Vibration Energy Harvester Powers Train Sensors

Trains provide a sustainable source of vibration energy to power sensors, at least while they are moving. Testing has shown that the vibration spectra generated by train wheels was sufficient to allow Perpetuum’s energy harvester to generate 10s of mW of electrical energy – a level sufficient to power sensors to monitor the condition of wheel bearings.

Optimized to deliver the highest power output from vibration frequencies between 30Hz – 60Hz that are typical to the rail industry, Perpetuum’s PMG Rail operates in the temperature range from -40°C to 85°C (-40°F to 185°F) and has factory programmed voltage outputs from 3V – 10V.

Other monitoring and sensing applications for the PMG RAIL products include:

- Bearing Monitoring

- GPS Location Tracking

- Hazardous Cargo Monitoring (Temperature, Pressure, “Door Open”)

- Wheel Condition Monitoring (Flats, Cracks)

- Derailment

- Braking System Monitoring

For more information about Perpetuum’s PMG RAIL products vibration energy harvesters, click here.

Miniature Triaxial Accelerometer in 6.3-mm Cube

Measuring acceleration or vibration in small spaces poses problems for applications such as small component qualification, structural vibration and environmental stress screening. PCB Piezotronics, Inc., new miniature Integrated Circuit – Piezoelectric or ICP triaxial accelerometer addresses these space-constrained applications. With a 6.3 mm (0.25-in) cube form factor, the Model 356A03 delivers 10 mV/g sensitivity.

Other features of the piezoelectric sensor include a hermetic seal design with a low noise floor and high shock limit as well as a redesigned cable strain relief connection to provide improved shear and tensile strength. The CE certified 356A03 is compatible with any ICP signal conditioner or readout device that includes ICP power.

For more information about PCB Piezotronics Model 356A03 triaxial accelerometer, click here.

Small Vibration Monitor Delivers Exceptional Low-noise Performance

A vibration monitor can prevent a myriad of problems – if it can fit within the monitored system’s space constraints and has the right performance. For noise sensitive applications with limited space, Analog Devices’ ADIS16228 iSensor vibration monitor could be that solution.

An embedded programmable processor in the MEMS-based vibration analysis system provides directional sensing and spectral analysis to identify and classify specific sources of vibration.

The noise performance of the 3-axis vibration monitor is specified at only 248 µg/ √Hz, across a dynamic range of ±18g, and the unit is configurable to ranges of 0 g to 1 g 0 to 5 g/, 0 to 10 g and 0 to 20 g.

Footprint and pin-for-pin compatible with the ADIS16210, the ADIS16228 has an extended operating temperature range of −40°C to +125°C.

For more information about Analog Devices ADIS16228 vibration monitor, click here.

The Use of Sensing Technology in Robotics Competition

Dean Kamen, president of DEKA Research and Development Corporation was the keynote speaker and winner of the Bellwether Award at Semico Research Corporation’s Semico Summit, May 1-3 in Scottsdale, AZ. The award is presented annually to a company head for notable contributions and achievements in the semiconductor industry.  Kamen won the award for his many innovative product contributions that include the Segway, iBOT wheel chair, AutoSyringe and DEKA Arm.

However, Kamen is also the founder of the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a not-for-profit organization that creates mentor-based programs designed to inspire young people to pursue the development science, engineering and technology skills. Kamen spoke to Randy Frank about the sensors in the kits for in FIRST robotics competition.

To watch the video, click here.

Accelerometer Designed for Continuous Operation to +482°C (+900°F)

At 482°C, Meggitt Sensing Systems Endevco model 6233C is rated considerably higher than the recently announced 6222S model that had a maximum 260°C operating environment. Available standard ranges of 10, 50 and 100 pC/g, the model 6233C offers a differential output with excellent performance stability over temperature and a wide operational bandwidth. The case isolated units have a standard three-point ARINC mounting and a rugged 2-pin 7/16-27 UNS 2A threaded receptacle. Target applications include high-precision vibration monitoring of high-temperature jet and turboprop engines, helicopter and rotorcraft HUMS, gas turbines and nuclear power plant machinery and equipment.

