CHAPTER 3

SENSOR & ACTUATOR

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Sensors and actuators are two critical components of every closed loop control system.

• A sensing unit can be as simple as a single sensor or can consist of additional components such as filters,
amplifiers, modulators, and other signal conditioners.

• The controller accepts the information from the sensing unit, makes decisions based on the control
algorithm, and outputs commands to the actuating unit. The actuating unit consists of an actuator and
optionally a power supply and a coupling mechanism.

• Sensor is a device that when exposed to a physical phenomenon (temperature, displacement, force, etc.)
produces a proportional output signal (electrical, mechanical, magnetic, etc.).
 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

• The term transducer is often used synonymously with sensors.

• However, ideally, a sensor is a device that responds to a change in the physical phenomenon.
• On the other hand, a transducer is a device that converts one form of energy into another form of
energy.
• Sensors are transducers when they sense one form of energy input and output in a different form of
energy. For example, a thermocouple responds to a temperature change (thermal energy) and
outputs a proportional change in electromotive force (electrical energy). Therefore, a thermocouple
can be called a sensor and or transducer.
CLASSIFIC ATION OF SENSORS
(INTERNAL, EXTERNAL ETC.)
CLASSIFIC ATION OF SENSORS
(INTERNAL, EXTERNAL ETC.)
CLASSIFICATION OF SENSORS
(INTERNAL, EXTERNAL ETC.)
• [Link]
• [Link]
SENSOR GENERALITIES
 SENSOR VIDEO

• [Link]
SENSOR CHARACTERISTICS
 SENSOR CHARACTERISTICS

• Precision —Ability to reproduce repeatedly with a given accuracy

• Sensitivity —Ratio of change in output to a unit change of the input

• Error - is the difference between a measured value and the true input value

• Accuracy - This is the maximum difference between the indicated and actual
reading.

• Cost - Generally more precision costs more. Some sensors are very inexpensive,
but the signal conditioning equipment costs are significant.

• Environmental - Sensors all have some limitations over factors such as temperature,
humidity, dirt/oil, corrosives and pressures. For example many sensors will work in
relative humidities (RH) from 10% to 80%.
 ACTUATOR

• In industrial control systems, an actuator is a hardware device that converts a

controller command signal into a change in a physical parameter.

• The change in the physical parameter is usually mechanical, such as a position or

velocity change.

• An actuator is a transducer, because it changes one type of physical quantity, such as

electric current, into another type of physical quantity, such as rotational speed of
an electric motor.

• The controller command signal is usually low level, and so an actuator may also
require an amplifier to strengthen the signal sufficiently to drive the actuator.
 ACTUATOR
• Most actuators can be classified into one of three categories, according to the type of amplifier: (1)
electric, (2) hydraulic, and (3) pneumatic.

• Electric actuators are most common; they include electric motors of various kinds, solenoids, and
electromechanical relays.

• Electric actuators can be either linear (output is linear displacement) or rotational (output is angular
displacement).

• Hydraulic actuators use hydraulic fluid to amplify the controller command signal. The available devices
provide either linear or rotational motion. Hydraulic actuators are often specified when large forces
are required.

• Pneumatic actuators use compressed air (typically “shop air” in the factory) as the driving power..
Because of the relatively low air pressures involved, these actuators are usually limited to relatively
low- force applications compared with hydraulic actuators.
 ACTUATOR MOVEMENT TYPE

Actuator movement type

• Actuators can be categorized based on their movement type, either linear or rotary. Linear actuators
produce linear motion in a straight line, while rotary actuators produce rotary motion in a circular path.

Linear actuators
• Linear actuators move objects along a straight line and use a belt and pulley, rack and pinion, or ball screw
to convert electric motor rotation into linear motion.
• Linear actuators stop at a fixed linear distance and are known for their high repeatability and positioning
accuracy, easy installation and operation, low maintenance, and ability to withstand harsh environments.
• These actuators are commonly used in food processing, automotive, material handling, and more for tasks
like pushing, pulling, lifting, and positioning.
 ACTUATOR MOVEMENT TYPE

Rotary actuators
• Rotary actuators convert energy into rotary motion through a shaft to control equipment speed, position,
and rotation.
• These actuators have a continuous rotational motor and are versatile in usage.
• An electric motor is a rotary actuator powered by an electric signal. They have high torque, constant torque
during full angle rotation, compatibility with different diameters, hollow shafts with zero backlash, twice the
output, low maintenance, and can achieve any degree of rotation.
• Rotary actuators are used in medical equipment, radar and monitoring systems, robotics, flight simulators,
the semiconductor industry, special machine manufacturing, and defense.
 TYPES OF ACTUATOR

• Pneumatic actuators: Pneumatic actuators use compressed air to generate [Link] can be used for
various applications, such as moving machine parts or controlling valve positions. They are often preferred for
applications that require high force, fast response times, or explosion-proof environments.

• Hydraulic actuators: Hydraulic actuators use fluid pressure to generate motion. They are commonly used
for heavy-duty applications such as construction equipment, manufacturing machinery, and industrial robots.
Hydraulic actuators offer high levels of force, durability, and reliability.

• Electric actuators: Electric actuators use electrical energy to generate motion. They can be driven by AC or
DC motors and are often used in applications that require precise control, low noise, and low maintenance.
Electric actuators are commonly used in automation systems, medical devices, and laboratory equipment.
 TYPES OF ACTUATOR

• Magnetic and thermal actuators: Magnetic and thermal actuators are two types of
actuators that use magnetic and temperature changes to generate motion, respectively.
Magnetic actuators use magnetic fields to generate [Link] actuators use the expansion
or contraction of materials in response to temperature changes. Both actuators are commonly
used in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and other miniaturized applications.

• Mechanical actuators: Mechanical actuators use physical mechanisms such as levers, gears,
or cams to generate motion. Mechanical actuators are commonly used in applications where
low cost, simple operation, and durability are important. Examples include hand-crank
machines, manual valve systems, and mechanical locks.