HRSensor Potentiometers and Precision Control Solutions

HRSensor Potentiometers and Precision Control Solutions are constructed with molded conductive plastic and Cermet elements fabricated as precision linear potentiometers,rotary potentiometers, element segments, wiper assemblies, and arc segment potentiometers. Except for the multi-turn potentiometers all of these products are also available with wire-wound resistance elements (wire-wound potentiometers, etc.).  Arc Segment Potentiometers are normally mounted directly on the shaft to eliminate costly gearing and reduce weight. These high precision potentiometers can offer cost reductions over the use of conventional components. Given that arc segment potentiometers can survive 500 G's shock, they are typically used for missiles and munitions or space applications.

HRSensor designs and manufactures high precision potentiometers

HRSensor designs and manufactures high precision potentiometers. The mastery of the technologies used in our sensors allows us to offer a wide choice of solutions for your applications. Wirewound technology: A resistant wire is wound on an insulator support with a method that guarantees an absolute regularity of coiling. With this process we are able to propose mono and multi-turn rotary potentiometers as well as high-precision linear potentiometers.

About our Potentiometers

Aside from stringent customer requirements, the basic design criteria for our potentiometers is the special specifications-conductive plastic potentiometers.
Our potentiometers have continuously supported the defense of the free world.
Virtually all commercial and general aviation aircraft to some extent utilize our standard potentiometers. We are also a major supplier for segments to the automotive industry, the construction industry and the agriculture industry. Obviously many of our customers have restricted our use of their names as well as the programs and, as can be understood, we have to keep this confidentiality.

Standard potentiometer is more cost effective

Standard potentiometer is more cost effective than the alternative technologies, especially when tight resolution and linearity requirements are an important factor in the design. One of the primary characteristics to consider when selecting a potentiometer angle sensor is how the system recovers after a power loss. In the case of potentiometers, the system has no need to reposition to an origin or index mark; it will provide the output voltage that corresponds to its current position. In the case of digital devices, the system has no real method to determine its current position unless it re-indexes or returns to an origin. Unfortunately, in most system applications, returning a system to a position other than its current position is impractical and takes both power and time. Furthermore, it may not be possible to reposition the system if doing so can affect the current mission-critical parameters.

Types of potentiometers technological developments

Until recently, it was believed that potentiometers might be pushed aside in favor of digital devices such as encoders and resolvers. However, technical advances have improved high precision potentiometer characteristics and these improvements, coupled with the potentiometer's inherent advantages, mean that types of potentiometers are now proving their merit in the most advanced space, aerospace, and medical applications.From making your favorite characters, to surviving the extreme conditions in downhole drilling operations on earth, satellites, guided missiles, and even the surface of Mars, potentiometers are used in every imaginable system that requires infinite resolution for both control and position sensing. Current technological developments are pushing potential applications even further.

A potentiometer acts as a variable resistor or rheostat

Potentiometers—simple electromechanical devices that translate rotary or linear motion into a change in resistance—have been a cornerstone of measurement, control, and position systems for more than a century. In a standard potentiometer, one terminal is hooked up to a voltage source and the second to ground. A third terminal connects a sliding contact called a wiper that runs across a resistive track. As the wiper is moved across the resistive track, the voltage changes, corresponding to the new position. This voltage change can be used to control anything from volume or light intensity to the movement of complex mechanical systems. These three-terminal resistors with a sliding contact form an adjustable voltage divider, current divider, or other devices. When only two terminals are used (one side and the wiper), a potentiometer acts as a variable resistor or rheostat.

A distinction is made between displacement transducers

A distinction is made between displacement transducers for small displacements (from several microns to several centimeters) and for large displacements (from tens of centimeters to several meters). Greater displacements are measured by means of traveling transducers. The greatest sensitivity for the measurement of small displacements is provided by photoelectric sensors, capacitance sensors, and some types of potentiometers inductance sensors. Displacements associated with deformations in mechanical components are measured by strain gauges, which usually have amplifiers.