Low-Profile Magnet-Activated Rotary Position Sensor

Christchurch, UK – Tuesday, 12 March 2013 – Penny + Giles – a business group of Curtiss-Wright Controls and designer and manufacturer of position sensors, solenoids and joystick controllers – has introduced the NRH275DR, a new rotary position sensor featuring a slim, low-profile sensor housing and separate permanent magnet assembly.

With no contacting mechanical parts that can wear, this latest addition to Penny + Giles’ growing NRH family of rotary position sensors is ideal for specialist vehicle applications in extreme and hostile environments where installation space may be limited. Examples include tip control for articulated dump trucks, bin lift control for garbage and refuse collection vehicles and four-wheel-steer function for city road sweeping vehicles. The lightweight, low-profile design of the sensor also means it is suitable for throttle position sensing and feedback for motorsport applications.

The NRH275DR features a fully encapsulated 12-bit Hall effect sensor system that can withstand high shock and vibration, can operate at temperatures from -40°C to +140°C and is IP67-rated for dust protection and water immersion to a depth of 1m for 24 hours – more than adequate for the majority of applications on vehicles.

The NRH275DR features a fully encapsulated 12-bit Hall effect sensor system that can withstand high shock and vibration, can operate at temperatures from -40°C to +140°C and is IP67-rated for dust protection and water immersion to a depth of 1m for 24 hours – more than adequate for the majority of applications on vehicles.

The two-part design of the sensor and magnet assembly offers maximum customer flexibility when mounting, accommodating up to ±2mm of radial magnet offset and a permissible air gap of 2mm to 5mm between the sensor and magnet. Measurements can even be made transmissively through non-magnetic materials. Further flexibility is achieved as one of the sensor’s signals can be configured for use as a control function, while the other can be used for position monitoring or display purposes.

To suit individual requirements and achieve maximum performance, the NRH275DR offers OEMs the benefit of selecting multiple configuration options when specifying their unique requirement for factory programming before despatch. These include a measurement range on each channel from 20° to 360° (available in 1° increments); a choice of two analogue voltage output ranges or digital PWM; a choice of signal ramps for each output channel; and a choice of three magnet assembly styles.

The sensor is supplied with six, 18 AWG individual wires as standard, but can also be fitted with Deutsch DTM or AMP Superseal connectors. An optional NC10 plastic conduit tube can also be fitted, giving complete protection of the connecting wires from the sensor body to the connector.

The NRH275DR 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.

About Curtiss-Wright Controls Industrial, Penny Giles:
Penny Giles is a global leader in the design and manufacture of specialist position sensors, solenoids and control hardware for industrial and defence markets. Headquartered in Christchurch, Dorset, United Kingdom, Penny Giles is part of Curtiss-Wright Controls Avionics & Industrial, a business unit of Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc. For more information visit www.pennyandgiles.com.

About Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc.:
Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, Curtiss-Wright Controls is the Motion Control segment of Curtiss-Wright Corporation and a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced technologies for niche actuation and drive applications, integrated sensors and electronic subsystems internationally for the aerospace and defense markets. For more information, visit www.cwcontrols.com.