CAN-Bus communications for new strain gauge - Instrumentation

Diesel Progress North American Edition, Feb, 2003

STW Technic has introduced the IVDMS strain gauge designed specifically for off-highway equipment applications. A key feature of the new IVDMS is its CAN-Bus communications. Having CAN-Bus outputs allows the IVDMS to be used as an input node on a CAN-Bus based control system, said STW's Mike Czabala, North America sales and marketing manager.

STW Technic, Norcross, Ga., is the North American operation of Germany's Sensor-Technik Wiedemann GmbH, a specialist in sensors and measurement technologies for heavy-duty applications including off-highway equipment and hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

STW also manufactures the ESX line of electronic control modules for mobile equipment applications, a variety of sensors including silicone, stainless and ceramic sensors, other types of measurement and sensor technology, as well as in-cylinder pressure measurement for engines.

The IVDMS is typically used to measure strain up to 2200 [micro]m/m. The output signal is either a standard 42OmA current signal or a CAN-Bus signal. The sensor can be calibrated over the CAN-Bus directly on the mobile application. The sensor is simple to apply to any structure (i.e. fire truck ladder), requiring only a small amount of glue on the sensor element and two mounting screws.

STW's overall range of transmitters includes the high precision, low cost AO1, AO4 and AO7 models that feature piezoresistive measuring elements and a measuring range of zero to 3.6 psi (zero to to 0.25 bar) up to zero to 870 psi (zero 0 to 60 bar). These models are typically used in pneumatic systems, compressor controls and test stands.

The AO5 and A08 models use thin film measuring elements, while the C01 transmitter uses a ceramic measuring element. These are designed for use in mobile hydraulic and pneumatic systems, as well as process applications. A third model, the A08-XHT is a thin-film high-pressure transmitter typically used in more high temperature applications up to 572[degrees]F.

STW's A05-CAN is a thin-film bus-capable pressure transmitter that has a CAN open interface and 11- and 29-bit identifiers with a measuring range to 43,511 psi (3000 bar). The S03 and SO8 are piezoresistive transmitters for mobile hydraulic use that have a measurement range to 257[degrees]F and 8702 psi (600 bar).

For differential pressure applications, STW has three models with piezoresistive measuring elements. The L01/L02 typically find application in the food industry. The D01 is for measuring differential pressure with fluid from both sides. The TSO1 is for depth measurement (hydrostatic level measurement).

To complement its transmitter lines, STW also offers stainless steel OEM pressure sensor elements with measuring ranges from zero to 29 psi (zero to 2 bar) up to zero to 43,511 psi (zero to 3000 bar), with maximum medium temperatures of 194[degrees]F for the C-types and 392[degrees]F for the T-types.

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