Kistler Releases Three-Component Piezoelectric Force Sensors and Accelerometers

By DE Editors

Kistler has announced the availability of its three-component force sensors and piezoelectric accelerometers to meet the demands of satellite and spacecraft force limited vibration testing (FLV).

To simulate in-flight conditions, FLV uses a slip table for structural excitation; a dynamometer, to measure slip-table-to-payload interface forces (and moments); and piezoelectric accelerometers to measure the input vibration levels used for shaker control. Force limiting controllers automatically notch the excitation at the test item’s resonances, according to the company.

Three-component force sensors may be used directly in the dynamometer,  by preloading them to measure compressive and shear forces during testing. Alternately, three-component force links may also be used. These are preloaded at the factory for ease of installation,  eliminating the preload step during dynamometer assembly. The force sensors, or links, are connected to quasi-static charge amplifiers, or other signal conditioning electronics, to develop the necessary composite forces (and moments) for FLV test-related monitoring and control.

The Kistler Types 9027C and 9077C offer durable construction and quartz technology for high reliability, as well as high sensitivity and low cross-talk, for accurate multi-component measurements. These sensors offer compact size, corrosion-resistant housings and a sealed sensor case. Quasi-static charge amplifiers, such as the single-channel Kistler Type 5010B1, or the multi-channel Types 5070A or 5080A, provide ease of ranging the FLV measurement chain, as well as preloading   features and dynamic signaling, according to Kistler.

The three-component force sensors are also available as factory preloaded force links, along with Kistler Types 9327 and 9377,  respectively.

Kistler also offers Type 8793A triaxial K-Shear IEPE (voltage mode)  accelerometers. K-Shear accelerometers offer low-profile, hermetic quartz shear construction and triaxial measurement capabilities. The accelerometers are also available with optional Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS) capabilities, per IEEE-P1451.4 standards, for use within larger channel count applications. The Kistler Type 8793A has also been engineered to satisfy cryogenic temperature requirements,  necessary for the testing and qualification of space-based equipment.

For more information, visit Kistler.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.