IR Temperature Sensor

mynet43

I'm using a Propeller to control a 40HP motor and an Eddy Current Dynamometer.

This is used to test the tail rotor transmission for a helicopter.

The motor is used to spin the transmission up to speed. The Dyno is used to apply a specified amount of torque to the output shaft during the phases of the test. This can be up to 100 ft-lb at 3000 RPM.

I've figured out how to control both of them to do exactly what's needed.

The problem is that the Dyno converts the torque directly to heat in its steel rotors. This can go to over 500F at max load.

It's an air cooled Dyno, and we're supplying cooling air but I would like to monitor the rotor temperature while its running and shut down the test if the temp gets too high.

To do this, I need to measure the temp of each rotor while it's going over 3000 RPM. The only way I can think of to monitor the temp is by using an IR Temperature Sensor. I have no idea how to do this. I have several ADC ports available, so it should be doable.

Does anyone have any experience with using an IR Temperature Sensor with the Propeller?

If so, it would be a great help!

Let me know what you suggest.

Thank you for your help.

Jim

tranger

I don't know anything about Propellers, but have an IR sensor that I use with an Arduino, the Melexis MLX90614. Communication is via SMbus (similar to I2C) so shouldn't be too hard to use with any mircocontroller. I ran across the a project using it here: http://www.centralnexus.com/thermal/

-Russ

Alexander (Sandy) Hapgood

Micro-Epsilon have a range of infra red temp sensors that have a temperature range of -40 to 975 C and 0-5 VDC output. Using an 8 bit ADC you would have better than 4 degree C resolution which would be close enough since you're going for, "is it too hot or isn't it" type readings.

Sandy

mynet43

Russ,

Thanks for the info on the MLX90614. It looks like it covers the temp range I'm looking for. The serial interface may be a little tricky.

Do you have the serial interface code you use with the Arduino? That would make it much easier to port.

Thanks again,

Jim

Erlend

OBEX search is always recommended.

Erlend
BTW I use the MLX90614 myself, it is amazing how it can read surface temperature at a distance. But it is no good at reading flame temperature, for that I use a UV-detector.