THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Measurement and Control Laboratory

Title

Displacement Measurement Using LVDT

Objectives

To measure distance using a Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT)

Apparatus

TK294G Linear Variable Different Transformer (LVDT) sub-unit

TK294 Linear Transducers Test Rig
Feedback PS446 Power Supply
TK2941A Instrumentation Module
Dual Channel Oscilloscope
DC voltmeter

Procedure

Part 1

LVDT AC Output

(1) Connect up the circuit of Fig.1 as shown in Fig.2. Carefully check that the
terminals of the transducer are wired up correctly.

Secondary

Primary

Fig.1

1
 Fig.2

(2) Make sure that the switch on the oscillator is set to the ‘C’ position and the
frequency control set to ‘max’. Set the output amplitude control to ‘7’ and
switch on the power supply.
(3) Set the micrometer to the 0mm position and the slider index to the 52mm
position on the scale.
(4) Using the micrometer move the core through the coils in 1mm steps to
a final setting of 25mm on the micrometer. When the rod of the LVDT
against the return spring, move the secondary output waveform on the
oscilloscope. It should go through a maximum shifting phase and then
a second maximum, reduce almost to zero, change phase and go through
two further maximums again shifting phase. Observe particularly the
phase change at the zero position. It should be 180.
2
 (5) Recording your readings of each step (peak-to-peak) in Table 1. Ignore the
third column for this moment. When the output passes through the null
position, as you have noted, there was an 180 phase change. Record the
position where this happens and all subsequent readings as negative.
(6) Using your results, plot a graph of output against position for the whole
range of movement in Fig.3.

Position AC Output Position AC Output Position AC Output

(mm) (volts pk-pk) (mm) (volts pk-pk) (mm) (volts pk-pk)
0 9 18
1 10 19
2 11 20
3 12 21
4 13 22
5 14 23
6 15 24
7 16 25
8 17

Table 1

Fig.3

Discussions

(1) What shape is your graph, especially over the central section?
(2) Draw in what you consider to be the straight-line approximation to the
central section. It will most likely pass through the zero null point.

3
 measure the maximum Distance of your curve from this straight line,
in the vertical (i.e. output voltage) Direction. Express this as a percentage
of the total output voltage range between the two peaks. Call this x%.
The figure you have just calculated is the LINEARITY of the transducer.
It should be as small as possible for a good transducer.
(3) Between which positions is the output within this linearity figure? This
represents the RANGE of the transducer. Express this as a figure of + y
mm about the null point.
You now have two figures for the specification of this transducer. We
can say that the output linearity is x% over a range of + y mm about
the central position.
(4) Our ac voltage output has to be measured on an oscilloscope, would a
dc voltage output be more convenient?

Part II

LVDT DC Output

(1) Switch off the power supply and connect up the circuit of Fig.4. as shown
in Fig.6. Carefully check that the terminals on the transducer are wired up
correctly.
(2) Make sure that the switch on the oscillator module is still set to the ‘C’
position and the frequency control set to ‘max’. Set the output amplitude
control to ‘7’ and switch on the power supply.
(3) Take a set of readings of dc output voltage and position at 1mm intervals
as you move the core through the two secondary coils as before. Record
your readings in Table 2. Record the position where the output voltage is
zero.
(4) Using your results, plot a graph of output against position for the whole
range of movement. Draw it on the same sheet of graph paper in
Fig 7.

A E M

B
G

C F N

Peak Difference
D Detector Amplifier

Fig.4

4
 Near Coil 1 Middle Position Near Coil 2

VAB

VCD

VEF

VMG

VNG

VMN

(DC Output)

Fig.5

5
 Fig.6
Discussions

(1) What are the functions of the circuit shown in Fig.4?

(2) What shape is your graph, especially over the central section? Is it the same
shape as the ac graph?
(3) Draw in what you consider to be the best straight line approximation to the
central section. It will most likely pass through the zero null point. Measure
the maximum distance of your curve from this straight line, in the vertical
(i.e. output voltage) direction. Express this as a percentage of the total
output voltage range between the two peaks. Call this x%.
As before, this is the LINEARITY (dc) of the transducer combined now
the detector system.
(4) Between what positions is the output within this linearity figure? Express
this range as a figure of +y mm about the zero null point. Is this greater
or less than the ac range?
6
Position DC Output Position DC Output Position DC Output
(mm) (volts pk-pk) (mm) (volts pk-pk) (mm) (volts pk-pk)
0 9 18
1 10 19
2 11 20
3 12 21
4 13 22
5 14 23
6 15 24
7 16 25
8 17

Table 2

Fig.7