The Transducer Concept: Sensors and Actuators

In this and related lectures on sensors and actuators, we will:

-introduce the transducer concept and how it is used to categorize sensors and actuators -discuss different types of physical mechanisms used to make sensors. -show how sensing mechanisms can be modeled -introduce signal processing methods required for some sensing applications.

Prof. R.G. Longoria March 30, 2000 r.longoria@mail.utexas.edu

ME 244L Dynamic Systems and Controls Laboratory Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Texas at Austin

Transducer Concept
A transducer is a device designed to take advantage of physical transduction mechanisms that can transform energy from one form to another. Our interest is in transducers that can be classified as sensors or actuators.
ME 244L Dynamic Systems and Controls Laboratory

Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Texas at Austin

Sensors vs. Actuators

Sensors ideally convert a minimal amount of energy from a system into a form that can be detected or observed; most commonly this is electrical. Actuators supply energy to a system. In dynamic systems, the energy may fluctuate in order to achieve a desired objective (e.g., motion, temperature, etc.).

Sensors are usually designed to handle LOW power.

ME 244L Dynamic Systems and Controls Laboratory

Actuators are usually designed to handle (relatively) HIGH power.

Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Texas at Austin

Modeling Transducers
Transducers are developed from fundamental energy conversion mechanisms. These conversion mechanisms can be modeled using basic elements are used in modeling any type of energetic system. As in modeling engineering systems, we utilize:
R-elements to account for dissipation, C-elements to account for potential energy storage, and I-elements to account for kinetic energy storage.

Many basic transducers also rely on physical mechanisms that can be described by transformers (T or TF elements) or gyrators (G or GY elements), which are ideal power converters or transmitters.
ME 244L Dynamic Systems and Controls Laboratory Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Texas at Austin

Sensors
Sensors monitor a measurand (a quantity to be measured) by taking advantage of how it affects a material or geometric property that causes a change in a measurable quantity. This quantity is either directly or indirectly converted into a form that is useful for processing. Functional design around the sensing mechanism may be required in order to yield a usable output signal.
ME 244L Dynamic Systems and Controls Laboratory
Transduced signal
Measurand (True Value)

Sensor System

Optional Aux. Power

Transduced signal
Measurand (True Value)

Primary System System interacting directly with process under measurement

Secondary System

Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Texas at Austin

Example: Analog vs. Digital Tire Pressure Gauge

Graduated Stem dt Spring x Spring Pressure Pm Air x

Calibrate for Pressure

1 T

I
Piston/stem mass

C
Valve Stem

0 1
Pm

Ql

Leakage valve

Digital tire gauge (Radio Shack)

Air Leakage, Ql

Tire Pressure

ME 244L Dynamic Systems and Controls Laboratory

Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Texas at Austin

Electromechanical Transducers
Electromechanical (EM) sensors and actuators are very common in modern measurement and control systems. EM sensors generate electrical signals that can be measured using modern electronic systems.
measurand uin Sensor yin loading effect yout electrical signals yin electrical signal (or other) uout uin Actuator yout physical signal loading uout effect

Similarly, EM actuators can respond to electrical signals generated by electronic control systems.
ME 244L Dynamic Systems and Controls Laboratory Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Texas at Austin

Types of Electromechanical Sensors

Resistive Sensors Capacitive Sensors Inductive and Magnetic Sensors Piezolelectric Sensors
ME 244L Dynamic Systems and Controls Laboratory Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Texas at Austin

Supplemental Reading
Resistive sensors - FB (Ch. 12, p. 537). See Problem 12.5, p. 572. Also see: FB (Ch. 8, pp. 328-343) Capacitive sensors - not covered in FB. Inductive sensors - FB (Ch. 12, p. 537-541, p. 555556, p. 559). FB (Ch. 10, p. 466-467, p. 471-472). See Problem 12.11, p. 574. Piezoelectric sensors - FB (Ch. 12, p. 551)

ME 244L Dynamic Systems and Controls Laboratory

Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Texas at Austin

Additional References
Engineer's Mini-Notebooks written by Forrest M. Mims III (available from Radio Shack) are a must have for any serious experimenter.
All of these are excellent resources!! Inexpensive, practical. Approx. $5 each. Sensor projects Magnet and Magnet Sensor Projects

Handbook of Modern Sensors by J. Fraden, AIP Press, 1996. Expensive, but comprehensive. Sensors, Transducers & LabVIEW by Barry E. Paton, Prentice-Hall PTR, 1999. About $40 to $50. Good for the LV user, but really only provides a few examples of sensors, and most are not mainstream ME type. Nice material on computer-based instrumentation, control, etc.

ME 244L Dynamic Systems and Controls Laboratory

Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Texas at Austin