Mechanical

Sensor
By: Gerlie Torejo
Roswaldo Flores
Kenneth Vincent Ledesma
Sensors:

A sensor is a converter that measures a physical quantity and

converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer or
by an instrument.

Example a mercury in glass thermometer.

Three terms:
Transducer
A device that converts a primary form of energy into corresponding
signal with a different energy forms.
Sensor
A device that detect or measures a signal.
Actuator
A device that generates a signal.
sensor Intelligent
real
worl feedback
d actuator system
MECHANICAL SENSORS:
CLASS OF SENSORS TO MEASURE MECHANICAL PHENOMENON
TYPES OF MECHANICAL SENSORS:
i. DISPLACEMENT SENSORS
ii.VELOCITY SENSORS
iii.TORQUE SENSORS
iv.FLOW SENSORS
Flow Sensor
A flow sensor is a device for sensing the rate of flow of material.
Material may be solid, liquid or gas.
Flow rate is measured by weighting the amount of material on a platform
of length L
WR
Q
L
Q flow (kg/min or lb/min)
W weight of material on section of length L (kg or lb)
R conveyor speed (m/min, or ft/min)
L length of weighting platform
Application of flow sensor
Flow sensors are based on sensors which measure the transfer
of heat caused by the moving medium. This principle is
common for micro sensors to measure flow.
Velocimetry:
Velocimetry is the measurement of the velocity of fluids
For measuring velocity and length on moving surfaces, laser
surface velocimeters are used.
Displacement sensors:
Displacement sensors measure the distance an object moves and they
can also be used to measure object height and width, position
,displacements, both rotary and linear.

The following are some of commonly used displacement sensors:

a)LVDT: A linear variable differential transformer is a transformer whose
core moves along with the distance being measured and outputs a
variable analog voltage as a result of this displacement.
) b) Encoders: An encoder is a simple device that can output a digital
signal for each small portion of a movement.
) c) Potentiometers :A potentiometer converts position information into
a variable voltage through a resistor.
 Applications of displacement sensors:
a.Thickness measurement.
b.Flatness measurement.
c.Confirms the shapes of modelled parts
d.Measures the curvatures of tranparent subtratcts.
e.Level measurement by
1)float & linkage
2)concentric cylindrical capacitor.
 Torque sensor
Torque is a measure of the forces that causes an object to rotate.
Reaction torque sensors measure static torque with a stationary or
non-rotating transducer.
Rotary torque sensors use rotary transducers to measure torque.
 Application of torque sensor
Torque meter is a device for measuring and recording the
torque on a rotating system, such as an engine, crankshaft,
gearbox etc.,

In process testing, monitoring and diagnostics applications.

In measurement of power transmitted through a rotating device.
In controlling complex non-linear mechanical systems.
Used for Power tool measurement.
 Velocity sensor

Velocity sensors are machines used to detect the speed of

an object, usually a transport vehicle

Awheel speed sensororvehicle speed sensor(VSS) is a

sender device used for reading the speed of a vehicle's
wheel rotation. It usually consists of a toothed ring and
pickup.
Theairspeed indicatororairspeed gaugeis an
instrument used in anaircraftto display the craft'sairspeed,
typically inknots, to thepilot. In its simplest form, It
measures the difference in pressure between that which is
generally around the craft and the increased pressure
caused by propulsion. The needle tracks pressure
differential but the dial is marked off as airspeed.
Aspeedometeror a speed meter is agaugethat measures and displays
the instantaneousspeedof a vehicle.
Speedometers for other vehicles have specific names and use other
means of sensing speed. For a boat, this is apit log. For an aircraft, this is
anairspeed indicator.