Velocity Sensors
Sensors are devices which detect variations in a physical incitement and turn it into a signal which can then be measured and recorded. Sensors transform several types of energy in different forms such as radiant energy, movement, thermal energy, magnetic energy and electrical signals. In addition, sensors come in different types that are very useful for different specific functions.
The first sensor, thermostat was released in market in the year 1883 which was then considered as the first ever manmade sensor to be modernized; then there came in 1940s the infrared sensors followed by the invention and release of different motion sensors. Sensors are being used every day such as in elevator buttons which are touch sensitive and have now applications in cars, robotics, medicine and machinery and manufacturing as well as in airplane.
The first velocity sensor on the other hand was the anemometer. Anemometer is used to measure the wind speed which is known to be an instrument in wind stations. Anemometer was first developed in the fifteenth century which was invented by Leon Battista Alberti. As time goes on, many more inventors tried and succeeded to device and invent different types of anemometer. The most recent was Dr. Andrews Pflitsch who developed a sonic anemometer in 1994.
Velocity is a measure of how fast something or someone is moving and it is not that easy to measure accurately without the use of measuring instruments. Today, people of science have developed velocity sensors which can measure precisely and accurately velocities of different entities. In control systems of engine, it is necessary to identify the speed of moving gears. For the missile or rocket systems, scientists need to know the velocity of the missile at different stages or time of the flight. There are different principles that are engaged with velocity sensors.
The Variable Reluctance Speed Sensors can convert mechanical motion to electric energy without direct contact given that it is positioned near a rotor, gear, shaft or any other moving device. This sensor is made up of coil wire wound around a magnetic material which is cylindrical; magnetic field and an increase or decrease in flux sends signal to the electronic circuitry that is then processed to be projected in the output screen. The most common use of these sensors is for measuring the speed of crankshaft gear tooth and for the turbine speed of jet engines.
There are also these tacho generators which measure angular velocity. As there is rotation of the wheel in a rotating shaft, the air gap between coils and Ferro-magnet results to a flux linked and alternates the emf in the coil; and the Emax is measured by the device which is the measure of the angular velocity. A pyroelectric sensor on the other hand is consists of pyroelectric crystal, polarized with electrodes of thin metal film on both sides. For it to be able to detect motion of a person or any other sources of heat, the element which senses the changes must be able to differentiate between the heat radiation that is emitted by the moving source and the general background. Another type is the liquid flow sensors which measures the flow rate of liquids that is based on the drop in pressure happening when the liquid continuous to flow through a construction.
One of the latest velocity sensors is the AccuSense F150 HVAC that measures air velocity which is by means of a state-of-the-art persistent change in temperature technology that will be able to obtain an accurate, stable air velocity and air temperature measurements. Velocity sensors have a lot installed for the future as it makes measuring easily and accurately. Today, there are many more innovations happening and being discovered by inventors so as to improve the quality and make every velocity sensors useful in different ways.
Works Cited:
Bǎnicǎ, Florinel-Gabriel. Chemical Sensors and Biosensors:Fundamentals and Applications. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons. p. 576. Web. 16 Oct. 2014.
