Flexibility of LVIT Technology in Factory Automation Applications

摘要

What is a Linear Variable Inductive Transducer (LVIT) and where are they used? LVITs, which have been around for more than 30 years, are relatively low-cost, contactless position sensing devices that utilize eddy currents developed by an inductor in the surface of a conductive movable element that is mechanically coupled to the moving object whose position is being measured. The common form of an LVIT uses a small-diameter inductive probe surrounded by a conductive tube called a "spoiler." Typical LVITs have full ranges from fractions of an inch to 30 or more inches. Modern electronics utilizing microprocessors make possible outstanding performance, achieving linearity errors of less than ±0.15% of full-scale output (FSO), and temperature coefficients of 50 ppm/°F, along with either analog or digital outputs. See Figure 1 for a cutaway view.