null Position
V1=V2
V0=0

V1>V2 V1<V2
V0=+ve V0=-ve
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 LVDT working video
 LVDT Working Principle

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Output V/S Core
Displacement
 A linear curve shows that output voltage varies linearly with
displacement of core.


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 Advantages of LVDT
 High Range - The LVDTs have a very high range for measurement of
displacement.they can used for measurement of displacements ranging
from 1.25 mm to 250 mm
 No Frictional Losses - As the core moves inside a hollow former so there is
no loss of displacement input as frictional loss so it makes LVDT as very
accurate device.
 High Input and High Sensitivity - The output of LVDT is so high that it
doesn’t need any amplification. The transducer possesses a high sensitivity
which is typically about 40V/mm.
 Low Hysteresis - LVDTs show a low hysteresis and hence repeatability is
excellent under all conditions
 Low Power Consumption - The power is about 1W which is very as
compared to other transducers.
 Direct Conversion to Electrical Signals - They convert the linear
displacement to electrical voltage which are easy to process

Disadvantages of LVDT
 LVDT is sensitive to stray magnetic fields so it always requires a setup to
protect them from stray magnetic fields.
 LVDT gets affected by vibrations and temperature.
 It is concluded that they are advantageous as compared than any other
inductive transducer.

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Applications of LVDT

 We use LVDT in the applications where

displacements to be measured are ranging
from a fraction of mm to few cms.
The LVDT acting as a primary transducer
converts the displacement to electrical signal
directly.
 The LVDT can also act as a secondary
transducer. E.g. the Bourbon tube which acts
as a primary transducer and it converts
pressure into linear displacement and then
LVDT coverts this displacement into an
electrical signal which after calibration gives
the readings of the pressure of fluid.
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Application of LVDT

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 RVDT
The RVDT stand for rotary variable differential transformer is used to sense the
angular displacement.
Definition: Rotary Variable Differential Transformer or RVDT is an inductive
transducer which converts angular displacement to an electrical signal. Unlike
LVDT, the input of this transducer is differential value of rotary variable i.e.
angular rotation (dƟ) to generate voltage output.

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 RVDT Theory:
 If we denote both the secondary voltages by Es1 and Es2 (see in below fig.)
and also the sensitivity of RVDT is G. Then the angular displacement of the
shaft will vary as:

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 Construction:
 Like every transformer, RVDT has two types of winding i.e.
Primary winding and Secondary winding. The primary and
secondary winding are wound on a former. There are two
secondary winding having equal number of turns. These winding
are placed on either side of the primary winding identically. A
cam shaped magnetic core made of soft iron is connected to a
shaft. This magnetic core can be thus be rotated in between the

winding.

 Secondary winding S1 and S2 are connected in series opposition,

voltage of S1 is E1 and voltage of S2 is E2, final output voltage

E0 = E1-E2

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Construction

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 The working of RVDT is similar to that of LVDT. According to movement of
the shaft, three differential conditions are formed.

Condition 1:
When shaft is at null position as shown in above fig, the emf induced in both
the secondary windings are equal but opposite in phase. Therefore, the
differential output potential is zero.
E1 = E2
E0 = E1-E2 = 0
Condition 2:
When the shaft moves in clockwise direction, more portion of the core
comes across the winding S1. Hence, the emf induced across the coil S1 is
more than S2. The differential output potential is positive.
E1 > E2
E0 = E1-E2 = positive
Condition 3:
When shaft moves in anticlockwise direction, more portion of the core
comes across the winding S2. Hence, the emf induced across the coil S2 is
more as compared to S1. Therefore, the differential output potential shows
180 degree phase shift i.e. negative.
E1 < E2
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E0 =E1-E2 = negative
Condition 1

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Condition 2

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Condition 3

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Displacement vs Voltage Characteristic

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Advantages of RVDT
 The following are the main advantages of RVDT:
1). Robust, durable, and suitable to extreme hard operating conditions
RVDT is robust in nature with higher product life. It can be reused to a greater number of operating
conditions. Measure the angular displacements in even critical and ruff wear and tear applications.
It is capable of withstanding extreme conditions such as high vibrations, overload, and shocks.
2). Cost-effective
If you are planning to minimize the measurement cost, then this is the go-to more top priority
option. Cost occupies the major part of the project, especially if it was a limited budget. Along with
robustness, the cost of RVDT is minimal compared to other sensors.
3). Reduced Maintenance and Easy to Manage
The construction of RVDT is simpler, with a reduced number of electronic components. The
requirement of complicated circuits or specialty auxiliary parts to achieve angular throughput can
be eradicated. With minimal parts, it also brings down the maintenance cost to a larger extent.
4). Compact in size
Reduced number of electronic components in RVDT scales down the overall size of the device to a
relatively small area. A small space to fit the sensor is enough to interface with the external
devices. This factor can also increase the number of applications.
5). Contactless construction
Since there is no mechanical contact between the devices, RVDT hinders the performance issues
related to functional integrity and generation of friction due to wear and tear inside the system.

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Disadvantages of RVDT

1)Limited to applications where there is a requirement of high-

precision sensors.
2). There is a requirement of an external AC supply to yield output
characteristics.
3). Not preferable to applications with digital output.

Applications
1). In Aircraft and Avionics applications to measure the angular
movement of control actuators and propel navigation.
2). In engines to enable smart fuel control systems
3). In cockpit controllers and cable systems.
4). In robotics to evaluate angular displacement and derive motions of
the hand, legs, and other momentary parts.

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