Introduction

Inductive sensors are used in a versatile range of applications to measure the positional movement of gearboxes, pedals and mechanical arms, to name a few.

Induction position sensors are capable of measuring linear, angular, rotary and non-uniform movement across measurement ranges expanding from 20mm to 100mm and beyond.

Three part process

The principle of induction position sensing is a 3 step process.

Gill’s Induction sensors use a series of coils which measure the position of a metallic target, referred to as the activator. The activator can be mounted to - or machined into - the moving part of the application.

In the first step, the coil generates a magnetic field which penetrates the activator, causing it to produce its own opposite field.

Next, the coil stops generating its magnetic field and measures the activator’s induced field.

Finally, this measurement of the induced field is compared across the series of coils, to calculate an absolute measurement of the activator position.

Higher accuracy

This measurement principle allows Gill position sensors to be used for a wide range of measurement types, with no inherent mechanical limit or need for mechanical control.

The constant air gap between the sensor and activator ensures the sensor will not deteriorate or wear through use and, unlike hall effect technology, induction technology is unaffected by the presence of permanent magnets or the Earth’s magnetic field, and will not drift with temperature.