EXPERIMENT A5

Precision Measurements of Displacements

Summary:
In this experiment you will be using two similar types of instruments
which are commonly employed to measure precision displacements.
These are

LVDT: Linear Variable Differential Transformer

RVDT: Rotary Variable Differential Transformer

The background and experimental sections will familiarize you with some of the
most important features of these instruments. In the laboratory, you will first use
an LVDT and perform a simple calibration procedure for this device.
Next you will calibrate an RVDT and then employ it in a torque experiment. The
RVDT has been mounted on an experimental jig that is designed to measure
strain, shaft rotation, and torque in a steel rod.
The lab will also incorporate LabVIEW and Excel software packages.
Please pay particular attention to the accuracy and precision of the LVDT and
RVDT. You will be examining their fundamental linearity and operational ranges.
Basic Pre-Lab Instructions:
Your key to success in this lab is to come prepared!

Before arriving at the lab, read through this lab module so that you will
understand what the lab procedure is and how the lab equipment is
used.

Each group should answer all the questions on the preliminary

question sheet to be turned in at the beginning of the lab.

Each group will write one report.

Timing: This lab will take approximately 3 hours to complete.

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A teaching assistant or lab technician will assist you with this

lab.

The lab will be held in Gavett 114.

To sign-up for this lab please go to the bulletin board opposite Scott
Russells office (Hopeman 120) and sign up for one of the lab sessions.

Background:
What is an LVDT?
The linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) is a type of electrical transformer used for
measuring linear displacement. The transformer has three solenoid coils placed end-to-end around a
tube. The centre coil is the primary, and the two outer coils are the secondaries. A cylindrical
ferromagnetic core, attached to the object whose position is to be measured, slides along the axis of the
tube.
An alternating current is driven through the primary, causing a voltage to be induced in each
secondary proportional to its mutual inductance with the primary. The frequency is usually in the range 1
to 10 kHz.
As the core moves, these mutual inductances change, causing the voltages induced in the
secondaries to change. The coils are connected in reverse series, so that the output voltage is the
difference (hence "differential") between the two secondary voltages. When the core is in its central
position, equidistant between the two secondaries, equal but opposite voltages are induced in these two
coils, so the output voltage is zero.
When the core is displaced in one direction, the voltage in one coil increases as the other
decreases, causing the output voltage to increase from zero to a maximum. This voltage is in phase with
the primary voltage. When the core moves in the other direction, the output voltage also increases from
zero to a maximum, but its phase is opposite to that of the primary. The magnitude of the output voltage
is proportional to the distance moved by the core (up to its limit of travel), which is why the device is
described as "linear". The phase of the voltage indicates the direction of the displacement.
Because the sliding core does not touch the inside of the tube, it can move with little friction,
making the LVDT a highly reliable device. The relative absence of any sliding or rotating contacts can
also allow the LVDT to be sealed against a given operating environment.
LVDTs are commonly used for position feedback in servo-mechanisms, and for automated
measurement in machine tools, control systems, robots, and many other industrial and mechanical
systems.

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Cutaway view of an LVDT. Current is driven through the

primary coil at A, causing an induction current to be
generated through the secondary coils at B.

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The LVDT or Linear Variable Differential Transformer is a fundamental tool in

the Department of Mechanical Engineerings laboratories. In all of the
departments LVDTs the basic thing to remember is that all are designed to
generate an output signal which is proportional to the position of a moveable
core with respect to the transformer windings. Typical applications for this
device include very precise measurement of displacements as in the tensile
test lab that is part of your ME242 lab experience.
In the tensile test an LVDT is used to measure the displacement of the tensile
specimen throughout its elastic region. These displacements are small and
approximately 0.005 to 0.010 inch. In our Mechanical Engineering graduate
laboratories LVDTs have been utilized in experiments to detect solid phase
transformations in materials by sensing the associated volume change that
occurs in the material upon transformation.
Automobile manufacturers are now using LVDTs for their ability to very
rapidly yield precise positional data. LVDTs are attached to automobile
accelerator pedals with the electronic output fed to the vehicles fuel/air
mixture computer. This signal is used to help compute the appropriate
fuel/air mixtures for efficiency, economy, and non-polluting requirements for
modern engines.
Fig 1: LVDT attached to tensile test specimen in ME Lab Experiment
A1

