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 […]
Accelerometer
MEMS-Based Gas Meter Flow Sensors
Experts predict that gas meters are poised to undergo the same change as electricity meters for smarter, remote meter reading. In response, STMicroelectronics and Omron have collaborated to provide a complete solution for electronic gas meter flow sensors. The design uses an Omron transducer and a companion analog front-end chip developed by ST. The resulting […]
Highly Integrated MEMS-Based Motion Sensing
Motion sensing is at the heart of several new features in consumer products including cell phone, tablet PCs and games. InvenSense has been a major player in these applications but its newest product family makes motion sensing even easier to design and manufacturer. MPU-6000 product family integrates a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis accelerometer on […]
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 […]
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 […]
Accelerometer Targets Advanced Automotive Airbag Applications
Accelerometers for automotive airbag systems showcased the potential for microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensors when they were first introduced almost two decades ago. With airbags standard on US and other regions’ vehicles, and several sensors used in these systems, the application continues to spawn product advancements. Most recently, STMicroelectronics introduced a new family of high-g acceleration […]
IMI Sensors Universal Transmitter Provides 24/7 Industrial Vibration Monitoring
IMI Sensors model 682A16 is a Universal Transmitter, a DIN rail mounted, relay module with optional detachable front panel LCD display and programmer (Model 070A80 sold separately) for industrial monitoring, control, and alarm requirements. The 682A16 provides loop power for 2-wire, 4-20 mA sensors and ICP excitation for analog 8 mV/g to 120 mV/g accelerometers. […]
Sensing Functions to Increase in Smartphones
ABI Research says that by 2013, 85% of smartphones will ship with GPS, over 50% will ship with accelerometers and almost 50% will have gyroscopes. A sensor-driven user interface (UI) will be an increasing theme in the next wave of mobile UI innovation. This will turn objects, locations, and people into networked, interactive elements according […]
Reverse Engineering Process & Costing Analysis of the STMicroelectronics 3-Axis Accelerometer
Finding out how a particular sensor is constructed can provide some helpful information, especially for a competitor. However, potential users may also want to know more about what is inside a sensor that they are considering – before they decide to purchase it. For STMicroelectronics LIS331DLH 3-Axis Accelerometer, Yole Developpement has just published a reverse […]
IMI Sensors Adds ATEX Approval to its Series 686B Smart Vibration Switch
With ATEX as well as CSA approval for use in hazardous environments, IMI Sensors Series 686B USB Programmable Smart Vibration Switch is positioned to address protection of cooling towers, fin fans, pumps, HVAC systems, and other critical machinery operated in hazardous areas. Based on an embedded piezoelectric accelerometer, the switch monitors vibration velocity for more consistent […]