MECH 350 Instrumentation and Design of

Experiments

Basic Sensors
Page 147

Main topics:
Measured Parameters
Sensor Fundamentals


Contents
Sensor principles
Predominant sensor technologies
Overview of main sensor categories
Position / Speed
Stress / Strain
Temperature
Vibration / Acceleration
Sampling of Specialty sensors
Objectives
Understand the fundamentals of simple sensors,
including proximity sensor, potentiometers,
linear variable differential transformers, optical
encoders, strain gages, thermocouples, and
accelerometers.

Be able to identify suitable sensor technologies
for a given application.

Sensor Principles
Recall, from Lecture 1:
A sensor is a device that takes in information
from the outside world. Based on the
information, the sensor creates a signal on
which a system can base a decision.
A sensor, thus, has an input and an output
Usually, a sensor is tailored to a specific task

A sensor will measure some physical quantity
and convert it into some electrical signal (e.g.,
voltage, current)
Sensor Classifications
1. Position and Speed measurement: rate or
voltage of output signal changes with input

2. Stress and Strain measurement: applied
force results in changes in resistance

3. Temperature measurement: resistance or
voltage of output signal changes with temp.

4. Vibration and Acceleration measurement:
voltage created from piezoelectric materials

5. Pressure and Flow measurement: often
derived from sensors listed above.
Sensor Technology (1)
Mechanical sensor technology:
Centrifugal governor as rotational velocity
increases, outward movement of weights causes a
linear shaft movement closes steam valve
Bimetallic strip - differing coefficient of
expansion results in movement with temperature
standard household thermostat
Spring loaded valve / scale opposing pressure
or force can be read from a scale
Bourdon tube length and/or position changes
with pressure.
Pitot pressure tube fluid velocity based on
pressure; aircraft airspeed indicator


Sensor Technology (2)
Electrical sensor technology:
Resistive
change in length, L or cross-sectional area, A results in
changes in resistance for a given material resistivity,

Inductive - voltage based on time rate of change
of magnetic flux;
Movement of a magnetically permeable object
within the magnetic field of a coil
Movement of a magnet within a coil
A
L
R

Sensor Technology (3)

Electrical sensor technology (continued):
Capacitive energy stored between parallel
plates of a capacitor is related to distance between
plates and the plate geometry.
Optical Photodiodes and photoresistors are
affected by amount of light striking the sensing
surface
Piezoelectric sensors made of materials that
produce a voltage when subjected to strain; quartz
is most common.

1. Position and Speed
Position Measurements:
Proximity sensors create a change in state
(switch) or vary an analog output when close to,
but typically not touching an object.
Technology: Magnetic, capacitance, inductance.
Applications: counting objects, limiting travel of a
mechanism

Potentiometers resistance varies with angular
or linear positioning; 5k pot
Technology: resistance due to length of electrical travel
Applications: volume control, variable speed control

1. Position and Speed
Position Measurements:
Proximity sensors




Potentiometers
1. Position and Speed (cont.)
Speed Measurements:
Digital optical encoder using light, the sensor
converts rotary motion to digital pulses
Technology: LED and photodiode / photoresistor
Applications: speed of conveyor systems

Generator converts rotary motion to DC voltage
potential.
Technology: induced EMF by rotating armature
Applications: speed of moving or rotating machinery
1. Position and Speed (cont.)
Speed Measurements:
Digital optical encoder




Generator
2. Stress and Strain
Values of stress, derived from strain
Resistance strain gage resistance of a thin
metal foil grid changes with strain
Technology: electrical resistance
Applications: stress / force on any elastic member can
be measured planes, trains, automobiles

Load cell calibrated strain gages with circuitry in
a specified package
Technology: Resistance, piezoelectric
Applications: Instron and other tensile testing
equipment.

2. Stress and Strain
Resistance strain gage






Load cell
3. Temperature
Thermocouple voltage created by contacting
dissimilar metals varies with temperature
Technology: Seebeck (thermoelectric) effect
Applications: industrial temperature monitoring where
control and/or recording is required

Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD)
metallic coil wrapped on a ceramic core
Technology: Metallic resistance.
Applications: faster response and/or greater accuracy
than thermocouple devices; limited to 600
o
C
3. Temperature
Thermocouple




Unsheathed Thermocouple

Resistance Temperature
Detector (RTD)
4. Vibration and Acceleration
Accelerometers used to determine the rate of
change in velocity of an object.
Technology: inertial mass and displacement of mass
compared to surroundings; (position sensors)
Applications: seismic activity, car crash testing,
pedometer, suspension damping effectiveness,
camcorder image stabilization, Wii remote

Often used to measure continuous mechanical
vibrations bearings in machinery, resonant
frequency of structures.
4. Vibration and Acceleration
Accelerometers
5. Pressure and Flow
Pressure:
Displacement used as basis of measurement
Technology: strain gauge or piezoelectric (dynamic)
Applications: industrial pressure monitoring of fluids in
storage vessels or within a process

Flow:
Venturi / Orifice plate pressure differential
Turbine / rotary paddle wheel flow meters
Laser Doppler velocimeter (LDVs) change in
reflected wavelength from particles in fluid

5. Pressure and Flow
Pressure:

Piezoelectric
Pressure Transducer


Flow:
Specialty Sensors
Mass Airflow sensor automotive intake; vane
meter or hot wire sensor

Oxygen sensor ceramic and platinum; senses
O
2
concentration in the exhaust vs. outside air

Capacitive touch sensor appliance and other
touch control with no physical switch movement
Specialty Sensors (cont.)
PIR (Passive Infrared) Motion sensor converts
infrared radiation into electrical signal

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)
micromachined silicon; acceleration, pressure

Light / Image sensors photoelectric, CCD


others - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sensors

Sensor Technology Comparison
Mechanical sensors:
(+) Reliability, simplicity, cost
(-) Limited applications, slow response, transducer
complexity, measurand recording

Electrical / Electronic sensors:
(+) Diversity of application, easily
scalable/customizable, ease of signal conditioning,
production repeatability, cost, remote monitoring,
data capture,
(-) Cost (if low volume), electrical noise, susceptible to
electrical spikes, temperature effects.
Homework Use pages 147 thru 188 as a guide
Choose two of the applications listed below and provide
answers to the following:
a) Identify the physical quantities that need to be measured
and why they are important.
b) Identify the sensor category and sensor technology that
could be used. Be sure to explain your reasoning.
c) Discuss any limitations and/or trade-offs that are involved.

Applications: Home burglar system, combined household heating
and cooling system, television with attached Nintendo Wii
console, automobile drivetrain, hospital recovery room, weather
forecasting data center.

Note: There are many other sensors in addition to those presented
in this lecture. Grading will be based on thoroughness.