Emg 2505 - PDF4
Emg 2505 - PDF4
Emg 2505 - PDF4
Monday, June 21, 2021 12:18 PM
Definition
A transducer is device which converts the quantity being measured into an optical,
mechanical, or - more commonly - electrical signal. The energy-conversion process
that takes place is referred to as transduction.
Classification
Transducers are classified according to the transduction principle involved and the
form of the measurand. Thus a resistance transducer for measuring displacement
is classified as a resistance displacement transducer. Other classification examples
are pressure bellows, force diaphragm, pressure flapper-nozzle, and so on.
An additional classification could include analogue or digital.
Transducer elements
Although there are exceptions, most transducers consist of a sensing element and
a conversion or control element, as shown in the two-block diagram of fig 3.1.
For example, diaphragm, bellows, strain tubes and rings, Bourdon tubes, and
cantilevers are sensing elements which respond to changes in pressure or force
and convert these physical quantities into a displacement. This displacement may
then be used to change an electrical parameter such as voltage, resistance,
capacitance, or inductance. Such combinations of mechanical and electrical
elements form electromechanical transducing devices or transducers. Similar
combinations can be made for energy inputs such as thermal, photo (light),
magnetic, and chemical, giving thermoelectric, photelectric, electromagnetic, and
electrochemical transducers respectively.
Transducer sensitivity
The relationship between the measurand and the transducer output signal is
usually obtained by calibrating tests and is referred to as the transducer sensitivity
K , t
output signal increment
i.e. K t =
measurand increment
In practice, the transducer sensitivity is usually known, and, by measuring the
output signal, the input quantity is determined from
output − signal amplitude
Input =
Kt
The following example, in which a spring is used to transduce force into
displacement, illustrates the principle involved.
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Example
If the transducing spring shown in fig 3.2 deflects 0.05m when subjected to a force
of 10 kN, find the input force for an output displacement of 0.075m.
x 0. 05m
Sensitivity Kt = =
F 10kN
10kN
Input force required for 0.075m deflection = 0.075m x
0. 05m
= 15kN
Characteristics of an ideal transducer
The ideal transducer should exhibit the following characteristics.
a. High fidelity - the transducer output waveform shape should be a faithful
reproduction of the measurand; i.e. there should be minimum distortion.
b. There should be minimum interference with the quantity being measured; i.e.
the presence of the transducer should not alter the measurand in any way.
c. Size. The transducer must be capable of being placed exactly where it is
needed.
d. There should be a linear relationship between the measurand and the
transduced signal.
e. The transducer should have minimum sensitivity to external effects. Pressure
transducers, for example, are often subjected to external effects such as
vibration and temperature.
f. The natural frequency of the transducer should be well separated from the
frequency and harmonics of the measurand.
Electrical transducers
Electrical transducers exhibit many of the ideal characteristics. In addition they
offer high sensitivity as well as promoting the possibility of remote indication of
measurement.
Electrical transducers can be divided into two distinct groups:
a. Variable-control-parameter types, which include
i. Resistance
ii. Capacitance
iii. Inductance, and
iv. Mutual-inductance types.
These transducers all rely on an external excitation voltage for their
operation.
b. Self-generating types, which include
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i. Electromagnetic,
ii. Thermoelectric,
iii. Photoemissive, and
iv. Piezo-electric types
These, by themselves produce an output voltage in response to the measurand
input and their effects are reversible. For example, a piezo-electric transducer
normally produces an output voltage in response to the deformation of a
crystalline material; however, if an alternating voltage is applied across the
material, the transducer exhibits the reversible effect by deforming or vibrating at
the frequency of the alternating voltage.
Resistance transducers
Resistance transducers may divided into two groups as follows:
a. Those that produce a large resistance change, measured using potential-
divider methods. Potentiometers are in this group.
b. Those which experience a small resistance change, measured by bridge-circuit
methods. Examples of this group include strain gauges and resistance
thermometers. The details of bridge-circuit measuring techniques are
discussed later.
