LAB NO # 4

BAHRIA UNIVERSITY KARACHI CAMPUS

Department of Electrical Engineering

INTRODUCTION TO MECHATRONICS

LAB EXPERIMENT # 4

Linear Variable Differential Transformer

(LVDT)

OBJECTIVE:
a) To be familiar with the working of LVDT.
b) To control the LVDT using Arduino and generate output accordingly.

TOOLS:

1) Fixed Main Unit KL-62001

2) LVDT Module KL-64015
3) Digital Multimeter
4) DC Motor
5) H-Bridge Circuit
6) Arduino
7) LEDs

THEORY:

The linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) (also called just a differential transformer,
linear variable displacement transformer, or linear variable displacement transducers a type of
electrical transformer used for measuring linear displacement (position).The LVDT converts a
position or linear displacement from a mechanical reference (zero, or null position) into a
proportional electrical signal containing phase (for direction) and amplitude (for distance)
information. The LVDT operation does not require an electrical contact between the moving part
(probe or core assembly) and the coil assembly, but instead relies on electromagnetic coupling.

The construction of a typical LVDT is illustrated in Figure 4.1. Basically, it consists of a

moveable ferromagnetic core and three coils. The primary winding and the two secondary
windings are wound over a hollow coil made of a nonmagnetic and insulating material.

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Figure 4.1: Construction of a LVDT

In most elementary connections, the secondaries are connected together at one of their two
terminals as shown in Figure 4.2. When an AC excitation signal is applied to the primary
winding, the core will move within the coil assembly and the coupling between the primary and
each of the secondary changes. As a result, magnitude of the output voltage and the phase
between the secondary changes.

Figure 4.2: Operation of LVDT

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LVDT are widely available in position sensing due to the following features:

1) High linear accuracy: from +0.1% to +1%. 2.

2) High sensitivity: 1 mil (111000 in) of core displacement can result in voltage variations of
anywhere from 10 to 45mV.
3) Wide load impedance range.
4) High stability at null (center): approximately 1um.
5) Wide excitation frequency range: from 50 Hz to 10 KHz.
6) Long operating life: no mechanical contact, no frictional wear.
7) Vibration proof

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM OF LVDT MODULE:

Figure 4.3: LVDT Transducer Circuit

The circuit of Figure 4.3 is a position detector for sensing the core position of the LVDT. The
LEDs 1 and 2 on the module KL-62001 are used to indicate the core at the left hand and the right
hand and the right hand from the center, respectively. If the core stays at the left hand, the
potential of V+ will be larger than the V- set by the potentiometer VR, the output voltage of the
comparator must be +V and the LED1 is turned on. Inversely, when the core stays at the right
hand, the LED2 will be turned on.

PROCEDURE:
1) Place the module KL-64015 on the trainer KL-62001.
2) Connect the Vo30-1 to Different amplifier’s V- and Vo30-2 to V+.
3) Connect the multimeter Red probe to Different amplifier’s Vo and Black to GND.
4) Record the output voltage for each displacement on Table 4.1.

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 LAB NO # 4

Table 4.1
Displacement (mm) +3 +2 +1 0 -1 -2 -3

Output voltage(Vo)

TASK#1:

Interface the LVDT module with ARDUINO UNO and glow LEDs on three positions like +3mm,
0mm and -3mm displacements as shown in Figure 4.4.

Figure 4.4: LEDs Interfacing

TASK#2:

Construct the circuit below in Figure 4.5 and control motor direction reverse on +3mm and
reverse on -3mm and stop in 0mm displacements.

Figure 4.4: Motor Interfacing

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Lab Assessment Rubric

Needs Total
Category Excellent 8 Good 6 Satisfactory 4
improvement 2 (40)

Clearly describes the Adequately Describes the Cannot describe

objectives of lab. describes the objectives but the objectives of
Understands possible objectives, but misses some details. the lab, or what
Objectives and
sources of errors and cannot discuss Cannot discuss was learnt, sources
Results
their effects. Suggests possible sources possible sources of of errors and their
ways to minimize of errors and their error or their effects effects
them. effects

Circuit works Circuit performs Circuit performs but Circuit does not
perfectly. All wires are most the output not exactly give any output.
Circuit attached. / Code functions, gives as expected. Some Most wires are not
implementation/ works perfectly output./ Code connections not connected/ code
software coding gives some errors done/ code gives not compiled/
some correct output many errors

Can clearly identify Adequately Describe the Cannot describe

the problems and take identify the problem but cannot the problem, and
steps to fix them. problems and suggest steps on has no effective
Uses an effective steps taken to fix how to solve them. strategy on how to
Trouble Shooting
strategy to solve them. Uses an Trouble shooting is solve them.
problems effective strategy not consistent.
but misses some
details

Detailed results are Adequate results Some missing Most results are
Measurements
shown for each step. are shown. 80% observations. 70% missing. Only 30%
and
100% measurements measurements results are correct measurements are
Observations
are correct are correct correct

Thorough Good Limited Shows incorrect

understanding of the understanding of understanding of understanding of
concepts underlying the concepts, the concepts. the concept.
the lab. Can apply it in however cannot Cannot apply to real Cannot find any
Conclusions
real life situations apply them in real life situations and usage of the
life situations suggest any use of knowledge. Cannot
the knowledge describe what was
learnt.

Lab No: 4 Total Marks: 40 Marks Obtained:

Signature:

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