Ultrasonic Sensors Have Sound-Absorbent Material

Datasensor has introduced US30 Ultrasonic Sensors with M30 housing to expand its measurement and detection product portfolio. All the models present radial acoustic emission and the versions can have the following features: configurable PNP/NPN NO/NC bipolar digital output; 0-10V analogue output; and 4-20mA analogue output. Models also feature a detection field of 100mm-1m or 200mm-2m.

The response time is fixed in the models with digital output (45ms for 1m models and 92ms for the 2m models) and is selectable in the models with analogue output (45ms or 105ms for 1m models and 92ms or 222ms for 2m models). Electrical connection can be carried out using standard M12 five-pole connector. The sensors can be configured using the Teach-In procedure, using the two push-buttons on the rear side of the sensor, or using the remote input present on the connector. Two signalling LEDS show the operating status. The temperature compensation function corrects the sound speed changes due to temperature variations and maintain the sensor precision in all situations, thus guaranteeing a minimum resolution of 0.5mm for the 1m models and 1mm for the 2m models.

These functions make the US30 ultrasonic sensors an alternative to other typical detection technologies in critical applications in presence of fog, dust or smoke. Datasensor claims that these sensors can contribute to improving the quality and productivity in industrial automation systems. The US30 ultrasonic sensors detect all objects independently from their sound-absorbent material, transparency and colour, making them the suitable for applications in sectors such as automotive, packaging, machine tool and material transformation processes.

HDMI Active Enhances Viewing And Sound Quality

Chord has introduced the HDMI Active, which enhances picture and sound quality. This product features heavy gauge silver-plated oxygen-free signal conductors. Signal attenuation has been reduced with the use of 26AWG conductors. Overlapped foil shielding around all critical signal paths minimises crosstalk.

Double outer foil and high-density braid combine to minimise the levels of external interference. The exciting aspect of the Chord HDMI Active is the inclusion of a high-frequency filter on all lengths. The filter reduces the intra/inter channel skew between the four pairs of TDMS signals. The HDMI Active cable improved all aspects of the picture in tests using Denon, Arcam, Yamaha and Playstation 3 DVD and Blu-ray players.

When compared with the Chord HDMI Silver plus 1.3, the Chord Active produced a more detailed, dynamic and musically coherent sound. The improvement in performance was such that in tests, participants consistently chose a 15-metre Chord Active HDMI cable over a similarly priced one-metre cable.

Sound Dead Steel Reduces Gas Pipeline Noise

Sound Dead Steel (SDS) was contacted by the Industrial Noise and Vibration Centre (INVC) to assist with a noise reduction programme for Scottish Power. The power station's main gas pipe work is 400mm diameter, with a reduction to 150mm at the metering section Close microphone measurements indicated noise levels as high as 100 to 110dB(A) with the dominant energy at frequencies >500Hz. SDS clad the pipeline with Sonphonon sound dead steel, fabricated and fitted split boxes to encase the valves.

After the final snagging was completed, the attached noise survey was carried out to determine the overall noise reduction for this project. The average noise reduction achieved within the GRF compound was approximately 8dB(A). The maximum reduction achieved was 16dB(A); this was adjacent the metering flow meter area. INVC noted that noise from adjacent cooling fans masked the full noise reduction benefits.

Noise reductions on plain pipeline measured 19dB(A), which clearly shows the effectiveness of the SDS cladding on standard pipe sections. Reductions of 7 to 8dB(A) were measured mid, up and downstream of the metering section using close microphone measurements. The reductions would have been greater, but pipe joint flanges have to be left open in case leakage occurs resulting in explosive conditions.