PROXIMITY AND

PRESSURE
SENSORS

HAT ARE.SENSORS ??
A sensor (also called detector) is a converter that measures a physical
quantity and converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer or
by an (today mostly electronic) instrument.
A sensor is a device which receives and responds to a signal when
touched. A sensor's sensitivity indicates how much the sensor's output
changes when the measured quantity changes.
Sensors are used in everyday objects such as touch-sensitive elevator
buttons (tactile sensor) and lamps which dim or brighten by touching the
base. There are also innumerable applications for sensors of which most
people are never aware. Applications include cars, machines, aerospace,
medicine, manufacturing and robotics.

PROXIMITY SENSORS
A proximity sensor is a device which detects objects when they
get within a certain distance from the sensor. The proximity
sensor will then usually send a signal to an electronic circuit to
perform a simple action, such as opening a door, turning on a
light or sounding an alarm Many proximity circuits detect
anything that comes too close. Others are designed to pick up
on a particular type of object and ignore everything else.
Proximity switches are devices which detect when an object is
nearby. When an object gets within a certain distance, they will
turn on a circuit to perform some basic function, such as
opening a door or turning on a light or an alarm. Some proximity
switches are designed to detect certain kinds of objects, while
others will detect pretty much anything.

PROXIMITY SENSORS IN

Android phones, like the iPhone, include a piece of hardware

known as the proximity sensor. This device senses when the phone
is close to an object by emitting a beam or pulse of light to detect
the distance between the phone and other objects. Ideally, it
senses when you are holding the phone to your ear and turns off
the display. Because you are talking on the phone, you do not need
to see your phone as opposed to talking via speakerphone while
completing other tasks on your phone. The proximity sensor is
generally located next to the speaker, near the top of the phone.

Benefits:
The proximity reduces usage of
your phone's battery when it turns
off the display because large
displays use a lot of power.
Furthermore, the sensor prevents
accidental screen touching from
your face or ear. Because touchscreen phones are sensitive to
touches from other body parts, you
may accidentally press a number on
the dialer or even hang up on the
person with whom you are speaking
when holding your phone,
especially i

WORKING:::
O. Mainly proximity sensor sends an electromagnetic signal
or a light signal to a particular range. If light given off by
the infrared proximity switch bounces off an object and
back to the switch, it means the object is too close and the
corresponding electrical circuit will shut off or turn on

CAPACITIVE
PROXIMITY
SENSORS

O The capacitive proximity switch's oscillator measures any

change in the capacitance between the target and the switch's

plate. The capacitance reading increases as the target gets
closer to the sensor. When a preset point is reached, the
oscillator will oscillator's activity is detected by the detection
respond. The circuit, which will then cause the switch to change
its state.

APPLICATIONS
O A capacitive proximity switch is most often used for targets that are
made of plastic, glass, wood, paper, powder, granular materials or
cloth. It's also commonly used to control liquid levels in a bin or
hopper. Capacitive switches are well suited for this purpose, because
they can bypass the container's outer material to detect its contents.

INDUCTIVE
PROXIMITY
SENSORS

An inductive sensor is an electronic device that utilizes proximity sensor

technology to detect metallic objects without physical contact
An inductive proximity sensor uses radio waves to detect objects. Thanks
to a coil and an oscillator, the switch creates a field. When the field is
disrupted by an object, the switch activates.
Inductive sensors contain an induction loop, or electromagnetic
detection system. Electric currents in the inductive sensor create a
magnetic field, or a force field created by a magnetic object. The
magnetic field collapses, creating a current when input electricity is
added. The presence of metal, since metal is a comparably strong
inductor, increases the flow of current inside the induction loop. This
change in current is detected by the circuitry, which can then send an
appropriate signal when it senses a metal object
Inductive sensors are commonly utilized for automated industrial
processes or other applications where physical contact or access can be
difficult. Inductive sensors may be used for such applications as traffic
lights and metal detectors.

APPLICATIONS
-Parktronic, car bumpers that sense distance to nearby cars for
parking(uses ultrasonic and electromagnetic sensors.)
-Ground proximity warning system for aviation safety
-Vibration measurements of rotating shafts in machinery
-Top dead centre (TDC)/camshaft sensor in reciprocating engines.
-Sheet break sensing in paper machine.
-Anti-aircraft warfare
-Roller coasters
-Conveyor systems
-Touch screens on mobile devices that come in close proximity with
the face..
and many more

PRESSURE SENSORS
Pressure sensors are used for control and monitoring in thousands of
everyday applications. Pressure sensors can also be used to
indirectly measure other variables such as fluid/gas flow, speed,
water level, and altitude. Pressure sensors can alternatively be
called pressure transducers, pressure transmitters, pressure
senders, pressure indicators and piezometers, manometers, among
other names.
Pressure sensors can vary drastically in technology, design,
performance, application suitability and cost. A conservative
estimate would be that there may be over 50 technologies and at
least 300 companies making pressure sensors worldwide

TYPES OF PRESSURE
SENSORS
----Piezoresistive strain gauge
Uses the piezoresistive effect of bonded or formed strain gauges to detect
strain due to applied pressure. Common technology types are Silicon (Mon
crystalline), Polysilicon Thin Film, Bonded Metal Foil, Thick Film, and
Sputtered Thin Film. Generally, the strain gauges are connected to form a
Wheatstone bridge circuit to maximize the output of the sensor and to
reduce sensitivity to errors. This is the most commonly employed sensing
technology for general purpose pressure measurement. Generally, these
technologies are suited to measure absolute, gauge, vacuum, and
differential pressures.

