Servo inclinometers

Servo inclinometers – High-precision tilt measurement for demanding applications

Servo inclinometers are high-precision tilt sensors for measuring the smallest angular deviations relative to gravity. Force-balanced servo precision inclinometers are extremely sensitive yet robust transducers that can detect horizontal angles or vertical deviations with virtually infinite resolution.

These sensors respond to tilt changes of just 0.1 arcseconds and generate a high-level DC output signal that is proportional to the sine of the tilt angle. Typical measuring ranges extend from ±1° for high-precision measurements up to ±90° over the full range, allowing servo inclinometers to be used for both ultra-fine precision measurements and larger tilt ranges.

Thanks to their servo-controlled measuring principle, servo inclinometers provide exceptional measurement accuracy, excellent long-term stability and very low drift. This makes them particularly suitable for demanding applications in geotechnics, structural monitoring, mechanical engineering and scientific measurement systems.

How a servo inclinometer works

Servo inclinometers operate with a closed control loop, or servo system, that continuously stabilises the position of a sensitive sensor element.

Inside the sensor is a sensitive pendulum or mass system. As soon as the sensor tilts, the position of this mass changes relative to gravity. An electronic control loop detects this deviation and generates a counter-signal that returns the mass to its original position.

The strength of this counter-signal is directly proportional to the tilt angle and is output as an electrical signal.

This servo-controlled principle offers key advantages:

• Extremely high measurement accuracy
• Very low temperature drift
• Excellent long-term stability

Advantages of servo inclinometers

Servo inclinometers are among the most precise tilt sensors available and offer numerous technical advantages:

• Very high measurement accuracy
  Servo inclinometers enable high-resolution angle measurements in the microradian or few-arcsecond range.
• Long-term stability
  Thanks to the servo-controlled measuring principle, measurement results remain stable even over long periods of time.
• Low temperature dependency
  The sensors offer excellent temperature stability and are therefore ideal for outdoor or long-term measurements.
• High sensitivity
  Even the smallest tilt changes can be detected reliably.
• Robust technology for continuous operation
  Servo inclinometers are suitable for continuous monitoring systems and demanding industrial or infrastructure projects.

Typical applications

Servo inclinometers are used wherever the highest precision in tilt measurement is required. Typical applications include:

• Monitoring of buildings and infrastructure
• Bridge and tunnel monitoring
• Geotechnical monitoring of slopes or dams
• Precision alignment of machines
• Platform and antenna stabilisation
• Measurement systems in research and science
• Calibration and reference measurement systems
• Precision measurements in test and inspection applications

How do you choose the right servo inclinometer?

Selecting a suitable servo inclinometer depends strongly on the requirements of the specific application. Important selection criteria include:

• Measuring range
  Depending on the application, measuring ranges from just a few degrees to larger tilt angles may be required.
• Measurement accuracy and resolution
  For precision applications, sensors with very high resolution and minimal noise are required.
• Long-term stability
  For monitoring projects or geotechnical applications, low drift over long periods is essential.
• Environmental conditions
  Temperature range, humidity, vibrations or electromagnetic influences can affect sensor selection.
• Output signal and integration
  Depending on the measurement system, analogue or digital interfaces may be required.

We are happy to support you in selecting the right servo inclinometer for your application. Contact us.