Pressure sensors are important for monitoring and controlling pressure in a variety of industries and applications. Sensor Tips can help you stay informed of the latest industry news and trends. Scroll through the articles below for more information.

Robot Provides Virtual Presence at 2012 CES (Pt 1)

Ned Semonite, vice president of products at VGo Communications explains the company’s robotic telepresence product at the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. Freescale’s pressure sensors and accelerometers are used in the design of the robot as well as proximity sensors to detect stairs or potential collisions and a camera to view the surroundings in the remote location.

To watch the video, click here.

For more information about VGo products and services, click here.

For more information about Freescale Semiconductor’s acceleration sensors, click here

and pressure sensors, click here.

Hydrogen Pressure Sensor for Fuel-Cell Vehicles

Fuel-cell vehicles are among the automotive industry’s research efforts to reduce the dependence on petroleum. Monitoring the high pressure in the hydrogen storage tank(s) for a minimum of 10 year life expectancy is just one of the challenges in bringing these vehicles to volume production. With it’s recently introduced AST 2000H2 Hydrogen ASIC Pressure Sensor, American Sensor Technologies thinks this is one problem area that has been solved. The sensor is already certified for use by European and Asian automobile manufacturers as on-board hydrogen sensors for fuel cell vehicles. Anticipated volume production for these vehicles will begin in the 2014/2015 timeframe.

Exposure to hydrogen can result in hydrogen embrittlement in metals, especially high strength steel. To reduce the chance of embrittlement caused by long-term exposure to hydrogen, AST 2000H2 sensors are constructed from a version of high strength 316L stainless steel wetted parts that promote long life and resistance to media corrosion. In addition, the company’s proprietary Krystal Bond Technology that utilizes inorganic bond, free from glue line failure and outgassing reduces long-term drift to just 0.25% per year.

For more information about American Sensor Technologies’ AST 2000H2 Hydrogen ASIC Pressure Sensor, click here.

MEMS IMU Delivers 10-Degree-of-Freedom Capability

Today, there are several sources for six degrees of freedom (DoF) sensors. However, when 6DoF is not enough, the newest solution from Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) may be the answer. The ADIS16488 is a 10-DoF sensor that integrates a tri-axis gyroscope, tri-axis accelerometer, tri-axis
magnetometer and a pressure sensor into a single package. Based on microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology, the four different sensors not only fit into a 66.04x 64.77×14-mm package, they provide high performance and stability.

With bias stability of less than 10 degrees/hr), other inertial measurement unit (IMU) parameters include:

• Triaxial, digital gyroscope with digital range
  scaling,  ±450°/sec dynamic range
• Triaxial, digital accelerometer, ±18 g
• Triaxial, delta-angle and delta velocity outputs
• Triaxial, digital magnetometer, ±2.5 gauss
• Digital pressure sensor, 300 mbar to 1100 mbar

For more information about Analog Devices ADIS16488 10-degree-of-freedom sensor, click here.

Vampires vs. Zombies Who will be the Deadliest?

For centuries there existed two iconic enemies on a ghoulish and archaic battlefield: the vampire and the zombie. And as sheer happenstance would have it, the two would oppose forces once again on none other than Spike TV’s Deadliest Warrior.  With battle merits in agility, endurance, and overall combative tactics, the two archenemies wait on Deadliest Warrior to crown the victor based on the data they have collected. But aren’t we getting ahead of ourselves here? Allow me to carry you into a tale that cunningly enough brings FUTEK into the mix of this haunting skirmish.

Behind the woodworks of Spike TV’s Deadliest Warrior lay an esteemed group of engineers and analytical experts who use their knowledge to conjure up combative scenarios between two likeminded enemies (i.e. vampires and zombies). Through experimental studies of weaponry, man-to-man combat, and comprehensive battle strategy, this team allots each competitor a numerical value for their expertise in the abovementioned. With these numerical values, the analytics team runs a series of simulations leading to the answer of: “Who will be the deadliest?” But never would FUTEK think that their industrial manufacturing company would find itself performing alongside Hollywood, let alone the possibility of vampires and zombies. But it happened, all on the silver screen.

