Liquid capacitive inclinometers
Encyclopedia
Liquid capacitive inclinometers are Inclinometer
s (or Clinometers)
whose sensing elements are made with liquid capacitive technology; they are considered gravity based. The best way to understand how they work is to think of a disc-like cavity that is half filled with a dielectric
liquid. One of the sides of the cavity has an etched conductor plate that is used to form one of the conductors of a variable parallel plate capacitor
. The liquid along with the other side of the cavity forms the other plate of the capacitor. In operation, the sensor is mounted so that the disc is positioned perpendicular to the ground (vertically mounted). Gravity then acts on the liquid pulling it down in the cavity forming a semicircle. As the sensor is rotated the liquid remains in this semicircular pattern covering a different area of the etched plate. This change in area results in a change in the capacitance. The change in capacitance is then electronically converted into an output signal that is linear with respect to the input angle.
An inclinometer or clinometer is an instrument for measuring angles of slope (or tilt), elevation or inclination of an object with respect to gravity. It is also known as a tilt meter, tilt indicator, slope alert, slope gauge, gradient meter, gradiometer, level gauge, level meter, and pitch & roll indicator.
More particularly, an inclinometer can refer to:
Tilt sensors and inclinometers generate an artificial horizon and measure angular tilt with respect to this horizon. They are used in cameras, aircraft flight controls, automobile security systems, and special switches. Also used for platform leveling, boom angle indication, anywhere tilt requires measuring. Important specifications to consider when searching for tilt sensors and inclinometers are the tilt angle range and number of axes. The tilt angle range is the range of desired linear output measured in degrees. The number of axes the inclinometer and tilt sensor measure on is another important specification.
Tilt sensor technology has also been implemented in video games. Yoshi's Universal Gravitation and Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble
are both built around a tilt sensor mechanism, which is built into the cartridge. The new PlayStation 3
game controller also utilizes tilt as a means to play video games.
Inclinometer
An inclinometer or clinometer is an instrument for measuring angles of slope , elevation or depression of an object with respect to gravity...
s (or Clinometers)
whose sensing elements are made with liquid capacitive technology; they are considered gravity based. The best way to understand how they work is to think of a disc-like cavity that is half filled with a dielectric
Dielectric
A dielectric is an electrical insulator that can be polarized by an applied electric field. When a dielectric is placed in an electric field, electric charges do not flow through the material, as in a conductor, but only slightly shift from their average equilibrium positions causing dielectric...
liquid. One of the sides of the cavity has an etched conductor plate that is used to form one of the conductors of a variable parallel plate capacitor
Capacitor
A capacitor is a passive two-terminal electrical component used to store energy in an electric field. The forms of practical capacitors vary widely, but all contain at least two electrical conductors separated by a dielectric ; for example, one common construction consists of metal foils separated...
. The liquid along with the other side of the cavity forms the other plate of the capacitor. In operation, the sensor is mounted so that the disc is positioned perpendicular to the ground (vertically mounted). Gravity then acts on the liquid pulling it down in the cavity forming a semicircle. As the sensor is rotated the liquid remains in this semicircular pattern covering a different area of the etched plate. This change in area results in a change in the capacitance. The change in capacitance is then electronically converted into an output signal that is linear with respect to the input angle.
An inclinometer or clinometer is an instrument for measuring angles of slope (or tilt), elevation or inclination of an object with respect to gravity. It is also known as a tilt meter, tilt indicator, slope alert, slope gauge, gradient meter, gradiometer, level gauge, level meter, and pitch & roll indicator.
More particularly, an inclinometer can refer to:
- An instrument used to determine the angle of the Earth's magnetic field in respect to the horizontal plane.
- An instrument for showing the inclination of an aircraft or ship relative to the horizontal. An airplaneFixed-wing aircraftA fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
instrument. See turn coordinatorTurn coordinatorThe turn coordinator is a flight instrument which displays to a pilot information about the rate of yaw , roll, and the coordination of the turn...
or slip indicatorhttp://www.riekerinc.com/SlipIndicators.htm. - An instrument for showing a deviation from the true vertical or horizontal
- An instrument used by surveyors in order to measure an angle of inclination or elevation
- Compass with inclinometer
- An inclinometer is used as a rollover warning, to alert equipment operator of possible tip over condition.
- Any of various surveying instruments for measuring angles of elevation, slope, or incline, as of an embankment. Also called a clinometer.
- An instrument for measuring slight differences in slopes, particularly for geophysicsGeophysicsGeophysics is the physics of the Earth and its environment in space; also the study of the Earth using quantitative physical methods. The term geophysics sometimes refers only to the geological applications: Earth's shape; its gravitational and magnetic fields; its internal structure and...
. Such inclinometers are, for instance, used for monitoring volcanoVolcano2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
es, or for measuring the depth and rate of landslide movement. - An inclinometer may also be used in civil engineering projects to measure movements in walls and/or the ground.
- An instrument for determining the dip of beds or strata, or the slope of an embankment or cutting; a kind of plumb level.
- An instrument used by surveyors in order to measure an angle of inclination or elevation
- An inclinometer may also be used in some automotive safetySafetySafety is the state of being "safe" , the condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, financial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences of failure, damage, error, accidents, harm or any other event which could be...
systems.
Tilt sensors and inclinometers generate an artificial horizon and measure angular tilt with respect to this horizon. They are used in cameras, aircraft flight controls, automobile security systems, and special switches. Also used for platform leveling, boom angle indication, anywhere tilt requires measuring. Important specifications to consider when searching for tilt sensors and inclinometers are the tilt angle range and number of axes. The tilt angle range is the range of desired linear output measured in degrees. The number of axes the inclinometer and tilt sensor measure on is another important specification.
Tilt sensor technology has also been implemented in video games. Yoshi's Universal Gravitation and Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble
Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble
Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble, known in Japan as , is a 2000-01 action puzzle video game published and developed by Nintendo for the Game Boy Color handheld video game console. It was first released in Japan on August 23, 2000 and in North America on April 11, 2001...
are both built around a tilt sensor mechanism, which is built into the cartridge. The new PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
game controller also utilizes tilt as a means to play video games.
Manufacturers
Usages
Clinometers are used for:- indicating pitch and roll of vehicles, sail boats, and aircraft.
- Monitoring boom angle of cranes and material handlers.
- Measuring the "look angle" of a satellite antenna towards a satellite.
- Measuring the slope angle of a tape or chain during distance measurement.
- Estimating the height of a building, tree, or other feature using a vertical angle and a distance (determined by taping or pacing).
- Measuring the angle of drilling in well-logging applications.
- Measuring steepness of a ski slope.
Factors which influence the use of clinometers
(Overall accuracy varies depending on the type of inclinometer and technology utilized)- Gravity
- Temperature (drift), zero offset, linearity, vibration, shock, cross-axis sensitivity, acceleration/deceleration
- A clear line of sight between the user and the measured point is needed.
- A well-defined object is required to obtain the maximum precision.
- The angle measurement precision and accuracy is limited to slightly better than one degree of arc.