----Capacitive
Uses a diaphragm and pressure cavity to create a variable capacitor to
detect strain due to applied pressure. Common technologies use metal,
ceramic, and silicon diaphragms. Generally, these technologies are most
applied to low pressures (Absolute, Differential and Gauge)

----Electromagnetic
Measures the displacement of a diaphragm by means of changes in
inductance (reluctance), LVDT, Hall Effect, or by eddy current principle.

----Piezoelectric
Uses the piezoelectric effect in certain materials such as quartz to
measure the strain upon the sensing mechanism due to pressure. This
technology is commonly employed for the measurement of highly
dynamic pressures.

----Optical
Techniques include the use of the physical change of an optical fiber to
detect strain due to applied pressure. A common example of this type
utilizes Fiber Bragg Gratings. This technology is employed in challenging
applications where the measurement may be highly remote, under high
temperature, or may benefit from technologies inherently immune to
electromagnetic interference. Another analogous technique utilizes an
elastic film constructed in layers that can change reflected wavelengths
according to the applied pressure (strain).[1]

----Potentiometric
Uses the motion of a wiper along a resistive mechanism to detect the
strain caused by applied pressure.
Other types

APPLICATIONS
1. Touch Screen Devices: The computer devices and smart phones that have
touch screen displays come with pressure sensors. Whenever slight pressure is
applied on the touch screen through a finger or the stylus, the sensor
determines where it has been applied and accordingly generates an electric
signal that informs the processor. Usually, these sensors are located at the
corners of the screen. So when the pressure is applied, usually two or more
such sensors act to give precise location information of the location.
2. Automotive Industry: In automotive industry, pressure sensors form an
integral part of the engine and its safety. In the engine, these sensors monitor
the oil and coolant pressure and regulate the power that the engine should
deliver to achieve suitable speeds whenever accelerator is pressed or the
brakes are applied to the car.
For the purpose of safety, pressure sensors constitute an important part of
anti-lock braking system (ABS). This system adapts to the road terrain and
makes sure that in case of braking at high speeds, the tires dont lock and the
vehicle doesnt skid. Pressure sensors in the ABS detail the processor with the
conditions of the road as well as the speed with which the vehicle is moving.
Air bag systems also use pressure sensors so that the bags get activated to
ensure the safety of the passengers whenever high amount of pressure is
experienced by the vehicle.

3. Bio Medical Instrumentation: In instruments like digital blood pressure

monitors and ventilators, pressure sensors are needed to optimize them
according to patients health and his requirements.
4. Industrial Uses: Pressure sensors are used to monitor gases and their
partial pressures in industrial units so that the large chemical reactions
take place in precisely controlled environmental conditions. In oil
industry, sensors detail with the depth that the oil rig has reached while
exploring.
5. Aviation: In the airplanes, these sensors are needed to maintain a
balance between the atmospheric pressure and the control systems of the
airplanes. This not only protects the circuitry and various internal
components of the airplane but also gives exact data to the system about
the external environment. Also, particular levels of air pressure need to
be maintained in the cockpit and the passengers lobby to provide nominal
ground like breathing conditions.
6. Marine Industry: For ships and submarines, pressure sensors are needed
to estimate the depth at which they are operating and for detailing the
marine conditions so that the electronic systems can remain safe. Oxygen
requirements of under water projects are also regulated by the pressure
sensors.

DISPLACEMENT AND VELOCITY SENSORS

TACHOMETER

The permanent magnet

generates a steady and
uniform magnetic field.
Relative
motion between the field and
the rotor induces voltages,
which is proportional to the
speed of the rotor.
The inductance gives the
tachometer a certain time
constant so that the
tachometer cannot measure
fast transient accurately.

OPTICAL ENCODERS

These are optical devices to

measure angular displacement
and angular velocity.
A disk of an optical encoder is
connected to the rotating
shaft.
The disk has patterns (holes).
On one side of the disk there is
a light source and on the other
photo-detectors. When the disk
rotates the light is going
through the holes and the
photo-detectors generate series
of pulses.
There are two types of optical
encoders: incremental and
absolute.

OPTICAL ENCODERS

The incremental encoder provides a pulse each

time the shaft has rotated a defined distance.
The disc of an absolute encoder has several
concentric tracks, with each track having an
independent light source and photo detector.
With this arrangement a unique binary or Gray
coded number can be produced for every shaft
position.

LVDT
The two secondary coils are
connected in the opposite phase.
When the core is in the middle
there is no output voltage.
Moving the core from the central
position unbalances the
secondaries, developing an
output.
Applications:
To measure linear displacement,
e.g. for measuring tube lengths
in a steel plant,
applied in linear
servomechanisms, etc.

Vout

displacement