Custom Sensors for Product Integration

Vibration and pressure monitoring of aircraft gas turbine engines, industrial turbines, rocket propulsion systems, and automotive exhaust systems require accelerometers and pressure sensors that are designed to withstand very high temperature environments. UHT-12™ is a new crystal designed for more accurate, lower noise measurements during large temperature variations and trusted in the most demanding environments. PCB sensors made with UHT-12™ technology have an improved data quality compared to ceramic crystal designs at highly elevated temperature environments.

Marine vessels use engines and generators for propulsion, thrusters and power generation. Employing an effective condition-based maintenance system to monitor critical propulsion components, requires the installation of reliable sensors. As Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) become tasked with longer autonomous missions, the need for additional sensors to monitor critical processes will become even greater. PCB designs and manufactures a wide range of sensors and sensing systems for applications such as ship-board machinery health monitoring. In addition, our sister company, Accumetrics offers several rotor telemetry systems for acquiring sensor data from propulsion shafts in support of marine applications.

PCB has developed extensive experience in supporting high “g” level measurements associated with pyro shock and blast testing applications over the years. In addition, we also serve OEM component requirements of fuzing manufacturers. All fuzing systems perform four basic functions: safing, arming, recognition or sensing of the target, and initiation of the warhead. The accelerometers used in these fuzing systems endure high-velocity impact and penetration environments that require damped piezo resistive (PR) shock sensors to capture the complete pulse width while suppressing high frequency energy that causes ringing.

Highlighting one of the major Modernization Priorities of the US Army, the Next-Generation Combat Vehicle Program Initiative aims to usher in the next-generation family of ground combat vehicles to replace and advance the United States' current level of Ground Combat Warfare capabilities. PCB manufactures sensors that support R&D testing of this critical combat vehicle directive and also produces custom sensors designed as integral OEM components for field deployment.

Liquid and solid propellant rocket engines provide the power to boost launch vehicles into space. The high-amplitude vibration in the combustion chambers of large-thrust liquid rocket engines (LREs) has been a top concern of aerospace structural engineers for many years. Excessive vibration poses a serious threat to the structural safety of the engine and the reliability of system operation. PCB manufactures accelerometers to quantify these vibration levels while operating under the extreme cryogenic temperatures associated with R&D testing and on-board monitoring of space launch vehicles.