Potentiometers
A linear wire-wound potentiometer consists of a number of turns of resistance
wire wound around a non-conducting former, together with a wiping contact
which travels over the bare wires. The construction principles are shown in fig
3.3(a) and (b), which indicate that the wiper displacement can be rotary,
translational, or a combination of both to give a helical-type motion. The excitation
voltage may be either a.c. or d.c., and the output voltage is proportional to the
input motion, provided the measuring device has a resistance which is much
greater than the potentiometer resistance.
Such potentiometers suffer from the linked problems of resolution and electrical
noise. Resolution is defined as the smallest detectable change in input and is
dependent on the cross-sectional area of the windings and the area of the sliding
contact. The output voltage is thus a series of steps as the contact moves from
one
Wire to the next, as shown in fig 3.4(a). A conductive plastic potentiometer where
the sliding contact is continuous overcomes this problem.
Electrical noise (i.e. unwanted signals) may be generated by variation in contact
resistance, by mechanical wear due to contact friction, and by contact vibration
transmitted from the sensing element. In addition, the motion being measured
Example
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may experience significant mechanical loading by the inertia and friction of the A potentiometer
moving parts of the potentiometer. resistance of 10kΩ
the maximum pow
determine the ou
displacement is 1
excitation voltage
The wear of the contacting surface limits the life of a potentiometer to a finite
number of full strokes or rotations, usually referred to in the manufacturer's
specification as the 'number of cycles of life expectancy', a typical value being 20 x
10 cycles.
6
The output voltage v of the unloaded potentiometer circuit shown in fig 3.4(b) is
0
determined as follows.
xi
Let resistance R i = RT
xT
Where
xi = input displacement (m)
xT = maximum possible displacement (m)
RT = total resistance of the potentiometer (Ω)
Ri
Then output voltage v = v x
0
R i + (R T − R i )
Ri xi RT
=v = v x
RT xT RT
xi
= v
xT
This shows that there is a straight line relationship between output voltage and
input displacement for the unloaded potentiometer.
It would seem that high sensitivity could be achieved simply by increasing the
excitation voltage V. However, the maximum value of V is determined by the
maximum power dissipation P of the fine wires of the potentiometer winding and
is given by
−−−−
V = √P R T
Example
A potentiometer resistance transducer has a total winding resistance of 10kΩ and
a maximum displacement range of 4cm. If the maximum power dissipated is not to
exceed 40mW, determine the output voltage of the device when the input
displacement is 1.2cm, assuming the maximum permissible excitation voltage is
used.
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−−−−
Excitation voltage, V = √P R T
−−−−−−−−−−−−−
= √0. 04W x 10000Ω
= 20V
xi
From v = v
0
xT
1. 2cm
v = 20v x
0 = 6 V
4cm
Loading a potentiometer
When the potentiometer is loaded by placing across its terminals a measuring
device such as a meter, having a resistance [Equation] , a current flows into the
meter. This has a loading effect on the potentiometer and causes the output/input
graph to depart from the linear relationship as shown in fig 3.5.
An analysis of the circuit in the loaded condition gives
−1
xT RT xi
V0 = V [ + (1 − )]
xi RL xT
RT
Which is far from linear, and the non-linearity increases as the ratio
RL
increases.
Example
Calculate the error, at 50% full-scale travel of the wiper, of a resistance
potentiometer when loaded with a meter having a resistance equal to twice the
potentiometer resistance.
Solution:
xi
v0 = v
xT
V
Unloaded v 0 = = 0. 5V
2
−1
xT RT xi
and v 0 = V[ + (1 − )]
xi RL xT
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1 V
Loaded v = V[
0 ] = = 0. 44V
2 + 1/2(1 − 0. 5) 2. 25
0. 44V − 0. 5V
Hence error = x 100
0. 5V
= -12%
(Note the negative sign which shows that the reading is too low)
Resistance strain gauges
Resistance strain gauges are transducers which exhibit a change in electrical
resistance in response to mechanical strain. They may be of the bonded or
unbonded variety.
(a) Bonded strain gauges
Using an adhesive, these gauges are bonded, or cemented, directly on to the
surface of the body or structure which is being examined.
