Contactless rotary position sensor with dual outputs

Penny + Giles', contactless rotary position sensor with dual outputs, the SRH280DP sensor, incorporates a factory programmable Hall effect sensor and has two outputs that can be programmed individually. As a result, it provides reliable and accurate rotary position measurement in extreme industrial and off-highway environments, allowing users to improve the safety and integrity of their control systems.

OEMs can choose from a wide selection of parameters so they can best configure the sensor to suit their needs and achieve maximum performance. They can specify the measurement range and output in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction. For example, one signal can be used in a control function while the other is used for position monitoring or display purposes.

The sensor operates from either a 5Vdc regulated or 9-30Vdc unregulated power supply and has an over-voltage protection to 40Vdc. It can be supplied programmed with any one of 341 different angles in the range 0-20 to 0-360 degrees in one degree increments and it has a 12 bit resolution (0.025%) over the selected measuring range. (Refer to picture on the right).

For ease of configuration, SRH280DP is available with analogue (0.5 to 4.5Vdc) or digital (Pulse Width Modulated) signal output. The two outputs can be used for error checking if they are set up to be opposed (clockwise on the first signal and anticlockwise on the second signal) and the output summed.

The sensor has been especially designed to work in harsh industrial environments and has excellent shock and vibration resistance. The shaft and body are totally sealed to IP68, for a high level of protection against the ingress of dust and fluids. It has a superior temperature rating to +140ºC when operated at 5Vdc and a temperature stability of less than ±30ppm/ºC. The sensor body has a crush-proof 28mm mounting flange.

SRH280DP features electro magnetic compatibility (EMC) immunity to 100V/m and it has a very low maximum output signal noise of less than 1mV. This means that no additional signal filtering is required on the output signal. It also has a class-leading non-linearity of ±0.4%.

The sensor body depth is only 18.1mm from the mounting face, which is 22% smaller than competitive products. This allows the sensor to be fitted into tight spaces.

SRH280DP has a choice of three shaft designs - a one-piece spring shaft design (S); a 'D' shaft option; and a 2.4mm blade style (H) to suit specific motorsport applications.  The sensor is fitted with a co-moulded 4-core cable, spec 55A 24AWG cores with DR-25 outer jacket, compatible with industry standard cable harnesses.

Tilt sensor for rugged, safety critical applications

Penny + Giles', robust tilt sensor STT500, is for use in safety critical applications used on cranes and lifting platforms. A tilt sensor is an essential part of a Safe Load Indicator (SLI) system on a crane, designed to alert the operator if the lift is exceeding the safe operating range of the machine. The SLI measures the angle and extension of the boom along with the load weight, and calculates if the machine is working within the manufacturers suggested safety margins.

Based on proven solid-state technology, the STT500 provides distinct advantages in reliability, stability and compactness over fluid based, electrolytic and pendulum operated sensors. It can operate from a 5V or 8-30V power source and has a measurement range of ±10º, ±20º, ±30º or ±60º with an output from 0.5 to 4.5Vdc over the full inclination angle. (Refer to the picture above).

STT500 is supplied in a marine grade (LM6) cast aluminium alloy housing with 88mm diameter flange. It has a high environmental protection rating of IP69K to withstand the ingress of dust and fluids, even under high pressure washing.

The sensor has no moving parts and as a result has excellent resistance to shock and vibration up to 20,000g. It can withstand operating temperatures of -40 to + 125°C and has an EMC Immunity of 100V/m.

For maximum flexibility the STT280 sensor has a low power requirement of less than 6.5mA, so it can be used in hard-wired or battery-powered systems and for ease of installation OEMs can fit their own cable through the supplied gland or use Penny + Giles' supplied cable option. Alternatively a circular M12 connector is available that can interface with industry standard sensor cables.

The company's popular STT280, which has a smaller, moulded housing diameter of just 28mm, is also now available with ±10º, ±20º, ±30º or ±60º measurement range options.

Penny + Giles' range of tilt sensors provide a highly reliable solution for absolute tilt measurement sensing in a variety of applications such as road construction equipment, cranes and booms, scissor lifts, agricultural vehicles, container handling and hydraulic lift systems.

About Curtiss-Wright Controls Integrated Sensing in profile
Penny + Giles is a global leader in the design and manufacture of specialist avionics equipment, position sensors and control hardware for industrial, military and aerospace markets. Headquartered in Christchurch, Dorset, United Kingdom, Penny + Giles is part of Curtiss-Wright Controls Integrated Sensing, a business unit of Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc. For further information view website: www.pennyandgiles.com

About Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc. in profile
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Curtiss-Wright Controls is the motion control segment of Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW). With manufacturing facilities around the world, Curtiss-Wright Controls is a leading technology-based organization providing niche motion control products, subsystems and services internationally for the aerospace and defence markets. For further information, view website: www.cwcontrols.com

For further information, e-mail: mike.iles@pennyandgiles.com or view website: www.pennyandgiles.com

Programmable controller for thickness and coplanarity measurement 

Micro-Epsilon CSP2008 is a powerful, flexible programmable controller that enables the real time processing (up to 100kHz) of up to six input and output signals from the company's displacement sensors.

The controller is ideal for thickness, height, roundness, flatness or coplanarity measurements, where signals from multiple displacement sensors need to be synchronised and processed in real time. All processing is carried out internally by Micro-Epsilon's in-house developed electronics unit.

The CSP2008 universal controller is able to process up to six digital or analogue input signals: two internal (via the front panel), plus four external signals via plug-in Ethercat modules. Ethercat can also be used as an external interface for connecting further sensors and I/O modules.

Insertion probe flow meter displays new feature

The HydriNs 2 electromagnetic insertion probe from Hydreka, on offer from  Halma Water Management, builds on the functionality, proven success and recognised accuracy of the original flowmeter. Chief  among the new features is support for an optional LCD screen that gives readouts of all measurements.

As with Hydreka's original HydriNs, this product is a portable, easy deployable and remote-monitoring ready method of measuring bi-directional flow rates, using a highly accurate electromagnetic sensor suitable for a wide range of pipe sizes. 'Hot tap' installation means that the supply is not interrupted, and in addition to the direct output to datalogging devices for result recording and wireless telemetry, the HydriNs 2 also supports an optional LCD display for local (within 200m) viewing of readings, results and alarms. The battery life for both the probe and the display is up to 10 years, depending on the setup settings, and both units are watertight - rated to IP68.

The HydriNs 2can be effectively used throughout the water distribution network, measuring accurate flow rates at reservoirs, treatment works, pumping stations, water pipes and DMA zones. Velocity profiling at the point of measurement validates the enhanced accuracy provided by the stainless steel elestrodes. The flow data is easily downloaded and interpreted with the tailor-made Winfluid software (PC or PDA), which can also be used to program the device. Aids to help the physical installation include a reinforced stem, anti-ejection, locking nut and insertion point clamp. This product is also easily linkable to other HWM products, with for example a push-fit connector for pressure measurement, and a watertight military specification for dataloggers.

For further information, the new HydriNs 2 brochure can be downloaded from the HWM website: www.halma-water.com