Abstract

During this lab, we were introduced to a measuring instrument known as a LVDT short for a Linear Variable Differential Transformers, in addition to being introduced to its functionality, accuracy and applications. Furthermore we tested it thoroughly against a micrometer, in addition to calculating its voltage differences in A and D voltages, and finally analysed our data using graphs and tables in order to conclude how reliable the specifications of the LVDT are.

Table of Contents
Abstract.................................................................................................................................. ! Table of ontents...................................................................................................................! "ntroduction............................................................................................................................. ! #ethod and $rocedure........................................................................................................... % &esults .................................................................................................................................. ' Discussion.............................................................................................................................. ( onclusion.............................................................................................................................. ) &eferences ............................................................................................................................ )

Introduction
LVDT short for linear variable differential transformer is a linear measurement device which is implemented using a similar concept to that of a transformer, by which it consists of a primary coil and a secondary coil in addition to an iron core. However the only difference is that the secondary coil is split into two secondary coils (called the 1st secondary coil and the nd secondary coil both having the same !" connected with each other in a configuration #nown as opposite series ($ee %ig.1". $uch a configuration relies on the position of the iron core, by which when the core displaces parallel towards the 1st secondary coil, will result in a higher voltage output in that coil, compared to the nd secondary coil. However since the input voltage is a sine wave input (&'" the voltage outputs are also in &'. (sing a signal conditioner composed of a rectifier and a filter (usually a capacitor" the output may be converted to a D' output. The difference between these D' voltages is found and using a relationship between the voltage and displacement sensitivity, the actual displacement the core has moved may be calculated mathematically using e)uation 1.

Sensitivity (V * mm " =

V out

&'

(V p p "

Displacement (mm "

Equation 1

V out D' (V DC " Displacement (mm "

!ote that in e)uation 1 the voltage on the coils may not be mathematically calculated using the transformer e)uation, which is as follows+ , where V is the voltage, since the induced current relies on both the core,s displacement in addition to the difference in the number of turns.

Method and Procedure

During this lab, we wor#ed on a LVDT trainer, which is composed of a LVDT with a micrometer attached to the core, where once the micrometer was moved- the core displaces a distance e)uivalent to that.

Table A-1 List of apparatus used

Table A-2 .easured /tems using the apparatus in Table &01 2ine wave voltage D voltage Displacement of the core

*sing this knowledge, we proceeded by moving the micrometer using increments of % mm at a time, and reading how much the core displacement has moved, tabulating them. +nce finished, we proceeded to calculating the A voltage difference and the D voltage difference. The A voltage was calculated by using a voltmeter, which measured the voltage difference between the ports T$, and T$(, located -ust before the signal conditioner and on the other hand the D voltage difference was also measure by the voltmeter between ports T$) and T$. located after the signal conditioner. /Fig. % shows the LVDT trainer and the port locations. "n addition to that, using the oscilloscope we displayed of the A sine wave between ports T$, and T$( and the D voltage between T$) and T$. at the core displacement of 0 and 10 mm. %

Figure 2

Results
The results gathered for the micrometre vs core displacement procedure can be found in table &01 and the 'ore displacement vs voltage different procedure is seen in table &02. 3hile the results obtained using the oscilloscope can be found in %ig 1 and %ig 2.

Table A-3

'

Micro-meter reading (mm) Core Displacement (mm)

3 !3. %

% 0.%

, ).%

) ,.%

0 %.!

!3 3

!% 1%

!, 1,

!) 1)

!0 10

%3 1!3

Table A-4
Core Displacement (mm) TP4 olta!e (m") TP# olta!e (m") "olta!e $i%%erence (TP#-TP4) TP6 olta!e (m") TP& olta!e (m") "olta!e $i%%erence (TP6-TP&)

-10 45 92 89 19 119 144

-8 16 88 5 27 1 7 94

-6 6 52 17 67 117 54

-4 11 54 8 57 147 24

-2 21 6 7 87 77 4

0 6 22 09 97 97 4

2 54 16 0 6 144 87 0 1

4 57 5 021 114 55 022

6 85 19 069 117 69 051

8 96 47 085 1 9 29 094

10 7 44 07 118 18 0144

Figure 3: Comparison between AC oltages at core displacement -! and ! mm

Figure 4: Comparison between DC oltage at core displacement -! and ! mm

Discussion
During the first procedure, as we moved the core with the micrometer, the LVDT trainer gave us a similar reading for the core,s displacement to that of the micrometer,s displacement, however initially between 409 mm of the micrometer, we have seen an increase in the core,s displacement by 4.1 or 4. mm. :y comparing our results with the table &02, we notice that at the core displacement greater than 4, the D' voltage difference is a bit off and can be well noticed on the graph between points 2 and 6 mm of core displacement by a dip rather than showing a linear line thus validating that this is a recurring error and is a result of errors in the system rather than human error.

& possible reason for such an error may be a result of improper calibration of the nd secondary coil or the core, or even possibly the micrometer, however due to an error of (;0 4.446 mm" it is highly uncertain to be the cause of the error. During the oscilloscope analysis we notice that the &' wave remained similar at 9 and 09 mm core displacement, however once we analysed the D' voltage we saw that it was the same voltage however the at the 09mm the voltage was ;ve and at 9mm the voltage was <ve.

Conclusion
LVDTs play a ma=or role in many engineering applications, in which they are used in Die casting machinery, %ossil fuel and !uclear >ower, ?round &ttac# vehicles, /ndustrial ?auging, /ndustrial @obots, /n=ection .elding .achinery, and the list goes on. However as useful a LVDT is, calibration is #ey to ensure that it functions as it is supposed to, for eAample some of the application re)uire a very low error in reading, and as we saw in our eAperiments, errors do occur and need to be addressed.

References
.orris, &lan $., 17290.easurement and instrumentation+ theory and application, &lan $. .orris B @eCa Langari, /$:! 7890401 019175402