The installation space in many applications is becoming increasingly limited; components and sensors need to be as small, compact and lightweight as possible, yet very powerful and precise. Measurement specialist Althen knows the requirements for modern sensor technology and will be presenting one of the world's smallest pressure sensors from the manufacturer Sensorade and miniature sensors for acceleration measurement from TML at "Sensor + Test" in Nuremberg from 11 to 13 June 2024.
At just 1.2 mm, the ultra-miniature pressure transducer from Sensorade is one of the smallest in the world. A key area of application for such small pressure transducers is aerodynamics, for example in wind tunnels, wind turbines or turbomachinery and turbochargers. In these applications, the installation space is often limited and dynamic, fast pressure measurement is required. For example, the sensor is integrated at neuralgic points on an object in the wind tunnel in order to precisely check how the flows along the object behave.
It is also helpful for turbochargers, which rotate very quickly at up to 100,000 revolutions per minute, if a pressure sensor is particularly small so that it can be attached to the side walls as close as possible to the rotor blades, for example.
Pressure and temperature detection in one sensor
A special feature of the Sensorade miniature pressure transducers is the simultaneous temperature measurement. The temperature has a major influence on the accuracy of the measurement result. The Sensorade sensors permanently record the temperature themselves, which can be taken into account in the measurement result using a calculation formula. In this way, the sensor achieves a very precise pressure measurement result in relation to the actual temperature.
Resonant frequency of 2.7 MHz
The particularly high resonance frequency of 2.7 MHz, which is unrivalled on the market, should also be emphasised. Such an extremely high number of measurements per second is particularly advantageous for dynamic measurements. In addition to the cylindrical shape in the sizes 1.25 mm and 1.55 mm, a flat version is also available. Flat pressure sensors are suitable for use in wind tunnels, for example, as there is virtually no turbulence even if the sensor is not mounted flush with the surface.Althen also supplies the measuring amplifier for the sensors, as these initially output a raw signal. The signal amplifier processes the raw signal into a standard output signal. Important for the installation space: The amplifier is built into the associated connector so that the sensor retains its small size.
Acceleration sensors from TML for low-frequency ranges
Acceleration sensors can be used for a wide range of measurement tasks in a wide variety of applications. Here, too, the requirements for compactness and precision in confined spaces are increasing in many applications.
For low-frequency acceleration measurements, Althen offers particularly compact acceleration sensors from TML. The uniaxial accelerometer from the ARF-A series, for example, weighs 13 g, while a comparable sensor in the ARH series weighs just 18 g. The dimensions of the accelerometers are somewhat less compact for triaxial measurements, but they are also well suited for the low-frequency measuring range.
Examples of low-frequency applications include seismological measurements during earthquakes or the braking behaviour of train accelerations. Maximum (negative) accelerations of 0.2 to 0.3 G occur when trains decelerate. With a measuring range of approx. 1 G, the ARF-10A, for example, is well suited here, especially as it has a high level of accuracy.
An amplifier is not integrated in the TML accelerometers, but can be supplied by Althen on request. The measuring specialist can also provide the entire measuring chain including sensor, measuring amplifier and cable as well as the calibration recommended for the application.
Lösungsanbieter für Test & Measurement, OEM und IIoT
Für sämtliche im Portfolio befindliche Sensoren und Messsysteme kann Althen individuelle Kundenlösungen realisieren, durch Anpassungen, Individualentwicklungen, Kalibrierungen sowie Unterstützung bei Konstruktion, Inbetriebnahme, Datenerfassung und -auswertung.