Torque: Hall-effect sensor, reaction torque sensor, torque data acquisition

The new Micronas Hall-effect sensor targets automotive and industrial applications; Futek has announced a new USB feature to its TFF400 Reaction Torque Sensor; and Binsfeld Engineering released its Op-Torq Field Test Data Acquisition System.

By Control Engineering Staff November 19, 2008

The new Micronas Hall-effect sensor targets automotive and industrial applications; Futek has announced a new USB feature to its TFF400 Reaction Torque Sensor; and Binsfeld Engineering released its Op-Torq Field Test Data Acquisition System.

Micronas’ new HAL880 programmable linear Hall-effect sensor

Micronas’ new HAL880 programmable linear Hall-effect sensor complements its family of programmable linear Hall sensors HAL 8xy. It uses digital technology and offers a linear analog output for compatibility with existing sensor designs. Based on building blocks proven in earlier Micronas Hall-effect sensors, it allows system designers to reuse acquired know-how from previous designs with the HAL 8xy family and adopt the experience to new designs to build custom-calibrated sensor assemblies at low cost.In the automotive industry, HAL 880 can deliver precision and accuracy for applications such as pedal position sensing and is suited for headlight-adjustment systems and applications requiring linear or angular position sensing but also for current sensing applications.With a junction temperature range of -40 °C to +140 °C, it is rugged enough for industrial and automotive applications.The product has “capabilities of high-end linear sensors at a price point competitive with non-programmable sensors in many applications,” says Peter Zimmermann, head of market management automotive at Micronas. “It uses process technology and circuits already proven in automotive applications.”The device uses a DSP to perform sensor linearization and can compensate for variations in the Hall effect due to operating temperature, magnetic field strength, magnet temperature, Hall-plate sensitivity, and offset voltage. Output is a push-pull 12-bit ratiometric analog output with less than 25 mV of noise. Wire-break detection is featured to ensure reliable sensing. All programming parameters are kept in the internal EEPROM, and there are 13 extra bits for customer or application data. Pin-compatible to the other members of the HAL 8xy family, HAL 880 is packaged in the industry-standard small TO92UT package. No extra pin is required for programming, which is done by modulating the current on the supply pin.

Futek Advanced Sensor Technology released TFF400 Reaction Torque Sensor with a new USB Digital Interface with 16 bits resolution. The

Futek Advanced Sensor Technology released TFF400 Reaction Torque Sensor with a new USB Digital Interface with 16 bits resolution. The USB sensor provides plug-and-play with basic software. The sensors feature a flange-to-flange mounting solution with torque measurements ranging from +/- 5 in.-oz. to 500 in.-lb. (+/-0.04 to 60 Nm) and torsional stiffness of 325 in.-oz/radians to 199,000 in.-lb/radians. It utilizes metal foil strain gage technology and features an overload protection for the low-capacity units to help prevent overload damage during installation.

The Futek sensor is made from aluminum and anodized for durability; a range of mounting options is available. Applications include fastener testing, engine testing for automotive and aerospace, automotive break testing, and prosthetic limb testing. It has a nonlinearity of Binsfeld Engineering Inc. has unveiled its Op-Torq Field Test Data Acquisition System for capturing and analyzing true mechanical torque, rpm and/or power data (kW or hp) transmitted from rotating drive shafts. The software is designed specifically to accept the digital data output stream from the TorqueTrak 10K Torque Telemetry System. It can be adapted to accept analog data from Binsfeld ’s other torque and power measurement systems, TorqueTrak 9000 and TorqueTrak Revolution. Op-Torq Field Test provides Binsfeld customers with a custom data acquisition solution to allow wireless data from the shaft to be collected onto a laptop or PC.The software features powerful graphical tools and a USB acquisition module to create a plug-and-play interface for up to two TorqueTrak systems. The Timed Acquisition mode features periodic or continuous data acquisition suitable when averaged data is desired. The High Frequency Acquisition mode offers up to 500 Hz frequency acquisition and analysis tools to conduct Torsional Vibration Analysis (TVA). Data is exported in Microsoft Excel. Graph images can be exported as JPG files, and reports can be generated in HTML. Minimum system requirements are Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent processor, 512 MB of RAM, 100 MB of available hard disk space, one available USB port, and Microsoft Windows XP operating system. — Control Engineering Register here and scroll down to select your choice of eNewsletters free.


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