Scribd
Upload
71 views14 pages

1 11 April 2015

1. Variable capacitance transducers operate by changing the capacitance of a capacitor through varying the plate distance (d), overlapping area (A), or dielectric constant (ε) between the plates. 2. Sensitivity increases as the plate distance decreases, since a smaller change in distance results in a larger change in capacitance. Differential arrangements use two capacitors to produce an output proportional to displacement. 3. Applications include measuring linear or angular displacement, force, pressure by converting it to displacement, and humidity by detecting changes in dielectric constant with humidity.

Uploaded by

Shimanto Bhoumik
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
71 views14 pages

1 11 April 2015

1. Variable capacitance transducers operate by changing the capacitance of a capacitor through varying the plate distance (d), overlapping area (A), or dielectric constant (ε) between the plates. 2. Sensitivity increases as the plate distance decreases, since a smaller change in distance results in a larger change in capacitance. Differential arrangements use two capacitors to produce an output proportional to displacement. 3. Applications include measuring linear or angular displacement, force, pressure by converting it to displacement, and humidity by detecting changes in dielectric constant with humidity.

Uploaded by

Shimanto Bhoumik
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 14

L-11

11 April 2015 1
Variable Capacitance Transducers

11 April 2015 2
3 basic methods:
1. By varying d
2. By varying A, and
3. By varying ε

11 April 2015 3
11 April 2015 4
Sensitivity:

The equation indicates that the sensitivity increases as x decreases

The per unit change in C is proportional to the per unit change in x, as we get:

11 April 2015 5
Variable Area Displacement Sensors:
Alternatively, the displacement may be sensed by varying the overlapping area of the
electrodes of the parallel plate capacitor.

11 April 2015 6
Co-axial cylindrical capacitor:

Rotary capacitor:

11 April 2015 7
Variable Dielectric Displacement Sensors

Displacement may be sensed by the relative movement of the dielectric material


between the plates
1 A 1wl
Initial capacitance (at x=0): C x 0  
d d
Let the dielectric be moved through a distance of x in the direction indicated
1  A  A  2 A 1 wl  wx   2 wx 
Cx    
d d d d
1wl
 
w
 2  1 x  Cx0  C
d d 8
1  A  A  2 A 1 wl  wx   2 wx 
Cx    
d d d d
1wl
 
w
 2  1 x  Cx0  C
d d

So, the output of the transducer is linear function of the displacement

Plots of Cx and ΔC against x as a function of the relative magnitudes of the


dielectric constants, ε1 and ε2 (for ε1 > ε2 and ε1 < ε2 ): do yourselves

9
Differential Arrangement: Capacitive Sensors

Differential arrangement obtained by changing: (a) area of overlap, (b) distance


between plates, and (c) dielectric between plates

Note that all the arrangements have 2 capacitors, which is a necessity for differential
output. Can be measured with a bridge circuit

10
Differential arrangement: Change of distance between plates

Fixed plate P1
C1, E1

Movable plate, M
E C2, E2
Fixed plate P2

An alternating voltage is applied across the plates, P1 and P2.

When the M is midway between the two fixed plates:


A
C1  C2 
d
Voltage across C1 is, E1  EC2 E
(C1  C1 ) 2

Voltage across C2 is, E2  EC1 E


(C1  C1 ) 2

So, the differential output is: E  E1  E1  0

11
Fixed plate
P1 C1, E1
x
Movable plate, M
E C2, E2
Fixed plate P2

Let M be moved up due to displacement x.


Now, A A
C1  , C2 
dx dx
A
C2 E dx dx
 E1   E E
C1  C2 A A 2 d

dx dx
and ,
A
C1 E dx dx
E2   E E
C1  C2 A A 2 d

dx dx
Ex
 The differential output,E  E2  E1  12
d
Capacitive Transducers
Advantages:
1. They require small forces to operate them and hence are very useful for small
systems
2. They can be very sensitive
3. Have a high input impedance and therefore the loading effect and power draining is
very small
4. A resolution of the order of 2.5 µm can be obtained
5. Can be used for applications where stray magnetic fields render the inductive
transducers useless.

Disadvantages:
1. The metallic parts of the capacitive transducers must be insulated from each other
2. Edge effects make the capacitive transducers non-linear for some ranges.
3. The capacitance of a capacitive transducer may be changed due to presence of
external matter, like, dust particles and moisture.
4. The instrumentation circuitry (for signal processing) used with capacitive
transducers are complex.

13
Applications of Capacitive Transducers
1. Can be used for measurement of both linear and angular displacements.

2. Can be used for the measurement of force and pressure. Force and pressure to be
measured are first converted to displacement which causes a change in capacitance.

3. For measurement of humidity, as the dielectric constant of gases changes with


change in humidity thereby producing a change in capacitance

4. Commonly used in conjunction with mechanical modifiers for measurement of


volume, density, liquid level, weight etc.

14

You might also like