Question

Suggest improvements to sensors and actuators so that they might be reliably used in high specification military aircraft which operate at both ends of the temperature spectrum.

Answer 1

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There are many factors on which the sensors and actuators depend upon and we can actually improve the efficiency of the sensors and actuators by modulating these factors. In Military Aircrafts the sensors that is used are - tachometers, engine temperature gauges, fuel- and oil-quantity gauges, pressure gauges, altimeters, airspeed-measurement meters, vertical speed indicators that are generally maintained at temperature [-70C to 150C]

Factors on which Sensors and Actuators can be improved

(1) SENSITIVITY

The sensitivity is then defined as the ratio between the output signal and measured property. For example, if a sensor measures temperature and has a voltage output, the sensitivity is a constant with the units [V/K]. The sensitivity is the slope of the transfer function. Converting the sensor's electrical output (for example V) to the measured units (for example K) requires dividing the electrical output by the slope (or multiplying by its reciprocal). In addition, an offset is frequently added or subtracted. For example, −40 must be added to the output if 0 V output corresponds to −40 C input.

An amplifier will increase the sensitivity of a sensor but will also increase noise pickup. It is also true that a filter is capable of removing noise, and thereby improving precision- but only if the frequency content of the noise is the root cause of non-repeatability in the measurement. Note also that if the signal shares the same frequency range as the filter, then it defeats the amplifier's signal gain.

Magnets can also effect the sensitivity of a sensor.

(2) RANGE

We can change the range by using Ultra sonic sensor which is about 20 meters.You can use external DC source instead of Arduino as a source or by changing the company of the model can also help. In case of  Infrared sensors, potentiometers can help vary their range.

(3) SEALING

Sensors are sealed to save it from excessive heating because of the temperature rise in the surrounding. In comprehsive stress Tests DELO MONOPOX can used.tight. The tests included long-term storage at +150 °C, storage in ATF oil at +150 °C for 1000 h, 1000 cycles temperature shock at -40 / +150 °C, the VDA climate test, as well as customer-specific vibration tests and mechanical shock tests.

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