4/22/2015

HowLVDTsWork|TheLVDTOperatingPrinciple

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LinearVariable
DifferentialTransformer
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HowLVDTsWork
The LVDT or Linear Variable Differential Transformer is a well established
transducer design which has been used throughout many decades for the
accuratemeasurementofdisplacementandwithinclosedloopsforthecontrol
ofpositioning.So,howdoesanLVDTwork?Initssimplestform,thedesign
consists of a cylindrical array of a primary and secondary windings with a
separatecylindricalcorewhichpassesthroughthecentre.(FigA).
Theprimarywindings(P)areenergisedwithaconstantamplitudeA.C.supply
atafrequencyof1to10kHz.Thisproducesanalternatingmagneticfieldin
the centre of the transducer which induces a signal into the secondary
windings(S&S)dependingonthepositionofthecore.
Movementofthecorewithinthisareacausesthesecondarysignaltochange
(FigB).Asthetwosecondarywindingsarepositionedandconnectedinaset
arrangement (pushpull mode), when the core is positioned at the centre, a
zerosignalisderived.
Movement of the core from this point in either direction causes the signal to
increase (Fig C). As the windings are wound in a particular precise manner,
the signal output has a linear relationship with the actual mechanical
movementofthecore.
The secondary output signal is then processed by a phasesensitive
demodulator which is switched at the same frequency as the primary
energising supply. This results in a final output which, after rectification and
filtering,givesD.C.or420mAoutputproportionaltothecoremovementand
alsoindicatesitsdirection,positiveornegativefromthecentralzeropoint(FigD).
ThedistinctadvantageofusinganLVDTdisplacementtransduceristhatthemovingcoredoesnotmakecontactwithotherelectrical
componentsoftheassembly,aswithresistivetypes,assooffershighreliabilityandlonglife.Further,thecorecanbesoalignedthat
anairgapexistsaroundit,idealforapplicationswhereminimummechanicalfrictionisrequired.
TheLVDTdesignlendsitselfforeasymodificationtofulfillawholerangeofdifferentapplicationsinbothresearchandindustry.
Sometypicalvariationsinclude:
Completesealingforpartorfullsubmersioninliquidsandgases
Heavyconstructionbuildfortoughindustrialareas
MiniatureandlowcostmodelsforpriceconsciousOEMusage
Internalelectroniccircuitryeliminatingtheneedforadditionalinstrumentation

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