Examples of bonded strain gauges are
i. Fine wire gauges cemented to a paper backing.
ii. Photo-etched grids of conducting foil on an epoxy-resin backing,
iii. A single semiconductor filament mounted on an epoxy-resin backing with
copper or nickel leads.
Resistance gauges can be made up as single elements to measure strain in one
direction only, or a combination of elements such as rosettes will permit
simultaneous measurements in more than one direction.
(b) Unbonded strain gauges
A typical unbonded-strain-gauge arrangement is shown in fig. 3.6, which shows
fine resistance wires stretched around supports in such a way that the deflection
of the cantilever spring system changes the tension in the wires and thus alters the
resistance of the wire. Such an arrangement may be found in commercially
available force, load or pressure transducers.
Resistance temperature transducers
The materials for these can be divided into two main groups:
a. Metals such as platinum, copper, tungsten, and nickel which exhibit small
increases in resistance as the temperature rises; i.e. they have a positive
temperature coefficient of resistance.
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The international practical temperature scale is based on the platinum resistance
thermometer, which covers the temperature range −259. 35 C to 630. 5 C .
o o
Solution
R i = R o [1 + α (θi − θo )]
= 100Ω x [1 + 0. 00392 x 60] = 123. 5Ω
(b) Thermistor (semiconductor) resistance temperature transducers
Thermistors are temperature-sensitive resistors which exhibit large non-linear
resistance changes with temperature variation. In general, they have a negative
temperature coefficient as illustrated in fig.3.8.
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For small temperature increments the variation in resistance is reasonably linear;
but, if large temperature changes are experienced, special linearizing techniques
are used in the measuring circuits to produce a linear relationship of resistance
against temperature.
Thermistors are normally made in the form of semiconductor discs or beads
enclosed in glass envelops or vitreous enamel. Since they can be made as small as
1mm, quite rapid response times are possible.
Example
Use the characteristics curve for the type-1 thermistor shown in fig. 3.8 to
determine the temperature measured when the meter in the circuit shown in
fig.3.9 reads half full scale.
Solution
V 10V
Total resistance R = =
−3
= 20kΩ
I 0. 5 x 10 A
∴ thermistor resistance = 20kΩ − 5kΩ
Photoconductive cells
The photoconductive cell, fig 3.10, uses a light-sensitive semiconductor material.
The resistance between the metal electrodes decreases as the intensity of the light
striking the semiconductor increases. Common semiconductor materials used for
photoconductive cells are cadmium, sulfide, lead sulfide, and copper-doped
germanium.
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Photoelectrically generated voltage V = I R 0 P L
Where
I = Photoelectric current (A)
P
Although the output voltage does give a good indication of the magnitude of
illumination, the cells are more often used for counting or control purposes, where
the light striking the cathode can be interrupted.
Example
A photoemissive cell is connected in series with a 5kΩ
30μA
resistor. I f the cell has a sensitivity of , calculate the input
lm
V0 2 V
∴ illumination Φ = = = 13.3 lm
−6 A 3
Kt R L 30 x 10 x 5 x 10 Ω
lm
Capacitive transducers
The capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor is given by
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A
C = ϵ 0 ϵ r farads
d
Where
ϵ = the permittivity of free space = 8.854 x 10 F/m −12
0
ϵ = relative permittivity of the material between the plates
r
A = overlapping or effective area between plates (m ) 2
d = distance between plates (m)
The capacitance can thus be made to vary by changing either the relative
permittivity ϵ , the effective area A, or the distance separating the plates d. Some
r
The characteristic curves shown in fig. 3.13 indicate that variations of area A and
relative permittivity ϵ give a linear relationship between C and A or ϵ , but
r r
dC ϵ0 ϵr A
i.e. = −
2
dd d
Thus, the sensitivity is high for small values of d.
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Unlike the potentiometer, the variable-distance capacitive transducer has an
infinite resolution. Making it most suitable for measuring small increments of
displacement or quantities which may be changed to produce a displacement.
