Photoelectric and Inductive Sensors Designed for Hygienic and Washdown Apps

Hygienic applications may require more than one type of sensor. With its newest sensors, Baumer addresses measurements that require photoelectric and inductive sensing. To meet hygienic and washdown requirements, the sensors have smooth, groove-free V4A stainless steel housings. In addition, mounting accessories are EHEDG-certified, Ecolab-approved and the materials are FDA-compliant.

 Baumer developed its proTect+ concept for higher impermeability and guarantees a higher sensor performance and lifetime. In addition to traditional IP68 and IP69K impermeability tests, special endurance testing exposes the sensors to continuously changing temperature cycles to ensure higher reliability.

Get more information on Baumer’s Sensors for Hygienic Design: for inductive sensors, click here and for photoelectric sensors, click here.

Digital Output DC Current Sensor Avoids Sampling and A/D Converter Circuitry

Typical current sensing techniques that use a Hall Effect sensor or a resistive shunt deliver an analog output that requires additional circuitry for use in digital control circuits. Micro Oscillator Inc. has introduced an isolated high-side DC current sensor that provides a uni-directional current sensing system with a frequency output.  The pulsed output of the ICS I-A1 current sensor eliminates the need for electronic sampling and A/D converter circuitry.  The current measurement is performed by a current frequency converter that utilizes an integrator. The ratio of gain resistor to sensor resistor resistance values determines the ratio of sense current to integrator input current level. The internal sense resistor has a maximum 10A rating.

Specified for a -40°C to 85°C operating temperature range, the unit’s accuracy over temperature is 0.5% (from -40°C to 85°C), accuracy over voltage is 0.5% (from V_S=10 to 16V) and total accuracy is 2.5%. An optocoupler provides 2 KV_RMS isolation voltage between the current sensor and the output.

For more information on Micro Oscillator, Inc.’s ICS I-A1, click here

High Vibration Connector for Sensors and More

Reliable sensing for any parameter in a high vibration environment starts with a connector that can withstand high vibration. At the SAE 2011 World Congress in Detroit, John Morello, Sr. Development Engineer in Connection Systems at Delphi explains a new connector design for high vibration applications such as engine mounted sensors. The design clamps the entire connection system together.

For information on this and other Delphi connectors, click here.

To watch the video, click here.

DC Transducers for Current Applications up to 400A

The DCT series of DC current transducers combines a Hall Effect sensor and signal conditioner into a single package for use in DC current applications up to 400A. Designed to be compatible with most PLCs, data loggers and SCADA systems, the DCT series features jumper-selectable current input ranges and industry standard 4-20 mA or +/- 10 VDC outputs. For example, the 400A DCT400-42-24-S has  0-200A, 0-300A or 0-400A jumper-selectable input ranges.

Split-core or fixed-core models are available.

For more information on DC current transducers, click here.

Infrared Detector Arrays Boast Enhanced Measurement Stability

For those applications that need to sense PbS and PbSe, Cal Sensors’ LMA (Linear Multiplexed Array) family of lead salt infrared detectors can provide up to 25% increased measurement stability. Consisting of six compensation elements and 250 active elements, the 256-element array provides real-time measurement compensation for environmental changes. Measurement corrections are made based on a comparison of the six compensation elements and three active elements on each side of the array. In addition, the sensors have a much as 10% system noise reduction that provides increased measurement resolution and built-in shielding to isolate the array from measurement variables that could reduce accuracy.

Get more information about Cal Sensors LMA family: PbS and PbSe.

1-inch Resolvers Address Military & Aerospace Apps

Precise motion control in military and aerospace applications is the target of Honeywell’s Hawk Resolvers. With ±7 arcmin accuracy and wide operating temperature range of -50.8°C to 93.3°C [-60°F to 200°F], the non-contact design uses space-qualified materials and meets a shock specification of 50 g, 11 ms and vibration specification of 15 g, 10 Hz to 2000 Hz. The resolvers operate over an excitation voltage range of 2 V to 15 V and excitation frequency range of 2000 Hz to 5000 Hz. Using a single magnetic pole pair, the unit provides resolution over a 360°+ range.

A custom redundant version houses two independent resolvers within the same packaging to provide reliable back-up/fail-safe in critical applications.

For more information about Honeywell’s Hawk Resolvers, click here.

Pressure Sensors Handle Liquid Media

Applications for silicon-based pressure sensors in low cost plastic packages are usually limited to air and dry gases without adding some form of additional media isolation. For Honeywell’s TruStability Pressure Sensors, an option now allows connecting one port of the sensor to condensing humidity or non-corrosive liquid media, such as de-ionized water. This simplifies the use of the HSC (High Accuracy Silicon Ceramic) Series and the SSC (Standard Accuracy Silicon Ceramic) Series in this family.

Both the HSC and SSC Series are temperature compensated, calibrated, and provide an amplified signal. The HSC Series has a ±1% total error band specification across a 0°C to 50°C [32°F to 122°F] temperature range. The SSC Series provides a ±2% total error band specification across a wider -20°C to 85°C [-4°F to 185°F] temperature range.

For more information about Honeywell’s TruStability Pressure Sensors, click here.

Eco-Friendly Sensors: Good for the Environment and Applications

Recycled corn by-product – it’s not the first design aspect I look for in a sensor. However, Carlo Gavazzi’s engineers used a potting material made of a recycled corn by-product to obtain higher resistance to mechanical stress and increase the reliability, improve the stability and provide a longer sensor lifetime for its ICB Series inductive proximity sensors.

The Eco-Friendly Inductive Proximity Sensors have air-core sensing coils that replace traditional ferrites and coils. This design provides two application advantages. For one, it has a higher immunity to magnetic fields than traditional coils. Secondly, because the sensor has no ferrite coil that could crack, it can withstand higher vibration levels and impacts than older inductive proximity sensors.

Additional information on the ICB Series includes a brochure and data sheet.

Limited Space? Not a Problem for Short Proximity Sensor

With its 6-mm package, Balluff claims to deliver the shortest self-contained inductive proximity sensors in the world. The fully integrated SuperShorty sensors do not require additional amplification and include reverse polarity and short circuit protection.

The sensors have a 1.5 mm sensing range with PNP and NPN and normally open and normally closed versions. 

 Three housing styles in metal, stainless steel and plastic, smooth or knurled plastic housings that can be press fit or glued into place and 90º cable add to sensor ability to mount in extremely small spaces.

For more information about Balluff’s SupertShorty proximity sensors, click here.

Integrated Vision System is Smart and Rugged

Adding a microprocessor to any sensor is one way to achieve smart sensing. That’s exactly what XIMEA has done for vision systems. By integrating an Intel x86 with a vision sensor, the company created a smart vision system. In addition to being smart, the CURRERA is also rugged. An IP67 class housing protects the sensor and electronics.

The smart camera has several connectivity and software interface options. For connectivity, there are Gigabit Ethernet, USB, VGA, RS232, fast and isolated Digital Inputs and Outputs. The software interfaces include GenICam / GenTL and highly optimized xiAPI SDK.

With all its levels of sophistication, the camera boasts simple deployment.  The vision system’s full functionality is delivered in single OS image file deployable within minutes. A start-up kit is available to simplify the process even further.  

For more information about CURRERA, including the system brochure, click here.