For more information about the Endevco model 6233C high temperature accelerometer, click here.

Triaxial Piezoelectric Accelerometer for General Vibration Testing

A new triaxial accelerometer from Meggitt Sensing Systems addresses a variety of requirements for general vibration testing. Applications from lighting systems and wireless equipment to helicopter engines and combustion turbines can take advantage of the Endevco model 2228C capabilities. These include:

• Sensitivity of 2.8 pC/g
• Ground isolated
• Light weight (15 gm)
• Requires no external power
• Operation over a temperature range of -55˚C to +177˚C (-67˚F to +350˚F)

For more information about Meggitt Sensing Systems Endevco model 2228C, click here.

Accelerometer Adds IEEE 1451.4 TEDS Capabilities

The IEEE 1451.4 Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS) established common templates and descriptive language for plug and play sensors. Analog sensors with the self-identification have a paper-less method of managing sensor and calibration information. Meggitt Sensing Systems Endevco model 7290D series is one of latest to incorporate the capability.

The 7290D series employs a variable capacitance element with gas damping and internal over-range stops, allowing the sensor to survive significant shock and acceleration loads of up to 10,000 g, with 2.5% total dynamic accuracy.  Units feature excellent non-linearity, including hysteresis, of typically 0.2% for ranges of 2 g to 50 g. Offered in five different models with available measurement ranges from 2 g to 100 g, the TEDS capability allows the 7290D series to be used within larger channel count instrumentation applications.

For more information on the 7290D series with TEDS, click here.

Monitor Gas Pipeline Vibration with 4-20 mA Transmitters

Monitoring machinery health is common in many industrial applications to reduce downtown and avoid catastrophic failures. When a hazardous environment such as a gas pipeline is involved, special packaging is required.   IMI Sensors newest Series 640 (hazardous area-approved versions) transmitters are manufactured to meet specific natural gas industry design requirements, including certification in accordance with ATEX and CSA for use in hazardous areas.

The two-wire, loop-powered 4-20 mA vibration sensors are enclosed in welded, hermetically sealed, stainless steel housings. With power from a 12-30 Vdc source, the 4-20 mA output can be connected to existing PLC, DCS, and SCADA systems.

For more information on the hazardous area-approved versions of IMI Sensors’ Series 640 industrial vibration transmitters, click here.

15-mm3 Package Contains MEMS Vibration Analysis System

Analog Devices just simplified the lives of industrial equipment designers who are tasked with implementing a vibration analysis system. Building on their MEMS accelerometer expertise, ADI has introduced the ADIS16227 iSensor, a tri-axial, digital vibration monitor that combines its iMEMS sensor, data conversion and sensor processing technologies with data capture and a serial peripheral interface (SPI).

The vibration monitoring aspects are quite unique for a system housed in a 15--mm³ package. The unit boasts embedded frequency domain processing, 512-point real value Fast Fourier Transforms (FFT), and the ability to identify and classify individual sources of vibration, monitor their changes over time and react to programmable threshold levels. The system has configurable spectral alarm bands and windowing options that allow the analysis of the full frequency spectrum with the configuration of 6 bands, a warning threshold (Alarm1) and a fault threshold (Alarm2 ) for earlier and more accurate detection of problems.

For more information on Analog Devices’ ADIS16227 iSensor vibration monitor, click here.

Oops! Accelerometer Targets Drop Tests and More

Meggitt Sensing Systems Endevco model 7287 piezoresistive accelerometer weighs less than one gram. However, the accelerometer is not a light-weight when it comes to testing applications. The sensor targets the measurement of long duration transient shocks found in product and packaging drop testing, shipping container shock testing, jack hammer testing and high-g destructive testing.

The microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensing element has integral mechanical stops and adds minimal mass to the test structure. The accelerometer has a measurement range of 2,000 g, 200 mV full scale output and a high resonance frequency of more than 20,000 Hz.

For more information about the Endevco model 7287 accelerometer, click here.

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