Example
A parallel-plate air-spaced capacitor has an effective plate area of
m , and the distance between the plates is 1mm. If the relative
−4 2
6. 4 x 10
= -56.6 x 10 F/m −10
= -5.66 nF/m
The minus sign indicates a reduction in the capacitance value for increasing d.
Inductive transducers
The inductance of a coil wound around a magnetic circuit is given by
2
μ0 μr N A
L= henrys
l
Where
μ0 = permeability of free space = 4 x 10 −7
H/m
μr = relative permeability
N = number of turns of coil
l = length of magnetic circuit (m)
And A = cross-sectional area of magnetic circuit (m ) 2
This can be written as
2
N
L=
S
Where S is the magnetic reluctance of the inductive circuit.
The inductance can thus be made to vary by changing the reluctance of the
inductive circuit. Some examples of variable-reluctance transducers are shown
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Example
Determine the sensitivity of a single-coil inductive transducer for (a) variations
in relative permeability μ , (b) variations in length of magnetic circuit.
r
Solution
(a)
2
μ0 μr N A
L=
l
Differentiate this equation with respect to μ r
2
dL μ0 N A
=
dμr l
(b)
Differentiate this equation with respect to l,
2
dL μ μ N A
0 r
=
2
dl l
(note - high for small values of l)
Measuring techniques used with capacitive and inductive transducers
a. A.C.-excited bridges using differential capacitors and inductors.
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A high frequency excitation voltage V is applied to the primary winding and, due
p
to transformer action, voltages V and V are induced in the secondary coils. The
s1 s2
each other, so that at the central position there is zero output voltage. However,
the voltages generally are not exactly [Equation] out of phase and there is a
small null output voltage as illustrated in fig. 3.17(b).
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Some important characteristics and features of the LVDT are as follows:
a. Infinite resolution
b. Linearity better than 0.5%
c. Excitation frequency 50Hz to 20Hz;
d. Null voltage less than 1% of full-scale output voltage;
e. Maximum displacement frequency 10% of the excitation frequency;
f. Displacement ranges available from 2 x [Equation] m to 0.5m;
g. No wear of moving parts;
h. Amplitude-modulated output, i.e. the output voltage is a constant frequency
waveform with an amplitude depending on the displacement input.
Typical measurands are any quantities which can be transduced into a
displacement, e.g. pressure, acceleration, vibration, force, and liquid level.
Piezo-electric transducers
When a force is applied across the faces of certain crystal materials, electric
charges of opposite polarity appear on the faces due to the piezo-electric effect
('piezo' comes from the Greek for 'to press'). Piezo-electric transducers are made
from natural crystals such as quartz and Rochelle salt, synthetic crystals such as
lithium sulfate, or polarized ceramics such as barium titanate. Since these
materials generate an output charge proportional to applied force, they are most
suitable for measuring force-derived variables such as pressure, load, and
acceleration as well as force itself.
Piezo-electric materials are good electrical insulators; therefore, with their
connecting plates, they can be considered as parallel-plate capacitors as shown in
fig. 3.18(a). When a force is applied, the capacitor simply 'charges up' due to the
piezo-electric effect, as illustrated by the equivalent electric circuit shown in fig.
3.18(b). Unfortunately, any measuring instrument electrically connected across the
capacitor C will tend to discharge it; hence the transducer's steady-state response
is poor. This can be overcome by using measuring amplifiers with very high input
impedance ( [Equation] to [Equation] ohms being typical) known as charge
amplifiers, but these make the measuring system increasingly expensive.
Example
A piezo-electric pressure transducer has a sensitivity of 80pC/bar. If it has a
capacitance of 1nF, determine its output voltage when the input pressure is
1.4bar.
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Solution
Charge q = sensitivity x pressure
= 80pC/bar x 1.4bar
= 80 x 1.4pC = 112pC
Output voltage V = q/C = 112 x 10 C / 1 x [Equation] F
−12
= 112mV
Electromagnetic transducers
These employ the well known generator principle of a coil moving in a magnetic
field.
