Summary

The PCI inductive angular positioning system currently represents the most efficient and most elegant sensor solution for rotary joints and slewing bearings due to its outstanding characteristics. No existing alternatives are capable of combining such essential characteristics in a single system. The non-contact system operates free of wear, does not require any additional mechanisms and produces valid absolute values without slipping, immediately after switching on. The sensor system is insusceptible to the adhesion of metal abrasion, not affected by bearing grease and insensitive to a variety of adverse ambient conditions, including heat, sand and dust on solar power plants in the desert, the aggressive saltwater environment of off-shore wind farms, or dirt, oil and grease on cranes, loading units or special vehicles. These properties form a solid foundation for many years of reliable operation and help reduce maintenance costs.

摘要

      PCI電感式角定位系統因其自身特點，目前是回轉軸承最有效和最優雅的旋轉接頭傳感器解決方案。目前還沒有一個獨立系統可結合與其同等的基本特征和能力。非接觸式的系統保證了無磨損運作，不需要任何額外的機械裝置便可輸出有效的絕對位置值，信號輸出無延遲。該傳感器系統不會因金屬磨損而出錯，不受軸承油脂影響結果，適用于多樣的極端環境，包括熱，沙子和沙漠中太陽能發電廠遭受的灰塵，海上風廠的鹽水環境，裝載部件或特種車輛以及起重機上的污垢和油膩。這些特性形成了其多年可靠運行的堅實基礎，并有助于降低維修成本。

Inductive angular positioning system designed for heavy machine construction

專為重型機械制造設計的電感式角定位系統

Inductive sensor systems are characterized by their exceptional robustness and resistance to dirt, oil, grease and humidity under difficult ambient conditions. The fact that even large solar and wind power plants as well as marine engineering and port systems technology can benefit from these advantages provides an interesting insight into how the inductive measuring system has developed. The system was designed for measuring angular positions on rotary joints and slewing bearings with diameters ranging from half a meter to approximately four meters.

      電感式傳感器系統的特點是其出色的堅固性與抵抗污垢，油，油脂和濕度以及惡劣的工作環境。事實上，只有大型的太陽能和風力發電廠以及海洋工程和港口系統技術才能能夠受益于它的這些優勢，從而令電感式測量系統如何開發成了一個有趣的話題。該系統是專為測量旋轉接頭和軸承的角位置，直徑范圍從0.5米到4米不等。

The Position Coding System (PCI) is an inductive angular positioning system from Pepperl+Fuchs that is a further development of the PMI series manufactured by the same company. Numerous coil/oscillating circuit systems positioned closely beside one another use an intelligent microcontroller control interface to measure the position of metal target elements (Fig. 2) with a high degree of precision and form the basis of both series. Current systems are only capable of detecting one metal target object that moves along a linear or circular trajectory depending on the sensor type. When this method of measured value acquisition is employed, the size of the measurement range or the shaft diameter is restricted to the physical expansion of the sensor because the measurement target must always be located above the inductively sensitive coil/oscillating circuit. The inductive linear measuring systems that incorporate PMI technology currently achieve a maximum measurement range of 1000 mm, while the inductive PMI angular positioning system is suitable for maximum shaft diameters of 40 millimeters.

      位置編碼系統（PCI）是由德國倍加福由PMI系列基礎上研發出的電感式角定位系統。多個線圈/振蕩電路系統的定緊密排放，通過智能微控制器對金屬目標物進行高精度測量（圖2）。目前的系統依據傳感器類型只能探測沿直線或圓形軌跡移動的金屬目標物。當采取這兩種測量值的綜合方法時，測量范圍或軸的直徑僅限于傳感器的物理擴張，因為測量的目標，必須始終位于敏感的電感線圈/振蕩電路的上方。電感式線性測量系統采用了PMI技術，目前最大的測量范圍達到1000毫米，而電感式PMI的角度定位系統為軸直徑40毫米最為合適。

Clever coding pushes the limits智能編碼應用更為廣泛

The new PCI system is not affected by this restriction and is therefore suitable for application areas involving much larger spatial dimensions. The sensor now doubles up as a reading head which

measures the position of a moving code rail that allows a sensor head with multiple lengths. A row of steel pins serving is secured to the backing material on the code rail as targets. The pins are arranged on the code rail in pairs so that the reading head detects a minimum of one pair of targets at all times. In addition, each pair is characterized by a gap with a specific distance that appears only once along the entire code rail, e.g. 80 mm. The code rail and reading head are adapted perfectly to one another and the absolute position of each gap is stored in the software in the reading head.

