Aerospace, aviation and aeronautics |
 The applications in aviation and aeronautics range from the development of individual components to the use in the aircraft or rocket. The high reliability and high quality combined with many innovations in the sector make diverse uses of the sensors possible. The applications range from traditional uses to completely new approaches for individual measurement principles. |
Load tests on airplane wings In order to optimize the behavior of wings during a flight, the wings are already subjected to vibration tests during the construction. 120 wireSENSOR draw-wire sensors are connected to the wing and synchronized. In this way, any change of the wing form in the vertical direction can be tracked. Sensor technology applied |
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Lift height of a catering vehicle Catering vehicles play an important role in passenger air traffic. They are responsible for there being enough foodstuffs on board. It is especially difficult with the Airbus A380 to reach the loading hatch with the vehicle. Therefore, the load area of the scissor platform is also maneuverable. Draw-wire sensors are perfectly suitable for measuring this displacement. Sensor technology applied |
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Thickness measurement using displacement sensors Thickness measurement using displacement sensors is a wide application area. Basically there are distinctions between non-destructive/destructive, non-contact/with contact and one-side/two-sided thickness measurement. The Micro-Epsilon measuring techniques for thickness measurement are all emission-free whereby no emissions regulations of any kind have to be complied with. Thickness measurements must be performed both with contacting as well as with non-contact sensors whereby non-contact measuring techniques show advantages as regards accuracy and measuring speed. There is also a distinction between one-sided and two-sided thickness measurement. Two-sided thickness measurements are carried out with at least one pair of sensors which are installed together on one axis. This pair of sensors measures the target synchronously. The difference between the measurement results (C-A-B) produces the thickness of the measuring object. One-sided thickness measurements must only be performed with non-contact sensors. In doing so, the target is only measured with one sensor and either only a part of the target thickness (e.g. layer thickness) or the complete measuring object thickness is measured. Thickness measurements are mainly used in process control and quality assurance, e.g. for the control of extrusion systems or 100% checking of tube diameters. Sensor technology applied |
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Release of satellites into space In order to be able to launch a satellite from the Areane rocket unobstructed into space, the nose cone section, together with the side shield, have to be separated from the main rocket immediately before the release of the satellite. Simultaneous and controlled activation of a series of preloaded springs, provide the propulsion force for the separation of the nose cone and side shield. It is of vital importance that the section separates itself in an absloute linear motion from the main rocket, with-out any non-linear tumbling movement that could cause damage to the satellite. The separation movement is controlled by 3 Draw-wire sensors mounted on the booster rocket. Sensor technology applied |
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Release of satellites into space If satellites are put into the Earth’s orbit, it is necessary to separate the cone of the rocket from the satellites of the rocket itself. After unlatching the retainer for the nosecones, spring assemblies provide the necessary thrust to put the satellite carriers at the necessary distance. As this movement must be completely linear, the separation maneuvere is monitored by draw-wire sensors from Micro-Epsilon. Several sensors are attached to the rocket. The tip of the wire is connected to the cone of the rocket. A predetermined breaking point in the wire separates both flying objects from each other when the measuring range has been exhausted. The remaining wire is retracted by the spring effect of the winch drum so that it cannot get entangled anywhere. The sensors based on the WDS-500-MP were specially modified for this application. A spectacular use of Micro-Epsilon sensors in space. Sensor technology applied |
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Reflector tilting for satellites Satellites communicate with one another using laser beams. For this communication, the transmitter must be very precisely aligned with the receiver. The laser beam is stabilized using a deflection mirror. The position values are recorded with miniature eddy current sensors from Micro-Epsilon which achieve a resolution of better than one microrad. These sensors are also used in positioning tasks such as for laser tracking or lithography. Sensor technology applied |
