On-line Magazine 'Sensors & Transducers' (S&T e-Digest)

    (ISSN 1726 - 5479)

Add our Sensor Industry News feed 

Previous Issues:

Submit an Article

2000-2002 S&T e-Digest Contents

2003 S&T e-Digest Contents

2004 S&T e-Digest Contents

Vol. 59, No. 9, September 2005

Table of Contents

Dear IFSA Members and Sensors Web Portal Visitors !

It is my great pleasure congratulate you all with the 6^th IFSA anniversary. Our Sensors Community is very international: today we have 447 active members from 61 countries.

Key achievement in 2004 was the introduction of Universal Frequency-to-Digital Converter (UFDC-1) to the market and new concept development of smart and digital sensors design on its basis. It was possible due to joint effort of many scientists, researchers and engineers from many countries, dozens years experience in advanced conversion methods, IFSA coordination and Sensors Web Portal, Inc. management.

In our IFSA Annual Report 2004-2005 you will be able to see detailed statistics, members interests and much more including our activities description and future plans. Welcome to IFSA !

Prof., Dr. Nikolay V. Kirianaki,

IFSA President

September 1, 2005, Depew, NY – The Vibration Division of PCB Piezotronics, Inc. introduces two new High-temperature, Radiation Hardened, Single Axis, Ceramic, Charge Output Accelerometers.  Models 357B53 and 357B54, each have sensitivities of 100 pC/g and a measurement range of ±150 g peak.  They are hermetically sealed in a titanium housing and are stud-mounted.  This durable design operates in temperatures from –95 to +500° F (-71 to +260° C), and survives accidental shock inputs to ±2,000 g.  These new sensors are ideally suited for shock and vibration measurements in high temperature and/or nuclear radiation environments as they are also radiation hardened, and are rated for exposure to Integrated Neutron Flux up to 10¹⁰ N/cm² and Integrated Gamma Flux up to 10⁸ rads.

Model 357B53 features a 10-32 side-mounted connector, while Model 357B54 features a 10-32 top-mounted connector.  They are typically used with PCB® Series 003 low-noise cables for temperatures up to +500º F (+260 °C), or with PCB® Series 023 hardline cable, when used in radioactive environments.

Mark Amatuzzo, Product Manager

Vibration Division

3425 Walden Avenue

Depew, NY  14043-2495

Tel.:(888) 684-0013 ext. 2706, fax: (716) 685-3886

E-mail: mamatuzzo@pcb.com

September 9, 2005, Depew, NY, USA - Rotating torque transducers from the Force/Torque Division of PCB Piezotronics, Inc. (PCB ®), utilize non-contact, rotary transformers for sending excitation voltage to, and receiving measurement signals from, the strain gage instrumented rotating sensor element. The rotary transformer design eliminates the need for replacing worn brushes, as is the case with conventional slip ring type rotating torque sensors.

Because of their unique flange and splined shaft design (conforms to AND 10262 & 20002), the units are an ideal choice for use in torque studies on cantilevered aerospace hydraulic motors and pumps. Other applications include dynamometers for combustion engines, drive shafts, transmissions, fans, and electric motors.

In addition to the torque output signal, an optional pickup provides an output proportional to speed and an optional K type thermal couple to monitor internal bearing temperature. The units feature high torsional stiffness and low rotating inertia. Custom designed units are available for alternate measurement ranges and speeds.

Peter Munschauer,

Division Manager,

Force/Torque Division,

3425 Walden Avenue, Depew, NY 14043-2495 USA

Tel: (888) 684-0004 ext. 2405, fax: (716) 684-8877

E-mail: pmunschauer@pcb.com

Analog Devices, Inc. announced the high-precision, fully integrated converters that address the complex and difficult signal processing challenges of direct capacitance-to-digital. Combining advanced signal processing techniques with high levels of integration, ADI’s capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC) attains a level of precision previously only possible with conventional analog voltage-to-digital converters aided by a significant number of discrete components. ADI’s devices provide designers significant advantages over existing discrete solutions for capacitance- and impedance-sensing applications that have historically lacked precision and proven difficult and expensive to design. The devices are ideal for a wide range of high-performance instrumentation and sensing applications, from blood pressure monitors and glucose analyzers to position sensors for automobiles and industrial corrosion analysis systems.

Single-chip, high precision CDC – the AD7745/6/7 CDC integrates all stages of capacitance-to-digital conversion on one chip reducing costs associated with traditional multi-chip solutions by 65 percent. With 24-bit resolution, the AD7745 is the industry’s highest-precision solution for interfacing with capacitive sensors. Ideal for industrial and medical instrumentation and automotive sensing applications. The AD7745 and AD7746 are configured for two-electrode capacitance sensors, while the AD7747 is for one-electrode devices. Specifications include an operating range from 2.7 to 5.25 V, an accuracy of 2 x 10^-15 F, a speed of 5 to 90 Hz, and a power consumption of 1 mA max.