      新型PCI系統不受限制，適合大空間尺度的應用。該傳感器現有兩部分組成，一個移動編碼帶、一個測量編碼位置的讀取頭，從而能進行多種長度的測量。一排鐵條分布在碼帶上沖當被測的目標物。這些鐵條成對安置在碼帶上，使代碼的讀取頭在任何時候都能檢測出至少一對目標物。此外，每一對鐵條之間保證特定的距離，在整個編碼帶上只出現一次，例如，相差80毫米。編碼帶與讀取頭彼此配合得天衣無縫，每個空隙的絕對位置存儲于讀取頭的軟件中。

The sensor is therefore capable of calculating the current position of the code rail accurately at any time via a two-stage evaluation process. Initially the sensor detects the target pair gap above the reading head for purposes of general positioning, e.g. the gap L5 with distance of 80 mm, so that the system knows that the position of the target nearest to the reference is located at an absolute position of 680 mm, for example. Fine positioning is performed in a second step, whereby the remaining distance between the target nearest to the original position and the reference point on the reading head are added together. (Fig. 2: if the residual distance were 30 mm, the end result would be 680 mm + 30 mm = 710 mm.)

      因此，通過兩個階段的評估，該傳感器可隨時準確計算碼帶的精確位置。起初，傳感器檢測目標物成對間距的目的是為了定位，例如：L5空隙的距離是80毫米，系統因此知最接近參考點的目標物的實際位置是在680毫米的絕對位置上。精細定位在第二個步驟的執行中，加上剩余的距離，即讀取頭的參考點和距離參考點最近的目標物之間的距離（圖2：如果剩余的距離為30毫米，最終的結果將是680毫米+ 30毫米= 710毫米。）

Absolute measuring, non-contact and wear-free絕對測量，非接觸，無磨損

The Position Coding System is suitable for slewing bearings with diameters of 0.5...4 meters and allows direct, slip-free angle detection on large rotary joints. The absolute measuring principle make the current position available immediately after the coding system is restarted or switched on. Reference runs are not necessary after maintenance, faults or failure of the power supply. The measurement range extends from 1,500 to 12,000 millimeters, depending on the sensor version and the specified bearing diameters. With an absolute direction resolution of ±1 mm along the circumference, the system can achieve angle resolutions between 0.24° and 0.03°. Angle speeds of 3°/sec to 12°/sec are achieved at a signal refresh rate of 36 ms, depending on the bearing diameter and required measurement accuracy. The sensor is ideal for outdoor application due to the robust mechanical design and integral temperature compensation feature.

      位置編碼系統適合0.5 ... 4米直徑的軸承，允許直接、自由滑移、大型旋轉節點的角度檢測。絕對位置測量的原理令編碼系統重啟或開啟后的當前位置立即可得。維修、故障或電力供應中斷后無需參考運行。根據傳感器的版本和指定的軸承直徑，測量范圍從1500到12000毫米。該系統沿絕對圓周方向精度± 1毫米，可以達到0.24 °和0.03°的角分辨率精度。根據軸承的直徑和測量精度要求，3 ° /秒至12 ° /秒的速度角下可以實現每36毫秒一次的信號刷新率。該傳感器具有堅固的機械設計和整體溫度補償功能，是戶外應用的理想選擇。

The code rail can be mounted either directly on the bearing or on the bearing flange. The maximum read distance of 5mm gives the measuring system a high guide tolerance. Compared to magnetic systems that operate with air gap sizes of only 0.1...1.5 millimeters, this read distance can be considered more than adequate. Problems arising from abrasive effects caused by dirt and sand or even metallic friction between targets and the reading head can therefore be prevented depending on the system. The system can easily compensate for corresponding changes in distance caused by mechanical imbalances during operation (Fig. 3).
      該編碼帶可以直接安裝在軸承或軸承法蘭上。讀取的最大距離為5mm令測量系統具備了較高的容錯性。與氣隙距離僅0.1 ...1.5毫米的磁性系統相比，這個讀取距離已經綽綽有余。由于目標物和讀取頭之間的灰塵、沙子或金屬摩擦磨損引起的問題，可以通過系統設置而有效防止。該系統可以輕松地彌補操作過程中的機械不平衡（圖3）引起的距離變化。

Ideal properties for harsh outdoor applications惡劣戶外應用的理想特性

The inductive sensor system is suitable for applications in the renewable energy, marine engineering and port system equipment and commercial or special vehicle construction industries. In solar power plants, solar trackers enable the cell panels to follow the path of the sun. The described measuring system for controlling the azimuth angle in solar tracker applications has already been used with great success. In solar thermal power plants with a concentration of direct solar radiation, countless parabolic mirror systems must be continuously moved to direct the sunlight accurately towards the central absorber. Nowadays, solar thermal plants are becoming larger and larger and are focusing more and more on maximizing energy yield and efficiency. Reliable sensor systems are making an important contribution to the overall cost-effectiveness of these plants.

