Sensor technologyA sensor is a device which produces a signal in response to its detecting or measuring a property ,such as position , force , torque , pressure , temperature , humidity , speed , acceleration , or vibration .Traditionally ,sensors (such as actuators and switches )have been used to set limits on the performance of machines .Common examples are (a) stops on machine tools to restrict work table movements ,(b) pressure and temperature gages with automatics shut-off features , and (c) governors on engines to prevent excessive speed of operation . Sensor technology has become an important aspect of manufacturing processes and systems .It is essential for proper data acquisition and for the monitoring , communication , and computer control of machines and systems .Because they convert one quantity to another , sensors often are referred to as transducers .Analog sensors produce a signal , such as voltage ,which is proportional to the measured quantity .Digital sensors have numeric or digital outputs that can be transferred to computers directly .Analog-to-coverter(ADC) is available for interfacing analog sensors with computers .Classifications of SensorsSensors that are of interest in manufacturing may be classified generally as follows:Machanical sensors measure such as quantities aspositions ,shape ,velocity ,force ,torque , pressure , vibration , strain , and mass .Electrical sensors measure voltage , current , charge , and conductivity .Magnetic sensors measure magnetic field ,flux , and permeablity .Thermal sensors measure temperature , flux ,conductivity , and special heat .Other types are acoustic , ultrasonic , chemical , optical , radiation , laser ,and fiber-optic .Depending on its application , a sensor may consist of metallic , nonmetallic , organic , or inorganic materials , as well as fluids ,gases ,plasmas , or semiconductors .Using the special characteristics of these materials , sensors covert the quantity or property measured to analog or digital output. The operation of an ordinary mercury thermometer , for example , is based on the difference between the thermal expansion of mercury and that of glass.Similarly , a machine part , a physical obstruction , or barrier in a space can be detected by breaking the beam of light when sensed by a photoelectric cell . A proximity sensor ( which senses and measures the distance between it and an object or a moving member of a machine ) can be based on acoustics , magnetism , capacitance , or optics . Other actuators contact the object and take appropriate action ( usually by electromechanical means ) . Sensors are essential to the conduct of intelligent robots , and are being developed with capabilities that resemble those of humans ( smart sensors , see the following ).This is America, the development of such a surgery Lin Bai an example, through the screen, through a remote control operator to control another manipulator, through the realization of the right abdominal surgery A few years ago our country theexhibition, the United States has been successful in achieving the right to the heart valve surgery and bypass surgery. This robot has in the area, caused a great sensation, but also, AESOP's surgical robot, In fact, it through some equipment to some of the lesions inspections, through a manipulator can be achieved on some parts of the operation Also including remotely operated manipulator, and many doctors are able to participate in the robot under surgery Robot doctor to include doctors with pliers, tweezers or a knife to replace the nurses, while lighting automatically to the doctor's movements linked, the doctor hands off, lighting went off, This is very good, a doctor's assistant.Tactile sensing is the continuous of variable contact forces , commonly by an array of sensors . Such a system is capable of performing within an arbitrarythree-dimensional space .has gradually shifted from manufacturing tonon-manufacturing and service industries, we are talking about the car manufacturer belonging to the manufacturing industry, However, the services sector including cleaning, refueling, rescue, rescue, relief, etc. These belong to the non-manufacturing industries and service industries, so here is compared with the industrial robot, it is a very important difference. It is primarily a mobile platform, it can move to sports, there are some arms operate, also installed some as a force sensor and visual sensors, ultrasonic ranging sensors, etc. It’s surrounding environment for the conduct of identification, to determine its campaign to complete some work, this is service robot’s one of the basic characteristicsIn visual sensing (machine vision , computer vision ) , cameral optically sense the presence and shape of the object . A microprocessor then processes the image ( usually in less than one second ) , the image is measured , and the measurements are digitized ( image recognition ) .Machine vision is suitable particularly for inaccessible parts , in hostile manufacturing environments , for measuring a large number of small features , and in situations where physics contact with the part may cause damage .Small sensors have the capability to perform a logic function , to conducttwo-way communication , and to make a decisions and take appropriate actions . The necessary input and the knowledge required to make a decision can be built into a smart sensor . For example , a computer chip with sensors can be programmed to turn a machine tool off when a cutting tool fails . Likewise , a smart sensor can stop a mobile robot or a robot arm from accidentally coming in contact with an object or people by using quantities such as distance , heat , and noise .Sensor fusion . Sensor fusion basically involves the integration of multiple sensors in such a manner where the individual data from each of the sensors ( such as force , vibration , temperature , and dimensions ) are combined to provide a higher level of information and reliability . A common application of sensor fusion occurs when someone drinks a cup of hot coffee . Although we take such a quotidian event for granted ,it readily can be seen that this process involves data input from the person's eyes , lips , tongue , and hands .Through our basic senses of sight , hearing , smell , taste , and touch , there is real-time monitoring of relative movements , positions , and temperatures . Thus if the coffee is too hot , the hand movement of the cup toward the lip is controlled and adjusted accordingly .The earliest applications of sensor fusion were in robot movement control , missile flight tracking , and similar military applications . Primarily because these activities involve movements that mimic human behavior . Another example of sensor fusion is a machine operation in which a set of different but integrated sensors monitors (a) the dimensions and surface finish of workpiece , (b) tool forces , vibrations ,and wear ,(c) the temperature in various regions of the tool-workpiece system , and (d) the spindle power .An important aspect in sensor fusion is sensor validation : the failure of one particular sensor is detected so that the control system maintains high reliability . For this application ,the receiving of redundant data from different sensors is essential . It can be seen that the receiving , integrating of all data from various sensors can be a complex problem .With advances in sensor size , quality , and technology and continued developments in computer-control systems , artificial neural networks , sensor fusion has become practical and available at low cost .Movement is relatively independent of the number of components, the equivalent of our body, waist is a rotary degree of freedom We have to be able to hold his arm, Arm can be bent, then this three degrees of freedom, Meanwhile there is a wrist posture adjustment to the use of the three autonomy, the general robot has six degrees of freedom. We will be able to space the three locations, three postures, the robot fully achieved, and of course we have less than six degrees of freedomFiber-optic sensors are being developed for gas-turbine engines . These sensors will be installed in critical locations and will monitor the conditions inside the engine , such as temperature , pressure , and flow of gas . Continuous monitoring of the signals from thes sensors will help detect possible engine problems and also provide the necessary data for improving the efficiency of the engines .传感器技术传感器一种通过检测某一参数而产生信号的装置。