Currently, Kavlico force sensors are used in a multitude of commercial aircraft applications. Kavlico is the largest provider of aircraft force sensors.

Kavlico force sensors are composed of a precisely machined spring and an internally placed LVDT(s). The compression or tension movement of the spring deflects the LVDT. The voltage output and signal is calibrated to correspond to the force input. Force sensors can be supplied as single or multiple channel devices.

All Kavlico force sensors are custom made for the load and electrical characteristics of each aircraft platform, resulting in many field-proven designs.

At present, Kavlico force sensors are in high demand, satisfying the FAA requirement for measurement of pilot force input in conjunction with Federal Aviation Regulation parts 121 and 135.

 

Ceramic Capacitive Based Force Sensor

Kavlico has developed a variant on the proximity device based upon its ceramic capacitive technology. This technology has been used with great success in a multitude of sensing application worldwide for automotive, aviation, and general industrial applications.

The force sensor is a high output, temperature compensated DC output device that has an extremely small displacement (6x10-6m) and excellent non-linearity specifications.

Typical output formats are 0.5 to 4.5 Vdc or 5-20mA. Unlike other technologies, Kavlico force sensors exhibit extreme stability and a linear output, with a rugged construction.

The sensor has a high MTBF for critical aerospace applications. The ceramic capacitive technology is an attractive alternative for force sensing due to its high output, high stiffness, ruggedness, and small size. The sensors require less space than strain gage or LVDT/spring devices and are lightweight in design.

In critical airborne environments where there is high vibration and temperature fluctuations, Kavlico force sensors excel.