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March 1965 Brief 65-10085
NASA TECH
NASA Tech Briefs are issued by the Technology Utilization Division to summarize specific
technical innovations derived from the space program. Copies are available to the public from
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia, 22151.
Transducer Senses Displacements of Panels Subjected to Vibration
Coils, 200 Turns Each
Vibrating 0
Aluminum Tube
Input
20 Kc Power
Output Terminals
The problem: Measuring the surface displacements Electrical power is supplied to the unit by a commer-
of nonferrous metal panels subjected to vibration or cially available 20 kc signal generator. The input and
flutter such as produced by high-velocity winds. The output leads must be individually shielded. The coil at
transducer to be used for the measurements must not the sensing end, placed in proximity to the test surface,
be placed in physical contact with any portion of the varies in inductance as the surface vibrates. The op-
test panel. posite coil is not affected and serves as a stable refer-
ence. The device has a flat frequency response of I kc
The solution: An inductive vibration sensor, 0.25
and produces a voltage output which varies approxi-
inch in diameter by 2 inches in length, that can be po-
mately as the inverse square of the distance of the
sitioned 0.02 to 0.7 inch from the surface of a non-
sensing end of the coil from the panel surface. Because
ferrous metal panel.
of the nonlinear characteristic of the sensor, a calibra-
How it's done: The sensor employs a simple circuit tion curve is needed for each position relative to the
consisting of two counter-wound coils on a common surface where a null point is established. The device
core enclosed in an aluminum tube. A bridge circuit is can detect a displacement of 0.00002 inch when it is
formed by the addition of two resistors of equal value. positioned at 0.05 to 0.1 inch from a surface. When the
Icnnlintied overleali
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National this document, or that the use of any information, apparatus, method,
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States Govern. or process disclosed in this document may not infringe privately-owned
ment, nor NASA, nor any person acting on behalf of NASA: A. Makes rights; or B. Assumes any liabilities with respect to the use of, or for
any warranty or representation, express or implied, with respect to the damages resulting from the use of, any information, apparatus, method,
accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained in or process disclosed in this document.
device is positioned at a distance of 0.5 to 0.7 inch 2. Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di-
from the surface, its detection capability decreases to rected to:
0.002 inch. Technology Utilization Officer
Notes: Ames Research Center
Moffett Field, California, 93523
I. The sensor can best measure surface displacements
Reference: B65-10085
in a flat plate of nonferrous metal that is a moder-
ately good electrical conductor and more than Patent status: NASA encourages commercial use
0.005-inch thick. It can also be used to a limited of this innovation. No patent action is contemplated.
extent for ferrous metals and surfaces of unsym- Source: Richard 0. Pea
metrical configuration. (ARC-37)
Brief 65-10085 Category No. 01
