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DIFFERENTIAL MEASUREMENTS
These differential position measuring systems
are a significant advance in precision measurement technology.
They provide exceptional resolution, repeatability, and nulling
accuracy for detecting the aligned/centred position of a conductive
target relative to a pair of noncontacting sensors.
For differential position measurement applications,
two precisely matched sensors per channel are positioned on
opposite sides or ends of a target. In this sensor-to-target
relationship, as the target moves away from one sensor, it
moves toward the other an equal amount. Output is differential
and bipolar. The electronically-matched sensors on opposing
legs of the same bridge provide superior thermal stability.
Cryogenic applications
Kaman builds an alternate version of the 20N
sensor specifically for cryogenic applications. This sensor
has internal expansion joints, and when screw mounted using
a Belleville washer, effectively eliminates stress or temperature
induced mechanical distortions.
Kaman has confirmed optimum performance in
liquid nitrogen at 70° Kelvin. Several aerospace applications
make effective use of this sensor in a liquid helium environment
at 4° K.
Vacuum applications
Both sensor and KD-5100 electronics are used
in vacuum applications down to 10E-6 Torr. The vacuum-compatible
systems use a NASA-certified heat-sink compound. These systems
have been specified for orbital platforms.
KD-5100 DIFFERENTIAL SUPER HIGH-PRECISION
SYSTEM
The hybrid for the KD-5100 is manufactured
to MIL-H-38534. MIL-SPEC components are utilized throughout
the electronics module wherever possible. The KD-5100 features
rugged construction with a mean time between failures of better
than 55,000 hours in a tactical environment, 238,000 hours
in a space flight environment.
The small package size of the KD-5100
(just 2 x 2.12 x 0.75 inches thick) makes this system ideal
for applications where space is a limiting factor.
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Commercial differential systems
The KDM-8200 differential system is a
commercial version of the KD-5100. This system significantly
reduces the cost of a differential system yet maintains
most of the performance characteristics. Kaman achieved
this by using high-volume packaging with discreet components
and eliminating the MIL-SPEC requirements.
These differential systems are ideal
where weight, size, and power consumption are not critical.
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