      電感傳感器系統適用于可再生能源，海洋工程和港口系統設備和商業建筑等行業或特殊車輛的應用。在太陽能電站，太陽能跟蹤讓太陽能板時時追蹤太陽路徑。我們的測量系統成功應用在控制太陽的方位角跟蹤系統。在太陽熱能廠，太陽光能的輻射需要集中，無數鏡面系統就必須不斷轉移、準確地吸收陽光，直接集中到中央吸收器。如今，太陽能熱電廠的規模正在變得越來越大，以能源產量的最大化和效率為重點。可靠的傳感器系統正為工廠的整體成本效益做出重要貢獻。

The PCI inductive angular positioning system can also be used for several different applications in wind power plants. First of all, for measuring the current angular position on the large rotary joint that supports the entire turbine and can reach diameters of up to four meters. The system can also be used on the rotor blades, whose pitch angle can also be modified. Modifications to the pitch angle can influence the incident flow in the required way when the rotor starts or during active braking sequences. The bearings on the rotor blades can still reach diameters of about one meter.

      PCI電感式角定位系統也可用于風力發電廠的幾個不同的應用。首先，測量支持整個風機的大型旋轉部件的當前角度位置，可以達到4米直徑的角度位置。該系統也可用于風機的葉片，控制傾斜角度。在引擎啟動或制動過程中，傾角的修改能夠按需求影響氣流。轉子的軸承仍然可以達到約一米直徑。

Other important application areas include the commercial vehicle, special vehicle, marine engineering and port systems technology sectors. Various load and slewing cranes, lifting and working platforms, loading units, rotary fire service ladders etc. form the backbone of operational logistics processes as well as other activities. The plants are permanently exposed to moisture, dirt, dust, oil and grease and failures cost the operating company a great deal of money.

      其他重要的應用領域包括商用車輛，特種車輛，海洋工程和港口系統科技行業，不同的負載和起重機，升降機和工作平臺，裝載部件，旋轉的消防云梯等構成了物流操作過程以及其他活動的中流砥柱。這些工廠長年累月地暴露在潮濕，污垢，灰塵，油脂和故障的環境中，給公司運營造成了大量的資金損失。

Inductive measuring principle fears no comparison電感應式測量原理的優越性

With angle speeds of up to 12°/sec, the dynamics of the sensor system are adapted to the target application areas of industrial and heavy machine construction. An RS232 interface is fitted as standard to transfer the measured values, although the standards used in the relevant applications and major projects depend heavily on the respective industry and the technical control environment. The modular structure of the angular positioning system enables both mechanical adaptation to the specific customer application as well as modification of the interface to match the corresponding control technology.

      隨著高達12 ° /秒的角速度，傳感器系統的動力學適用于工業和重型機械建設的目標應用領域。雖然有關的標準和重大項目的應用很大程度上取決于各自的行業和技術的控制環境，一個RS232接口適合傳輸標準裝備的測量值。該角定位系統的模塊化結構，允許按照特定客戶的應用進行機械調整和界面的修改，以配合相應的控制技術。

From a cost perspective, the inductive sensor system is comparable to a magnetic system, only without disadvantages such as the small, sensitive air gap, residual magnetism that changes with the temperature and sensitivity to magnetic interference fields and metallic abrasion. The new sensor offers cost advantages over rotary encoder solutions because the absolute rotary encoder and the cost-intensive installation of the mechanical encoder coupling using components such as transmission gears or a friction wheel are no longer required. Friction wheels are also a potential source of failure due to their susceptibility to wear.

      從成本的角度來看，電感式傳感器系統相當于電磁系統，但是不具有氣隙高靈敏度，剩磁隨溫度變化，對電磁干擾和金屬磨損敏感等這些不利因素。新型傳感器較旋轉編碼器提供了更具成本優勢的解決方案，因為絕對值旋轉編碼器和編碼器機械耦合所需的昂貴配件，如傳動齒輪或摩擦輪組件，都不再需要。摩擦輪同時也是系統磨損的潛在來源。

Fig. 1: The PCI Position Coding System facilitates the non-contact detection of rotation angles on slewing bearings used in renewable energy systems, marine engineering and port systems technology as well as commercial and special vehicle construction.

Fig. 2: Functional principle – The system of coils does not require permanent magnets to measure the absolute rotation angle. The distance traveled is measured with reference to the positions of the steel pins along a code rail, which are stored in the sensor.

Fig. 3: The large reading distance of 5 mm safeguards against failures caused by dirt and guarantees sufficient tolerance to imbalances or concentricity errors.