Sue Martenson,

Analog Devices, Inc., Wilmington, MA

781-937-1989, 781-937-1026

Technical Support 800-262-5643
Fax: 781-461-4482
E-mail: Sue.martenson@analog.com

Houston, TX - ASI Instruments announced RotaryPoint, a new low-cost rotary paddle bin level indicator. RotaryPoint is a rugged, small footprint device whose heavy-duty motor gearing provides up to twice the life expectancy of other paddle indicators. Designed for measuring the level of dry bulk solids in hoppers, silos, bins, and tanks, the system handles materials with densities of 10 lbs/ft3 or more, including grains, plastic pellets, even high density aggregates like limestone and rocks.

With RotaryPoint, there are no more screws or fasteners to hinder access; the unit features a twist-on cover for quick access to wiring. The indicator can be mounted on the top of bins or on the side to indicate high, intermediate, or low levels. Two 20 A single pole-double throw (SPDT) reed switches allow activation of alarms and controls, including visual indicators or conveyor belts. Stainless steel mounting plates are standard, allowing the device to be a drop-in replacement for virtually any other paddle switch. Flexible shaft couplings, extended shafts, and shaft guards are available for protected operation of the rotating paddle in almost any position and orientation. For hazardous applications, RotaryPoint provides FM Approved and CSA Certified housing options.

Kevin Hambrice,

Director of Marketing,

ASI Instruments, Inc.,

8570 Katy Freeway, Suite 117,

Houston TX 77024 USA

Tel.:800.245.7056, +1 225.673.6100, fax: +1 713.461.7348

E-mail: khambrice@asiinstruments.com

Pennsauken, NJ, September 9, 2005 - Macro Sensors introduces a new family of economically-priced and user-friendly digital controllers and indicators that delivers precise measurement for applications using AC- and DC-LVDT (Linear Variable Differential Transformer) inputs.

Designed especially to optimize the use of LVDTs in automation, process or lab applications, the Series DMI Single Channel LVDT Indicators offer user-friendly set-up with a scrolling display that actively prompts users for all LVDT parameters. A 5-digit alphanumeric display, which can be calibrated in any engineering units, offers readout down to 1/10,000 inch.  Units offer four programmable setpoints with alarm status annunciator LEDs. With the Series DMI Indicators, R&D staff, factory automation personnel and other technicians can easily set up and monitor the functionality of plant controllers and indicators without engineering assistance.

Designed to drive and condition the signal from an LVDT transducer, the Series DMI Single Channel LVDT Indicators contain two high-speed micro controllers and a 16-bit A/D converter that has over 130 dB noise rejection at the excitation frequencies and is capable of 40 Hz averaged output on 45 samples. Scrolling text menus provide quick access to a range of configuration modes for easy application setup.

LVDT sensors used with the Series DMI Single Channel LVDT Indicators can be applied in almost all engineering applications covering civil, mechanical, petrochemical, power generation, production, aerospace, defense, and much more. They can be used on production lines to automatically gauge products for quality control and product sorting. In the power generation and petrochemical industries they can be used, for example, as servo position feedback on actuated equipment such as valves and dampers, or for measuring turbine casing expansion. Submersible units can be used in marine and offshore mining applications.

Ed Herceg,

Macro Sensors,

Tel.: 856-662-8000

E-mail: eeh@macrosensors.com

September 1, 2005, Provo, UT - The new sound level meter from Larson Davis offers an innovative approach to sound measurement for compliance and exposure monitoring. Available in Type 1 or Type 2 versions, the SoundTrack provides an easy way to manage route- or task-based workplace noise surveys. With operator route prompts and digital voice annotation, surveys are done quickly and easily by operators at all skill levels. Optional integrated real-time 1/1 and 1/3. Octave filter performs frequency band analysis instantly with no tedious step-through.

Rob Brauch,

Manager, Industrial Hygiene Products Group,

Larson Davis, Inc.,

1681 West 820 North, Provo, UT 84601 USA,

Tel.: (888) 258-3131, fax: (716) 926-8215

E-mail: rbrauch@pcb.com

Wixom, MI - Acromag released their new 951EN and 952EN “Combo” Ethernet I/O modules with four analog input channels, two analog output channels, and six discrete input/output channels on a single inch-wide unit. This mix of I/O can reduce costs significantly by replacing the need to buy three different I/O modules. The modules support Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP/IP protocols as well as Acromag’s own i2o™ communication technology. The i2o (input-to-output) function allows input channels on one module to send measured signal data directly to output channels on a remote module across any Ethernet media without a PLC, PC or other controller in between. Since the Combo modules have inputs and outputs, they can function as both transmitters and receivers to independently interface signals across the plant or around the globe. No software is required because the setup uses a standard Internet browser to configure an embedded web page.

Robert Greenfield, Marketing Communication. Manager

Acromag, Inc.

30765 S Wixom Rd, PO Box 437, Wixom, MI 48393-7037 USA

Tel: 248-624-1541, fax: 248-624-9234

E-mail: rgreenfield@acromag.com