Re: Source Sealed Potentiometers?

Frnak McKenney wrote:

I've done that & it works very well in prototype. I'm not confident,
though, that it will work reliably in the messy environment that the
final version will be going into. The need for frequent
maintenance/cleaning is something that I'd like to avoid if I can.

You mentioned the possibility of the platform getting "dunked", which
suggests outdoors: river water, pond water, rainwater. That kind of
exposure to the elements suggests that the platform and its drive
mechanism will need periodic maintenance, and any type of resolver or
encoder that is mechanically connected to that platform or its drive
will need at least as much maintenance (gears need greasing from time
to time <grin>). Given that, will adding mechanical, optical, or magnetic
sensors onto the platform require more?

Selection of the most appropriate materials that will survive the immersion
in the intended environment is part of the design process. I know of one
person who uses a reinforced nylon gear train for the final gearing of an
electric boat propulsion system. No greasing required. I am sure that the
OP has that anglecovered though.

I dimly recall that the platform is, what, three inches in diameter?
Putting an optical pattern on its uderside would mean... 180 divisions,
so eight binary sensor "bits" to track -- an 180x8 grid, with fairly
closely-spaced "pickups".

--
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Paul E. Bennett ....................<email://peb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Forth based HIDECS Consultancy .....<http://www.amleth.demon.co.uk/>
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