MTS Develops Position Sensor for Temposonics® Sensor Family

      MTS Sensors has developed the R-Series sensor for the Temposonics® family of magnetostrictive position sensors. The R-Series is a digitally-based "smart" sensor featuring enhanced output capabilities and improved sensing performance and accuracy, according to the company. The R-Series also includes the diagnostic LEDs and external programming capabilities standard in the product platform to help keep sensor installation and troubleshooting efforts to a minimum.

      MTS developed the R-Series based on its next generation Temposonics product hardware platform for reliability and durability under harsh environmental conditions. Featuring a reduced electronics envelope, the compact R-Series is available with a full line of analog and digital serial outputs for non-contact sensing in linear and absolute measurement applications.

      "The R-Series is our top-of-the-line product in terms of performance, accuracy and capabilities," said Temposonics marketing manager, David Edeal. "Using the new hardware platform we are able to provide improved performance, additional features with benefits, and better reliability and durability, all in a smaller package and at no additional cost to the customer. The R-Series answers our customers' call for enhanced performance and functionality - all at a lower cost-of-ownership."

      Red and green LED indicators located directly on the sensor may be monitored for errors such as magnet not detected, missing external interrogation signals, insufficient or out of range input power, and other maintenance issues. These diagnostic features provide plant engineers with methods for troubleshooting and commissioning in the field without having to remove the sensor, thereby lowering the total cost for the sensors.

      The R-Series electronics are designed for better accuracy, EMI immunity, and signal to noise performance in harsh electrical environments. Sensing resolutions are as low as 1 micron with an output linearity of ¾±0.01% and repeatability of ¾±0.001% of full scale. Reverse polarity and over-voltage protection to 36 Vdc are designed to eliminate sensor failure due to mis-wiring. Enhanced packaging also offers improved shock and vibration resistance (shock - 100g: vibration - 25g/10-2,000Hz) for greater reliability.

      In addition, the R-Series is designed with built-in diagnostics and offers multiple methods for external and remote field programmability to help reduce installation time and cost. In-line pushbutton or PC software programming may be accomplished using a simple serial communications link. Monitoring can be done at a remote location via the PC user-interface software.

      For more information contact:

      David Edeal

      MTS Sensors Division

      3001 Sheldon Drive

      Cary, NC 27513

      919-677-0100

      Fax: 919-677-2350

      www.mtssensors.com

      E-mail: sales@mtssensors.com