LVDT

Linear Variable Displacement

Transducers/Transformers
What is Linear Displacement Measurement?
Linear displacement is movement in one
direction along a single axis. A position or linear
displacement sensor is a device whose output
signal represents the distance an object has
traveled from a reference point.
A linear displacement typically has units of
millimeters (mm) or inches (in.).
A displacement measurement also indicates the
direction of motion

When core slides through transformer, a certain
number of coils are affected
This generates a unique voltage
Description
Description
An LVDT consists of a coil structure shaped into
a cylinder and a magnetic core
Coil structure consists of one primary core and
two secondary cores

Underlying Principle

In the null position, the magnetic field generates currents of equal
magnitude in both secondary coils.
When the core is moved, there will be more magnetic flux in one coil than
the other resulting in different currents and therefore different voltages
This variation in voltages is linearly proportional to displacement



Null position
Displaced
This figure illustrates what happens when the LVDT's core is in different axial
positions. The LVDT's primary winding, P, is energized by an AC source of
constant amplitude. The magnetic flux thus developed is coupled by the core
to the adjacent secondary windings, S1 and S2. If the core is located midway
between S1 and S2, equal flux is coupled to each secondary so the voltages,
E1 and E2, induced in each winding are equal. At this midway core position,
referred to as the null point, the differential voltage output, (E1 - E2), is zero.
How Does An LVDT Work?
As shown here, if the core is moved closer to S1 than to S2 , more flux is
coupled to S1 and less to S2, so the induced voltage E1 is increased while E2
is decreased, resulting in the differential voltage (E1 - E2). Conversely, if the
core is moved closer to S2, more flux is coupled to S2 and less to S1, so E2 is
increased as E1 is decreased, resulting in the differential voltage (E2 - E1).
How Does An LVDT Work?
LVDT linear position sensors are readily
available that can measure movements
as small as a few millionths of an inch
up to several inches, but some are
capable of measuring positions up to
20 inches.
L V D Ts
LVDT linear position sensors are readily
available that can measure movements
as small as a few millionths of an inch
up to several inches, but some are
capable of measuring positions up to
20 inches.
L V D Ts
EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT OF
LVDT
0...................(1)
p
p p ex
p
di
i R L e
dt
+
=
......................(2)
ex
p
p p
e
i
R L D
=
+
d
D
dt
Where

1
1
p
s
di
e M
dt
=
2
2
p
s
di
e M
dt
=
( )
1 1 2
2
...................(3)
p
s s
s
di
e e e M M
dt
=
=
If the output is open circuited for a fixed core
position. Using equation (2) ,the output is

Divide equation (4) by Rp

( )
0 1 2
...................(4)
s ex
p p
D
e e M M e
L D R
= =
+
( )
1 2
0
/
( ) ..................(5)
1
p
ex p
M M R
e
D D
e T D
(

=
+
p
p
p
L
T
R

In terms of frequency response


Where

( )
( )
1 2
0
2
/
( ) .....................(6)
1
p
ex
p
M M R
e
j
e
T
e
e
e

= Z
+
0 1
90 tan
p
T e

=
LVDT Under Loading Condition
If a voltage measuring device Rm is
connected to the output terminals the
equations are

( )
1 2
( ) .....................(7)
s
ex s m s
s
p p
M M D
di
e R R i L
L D R dt

= + +
+
0
..........................(8)
s m
e i R =
( )
( )
( ) ( ) ( )
1 2
0
( ) ..................(9)
1 1
m
ex s m
p s
p
M M R
e D
D
e R R R
T D T D

=
+
+ +


It is obvious from above expression that
frequency response has phase angle of 90
degree at low frequencies and -90 degree at
high frequencies.
The output of a differential transformer is a
sine wave whose amplitude is proportional to
the core motion.
( )
/ .........................(10)
s s s m
T L R R +