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Displacement Measurement
Displacement Measurement
Measurement of
Displacement,Pressure & Level
Displacement Measurement
• Resistive method (Potentiometer)
• Capacitive method
• Inductive method (LVDT)
Measuring Linear Displacement
• Very small displacements:
– Strain Gauges
– Capacitive Sensors
– Inductive Sensors (LVDT)
• Medium displacements
– Slide Wire / Film
– Wire wound potentiometer
• Large Displacements (above range of most ‘pure’ linear
transducers)
– Convert linear to angular motion and measure the angular motion
with an angular displacement transducer
– Measure velocity and integrate signal to obtain displacement
Linear Displacement - Resistive Methods
• Resistance is defined by the
following equation
l
R
A
• Therefore if the length,
thickness or resistivity of an
object changes with respect to
displacement we can use the
resistance as a way to measure
it
Linear Displacement - Resistive Methods
(Slide Wire/Film)
• This is the simplest way of measuring displacement between a
moving and a stationary object
• A piece of wire or film is connected to a stationary object
• A slide, which makes contact with the wire, is attached to the
moving object
• This acts as a very basic potentiometer
5
Linear Displacement - Resistive Methods
(Slide Wire/Film)
6
Pros and Cons – Potentiometers
• Resolution
– ± 1mm – 4m
• Advantages
– Simple
– Robust
• Disadvantages
– Resolution dependant on wire diameter
– Continuous use over portion of the wire will cause wear
– Measuring device needs high impedance
– limited range (from 0.1” up to 1ft)
– Few million cycles life
– Contact - Noise
Linear Displacement - Resistive Methods (Strain
Gauges)
R L
S
R L
8
Pros and Cons – Strain Gauges
• Advantages:
– Relatively easy to understand and attach
– Cheap
• Disadvantages
– Need temperature compensation
9
Linear Displacement - Capacitive Methods
• As we have seen in a previous A 0 r
lecture capacitance is defined as C
• Therefore we could use the d
change in
– Plate Area
– Permittivity of the dielectric
– Distance between the plates
as a way to measure
displacement
10
Linear Displacement - Capacitive Methods
(Variable Area)
C
A wx 0 r
d
11
Linear Displacement - Capacitive Methods
(Distance Between the Plates)
• If we have to electrodes, one fixed and the other movable we can arrange
it that the distance between the plates changes for a change in
displacement
A 0 r
C
x
12
Linear Displacement - Capacitive Methods
(Distance Between the Plates)
• This type of capacitive
arrangement consists of two fixed
outer plates and one central
moveable plate
• The central plate can move
towards either of the plates
which essentially changes the
capacitance between the
moveable plate and the fixed
plates
• If the moveable plate is in the
centre of the capacitor, voltages
V1 and V2 will be equal
13
Linear Displacement - Capacitive Methods
(Permittivity)
14
Linear Displacement - Inductive Methods
• Inductive methods use very similar principles to resistive and
capacitive methods
• The inductance of a coil is given by the following equation
N 2 A
L [Henrys ]
l
• Where N is the number of turns in the coil, µ is the effective
permeability of the medium in and around the coil, A is the
cross sectional area and l is the length of the coil in m
• As with the other examples if we change any one of these
parameters we get a change in the inductance
L V D Ts
Linear Variable Differential Transformer
• Transformer: AC Input / AC Output
17
Linear Displacement - Inductive Methods
(Linear Variable Differential Transformers LVDTs)
• An LVDT consists of a
central primary coil
wound over the whole
length of the transducer
and two outer
secondary coils
• A magnetic core is able
to move freely through
the coil
18
Linear Displacement - Inductive Methods
(Linear Variable Differential Transformers LVDTs)
• The primary windings are energized with a constant
amplitude AC signal (1 – 10kHz)
• This produces an alternating magnetic field which induces a
signal into the secondary windings
• The strength of the signal is dependant on the position of the
core in the coils
• When the core is placed in the centre of the coil the output
will be zero
• Moving the coil in either direction causes the signal to
increase
• The output signal is proportional to the displacement
19
Linear Variable-Differential
Transformer (LVDT)
Vo=V1-V2
V1 > V2 Vi
Vi Vo
V1 V2
X=0
V2 = V1
Vi
Vo
Vi
Linear Variable-Differential
Transformer (LVDT)
Vo=V1-V2
V1 V2
+x
V2 > V1
Vi
Vi
Vo
So, the direction of displacement can be determined from the relative phase of the signal.
23
Linear Displacement - Inductive Methods
(Linear Variable Differential Transformers LVDTs)
24
LVDT output
This 180 degree phase shift can be used to determine the direction of the core from the
null point by means of appropriate circuitry. As this diagram shows, the polarity of the
output signal represents the core's positional relationship to the null point.
LVDT output
The diagram shows also that the output of an LVDT is very linear over its specified range of
core motion, but that the sensor can be used over an extended range with some reduction
in output linearity.
Pros and Cons - LVDTs
• Range: ±2.5nm - ±10cm
• Advantages:
– Good resolution
• Disadvantages:
– Needs shielding to prevent interference from
magnetic sources
27
Why Use An LVDT?
Infinite Resolution
Environmentally Robust
The materials and construction techniques used to assemble
an LVDT result in a rugged and durable sensor robust to a
wide variety of environmental conditions. Bonding of the
coil windings is followed by epoxy encapsulation into the
case, resulting in superior moisture and humidity resistance,
as well as the capability to take substantial shock loads and
high vibration levels in all axes. An internal high-
permeability magnetic shield minimizes effects of external
AC fields on LVDT operation.
Why Use An LVDT?
Environmentally Robust
Environmentally Robust
Absolute Output
An LVDT is an absolute output device, as opposed to an
incremental output device. This means that in the event
of loss of power, the linear position information being
sent from the LVDT will not be lost. When the measuring
system is restarted, the LVDT's output value will be the
same as it was before the power failure occurred.
Why Use An LVDT?
CONCLUSION