Temposonics sensors operate on a magnetostrictive principle - which offers contactless, absolute, wear-free and accurate displacement measurement - desirable characteristics for mobile hydraulic applications.
The measurement principle combines several magneto-mechanic effects and performs the displacement measurement by accurate measurement of the travel time of an ultrasonic pulse through a solid body (the wave guide). Since there is no mechanical contact, there is essentially no wear, and the method of construction permits rugged designs with high operational life expectancies - even when used in conjunction with heavy-duty machinery subjected to shock and vibration. Harsh environmental conditions and the changes occurring in hydraulic liquid during operation do not affect the measurement accuracy.
Progress in the field of hydraulic control is largely due to the integration that has been happening in recent times between electronic and hydraulic systems. In order to reap the full benefit, adequate sensors are required. With their makers reporting fast measuring rate, high reproducibility and stable linearity throughout their working lifetime, Temposonics position sensors are well suited for dynamic control of mechanical systems. Applications that can benefit from the use of these sensors include almost anything that used linear hydraulic actuators to perform a job; from variable cutting and gripping device adjustment of wood harvesting machines through dynamic extension arm control for industrial mowing machines to the inclination control of high-speed trains.
The sensor mechanics and electronics feature modular construction, with the sensor head housing all the electronics. Due to its small dimensions, the pressure-resistant wave-guide (35 MPa) is contained within the piston rod. The only moving part is the position magnet - which is mounted in the bottom of the piston. Its position is measured (without physical contact) and transmitted to the waveguide. Signal processing methods are used to minimise jitter and virtually eliminate signal overlapping and aliasing.
Advantages include:
* Linear absolute value measurement - no reference setting required.
* Contactless sensing - no wear.
* Minimum dimensions - ie, easy installation.
* Replaces potentiometers and inductive sensors.
* Linearly stable: no linearity error correction required.
* Direct analog signal output - ie, no conversion required.
* EMC immunity - ie, high measurement safety.
* Independent of hydraulic liquid - ie, no change of the measurement accuracy during operation.
For more information contact ATI Systems 016 986 2267, [email protected], www.atisystems.co.za
| Tel: | +27 11 383 8300 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.atisystems.co.za |
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