Tilt Sensors, Switches and Inclinometers

Tilt sensors, switches and inclinometers generate an artificial horizon and measure angular tilt with respect to this horizon. They are used in cameras, aircraft flight controls, automobile security systems, and special switches. Important specifications to consider when searching for tilt sensors, switches and inclinometers are the tilt angle range and number of axes. The tilt angle range is the range of desired linear output measured in degrees. The number of axes the inclinometer and tilt sensor measure on is another important specification.

Sensor technologies for tilt sensors, switches and inclinometers are defined as accelerometer, capacitive, electrolytic, gas bubble in liquid, mercury, and pendulum. Accelerometers are instruments for measuring, displaying, and analyzing acceleration and vibration. Capacitive tilt sensors are designed primarily to take noncontact measurements of tilt and inclination. Electrolytic tilt sensors are capable of producing extremely accurate pitch and roll measurements in a variety of applications. A gas bubble in liquid is comprised of a sight glass filled with liquid. A mercury-type device consists of a small metal or glass can, inside of which are two electrodes and a minute drop of mercury. With these tilt sensors, switches and inclinometers, operation is based on the tilted position of the sensor - towards the electrodes closes the circuit, away from the electrodes opens the circuit. Pendulum-type sensors are pendulums or weights that are used in conjunction with a rotary sensor. 

Common electrical outputs for tilt sensors, switches and inclinometers include analog current, digital (TTL), analog frequency or pulse, analog voltage, serial, parallel, and switched or alarm. Sensor specifications include accuracy and bandwidth. The frequency range is the range of frequencies over which tilt sensors, switches and inclinometers meet their accuracy specifications. Accuracy is degraded at lower and lower frequencies unless the device is capable of DC response; and at higher frequencies near resonance and beyond, where its output response rolls off. Frequencies are usually the 3-dB rolloff frequencies. Display types for tilt sensors, switches and inclinometers include analog meters, digital numerical displays, or video displays. 

Tilt sensors, switches and inclinometers can be sensor elements or chips, sensors or transducers, instruments or meters, gauges or indicators, or recorders and totalizers. A sensor element or chip denotes a "raw" device such as a strain gage, or one with no integral signal conditioning or packaging. A sensor or transducer is a more complex device with packaging and/or signal conditioning that is powered and provides an output such a dc voltage, a 4-20mA current loop, etc. An instrument or meter is a self-contained unit that provides an output such as a display locally at or near the device. Typically, it also includes signal processing and/or conditioning. A gauge or indicator is a device that has a (usually analog) display and no electronic output such as a tension gage. Tilt sensors, switches and inclinometers with recording or totalizing capabilities can record, totalize or track measurements over time.

• Electrolytic Tilt Sensors and Inclinometers: A Primer - Sensors Online Magazine, September 2004
  The term tilt sensor is often used to identify a large variety of devices that measure, indicate, or otherwise provide a signal of some type when tilted from (or to) a level position, using gravity as...
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