The matchup begins with honored veterans in both vampire and zombie knowhow joining the Deadliest Warrior crew. After intense debate on the skill sets these two barbaric scavengers posses, it is settled that the predominant tactical values should be based on: the bite delivered by both zombie and vampire, the brute strength of man-to-man combat and the endurance to survive the attack. And thus, the testing began.

(Might I mention that outside “assistance” will be utilized to provide as close to real life results for fantasy scenarios such as this.)

To simulate the ruthless bite of a feverish zombie, Joey, a hefty Rottweiler, was coyly provoked to attack an armor arm oblivious to the fact that FUTEK’s load cell laid amidst his trainer’s arm protection. And so, with a count down of three, two, one, Joey assaulted his padded ally. As hundreds of pounds of force pressed down upon the load cell, FUTEK’s USB SensIT Software detected Joey’s maximum force exerted to be 255 lbs. That’s quite a bite. But how will it compare to that of Sir Dracula?

In the attempt to bring in a source seemingly comparable to that of this apex predator, it only seemed appropriate that another four-legged friend’s assistance be utilized. Yes, an alligator famously known as Ripper was coined with a striking jaw resemblance to that of a vampire. Unlike the tail-wagging Rottweiler, Ripper knew he was at the Deadliest Warrior facilities on official jaw dropping business. And thus, he didn’t hold back as he delivered 1,723 lbs. of force onto a 5,000 lbs. Load Button.

It seems, by comparison, that this duel was an easy feat for the fanged vampire.  But there lie other avenues for the zombie to perhaps excel in.

The combative strength of a zombie is fueled by the virus he carries. He is voided of any regard to danger, pain, or weakness, and simply possesses the need to savagely spread the virus to which he was exposed. However, though his physical prowess may be impeccable, is he fast enough to make an efficient kill? This very question was answered by an assembled team of strong men. With the use of their bare hands, they were timed as they ravenously dug through faux vampire flesh, bone, and inners in the hopes of reaching this vamp’s heart. And within two minutes they did. Yet, this retrieval was still no match to the vampire’s gruesome clawed hand thrashing the skull of the zombie and puncturing the brain in less than two seconds time.

Now I will leave some detailing out of this rendition, hoping that you will find yourself eager enough to manage your way into watching this episode in it’s entirety. But I will say this, FUTEK does not consider themselves a member of the screen actors’ guild. But I’m sure they would take a small applause for their performance alongside Joey, Ripper, and the “Deadliest.”

FUTEK
www.futek.com 

Measure Pressures as Low as 0 to 2-In H2O

Measuring low pressures cost effectively is always a tricky proposition. The MS4515 Series of pressure sensors is a ceramic-based, PCB-mount design that uses CMOS signal conditioning circuitry to create a low cost, high performance sensor. Units are available in various calibration ranges between 0-2” H2O up to 0-30” H2O.

The analog version, MS4515, has a ratiometric voltage output while the MS4515DO provides a 14-bit digital output for pressure and a 11-bit output for temperature in an I2C or SPI protocol.

Available with single or dual side ports, top ports or manifold mount in a gauge or differential configuration, the sensor has 1/8-in barbed pressure ports to mate securely with 3/32-in ID tubing.

For more information about the MS4515 Series of analog output pressure sensors, click here.

For more information about the MS4515DO Series of digital output pressure sensors, click here.

Reliably Sensing Ultra Low Pressure

Honeywell TruStability ultra-low pressure sensors have three performance attributes difficult to achieve in the same product: high sensitivity with high overpressure and burst pressure.

The new sensors have an amplified compensated digital or analog output for reading pressure over the full-scale pressure span in the ultra-low pressure range of ±2.5 mbar to ±40 mbar [±1 inH₂O to ±30 inH₂O].  As a result, the units can address many low pressure industrial and medical applications including the more difficult clogged filter detection (industrial) and ventilators (medical).

