Tensor Inclinometer
The TENSOR Tri-axial Accelerometer measures three orthogonal axes of inclination (A, B, and C) and also includes a temperature sensor. The inclinometer has a 1g full scale output in survey mode. The sensor operates within the following parameters:
- Input Voltage +/- 12.5 to 15.5 volts
- Input Current < 80 ma/g
- Accelerometer Output 3.0 ma/g
The inclinometer is made up of three accelerometers. The operation of the accelerometer is based on the movement of a quartz proof mass during acceleration. The figure above is a diagram of a accelerometer. The accelerometer consists of two magnets and a quartz disc with a coil attached to it. The quartz disc is a proof mass with a hinge that has been chemically etched to allow movement in one direction. A torquer coil is attached to the proof mass which is suspended between the two permanent magnets. The proof mass position is maintained by applying current to the torquer coil. The magnets have reference plates which measure the capacitance between the two magnets. When a force is applied to the accelerometer, movement of the proof mass changes the capacitance. A circuit detects the change in capacitance and applies current to the torquer coil to restore the proof mass to its original position.
The amount of current required to restore the proof mass to its original position is a function of the amount of force applied to the accelerometer. Force is related to acceleration by F = ma. We measure the acceleration of gravity in g's (gravity units) in three orthogonal directions relative to the Directional Sensor probe. This allows us to calculate the inclination of the tool relative to vertical.
The scaling of the A and B accelerometer channels depends on the operational mode (survey or steering), while the C channel and the temperature sensor have the same scaling for both modes. The full scale output voltage sensitivity for each mode is as follows:
CHANNEL
- X Accelerometer
- Y Accelerometer
- Z Accelerometer
- Temperature
SURVEY
STEERING
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