Position transducers convert mechanical motion into an electrical signal that may be metered, recorded, or transmitted. Position transducers consist of a stainless steel extension cable wound on a threaded drum that is coupled to a precision rotary sensor such as an incremental encoder, absolute encoder, hybrid or conductive plastic rotary potentiometer, RVDT, synchro, or resolver.
Operationally, the position transducer is mounted in a fixed position and the extension cable is attached to a moving object. The axes of linear movement for the extension cable and moving object are aligned with each other. As movement occurs, the cable extracts and retracts. An internal spring maintains tension on the cable. The threaded drum rotates a precision rotary sensor that produces an electrical output proportional to the cable travel. The output is measured to reflect the position, direction, or rate of motion of the moving object.
How Position Transducers Are Used in Industry and Science
Position transducers are used in a broad range of position, displacement, and velocity measurement applications to:
Measure distance traveled
Continually sense location or relative position
Indicate levels
Act as limit sensors
Control actuators through position sensing
Act as signal generators for recording position versus time, cycle rate, or magnitude of random/cycle events
Monitor relative motion
Indicate events
A Few of the Industries Using Position Transducers
Aircraft/Aerospace
Robotics
Automotive/Transportation/Racing
Space Research
HVAC
Test and Measurement
Entertainment
Maritime/Naval
Hydraulics and Pneumatics
Laboratories
Industrial Automation
Motion Control
Water Service and Treatment
Medical
Oil and Gas
Railroad/Trucking
