How Accelerometers Are Used in Data Acquisition

The process of data collection involves the collection and measuring of information on various measurables. It enables a person to come to a conclusion and evaluate the outcome. Data collection and analysis is utilized in a various areas such as industry, sciences, business, etc. The emphasis is on making sure one has the most reliable and accurate data to make the right decisions. Accurate data collection is vital to maintaining the integrity of research. Both the selection of appropriate data collection instruments will reduce the likelihood of errors occurring. Consequences from improperly collected data include: inability to answer research questions accurately, coming to the wrong conclusion and making the wrong decisions, and wasting valuable resources. Today, accelerometers are used in data acquisition.

Accelerometers are widely used in industry for measuring vibration in moving vehicles, aircraft, rotating machinery, etc. Accelerometers allow the user to configure nearly any sequence of input accelerometer sensitivity and output scale factor to be used with a data acquisition system. Almost all accelerometer devices use the force generated by moving a seismic object to measure acceleration of the object. The shift of the object or the force formed by the motion of the mass is detected and measured by a very wide range of sensors such as piezoelectric, strain gauge, and micro-machined semiconductors (MEMS).

Accelerometers with integrated sensor systems have evolved to offer a much wider range of application in industry. They offer: better performance, increased sensitivity, wider range of operating frequencies, more durable design, and smaller sizes. They are extremely efficient in data acquisition tasks. The common types of accelerometers used today include strain gauge accelerometers (bridge output devices) Piezoresistive accelerometers (ICP and IEPE output devices), Piezoelectric accelerometers (ICP and charge output devices), and MEMS accelerometers (PWM, high impedance analog voltage, and bridge output devices.)

Accelerometers can be used to measure vehicle acceleration to evaluate performance of the braking systems and engine/drive train. They are also used to measure vibration on safety installations, seismic activity, machine vibration, etc. The accelerometer is configured for use in gravimetry. Accelerometers are also used in the biological sciences for such tasks as determining animal behavioral patterns such as the rate in which an animal in the wild expends energy.

Accelerometers are also used to monitor the health of machinery with rotating equipment such as compressors, fans, pumps, etc. Vibration monitoring using accelerometers improves safety in manufacturing plants, saves money, reduces downtime, and detects if repairs or replacements need to be made. Accelerometer vibration data allows the user to monitor and detect problems before failure occurs. They are used in such industries as: pharmaceutical production, automotive manufacturing, power generation, machine tool applications, pulp and paper, power plants, food and beverage production, steel manufacturing, water and waste-water, petrochemical manufacturing, and hydro-power, In addition, accelerometers are used in building and structural monitoring. They are used to measure the motion and vibration of a structure that is exposed to dynamic loads.

Measuring and recording data properly is an essential part of data analysis. Accelerometers and data acquisition are vital parts of many different types of industry, organizations, and business.

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Source: http://www.articlesbd.com/articles/221561/1/How-Accelerometers-Are-Used-in-Data-Acquisition/Page1.html

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