Types of ultrasonic sensors
As you know, there are many kinds of ultrasonic sensors. There are proximity sensors that detect the presence of objects and determine if they should open or close a circuit. These may control doors, windows, and other mechanical devices in an automated building or machine. There are also level detectors based on sound waves instead of light beams, and they can measure height, distance, or fluid levels in tanks and pipes. Some ultrasonic sensors can also measure the thickness of various materials, and others can measure distances up to 400 meters.
Here we list some different types of sensors:
1) Ultrasonic diffuse proximity sensors
The first type is the Ultrasonic diffuse proximity sensor. It is a passive sensor with no moving parts, which may be used to detect the presence of a signal. The signal is emitted in the form of ultrasonic waves. The distance between the signal source and receiving device (having a microphone) can be measured by measuring how long it takes to receive a corresponding echo reply.
The Ultrasonic diffuse proximity sensor is commonly used to detect the presence of objects. The greater the object density, the more echo returns (or bounces) are received by the microphone; the closer the thing is, the more those echoes are received per unit of time.
The key application areas for ultrasonic sensors include:
It can be used to detect whether a door, a window, or any other mechanical device has been opened or not.
Ultrasonic sensors are often used in parking lots to register whether cars have entered, how long they stay there, and so on.
2)Ultrasonic retro-reflective sensors
A second type is the ultrasonic retro-reflective sensor. This works by reflecting ultrasonic waves to the sensor. Because of this, it has a higher range than other types of sensors.
The ultrasonic retro-reflective sensors are commonly used to detect obstacles and hidden objects in dark or low-illumination conditions, as they can work even without illumination. This technology can also reduce the number of false alarms in automated facilities as it identifies only moving objects and ignores those which fixed or still.
The applications of ultrasonic retro-reflective sensors are widespread. They used in many types of automated facilities. The key applications areas include:
They can used to detect the presence of hidden obstacles such as car doors, quick-disconnect buttons or switches, and so on. To prevent false alarms, they can also see details such as whether a door open or not and whether its closed.
3) Ultrasonic-level sensors
Level detectors are used to measure the level of fluids in tanks. They can also measure thickness, height, and distance between objects.
Level detection the most widely used ultrasonic technology due to its high precision and large distance ranges. Its commonly used in many different industries, such as:
We have automated assembly line systems for products like automobiles, electronics components, precision tools, and so on.
4) Distance measurement sensors (or ultrasonic sensors)
Distance measurement sensors emit a signal containing a coded pulse pattern that triggers a response from a single receiving device or multiple receiving devices arranged at different distances from the sensor (to measure the range). This is the most accurate type of ultrasonic sensor. In addition, a single sensor can estimate a range of over 400 meters.
The key applications areas for this type of sensor include:
Used to detect the presence of an object, for example, whether a person is outside or not. For example, when you press the button to open your car door, it may be locked from the inside or won’t open unless all doors are locked from the inside.
Fire control systems can designed using this type of sensor as they will sound an alarm if anyone approaches the protected area with an intensity that poses a risk to life and property.
5) Ultrasonic through-beam sensors
A through-beam sensor is similar to a level detector but used to detect objects located above and below the sensing surface. They used in vehicles, industrial applications, and also military applications.
The key application areas for this type of sensor include:
Used in parking spaces for automated vehicles. For example, if you park your car too close to another, the system will give a warning signal. When you are about to hit an object, for example, a pole or another vehicle, the car will automatically stop, so you don’t get into an accident.
A sensor that mounted at an angle is able to detect the distance between two objects. They widely used in the following applications:
Used in automated vehicles with sensors mounted on the front and rear bumpers. The car will react if it suddenly runs over an obstacle. If you hit something that doesn’t move, for example, a person or a pole, the vehicle will stop automatically.
Which ultrasonic sensor is widely used?
The most commonly used type is the ultrasonic level detector. This can detect height, distance, fluid levels in tanks, the thickness of materials, etc.
What are the applications of ultrasonic sensors?
Automated manufacturing systems for assembly lines in automobile, electronics, and precision machine tooling industries.
Machines can react if something goes wrong, such as when a car hits an object, or a person approaches a protected area with an intense concentration of energy that poses a risk to life and property. In these cases, they can sound an alarm; make automated vehicles stop immediately, or send a warning signal via SMS to a cell phone connected to the device (also known as a short message service).
