22.

302 Experiment 4
LVDT & Accelerometer Measurements
Introduction
A transducer is a device, which converts one form of energy to another. Many of the transducers
used for mechanical engineering measurements convert mechanical quantities to electrical
energy. The displacement of an object can be measured using a Linear Variable Differential
Transformer (LVDT), which is a transducer that generates an output voltage proportional to the
input displacement by means of the variable inductance principle. The velocity and acceleration
of the object can then be determined using numerical differentiation. Acceleration can be
measured directly with the use of a piezoelectric accelerometer. The accelerometer is a
transducer that converts an input acceleration to an output voltage using the natural properties of
a piezoelectric material. The velocity and displacement of the object can then be determined
using numerical integration.
The purpose of this experiment is to determine the proportional constants (sensitivities) of the
LVDT and accelerometer. The linear range of the LVDT will also be determined. After
completing the calibration of the LVDT and accelerometer, both instruments will be used to
measure the motion of a simple damped oscillator.
Pre-Lab Assignment
1. Read sections 8.2, 8.3, and 8.5 in the textbook (Wheeler & Ganji).
2. A manufacturer of an accelerometer reports a sensitivity of 30 mVpp/G at 100 Hz. The same
accelerometer was again calibrated and the sensitivity was determined to be 10.6 mV/G at
100 Hz. What is the most probable source of error for the sensitivity differences?

ME 22.302 LVDT & Accelerometer Measurement Lab

Rev 010505

Assignment #1: Linear Variable Differential Transformer Calibration

The Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) that will be calibrated is either a Lucas
Schaveitz 1000 or 2000 DCD. These transducers are normally powered by a regulated +/15Vdc power supply. The LVDT and associated signal conditioning produce an output signal of
+/-10Vdc that is proportional to the displacement of the core within the DCD. Specifications
relating to the 1000 and 2000 DCD's are as follows:
Operating temperature
0 - 160 oF
Null voltage
0 V DC
Linearity
0.25% full scale
Freq response (-3 dB)
200 Hz
The procedure for determining the system sensitivity is to displace the core of the LVDT a
known distance while simultaneously recording the output voltage. The displacement of the core
can be generated using a micrometer attached to an extension rod. The LVDT should be
securely fastened to a stationary fixture. Refer to Figure 1 for a schematic of the instrumentation
used to calibrate the LVDT.

Figure 1. LVDT Calibration Equipment Configuration

Procedure
1. Adjust the micrometer screw of the calibration fixture to the middle zero position. The
micrometer has a marked travel of 2 inches with a resolution of 0.001 inches.
2. Attach the core connecting rod to the micrometer and to the core.
3. Install the LVDT in the calibration fixture. Use the adapting sleeves to shim the LVDT as
necessary.
4. Verify that the LVDT power supply is off. Connect the LVDT to the power supply using the
"D" to bendix cable. Connect the output from the transducer to the input of the multi-meter
and oscilloscope. Turn on the power supply.
5. Adjust the LVDT in the fixture to the null position. An output of zero volts should be
observed on the multi-meter in the DC mode. Tighten the LVDT to the fixture. Verify that
the micrometer is still at the middle zero setting.

ME 22.302 LVDT & Accelerometer Measurement Lab

Rev 010505

6. Adjust the micrometer an amount that displaces the core one tenth of an inch (four complete
revolutions of the micrometer screw). Record the distance and output voltage. Repeat this
process with measurement intervals of one tenth of an inch for a total travel of one inch.
7. Return the micrometer to the middle zero position. Using the oscilloscope or digital multimeter verify that the core has returned to the null position.

Assignment #2: Linear Range Determination

The proportional constant (sensitivity) of the LVDT can be used to determine the displacement
of an object, which is attached to the core by quantifying the output signal from the system.
However, the sensitivity of the LVDT can only be used for the linear range of the instrument.
The purpose of this assignment is to determine the linear range of the LVDT.
Procedure
1. Adjust the micrometer screw to the zero mark at the left end of the micrometer. The barrel of
the micrometer should not be exposed.
2. Loosen the LVDT clamp that secures the LVDT to the fixture.
3. Slide the LVDT to the point where the output voltage is 0 V-DC if experimenting with the
1000-DCD LVDT. The 2000-DCD LVDT should be adjusted so that an output voltage of -5
V-DC is generated. Tighten the LVDT to the fixture.
4. Rotate the micrometer counterclockwise moving the LVDT core one tenth of an inch.
Record the output voltage and the displacement. Repeat this process with measurement
intervals of one tenth of an inch until the core has been moved 1.5 inches. Shut the LVDT
+/- 15 volt power supply off.

