ACCELEROMETERS

most common inertial sensors

measuresproper acceleration
typically used in one of three modes:
As an inertial measurement of velocity and
position;
As a sensor of inclination, tilt, or orientation in 2
or 3 dimensions, as referenced from the
acceleration of gravity (1 g = 9.8m/s2);
As a vibration or impact (shock) sensor.

Typesof Accelerometer
capacitive sensing
capacitive sensing output a voltage dependent on
the distance between two planar surfaces
One or both of these plates are charged with an
electrical current
Changing the gap between the plates changes
the electrical capacity of the system, which can
be measured as a voltage output
piezoelectric effect
acceleration is directly proportional to force
charges of opposite polarity accumulate on
opposite sides of the crystal
charge accumulates on the crystal and is
translated and amplified into either an output
current or voltage

Potentiometric
measures motion of the proof mass motion by
attaching the spring mass to the wiper arm of a
potentiometer
position of the mass and thereby, changing
acceleration is translated to changing resistance
natural frequency of these devices is generally less
than 30 Hz
they can measure down to 0 Hz (DC response)
Piezo-resistive accelerometers
use piezo-resistive materials, i.e., strain gauges
On application of the force ,resistance of these strain
gages changes
change in resistance is monitored to measure the
acceleration

Variable inductance accelerometers

in LVDTs , proof mass is made of ferromagnetic
materials
proof mass is designed in the form of core which
can move in or out of the coil
When the body is accelerated, the proof mass
moves
portion of the core inside the coil changes and so
the coil impedance
the coil impedance is a function of the applied
acceleration.