Displacement Sensors

Displacement transducers, which are also known as eddy current probes or

proximity probes are non-contact transducers used to measure relative
movement between the shaft and the tip of the sensor.
They are typically drilled into journal bearing or sleeve bearing. Hence they are
difficult and expensive to install. Proximity probes are very useful in plotting
orbit diagram-how the shaft is moving within the bearing when installed 90o
apart.
Displacement transducers are suitable for low frequency measurement such as in
turbine and compressor applications.
A proximity probe consists of three main components: a driver, a probe, and a
cable.
A voltage is supplied to the driver that produces RF signal. That signal is then
transmitted to the probe through the cable. A coil inside the probe tip generates
a magnetic field.
As the distance to the shaft changes, the absorption of the magnetic field causes
the output probe to decrease or increase in proportion to the gap distance.