LVDT
Tensile Test Machine
Specimen Grips

What is an RVDT?
The Rotational Variable Differential Transformer (RVDT) is used to measure rotational angles and
operates under the same principles as the LVDT sensor. However, the LVDT uses a cylindrical iron
core whereas the RVDT uses a rotary ferromagnetic core.
Test Specimen

The RVDT is a useful tool and features relative low cost. The device is quite robust and is capable
of working in a wide variety of environments. Like the LVDT, the RVDT has low friction resistance
and as the iron core does not contact the transformer coils they typically have a very long service
life.
Connector
A Bracket
key to for
the RVDT is that it has a high signal to noise ratio and low output impedance with
LVDT
Grips
negligible hysteresis. As might be expected with a rotational sensor the RVDTs angle resolution is

limited by the resolution of the amplifiers and voltage meters used to process the output signal.

The September, 2005 edition of Machine Design Magazine reports that custom hybrid ball
bearings from a company called Pacamor Kubar Bearings go into rocket-engine controls and are
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able to withstand both cryogenic temperatures and the vacuum of space. The bearings are special
in that they support a shaft in RVDT gear-heads. The RVDT supplies position feedback to an
actuator that adjusts a throttle-control valve for an upper-stage rocket engine. The rocket booster,
when completed, will be used to deploy satellites.
The RVDT unit operates at 425F which is too cold for standard lubricants. The RVDT must also
tolerate repeated oscillating motions. PKB engineers spec'd bearings with a special PTFE-based
retainer. This low-friction material has good chemical resistance, handles low and high
temperatures, and provides limited lubrication. The use of dry-film lubricants and ceramic bearing
balls further help the RVDT-based bearings survive in the harsh environment.

Apparatus:
In this experiment we will be using an LVDT, RVDT, transducer system,
various fixtures, and LabVIEW data recorder. These are seen in the figure
below.

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LVDT and RVDT

transducer
system

LabVIEW data
acquisition signal
conditioner device

RVDT fixture

LabVIEW
system

LVDT fixture

Fig 2: Lab
Apparatus

LVDT Experimental Procedures:

In this experiment we will first calibrate and develop a calibration curve for
the LVDT. For this part we will use the LVDT fixture with micrometer, LVDT,
transducer, and LabVIEW data collection system. As stated in the prior
reading LVDTs are only linear over a certain range of core motions.
Step 1: With the electronics connected run the LabVIEW program LVDT &
RVDT.vi. A graph of voltage response will appear on the computer screen as
well as a digital read-out of the LVDTs voltage.
Step 2: Depress the pin on the LVDT and watch the change in voltage.
Step 3: Depress the pin and watch the voltage change when the core is
outside, inside, and then outside again.
Question 1: What is the signal value when the core is outside the case?
Answer:
Question 2: What causes it?
Answer:
Step 4: Prepare the LVDT for calibration by mounting it in the test fixture. See
the figure below for placement.

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LVDT core
LVDT

micrometer

LVDT fixture

Fig 3: LVDT Fixture

Step 5: Starting at the micrometers 1-inch line, turn the micrometer dial
until the voltage reading on LabVIEW has decreased 0.5 volts.
Step 6: Using the attachment at the back of this lab record the voltage and
the micrometer dial reading.
Step 7: Continue the process until the micrometer gage reaches the zero
position.
Question 3: Make a plot of output signal vs. displacement. Attach it to your
report.
Question 4:
LVDT?

Based on your measurements what is the resolution of the

Answer:
Question 5: Be sure to address what factor limits the resolution of the
system in your discussion. What is the resolution of the micrometer?
Answer:
Question 6: Which is more reproducible, the LVDT or the micrometer? Why?
Answer:
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Question 7: Which would you expect to be more reproducible?

