The Alliance Sensors Group PG Series LVDT linear position sensors are designed and engineered specifically for valve position sensing applications for steam turbine control systems in electric power generation plants. Previously, the LVDTs used in the power generation industry were either designed by OEMs over 40 years ago, or are catalog LVDTs slightly modified for operation in a steam turbine environment. Over many years of using of these older products, inherent design flaws have come to light, notably the fact that the LVDT’s core would break off of its operating rod under typical turbine vibrations. Many features of the Alliance Sensors Group PG series LVDT sensors were specifically requested by power gen controls engineers who had encountered these kinds of issues over time using traditional LVDTs.
Alliance Sensors Group’s approach to their PG series LVDT design for the power generation industry started with the premise that the LVDT must be extremely rugged, so these units feature a large diameter housing with a very thick wall and a versatile mounting configuration. A PG series LVDT’s 3/8-inch diameter operating rod captivates the LVDT’s core so that it can never come out or vibrate loose.
This rod is offered with either a rigid coupling or a ball joint coupling that can be helpful in installations where there is a minor misalignment with the attachment mechanism on the steam valves. PG series LVDTs utilize materials and manufacturing processes that can be certified for use in mild radiation environments found in boiling water reactor nuclear power plants.