Test and measurement technology supplier HBK is introducing a range of sensors that uses a new piezoelectric material called gallium orthophosphate (GaPO4) which enhances their high-temperature measurement capabilities.
The piezoelectric sensors are part of a new offering from HBK, enhanced by the acquisition of Piezocryst, the company that originally pioneered the growing process of the GaPO4 crystals for industrial use.
The sensors can deliver accurate measurements at ultra-high temperatures of up to 700°C (1300°F) and even higher for certain applications and are suitable for industries including aerospace and defense, oil and gas, power generation, pulp and paper, and steel rolling.
The sensors can be used in a variety of harsh environments. The acceleration sensors can provide stable vibration measurements for predictive maintenance and are suitable for long-term monitoring of rotating shafts, turbine blades, fans, and bearings.
The pressure sensors can monitor performance and gather data for control systems. They are useful in harsh environments where combustion processes take place, including gas turbines for electric power plants, jet and rocket engines. Finally, the force sensors can be used in demanding applications such as flatness measurement in steel rolling processes or hot sealing machines.
According to HBK, its piezoelectric sensors provide long-term data stability, which is unaffected by even the most demanding high-temperature environments. HBK sensors exhibit the longest Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) in the industry and are less likely to fail, significantly reducing the chances of equipment downtime and lowering maintenance costs.
All sensors can be customized to suit customers’ needs.
HBK’s director of R&D, Denis Varak said, “As piezoelectric sensor designers, we are always on the lookout for new piezoelectric materials to better serve our customers’ needs. There is no single material that can do it all. Typically, a material is suited for a particular application.
“When it comes to ultra-high-temperature applications of over 450°C, gallium orthophosphate offers unsurpassed performance, stability, and conservation of measurement properties. This addition to our piezoelectric materials family will expand our ultra-high-temperature measurement capabilities and help us maintain leadership in acceleration, force, and pressure measurements.”
The GaPO4 growth technology at HBK aligns with its experience in sensor design and application development. This combination makes HBK highly resilient to supply chain fluctuations and enables the company to deliver quick solutions to customer challenges.
Dr. Alexander Schricker, head of product development at Piezocryst by HBK said, “At Piezocryst, we’ve guided our customers towards direct measurement in turbines using our extensive sensor expertise and years of active participation in the industry.
“Our sensor technology has pioneered new developments in turbomachinery instrumentation, enabling direct combustion measurement in air-breathing engines. This advancement is now being mirrored in many more applications, such as the monitoring of flame stability in hydrogen (H2) combustion. As part of HBK, we’re looking forward to further enhancing our high-temperature solutions for our customers.”
More information about HBK’s high-temperature force, acceleration, and pressure sensors.
