2/13/2012

SENSORS AND ACTUATORS

Power/energy transduction Sensor from physical property to electrical/optical Actuator from electrical/optical to physical/mechanical Power density Sensor from potentially high power density to relative low power density (signal level) Actuator high power density conversion, use signal level (low power density) to modulate/control the power conversion
Physical Property (maybe high power density)

Signal Conditioning

Sensor (Transducer)

Power Amplification

Actuator

Mechanical Work
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James A. Mynderse

ME588 Sensors and Actuators

SENSOR CHARACTERISTICS
Sensitivity
The ability of the transducer to respond to a change of the measured quantity (ratio of change of output to change of input).

Resolution
The smallest increment in the measured value that can be detected.

Dynamic range
The maximum of number of the smallest increment changes that the sensor can measure.

Response time
The time the sensor needs to reach a certain percentage (95%) of the final value after a step change in the input.

Time constant
The 63.2% response time.

Bandwidth
The frequency band between which the magnitude variation is within 3 dB or the magnitude is within 3dB of the DC magnitude.
James A. Mynderse ME588 Sensors and Actuators 2

2/13/2012

SENSOR CHARACTERISTICS
Accuracy
The measure of the difference between the measured value and the actual value depends on the inherent instrument limitations.

Precision
The ability of a sensor to reproduce a certain set of readings within a given accuracy a measure of the reliability of the sensor.

Repeatability
The ability to reproduce the output signal exactly when the same excitation is applied repeatedly.

Linearity
The percentage of departure from a linear value, i.e. the maximum deviation of the output curve from the best-fit straight calibration line.

Output impedance
The output impedance of the sensor as it is connected either in series or parallel to a electrical circuit.

James A. Mynderse

ME588 Sensors and Actuators

TYPES OF SENSORS
Position and velocity measurement
Resistance
Potentiometer Strain gage

Inductance
Linear variable differential transducer (LVDT) Proximity sensor

Capacitance Piezoelectric
Accelerometer Pressure/tactile

Hall effect
Rotational

Eddy current Optical

Encoders IR sensor
James A. Mynderse ME588 Sensors and Actuators 4

2/13/2012

TYPES OF SENSORS
Temperature Resistive (RTD) Thermocouple Thermistor Inferred Image or light Photodiode Phototransistor Charge-coupled device (CCD)

James A. Mynderse

ME588 Sensors and Actuators

TYPES OF ACTUATORS
Electro-Mechanical Electromagnetic
Electric motors DC motors Stepper motors AC induction motors Solenoid and relays

Piezoelectric Hydraulic and Pneumatics Valves Actuators pumps, motors, and cylinders Combustion IC engines Turbine engines
James A. Mynderse ME588 Sensors and Actuators 6