Accelerometers

Here we will provide several pages relating to Accelerometers; their make up; attributes; and applications'. If you think there is something we have missed-out, or would like to see here, please use the following link to get in touch with us.

What is acceleration ?

Acceleration is an absolute notation of the time rate of change over a distance, usually along a specified axis. A unit of measurement for acceleration is usually given either as meters/second 2 or in terms of gravitational units [Gs]. An accelerometer measures the g-forces it experiences; whilst giving a usefull output.

Shock occurs when an object in steady-state or increasing velocity comes to a stop suddenly; as in a laptop falling from a table. The term shock is applied to decelerations that occur quickly, with accelerations up to 500G and a duration of milliseconds.
Vibration is defined in terms of a regular oscillation of an object about a mean, with peak accelerations reaching + 100G.
Steady-State Acceleration is characterized by accelerations that change over time but are not consistent over some time period.

What types of Accelerometers Are There ?

There are different types of accelerometers available that will measure a variety of things useful for many electronic projects. These include: Acceleration; Tilt; Rotation; Gravity; Vibration & Incline. Each of these measurements are the result of different characteristics of the device. The make-up and components differ wildly between accelerometers; due to the number and complexity we shall only cover a few devices here:

Piezoresistive - The piezoresistive effect in semiconductors is manipulated for sensor devices, also known as strain gauge accelerometers, used for measurement of mechanical stress. They utilize different semiconductor materials to convert mechanical strain to a DC output; examples include: germanium, polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, and single crystal silicon. The gauges are mounted to a spring or between the seismic mass and the containing framework, applied stress generated by accelerations correlates with the DC Voltage output; allowing for useful measurement. Interestingly these accelerometers also give information on Steady-State accelerations.
Piezoelectric - The piezoelectric effect is a quality of some materials where they produce electricity when force is applied by the contained seismic-mass.
Capacitive – This device consists of two peizo microstructures situated with steady capaticance between them, if one is moved then the capaticance varies. Integrated circuitry converts this to a voltage allowing for easy measurement.

Asset Management & Accelerometers.

Asset Managment: What is the role of Accelerometers in the world of condition monitoring and why do they command such a presence as having a dedicated website of their own?

Their role is varied, dependent upon what you design your engineering project to look for. They will continue to improve in sensitivity for applied measurements as long as technology develops as rapidly as is expected. As such they are inclined to be replaced whereas carefully selected data acquisition systems should more than handle any extra load delivered subject to peripheral requirements.
Between 20 & 40% of a companies net worth is tied-up in its facility assets. Condition Monitoring will preserve these investments more effectively.
Fully integrated monitoring systems can reduce a companies on-going maintenance costs by 10% or more. In part by communicating operating conditions between engineers and between devices.
To Asses the condition of facilities based on engineering analysis; forecasting the remaining useful service life using a life cycle cost scenario analysis; and manage asset & maintenance budgets over strategic time-frames.

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Accelerometers

What is acceleration ?

What types of Accelerometers Are There ?

Asset Management & Accelerometers.

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