Sensor
In an Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem, two things are very important: the Internet and physical devices like sensors and actuators
A sensor which measures the physical quantity of light rays and convert it into electrical signal which can be easily readable by user or an electronic instrument/device is called optical sensor. Optical sensors and Smart Sensors are loved by IoT experts, as they are practical for measuring different things simultaneously.
Here are some of the key sensors, extensively being used in the IoT world.
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. Temperature Sensors
By definition, “A device, used to measure amount of heat energy that allows to detect a physical change in temperature from a particular source and converts the data for a device or user, is known as a Temperature Sensor.”
Thermocouples: These are voltage devices that indicate temperature measuring with a change in voltage. As temperature goes up, the output voltage of the thermocouple rises.
Resistor temperature detectors (RTD): The resistance of the device is directly proportional to the temperature, increase in a positive direction when the temperature rises resistance going up.
Thermistors: It is a temperature sensitive resistor that changes its physical resistance with the change in temperature.
IC (Semiconductor): They are linear devices where the conductivity of the semiconductor increases linearly, and it takes advantage of the variable resistance properties of semiconductor materials. It can provide a direct temperature reading in digital form, especially at low temperatures.
Infrared sensors: It detects temperature by intercepting a portion of emitted infrared energy of the object or substance, and sensing its intensity, can be used to measure temperature of solids and liquids only, Not possible to use it on gases because of their transparent nature
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. Proximity Sensor
A device that detects the presence or absence of a nearby object, or properties of that object, and converts it into signal which can be easily read by user or a simple electronic instrument without getting in contact with them
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Pressure Sensor
A pressure sensor is a device that senses pressure and converts it into an electric signal. Here, the amount depends upon the level of pressure applied.
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Chemical Sensor
Chemical sensors are applied in a number of different industries. Their goal is to indicate changes in liquid or to find out air chemical changes.
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Level Sensors
A sensor which is used to determine the level or amount of fluids, liquids or other substances that flow in an open or closed system is called Level sensor.
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Accelerometer sensors
These sensors are used in smartphones, vehicles, aircrafts and other applications to detect orientation of an object, shake, tap, tilt, motion, positioning, shock or vibration
Actuator
An actuator typically is a mechanical device that takes energy — usually energy that is created by air, electricity or liquid — and converts it into some kind of motion. That motion can be in virtually any form, such as blocking, clamping or ejecting.
Actuators can be categorized by the energy source they require to generate motion. For example:
Pneumatic actuators use compressed air to generate motion.
Hydrolic actuators use liquid to generate motion.
Electric actuators use an external power source, such as a battery, to generate motion.
Thermal actuators use a heat source to generate motion.
ACTUATORS AND ACTUATING TECHNOLOGIES
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An Electric actuator s a type of motor that is responsible for moving or controlling a mechanism or system. It is operated by a source of energy, typically electric current,
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FLUID: control fluid flow in ways that will ultimately result in improved system performance and fuel efficiency in to improve the aerodynamic performance of a variety of vehicles. It uses flexible fluidic actuators (FFAs) conductive liquids as their working fluids
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A wax motor (thermal actuator) is a linear actuator that converts thermal energy into mechanical by exploiting the phase-change behavior of waxes. Thermal actuators tend to be compact, lightweight, economical and with high power density.
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A mechanical actuator functions to execute movement by converting one kind of motion, such as rotary motion, into another kind, such as linear motion.
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MEMS Sensors and actuators: MEMS are systems that integrate mechanical and electrical components with dimensions on the order of micrometers.
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MEMS Sensors: type of MicroElectroMechanical System (MEMS) that convert physical energy into electrical.
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MEMS actuators are a type of MicroElectroMechanical System (MEMS) that convert energy into motion. Therefore, the typical motions achieved by MEMS actuators are on the order of micrometers as well.
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Hydraulic is a branch of science concerned with the practical applications of fluids, primarily liquids, in motion. A hydraulic actuator consists of cylinder or fluid motor that uses hydraulic power to facilitate mechanical operation.
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Pneumatics is a branch of engineering that makes use of gas or pressurized air to perform some works. Pneumatic actuators enable considerable forces to be produced from relatively small pressure changes. A pneumatic actuator converts energy formed by vacuum or compressed air at high pressure into either linear or rotary motion.
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Magnetic actuators are the actuators that use magnetic fields to produce motion. Thus magnetic actuators convert input electrical energy into magnetic energy which creates a magnetic force to produces mechanical motion over a limited range.
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Performance metrics for actuators include speed, acceleration, and force (alternatively, angular speed, angular acceleration, and torque), as well as energy efficiency and considerations such as mass, volume, operating conditions, and durability, among others.