• Kistler Instruments (India) Private Limited

Flight Test Accelerometer Technology

Kistler, a worldwide supplier of precision sensors, systems and instrumentation for the dynamic measurement of pressure, force, torque and acceleration, has announced the availability of its piezoelectric and variable capacitive sensing technologies for flight test requirements, including in-flight structural analysis; flight test simulator qualification testing; aircraft bay and equipment monitoring; weapons and stores testing; landing gear evaluation and simulated drop testing; and aircraft flutter testing. For flight test simulator testing, Kistler K-Beam® MEMS variable capacitance accelerometers are mounted under the pilot seat to determine a simulator‘s vibration power spectrum density, with the goal of precisely matching the actual vibration characteristics of the aircraft to be simulated. After simulator commissioning, the same transducers are used to provide real-time data on the actual g-levels experienced by the pilot. If accelerometer data indicates that training limits are exceeded, the system shuts down automatically, providing an added safeguard. The Kistler K-Beam family is offered in ranges from ±2 g to ±200 g and with frequency response from DC to 1000 Hz (5%). These compact, lightweight accelerometers are available in either single axis (Type 8315) or triaxial (Type 8395A) versions. They incorporate a MEMS variable capacitance sensing element, consisting of a small inertial mass and flexure element sandwiched between two electrodes. As the mass deflects under acceleration, the capacitance between the sensing element and electrodes changes, which is then converted to a proportional voltage by its internal analog signal conditioner. All sensors offer excellent thermal stability and reliability over an operating temperature range of -55°C to +125°C, with 6,000 g pk shock survivability.

The company also offers Piezoelectric Accelerometers, Quartz High-Pressure Sensor, Cutting Force Dynamometer.