APPLICATIONS

Accelerometers are used to measure acceleration, vibration, shock and gravity. Using acceleration data it is possible to derive frequency, velocity, position, and tilt. These properties make accelerometers very versatile measurement sensors.

Rate Gyros measure rotational rates. The rate data obtained can be combined with multi-axis acceleration data to provide inertial measurements.

Some example applications of measurements where Accelerometers, Rate Gyros, and Inertial Measurements Systems can be utilized are discussed below.

Vibration and Structural Monitoring
Vibration of a structure, whether it be a building, rail track, or piece of machinery may be harmless or it may be a sign of serious problems. Accelerometers are well suited for the measurement of these vibrations, and the results can be evaluated to determine their impact on the structure.

Summit Instruments' Accelerometers have been used to monitor the movement and position of heavy mining and construction equipment, the sway of structures to determine if design parameters are being exceeded, and the vibration of machinery for predictive and condition-based maintenance.

A unique application for our Accelerometers was monitoring tilt of the historic Cape Hattaras lighthouse as it was moved inland, saving it from eventual destruction due to the encroaching Atlantic Ocean's coastal erosion.

Automotive
Vibration is experienced on every kind of vehicle. Analysis of that vibration with an Accelerometer from Summit Instruments can lead to needed changes in vehicle structure to reduce vibration felt by the passengers or allow the vehicle to operate more efficiently.

Summit Instruments' Accelerometers have been used to monitor transmission-shifting characteristics in automobiles, emergency vehicle acceleration, rail vehicle ride characteristics and g loads in cornering and handling applications.

The Ohio State University's Buckeye Bullet team is using a Summit Instruments Digital Accelerometer to monitor forces on the vehicle when the parachute is deployed. The Buckeye Bullet currently holds the electric vehicle land speed record.

Research and Development
Summit Instruments' Digital Accelerometers are ideal for exploratory Research and Development applications. Our Digital Accelerometers provide the ultimate in flexibility with user-configurable g range, bandwidth, and serial communications. The same sensor can be used in many differing applications, each with diverse requirements. Since the Digital Accelerometer can be re-configured with a couple of clicks of a mouse using our configuration software, it has become a widely used tool.

Our Accelerometers have been used to measure zero gravity on the NASA Vomit Comet, monitor underwater research vehicles, air compressor vibrations, and package shock testing.

Aircraft
Summit Instruments' Accelerometers have been used in a variety of aircraft applications. These include monitoring vibrations on a helicopter for predictive maintenance, evaluating patient ride quality on Life-Flight helicopters, and navigation assistance on unmanned aerial vehicles.

Inertial Measurements
Summit Instruments has integrated our Accelerometers and Rate Gyros with specialized DSP and communications technologies to produce Inertial Measurement Systems. A primary use of our Inertial Measurement Systems is aircraft stores separation testing. Here the Inertial Measurement System monitors the movements of a store as it is released from a flying aircraft to insure it can be released safely without causing harm to the aircraft or pilot. Summit Instruments has easy-to-use products designed for the conditions encountered in these extreme environments.

A second-generation system, our 65210E Extended Capability - TM Kit, allows test engineers to collect data from external sensors or sources. These sensors could be accelerometers, strain gages, load cells, pressure sensors, microphones or external voltage sources. This external sensor data can be combined with the inertial data to allow for complex flight-test scenarios such as dynamic loads and vibration testing.

Please feel free to contact us to discuss how we might assist you in measuring your specific applications.