The overpressure ranges are above 135 inH2O (336 mbar) and burst pressures are  above 415 inH2O (1034 mbar) for these ultra low pressure units allowing them to handle a wide range of application conditions.

Using a Total Error Band (TEB) approach to specify the sensor’s accuracy over the compensated temperature range, users do not have to calculate the total effect of individual errors that could occur in their applications. The TEB for the HSC Series varies between ±1 %FSS and ±3 %FSS (depending on the pressure range), while the TEB for the SSC Series varies between ±2 %FSS and ±5 %FSS (depending on the pressure range).

Honeywell claims an industry-leading accuracy of ±0.25 % FSS BFSL (Best Fit Straight Line) for the new sensors.

For more information about Honeywell TruStability Ultra-Low Pressure Sensors, click here.

Sensors Enable Portable Healthcare Innovations

Sensors as well as communication ICs and microcontrollers provide the enabling technologies for several new innovations in healthcare. A Kalorama Information Dec. 1, 2010 report estimates that the global market for medical mobile apps hit $84.M in 2010, increasing more than 2X its 2009 level of $41M. This is just the downloadable software portion of the market enabled by wireless sensing.

In spite of the difficulties in obtaining medical approvals for hardware, some companies are making definite progress in applying these advanced technologies.

Proteus Biomedical has developed a U.S. FDA 510K cleared and European Union CE Mark-certified personal patch-based wearable sensors for continuous physiologic sensing and monitoring. Proteus’ personal monitoring technology uses multiple sensors to monitor parameters including heart rate, physical activity, and sleep patterns. The figure shows an example of the types of measurements and monitoring system the company has developed.

This is just one example of how the pace is accelerating for healthcare monitoring. Lifecomm, a mobile health and wellness venture of Hughes Telematics, Qualcomm’s Health & Life Sciences Division, and American Medical Alert are working together to launch a 3G personal emergency response service (PERS) at the end of 2011. Lifecomm’s solution will include motion sensors and automatically initiate a call for help in the event of a fall.

Pressure Indicating Sensor Film

Typical measurement systems average or provide a point measurement. So how can you quickly observe the pressure distribution across an entire surface in applications such as the interface pressure of gaskets, clamps, heat sealing elements, composite layups, LCD panels, and heat sinks?  One answer is Fuji Prescale, a Mylar tactile pressure indicating sensor film. Simply placing the 4 to 8-mil thick film between two surfaces and then applying the normal or other desired measurement criteria (max, min, overstress, etc.) pressure produces a permanent color change directly proportionate to the pressure. Since the color change is permanent, it can be archived for future reference. A range of pressure sensitive films are available from 7.2 to 43,200 psi.

For more information about Fuji Prescale sensor film from Sensor Products Inc., click here.

STMicroelectronics’ Three MEMS Sensors Provide 10 DoF

If a single MEMS sensor is good, a system that provides 10 degrees of freedom (DoF) should be an order of magnitude better.

The three ST MEMS sensors include a geo-magnetic module, a gyroscope, and a pressure sensor. With these sensors, a consumer device can provide a complete indication of its linear acceleration, angular velocity, earth gravity, heading and altitude. The sensors provide three axes of linear motion, three axes of angular motion, three axes of magnetic motion and an altitude axis resulting in ten degrees of freedom (DoF).

In a 3 x 5 x 1mm package, the LSM303DLHC geo-magnetic module integrates three-axis sensing of linear and magnetic motion.

In a 4 x 4 x 1-mm package, the L3G4200D three-axis digital gyroscope provides output accuracy and stability over temperature and time.

While it is only available now in the 10-DoF sensor solution for evaluation, the pressure sensor provides the altimeter portion of the system. In a 3 x 3 x 1-mm package, the device has an operating pressure range of 260 – 1260 millibars. This corresponds to the atmospheric pressures between -700 and +10000m relative to sea level.

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.

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