• Kistler Instruments (India) Private Limited

Piezoelectric Force Sensors & Accelerometers

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 three-component force sensors and piezoelectric accelerometers to meet the rigorous demands of satellite and spacecraft force limited vibration testing (FLV). Satellite and spacecraft manufacturers, and their associated test facilities, use highly specialised equipment to excite, monitor and control vibration inputs during payload development and qualification testing. These manufacturers rely upon FLV as a means of effectively simulating the payload interface forces and input vibration levels encountered during typical in-flight conditions, minimizing forces at the resonances that can cause undue structural stress, with the goal of avoiding costly over-testing conditions, which can damage or destroy these payloads. To simulate these in-flight conditions, FLV uses a slip table for structural excitation; a dynamometer, to measure slip-table-to-payload interface forces (and moments); and piezoelectric accelerometers, to measure the input vibration levels used for shaker control. Force limiting controllers automatically notch the excitation at the test item’s resonances. Among the more popular three-component FLV force sensors are Kistler Types 9027C and 9077C, which offer durable construction and quartz technology for high reliability, as well as high sensitivity and low cross talk, for accurate multi-component measurements. These sensors offer compact size, corrosion-resistant housings and a sealed sensor case, with plug connection via a robust multi-plug connector. The company also offers flight test accelerometer technology, quartz high-pressure sensor, piezoelectric accelerometers, etc.