Answer:
Note: LVDTs are usually used to measure displacement. Often, other
variables can be made to produce core displacements proportional to their
values such as floating the core in a liquid level detector or attaching the
core to a spring in a force transducer. The LVDT core can be slung from a
very compliant spring so that the core acts as a seismic mass producing an
output that is proportional to acceleration.
RVDT Experimental Procedure:
In this experiment we will next calibrate the RVDT. To do this we will utilize
the dial wheel and micrometer jig as seen in the figure below.

micrometer

Fixture with dial

RVDT

Fig 4: RVDT
Fixture

Step 1: Connect the RVDT cable to the transducer system.

Step 2: Run LabVIEW. Note the voltage signal and level.
Step 3: Rotate the wheel on the RVDT calibrator and observe the signal. Note
the presence of a maximum and a minimum.
Question 8: Do you think we might be able to approximate this signal as a
sine wave?
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Answer:
Step 4: Next we will see if a linear approximation can be used to calibrate the
RVDT. Adjust the micrometer on the RVDT calibrator so that it reads exactly
6.000.
Step 5: Rotate the dial so that it reads zero.
Step 6: The rotation angle can now be controlled by manipulating the
micrometer as shown in the attached 1641 Precision Rotator calibration
table.
Step 7: Make a plot of voltage signal vs. dial angle.
Question 9: Is there an approximately linear region? If so, find the constants
m and b in the equation: angle = m(signal) + b

Answer:

Question 10: Add a plot of equation the equation angle = m(signal) + b to

the graph developed in Step 7, above.

Answer:
Question 11:
Is the presence of a linear region consistent with the
suggestion that the RVDT signal may be varying sinusoidally?
Answer:
Question 12: Discuss what you might do if you needed to operate over a
range where the signal did not vary linearly with angle.
Answer:
Torque Experiment:
The RVDT can be used to measure torque in a metal rod given a known
torsional stiffness.
In the laboratory we also have a torque apparatus with an RVDT that has
already been calibrated and mounted for you. Obtain the table for
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conversion of signal to angle from your TA. This can be used to calculate the
torque in a metal rod with known torsional stiffness.
The schematic below details a classic linear plot of torque vs. angle of
rotation in a metal rod.

= (JG) / L

G = Shear Modulus = Modulus of Rigidity

G = 80 x 109 Pa or 12 x 106 psi
J = Polar Moment of Inertia of the cross section or J =
r /2
4

L = Length
T = Torque
= Angle of rotation or = TL/JG
Step 1: Set the strain gage indicators gage factor to 2.0.
Step 2: Check the balance on the strain gage indicator. It should read zero.
Step 3: Pull the handle on the torque bar and read and record the following:
units of microstrain from the indicator, the units of voltage from the RVDT,
and the torque values from the indicator attached to the handle.

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Note: When recording your data perform a series of increasing and then
decreasing torque values.
Note: Team work will help you here.
Step 4: Plot your data as a torque vs. angle curve and also as a shear stress
vs. shear strain curve.
Question 13: From the plotted data, how can you tell if you are in the plastic
deformation region?
Answer:
Question 14: Determine the modulus of rigidity for the torque bar. Assume
the bar is a low carbon austenitic soft stainless steel.
Answer:

G=

Question 15: Discuss your calculated value as compared to the handbook

value given above.
Answer:
Step 5: Draw a Mohrs Circle for the torque rod case and for the tension case
and look up the strength of this stainless steel. Assume this rod is 410
stainless steel.
Step 6: Use the value developed in Step 5 to determine whether the
maximum torque you applied exceeded the yield strength of the rod.
Question 16: Is the value found in Step 6 consistent with your answer to
Question 13. Discuss.
Answer:
Question 17: As a check, does a magnet stick to the stainless steel bar? Is
this result consistent with our assumption that it is 410 stainless steel?

Answer:

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A5

0.5 mm
1.0 % full scale
infinite
0.5% full scale

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LVDT Calibration Table

Step
1

Position
0.000

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Voltage