Alexandru Alice

431G

Measuring displacements using inductive transducers

1. Study Purpose
Getting familiar with measuring devices and with the high precision displacement
measuring setup. Transmission of the length and evaluation of measuring errors.
The CP 402 electronic comparator with TL 402 differential inductive transducers will
be used along with the measuring stand with adjustable gliding pad and the adjustable
axle.
2. Experimental Setup Description
The experimental setup contains:
THE STAND used for measuring along with the TL 402 displacement
transducer, having the following adjustable elements:
C the screw axle with a 14mm step;
S1 blocking screw for the support pad;
S2 screw used for the support pad adjustment (acts only with S1 loose);
S3 screw used in order to block the transducer;
S4 the sleeve nut used for height adjustment of the transducer (acts only if S5 is
loose);
S5 blocking screw for the transducer stand

COMP the CP 402 comparator with the following elements:

I indicating instrument;
LS on/off signaling light;
K1 switch used for starting and selecting the scale in m;
K2 switch for working module with the following commands:
RS idle;
A measuring on channel A with A transducer;
A+B measuring the displacement sum of transducers A and B;
A-B measuring the displacement difference between transducers A and B;
Note: Transducers A and B are connected in the rear of the comparator
at the jacks marked A and B;
P - helicoidal potentiometer used for the displacement of the measuring origin;

MEASURING PLATE, PM, on which we can access the supply voltages of the
transducer, its output voltage and the voltage proportional with the

Alexandru Alice
431G

displacement with respect to origin set mechanically through S2, S4 and

electrically through P.
The Block Diagram of the comparator is shown in fig. 2 and contains:

(1) The oscillator O with a frequency of approx. 5 kHz, stabilized in amplitude which
generates two anti-phase voltages +Va, Va in order to stimulate transducers A and B
as well as the potentiometer P used in order to electrically fix the measurement origin.
The same oscillator uses a secondary winding in order to transmit a reference voltage
Vr to the phase sensitive detector DSF;
(2) The amplifier with alternative current adder ASA which adds up the outputs of
transducers A and B as well as the output of potentiometer P used to fix the origin;
(3) The DSF phase sensitive detector and the LPF having a circuit similar with DSF and
the LPF from the first part of the lab work;
(4) The Indicator I, with zero as a center, which allows us to measure the relative
displacement in both ways with respect to the origin mechanically fixed by S2 and S4
and electrically using P;
(5) The measuring plate PM which allows the visualization of:
- Supply voltages +Va and Va at terminals 6 and 14;
- Output voltage at terminal 5;
- LPF Output voltage at terminal 11;
- Ground at terminal 2;
3. Laboratory Work
3.1.

We visualize the voltages mentioned at point 2 for the external positions of the
feeler gauge which will be turned manually for these measurements.
2

Alexandru Alice
431G

3.2.
3.3.

The differences in thickness between the two path pairs are measured.
We measure the thickness of a sheet of paper, a thread of hair; a piece of wire and
the lack of uniformity are noticed depending on the measuring point.

Measurements:
Thin sheet of paper: 55m
Thick sheet of paper: 75m
Copper metallization: 18m
Gold metallization: 40m
Human hair: 50m
4. Questions:
1. How can be electrically changed the sign of the measured displacement using the
transductor B?
The sign of the displacement can be electrically changed by using the helicoidal
potentiometer P which sets the measurements origin.
2. The comparator was adjusted to measure an aluminum rod with the length of 100mm
at a temperature of 20C. In the meantime, the temperature has risen at 25C. What
difference will be indicated if the rods length will be measured under the new
conditions?
lAL=l0[1+t]= l0+l0t
l0=100mm
1=AL=24*10-6/C
t=25C- 20C=5C
=>l=lAL-l0=1l0t=12m
3. Taking into consideration the results obtained above, what conclusions can be stated
about the manipulation of the pieces ready to be measured?
These pieces should be manipulated with great care because at high temperature
variations they can expand (when the temperature rises) or contract (when the
temperature decreases).