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Sensors

Delve into the evolution of robots and machines, from past user-input systems to modern sensor-integrated technologies. Discover the significance of sensors, the various types available, and the promising future with advanced technologies like Quantum Tunneling Composite (QTC).

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Sensors

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Sensors Jerry J. Zacharias ECGR 4892 Dr. James Conrad

  2. Objective • Robots in the past? Current? Future? • Why we need sensors? • What are sensors? • Various Types of sensors • Strain Gauges

  3. Robots in the Past • Used User Input • No input feedback between the processor and an output function. • Not very dynamic

  4. RT-1 HERO JR • Meet the first affordable, personal robot with a dynamic personality • All routines are stored in 32k ROM. • See, hear, speak, tell time and move • light sensor, ultrasonic sonar, sound detector, speech synthesizer and an internal clock controlled using a Motorola 6808 microprocessor.

  5. Modern Robots/Machines • Assigned critical tasks • Weak Autonomy • Introduction to bio-sensors

  6. The Future • Involves a lot of sensor integration • New technology/discoveries

  7. Accelerometers Position Sensing Range Sensing Vision Sensing Force Sensing Strain Gauges Load Sensors Quantum Tunneling Pressure Sensors Types of sensors

  8. Strain Gauges • Frequently used in Mechanical Research • Measure stress generated by machinery • Strain Gauges are smaller than a postage stamp. • Very thin conductors (1/1000 inch diameter)

  9. Strain Gauges • Device that changes resistance when it is stressed. • With contact the wires stretch or compress changing their resistance proportional to the applied load. • One or more strain gages are used in the making of a load cell.

  10. Strain Gauges • For practical instrumentation • Monitor resistance change with high accuracy • Bridge measurement circuit (provides precision) • Circuit indicates measured strain by degree of imbalance • The imbalance is accurately read by a precision voltmeter at the bridge center. • Analog Voltage converted and used by various embedded systems.

  11. Strain Gauge (in action)

  12. Quantum Tunneling Composite (QTC) • New technology (Quantum Theory) • A flexible polymer • Exhibits extraordinary electrical properties • Perfect insulator (at equilibrium) • Perfect conductor (when compressed) • Can pass very high currents (>= 10 amps) • Polymers loaded with carbon are, at best, only partially conductive.

  13. Applications of QTC • Very promising to revolutionize product design. • Currently • Smart garments that can be wired directly to electronic products such as an iPod. • Being retro-fitted, for conventional switches to eliminate arcing and electrical noise. • Advanced membrane panel switches, speed controllers and sensors. • Can even sense small concentrations of organic molecules in liquid or gas form.

  14. Variations of QTC QTC Pill QTC Cable QTC Switch

  15. Questions ? Thank you!

  16. Resources • Circuit Cellar Ink article, April issue, pp 48-51 • http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/chpt_9/7.html • http://www.tep.org.uk/millennium_smart_qtc.html • http://www.peratech.co.uk/

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