New 650°C Accelerometer from PCB Piezotronics Eliminates Noise Spikes

PCB Piezotronics, a world leader in vibration, acoustic, pressure, force and torque sensors has announced a new crystal technology being used in high temperature applications called Ultra High Temperature 650°C (1200°F) or UHT-12™. Accelerometers designed with UHT-12™ make measurements with better accuracy and lower noise over large temperature profiles.

“This new development solves the gas turbine manufacturers’ problems with ceramic based sensors known as pyroelectric noise,” said Bob Metz, PCB’s Director of Aerospace & Defense.  “The material also has the ability to operate in shear mode, isolating the accelerometer from thermal influences and base strain errors.”

UHT-12™ technology allows accelerometers to be insensitive to temperature variations. This is ideal for applications such as test and monitoring vibration of gas turbine engines (both in-flight and in test cells), rocket motors and thruster assemblies, turbocharger and exhaust system test and engine balancing. 

PCB’s UHT-12™ family comprises ICP^® and charge output accelerometers including models 320C52, 357D90, 357D91, EX611 and series 339. The new high temperature crystal technology has also been adapted to pressure sensor series 115 and 176.

UHT-12™ technical advantages include elimination of pyroelectric noise spikes, up to 650°C /(1200°F), consistent sensitivity over a wider temperature range and isolation of the crystal from base strain and transverse measurement errors.