Page 48


www.us- tech.com


December, 2016


Using Self-Configuring Sensors for Machine Condition Monitoring


By Will Meenan, Kaman Precision Products C


ondition monitoring that requires sensors is quickly becoming an imperative throughout many industries. New digital signal condi-


tioner technology is available that simplifies the use of eddy current (inductive) displacement sen- sors for high-precision and high-reliability applica- tions. This technology is useful for monitoring movement, position, vibration, alignment, or deflection, especially where parts operate in high temperatures or environmental contaminants. Unlike previous versions that required circuit modifications and manual calibration to match the required target, sensor, cable length, and range,


sonic systems, as well air gauging, Hall effect, and optical systems. Each technology has distinct advantages and disadvantages, depending on the application. Eddy current sensors are generally much


more insensitive to environmental contaminants than other options. They operate on the principle of impedance variation caused by eddy currents induced in a conductive target by a sensor coil. The sensor coil is excited by a high-frequency oscillator, which generates an electromagnetic field that cou- ples with the target. Signal conditioning electron- ics sense impedance variation as the gap between sensor and target changes and translates it into a usable displacement signal. This technology pro- vides extremely high resolution. Eddy current sensors can “see through” non-


conductive materials, making these sensors useful in such applications as paint, rubber, and paper thickness. They can also be a good option for oper- ation over a wide variety of temperatures and in many environments, including dust, oil, gas, diesel fuel, liquid oxygen, and rocket fuel. Inductive technology is used for many high-


Inductive/eddy current technology


sensors induce current flow in a target without contact.


the new digital signal conditioners configure them- selves in a matter of minutes. In addition, the tech- nology works with a wide variety of sensors.


High-Performance Sensing Many sensor options are available for machine


linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs), laser triangulation, capacitive, and ultra-


condition monitoring, including inductive technolo- gy,


performance sensor applications, especially those needing high frequency responses in challenging environments and temperatures. They allow oper- ators to monitor a machine and determine when it has to be taken offline for maintenance. Conversely, the sensor may indicate that the machine is running well, so maintenance is not yet required. If, for example, the machine in question is a critical pump operating in an inaccessible loca- tion, precise information on machine condition can be critical to a company’s bottom line. High precision inductive sensors can also be used to monitor or control the quality of a process.


CableEye® HVX System The Smarter HIPOT Tester!


See What It Can Do for You! 


 00) 


GΩ


 


  


  


 


 





    


camiresearch.com/hipot +1 (978) 266-2655


4-Wire Kelvin to 1mΩ Available


Sample Screen Report


2100 Vdc 1200 Vac


128-Point HVX System


digiVIT self-tuning variable impedance transducer for non-contact sensing.


cable lengths, and range. This was costly and time consuming to set up. New digital signal processors, including the digiVIT from Kaman, simplify the use of eddy current sensors for high-performance appli- cations. Calibration is performed by menu options and pushbuttons on the front panel as opposed to adjustment of analog potentiometers.


Continued on page 53


The sensors provide a real time control signal to the machine or a display to the operators so they can adjust machine performance.


Self-Configuring Inductive Signal Conditioners


Previous signal conditioner technology


required hardware or software configuration to accommodate different sensors, target materials,


Demo Systems


Available!


CAMI


® CAMI Research Inc.


 sales@camiresearch.com





Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84