ME 22.302 LVDT & Accelerometer Measurement Lab

Rev 010505

Assignment #3: Piezoelectric Accelerometer Calibration

The piezoelectric accelerometer is used to measure the acceleration of a point on an object. The
transfer of mechanical energy to a quantifiable electric signal is accomplished using the natural
properties of the piezoelectric material and signal conditioning support equipment. The purpose
of this assignment is to determine the sensitivity of the accelerometer using an electromechanical
shaker. Figure 2 shows the equipment used to calibrate the accelerometer.

Figure 2. Piezoelectric Accelerometer Calibration

Procedure
1. Weigh the accelerometer using one of the laboratory scales.
2. Connect the accelerometer to the calibration equipment as indicated in Figure 2. The
accelerometer should be connected to the XDCR connector on the rear of the power supply
using a microdot cable.
3. Determine if the power supply of the shaker is functioning properly. Turn the left knob to
the battery test position. Verify that the shaker power is sufficient by observing if the needle
moves into the graduated area.
4. Set channel #1 on the oscilloscope to DC coupling. Adjust the vertical scale to 0.2 volts/div.
5. Test the response of the system by gently tapping the bottom of the accelerometer. Note the
polarity of the signal on the oscilloscope. Tap the top of the accelerometer and note the
resulting polarity of the signal.
6. Place a small amount of wax on the center of one of the two disks. Carefully attach the base
of the accelerometer to the disk with a slight twisting motion.
7. Turn the power supply of the accelerometer and GEN-RAD shaker on. Adjust the LEVEL
control for the weight of the accelerometer and both disks (each disk weighs 50 grams). If
the vibration calibrator fails to work contact the teaching assistant.
8. Measure the Vpp, Vrms, and period of oscillation of the transducer output.

ME 22.302 LVDT & Accelerometer Measurement Lab

Rev 010505

Assignment #4: Damped Oscillator Measurement

In this portion of the experiment, both the LVDT and the accelerometer will be used to
simultaneously measure the displacement and acceleration of a simple mass-spring oscillator.
Digital data acquisition will be used to acquire signals from both instruments from which the
displacement, acceleration, and damped natural frequency of the system can be determined.

Figure 3. Vibration Measurement of a Damped Oscillating Mass

Procedure
1. Configure equipment according to Figure 3.
2. Using either the oscilloscope or the multi-meter, adjust the position of the LVDT in the
fixture so that it is in the null position (zero output) when the mass is at rest.
3. Bring up the Digital Data Acquisition VI in LabVIEW. Enter the appropriate sampling rate,
number of samples, and channel numbers (0,1) into the boxes in the VI window.
4. Displace the mass upwards from the retainer until the LVDT signal just exceeds the range of
the A/D converter (a -5V will be displayed on the screen next to channel 1). Quickly let go of
the retainer, this should trigger the measurement.
5. Once the data has been acquired, plot the two signals to verify analog to digital conversion
errors have not occurred.

ME 22.302 LVDT & Accelerometer Measurement Lab

Rev 010505

Post-Lab Analysis
1. Define the term sensitivity as it relates to a transducer.
2. Define what the null position of an LVDT is.
3. Determine the sensitivity of the LVDT. Generate a plot of the output voltage vs. input
displacement of the core.
4. Determine and graphically show the linear range of one side of the LVDT's null position.
Can the sensitivity be used for both sides of the null position or should the complete range of
the LVDT be calibrated?
5. If the LVDT has a linear input range of +/- 1 inch with a corresponding output range of +/10Vdc, what nominal sensitivity should this instrument have?
6. Is the calibrated sensitivity different from the expected value? Why may these values differ?
7. Determine the sensitivity of the accelerometer.
8. What means can be used to determine if the accelerometer was calibrated at 100 Hz.
9. How accurate are the experimental sensitivities of the LVDT and accelerometer. Discuss
sources of error.
10. Discuss an alternate means of calibrating an accelerometer.
11. Using the calibrated sensitivities of the accelerometer and LVDT, determine the
displacement and acceleration of the mass as a function of time and plot results.
12. Numerically differentiate the LVDT's displacement twice and determine the acceleration of
the mass. Compare the calculated acceleration to the measured acceleration. Plot both
results on the same graph using legends. Discuss differences between these traces.
13. Determine the damped natural frequency of the system.

ME 22.302 LVDT & Accelerometer Measurement Lab

Rev 010505