Potentiometer – Displacement
The linear potentiometer is a device in which the resistance varies
as a function of the position of a slider/wiper.
Linear potentiometers can be used to measure displacements as
small as 0.1 to 0.2 in. (2.5 to 5 mm) up to displacements of more
than 1 ft.
These sensors are primarily used in the control systems with a
feedback loop to ensure that the moving member or component
reaches its commanded position.
Because of sliding contact, they are subject to wear.
Furthermore, the output tends to be somewhat electrically noisy
since the slider-resistor contact point has some resistance, and this
can affect the output in a somewhat random manner.
This effect often becomes worse with the age of the device due to
contamination of the contact surface.
Linear Variable Differential Transformers - Inductive displacement sensors
Current could be induced in a conductor by a changing magnetic
field. For two coils in close proximity, a change in the current in one
coil induces a voltage in the second coil according to Faraday’s law.
The application of this inductance principle to the measurement of
distance begins by applying an AC voltage to the primary coil of the
LVDT. The two secondary coils are connected in a series circuit,
such that when the iron core is centered between the two
secondary coils, the output voltage is zero.
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 Vout is zero as
V1 and V2 both are equal. So it shows that no displacement took
place.
CASE II When the core is moved to upward of null position (For
displacement to the upward of reference point) In the this case the
flux linking with secondary winding S1 is more as compared to flux
linking with S2. Due to this V1 will be more as that of V2. Due to this
output voltage Vout is positive.
CASE III When the core is moved to downward of Null position (for
displacement to the downward of reference point). In this case
magnitude of V2 will be more as that of V1. Due to this output
voltage Vout is negative.
Motion of the magnetic core changes the mutual inductance of the
coils, which causes a different voltage to be induced in each of the
two secondary coils.
The measurement of distance using an LVDT is accomplished using
an assembly known as an LVDT gauge head.
Pros - An LVDT has relative low cost due to its popularity, is solid
and robust, capable of working in a wide variety of environments,
No friction resistance since the iron core does not contact the
transformer coils resulting in an infinite (very long) service life, High
repeatability, No moisture enters-no contamination
Cons - The core must contact directly or indirectly with the
measured surface, Sensitive to stray magnetic field, Affected by
vibration and temperature.
Encoder - Digital device that produces pulses based on rotational/position
Incremental - Provides identical electronic pulses at each division of shaft
rotation. Used for speed or velocity control of motors.
Absolute - Provides a unique electronic pulses of information at each
division of shaft position. Used for positioning systems.
They convert mechanical movement into an electrical signal.
Encoders are another type of position/displacement non contact
sensor where optical devices are used for converting the angular
position of a rotating shaft into a digital data code.
Light from an LED or infra-red light source is passed through a
rotating high-resolution encoded disk that contains the required
code patterns.
Photo detectors scan the disk as it rotates and an electronic circuit
processes the information into a digital form as a stream of binary
output pulses that are fed to counters or controllers which
determine the actual position of the shaft.
Schmitt trigger: It converts pulses from the phototransistor into
square waves.
