Dual Redundant Output Rotary Position Sensor Extends Reliability/Accuracy for safety critical systems

Christchurch, UK – 14th April, 2010 - Penny + Giles, a business group of Curtiss-Wright Controls and a designer and manufacturer of high precision sensing technology, has introduced the SRH220DR, a new dual redundant output contactless rotary position sensor. The SRH220DR uses proven, non-contact programmable Hall-effect technology to provide OEMs with highly reliable and accurate rotary measurement in extreme industrial and off-highway environments.

This new sensor, with a choice of integrated 6-way connectors, provides numerous programmable options. Designed for operation in extreme temperatures, the SRH220DR enables system designers to quickly and easily improve the safety and integrity of their control systems by using the dual independent power supply and output signals, allowing compliance with SIL-2 requirements for systematic safety as defined in IEC 61508.

The rugged SRH220DR is ideal for use in arduous operating environments and is suitable for use in diverse applications including cold planing machines (tracked steering control), garbage collection vehicles (bin lift control), road sweeping vehicles (4-wheel steering), and combine harvesters (header position control).

Penny + Giles’ configurable SRH220DR provides OEMs with a wide selection of parameter options including measurement range, and clockwise or anticlockwise direction output. This flexibility provides OEMs with a greater amount of control to configure the sensor to best suit their needs and achieve maximum performance.

SRH220DR Performance Features:

• Dual Redundant outputs – independent supply and output signals
• Contactless Hall-effect sensor technology
• Power requirements: 5Vdc regulated or 9-30Vdc unregulated power supply
• Over-voltage protection to 40Vdc
• User programmable with 341 different angles (0-20 to 0-360 degrees: in one degree increments)
• 12-bit resolution (0.025%) over selected angular range
• Analog (0.5 to 4.5Vdc) or digital (Pulse Width Modulated) signal outputs
• Factory programmable to 0.1 to 4.9Vdc output range
• Electromagnetic immunity to 100V/m
• ±0.4% non-linearity
• Low output signal noise - <1mVrms
• Output stability - < ±30ppm/ºC @ 5Vdc
• Operating temperature range: -40 to +140ºC @ 5Vdc

Unlike conventional shaft-operated rotary position sensors, the SRH220DR has an integrated shaft and magnet assembly that activates the Hall-effect sensor through a hermetically sealed chamber. This allows the sensor to be used in extreme environments that are subjected to high shock and vibration, and endure immersion in fluids for short periods (IP68 protected).

The sensor’s molded housing includes a crush-proof mounting flange detail which has stainless steel inserts, allowing fitting and re-fitting of the sensor without damage to the flange. The housing also includes a choice of integrated 6-way connectors compatible with AMP Superseal 1.5 or Deutsch DT06 profiles.

The SRH220DR can operate from either a 5Vdc regulated or 9-30Vdc unregulated power supply and has over-voltage protection to 40Vdc. Each of its output channels can be supplied programmed with any one of 341 different angles in the range 0-20 to 0-360 degrees, in one degree increments, and features a 12-bit resolution (0.025%) over the selected angular range.

To ease configuration, SRH220DR can be factory-configured with either analog (0.5 to 4.5Vdc) or digital (Pulse Width Modulated) signal outputs as standard. It can also be factory programmed to offer 0.1 to 4.9Vdc output range, matching the equivalent signals from a potentiometer. The SRH220DR’s two outputs can be used for error checking if they are set up to be opposed (clockwise on the first signal and anticlockwise on the second signal) and the output summed.

SRH220DR features electromagnetic immunity to 100V/m and it has a very low maximum output signal noise of less than 1mV. This means that no additional signal filtering is required on the output signal. It also has a class-leading non-linearity of ±0.4%. When powered with 5Vdc, the SRH220DR has an operating temperature range from -40 to +140ºC, with a stability of less than ±30ppm/ºC. An optional lever arm kit can be supplied, where installations require this feature.