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Displacement, Position and Proximity Sensors

This document discusses different types of displacement, position, and proximity sensors. It defines displacement as movement from an original position, position as the coordinates of an object relative to a reference, and proximity as detecting nearby objects without contact. It then describes various displacement sensors like potentiometers, capacitive sensors, and inductive sensors like LVDTs. Finally, it discusses position and proximity sensors such as limit switches, inductive proximity sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and optical/photoelectric sensors.

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NyandaMadili Malashi
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962 views19 pages

Displacement, Position and Proximity Sensors

This document discusses different types of displacement, position, and proximity sensors. It defines displacement as movement from an original position, position as the coordinates of an object relative to a reference, and proximity as detecting nearby objects without contact. It then describes various displacement sensors like potentiometers, capacitive sensors, and inductive sensors like LVDTs. Finally, it discusses position and proximity sensors such as limit switches, inductive proximity sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and optical/photoelectric sensors.

Uploaded by

NyandaMadili Malashi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Displacement, Position and Proximity Sensors

Displacement involves movement from one position to


another (the original position of the object acts as the
reference).

By position we mean the determination of the object’s


coordinates (linear or angular) with respect to a selected
reference.

Proximity involve detecting the presence of nearby objects


without any physical contact.

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Displacement sensors
Displacement sensors are widely used not only to measure the
distance of a moving object but also it can be embedded in
other sensors or transducer devices to measure pressure, level
or flow.
Many physical variables have the capability to produce a
displacement that can be converted into active signal.
This is the basic principle in many transducer devices as
shown in figure.

Transducer principle 2
Displacement mechanical sensors can be categorized as:

• Potentiometer types:
• Capacitive and inductive types
• Variable reluctance types (LVDT)
• Strain gauges

Potentiometer Sensor
The simplest type of displacement sensor. It involves
an electrically conductive wiper slides against a fixed resistive
element.

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A known voltage is applied to the resistor ends. The contact is
attached to the moving object of interest. The output voltage at
the contact is proportional to the displacement.

Drawbacks:
• Limited resolution
• Friction in the wiper
• High electric noise
4
Capacitive Sensors
Changes in the distance or area between the surfaces changes
the capacitance. It is this change of capacitance that capacitive
sensors use to indicate changes in position of a target.

The sensor is one of the conductive objects and the target


object is another.
Mathematically;
Where;
C → Capacitance
Ԑ → Dielectric constant between plates
A → Overlap area
6
d → Distance btn plates
Inductive Sensors
Are based on the use of magnetic fields and the related
currents and voltages induced. An ac bridge or other active
electronic circuit sensitive to inductance then may be
employed for signal conditioning.

Example:
• Linear variable differential transformer (LVDT)
Has three solenoid coils placed end-to-end around a tube.
The center coil is the primary, and the two outer coils are the
secondary's.
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LVDT
A cylindrical ferromagnetic core is attached to the object whose
position is to be measured and slides along the axis of the tube.
An alternating current is driven through the primary, causing a
voltage to be induced in each secondary proportional to its
mutual inductance with the primary.
8
LVDT cont…
As the core moves, these mutual inductances change, causing
the voltages induced in the secondary's to change.
The coils are connected in reverse series, so that the output
voltage is the difference (hence "differential") between the two
secondary voltages.

9
LVDT cont…
When the core is at the centre position, the out put voltage is
zero. At any position left or right from the centre, the voltage
in one coil increases as the other decreases, causing the output
voltage to increase from zero to a maximum.
The magnitude of the output voltage is proportional to the
distance moved by the core (up to its limit of travel).

10
LVDTs advantages
• Friction – Free Operation
NO mechanical contact between core and coil (usually
• Null Point Repeatability
Zero displacement can be measured
• Temperature stability, and
• Environmental ruggedness.
• High sensitivity in a wide variety of environments.

11
Position and Proximity Sensors
Are devices used to provide information on the presence or
absence of an object.

Different types of these sensors in industry are;


• Limit switches
• Inductive proximity sensors
• Ultrasonic sensors
• Optical/Optoelectronic Sensors 12
• Limit switch
Is a mechanical device that uses physical contact to detect the
presence of an object (target).
It consists of a switch body and an operating head, in which
the switch body includes electrical contacts to energize and
de-energize a circuit.

13
• Inductive proximity sensor
Based on the change of the inductance of an electromagnetic
coil in the presence of a conductive metal object (target), that
crosses the magnetic field lines.

When a metal target enters the field, eddy currents circulate


within the target. This causes a load on the sensor, decreasing
the amplitude of the electromagnetic field.
This can switches the output state of the sensor from its normal
condition (on or off). 14
• Ultrasonic Sensors
Use of ultrasonic energy (high frequency sound signals -
beyond the capabilities of human audition, usually 40kHz-
80kHz) ) sent towards a target and reflected back.
Range is obtained measuring the time difference between the
sent pulse and the received signal.

When a target enters the beam the sound is reflected back to the
switch, causing it to energize or de-energize the output circuit.
15
• Optical/Photoelectric Sensor
It consists of an emitter (light source), a receiver to detect the emitted
light, and associated electronics that evaluate and amplify the
detected signal causing the photoelectric output switch to change
state.

The range is obtained by measuring the time difference between


the sent pulse and the received signal. Pulsed and amplitude
modulation systems are used. 16
Light source – LED →Light emitting diode
Light detector – Phototransistor
The emitter (S) and receiver (E) are in the same housing.
The emitter sends out a beam of pulsed of infrared or red
light, which is reflected directly by the target. When the
beam hits the target (at any angle), it diffuse in all direction
and some of light is reflected back. The receiver see the
light and switching the sensor when a target is detected
within the reflective distance.

17
Photoelectric application
Advantages
Using the targets own reflective properties
Suitable to distinguish btn black and white
Relative large active distance
Easy mounting

18
Thanks

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