Extreme Applications

High Temperatures

Our sensors are designed to operate reliably in extremely high temperatures. High Temperature Variable Reluctance (VR) sensors are designed for use in environments that see 454C continuous temperatures with up to 538C intermittently and have been used in applications ranging from steam turbines to missiles. While the VR sensors offer the highest temperatures; all of our sensors are designed to maximize temperature capabilities. We offer high temperature RF models with capability up to 400C, and all of our electronic products are offered in models that operate up to 125C.

Cryogenics

Motion Sensors’ hermetically sealed VR sensors are ideally suited for use in cryogenic applications. The standard operating temperature range is -267C to +232C. Our sensors have been successfully used for many years in applications including space shuttle on-board equipment, liquid nitrogen flowmeters, and cryogenic rotators.

Thermal Cycling

Many of our speed sensors are encapsulated with a special potting material that provides excellent compensation for temperature extremes and thermal cycling, ensuring that the sensor internals are not damaged due to stresses from expanding and contracting components. This is especially important in applications that will see the most extreme temperature highs and lows on a recurring basis.

High Vibration

Our sensors have been tested for high vibration environments. Test requirements are dependant upon application specifications and include DO160 and military aircraft specifications, testing for on-board space shuttle use, and IEC 60068 for Rail and Transit applications. All of our standard product lines have been tested to MIL-STD-202G Method 214A, Test Condition H. Motion Sensors has in-house capability to perform vibration testing and is able to validate speed sensor vibration capabilities to specific application requirements.

Hermetic Sealing

Motion Sensors’ original speed sensor designs were all hermetically sealed, with a welded seam at the tip of the sensor and the connector. The connector incorporates a glass to metal seal, ensuring that the sensor internals are protected against moisture intrusion. We still use this design today in a large number of applications where environmental conditions make a completely sealed solution essential. Applications range from installations requiring sanitary wash-downs to aerospace fuel control sensors.

Stainless Steel Construction

In addition to hermetic sealing, Motion Sensors also constructs 99% of our speed sensors from stainless steel, providing superior protection against rust and corrosion. While this does add additional cost versus a high volume molded or plastic solution, it provides the reliability and quality necessary for the extreme applications where our speed sensors are installed.

Strain Relief

Over the years, we have worked with a number of customers to provide solutions for applications where the existing sensors failed prematurely due to a lack of strain relief. Our designs incorporate provision for strain relief throughout sensor construction, from attachment of the winding leads to PCB interconnection and connector solder joints. We also have the capability to incorporate additional external strain relief into applications with wiring and cabling requirements that will see extreme shock, vibration, and abrasion, such as under the chassis on a locomotive. This is accomplished through the use of options such as heatshrink, overmolding, hose and conduit.