The output voltage of the electromagnetic transducer is given as follows.
a. For a coil with charging flux linkages,
Output voltage v = -N [Equation]
0
Where N = number of turns on coil
And [Equation] = rate at which flux changes (Wb/s)
b. For the single conductor moving in a magnetic field,
Output voltage v = Blv
0
Where B = flux density (T)
l = length of conductor (m)
And v = velocity of conductor perpendicular to flux direction (m/s)
Both relationships are used in commercially available velocity transducers, the
construction principles of which are illustrated in figs 3.19 (a) to (c).
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Some important features of the electromagnetic transducer are as follows:
i. Output voltage is proportional to the velocity of input motion;
ii. Usually they have a large mass, hence they tend to have low natural
frequencies;
iii. High power outputs are available;
iv. Limited low-frequency response - ranges from 10Hz to 1 kHz are quoted in
manufacturers' literature.
Thermoelectric transducers
When two dissimilar metals or alloys are joined together at each end to form a
thermocouple as shown in fig 3.20 and the ends are at different temperatures, an
e.m.f. will be developed causing a current to flow around the circuit. The
magnitude of the e.m.f. depends on the temperature difference between the two
junctions and on the materials used. This thermoelectric effect is known as the
Seebeck effect and is widely used in temperature-measurement and control
systems.
The main problems with thermocouples are corrosion, oxidation, or general
contamination by the atmosphere of their location. These problems can be
overcome by the selection of a protective sheath which does not react with the
atmosphere or fluid.
Although they do give a direct output voltage, this is generally small - in the order
of millivolts - and often requires amplification.
Advantages of thermocouples include
a. Temperature at localized points can be determined, because of the small size
of the thermocouple;
b. They are robust, with a wide operating range from [Equation] to
[Equation] .
Photelectric cells (self generating)
The photoelectric or photovoltaic cell makes use of the photovoltaic effect, which
is the production of an e.m.f. by radiant energy - usually light - incident on the
junction of two dissimilar materials. The construction of a typical cell is illustrated
in fig. 3.21(a), which shows a sandwich layer of metal, semiconductor material,
and a transparent layer. Light travelling through the transparent layer generates a
voltage which is a logarithmic function of light intensity. The device is highly
sensitive; has a good frequency response; and, because of its logarithmic
relationship of voltage against light, is very suitable for sensing over a wide range
of light intensities. The characteristic of the device is shown in fig. 3.21(b).
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Mechanical transducers and sensing elements
Many transducing elements consist of two different types of transducers operating
in series, or cascade. In the electrical-transducer section it was assumed that the
input to the transducer was provided by the sensing element. The sensing element
itself is often a mechanical transducer which converts the measurand into a
displacement or force which is then used to change some electrical parameter.
Some of the more common mechanical transducers are shown in the following
examples.
Force-to-displacement transducers
a. Spring
For a spring, F = [Equation]
Where [Equation] = spring stiffness (N/m)
[Equation]
But sensitivity [Equation]
[Equation] sensitivity = [Equation]
i.e. the stiffer the spring, the smaller is the sensitivity.
b. Cantilever
When the cantilever shown in fig 3.22 is loaded, it experiences a deflection y.
The relationship between the force F and the deflection is given by
Deflection y = constant x force
∴ y = kF
Where the constant k depends on the material and dimensions of the
cantilever.
Pressure-to-displacement transducers
a. Diaphragms
Pressure can be measured using a steel diaphragm as shown in fig. 3.23. The
displacement x of the diaphragm is proportional to the pressure difference (
[Equation] if the displacement is less than one third of the diaphragm
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B. Bourdon tubes
This type of transducer, illustrated in fig. 3.24, is used in many commercially
available pressure gauges. The main feature of Bourdon tubes is their large
deflection.
Provided the major axis a of the cross-section is considerably larger than the minor
axis b, the following relationship holds between the input pressure p and the tube-
tip deflection [Equation] :
[Equation]
C. Bellows
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This is basically a pneumatic spring, as illustrated in fig. 3.25, and is in general
used in pneumatic instruments.
Equating the force acting on the bellows, for equilibrium
[Equation]
[Equation]
Where A = Cross-sectional area of bellows ( [Equation]
p = input pressure (N/m ) 2
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