Testing Methods for Quartz Flexure Accelerometers

Quartz flexure accelerometers stand at the forefront of precision sensing technology, renowned for their exceptional accuracy, stability, and reliability. These qualities render them indispensable across a multitude of industries, where precise acceleration measurements are not just desired but paramount. From the rigorous demands of aerospace to the dynamic environments of automotive engineering, and from seismic monitoring to the intricacies of industrial automation, quartz flexure accelerometers serve as vital instruments for data acquisition, analysis, and safety assurance.

The pivotal role of these accelerometers underscores the necessity for thorough testing methods to validate their performance and ensure their efficacy in real-world applications. In this article, we embark on an in-depth exploration of the testing procedures and criteria essential for the comprehensive evaluation of quartz flexure accelerometers.

1.Testing Procedures for Quartz Flexure Accelerometers

(1) Place the quartz flexure accelerometer horizontally on the experimental platform in the stationary state of the vibration table, connect it to the power supply, and connect the output terminal to an oscilloscope. Record the output signal on the oscilloscope and observe its amplitude characteristics. This represents the output signal of the quartz flexure accelerometer without vibration.

(2) Keep the accelerometer in its original position, select the vertical fixed-frequency mode for the vibration table, set the frequency to 30Hz, and the intensity to 20%. Record the output signal on the oscilloscope again.

(3) Increase the frequency while maintaining a constant intensity of 20% in the vertical fixed-frequency mode of the vibration table. Record and observe the changes in the output signal of the accelerometer at frequencies of 30Hz, 35Hz, 40Hz, 45Hz, and 50Hz.

(4) Under the vertical fixed-frequency mode of the vibration table with a constant frequency of 40Hz, increase the intensity and record the changes in the output signal of the accelerometer. Record the output signal at intensities of 5%, 15%, 25%, and 35%.

Fig.1 High Performance Quartz Accelerometer

Fig.1 ER-QA-03A High Performance Quartz Accelerometer

(5) Change the vibration mode, set horizontal fixed frequency, and longitudinal fixed frequency modes, repeating steps (2), (3), and (4) to record the second and third sets of data.

(6) Perform spectrum analysis on the output signals of the accelerometer under three different conditions of changing frequency, intensity, and vibration mode to study the vibration characteristics of the quartz flexure accelerometer.

2.Testing Criteria and Standards

The performance and accuracy of quartz accelerometers directly affect the accuracy and reliability of test results, necessitating rigorous testing. Below are some common testing criteria and standards:

(1) Acceleration Response: It refers to the sensitivity of the quartz accelerometer to changes in acceleration, usually tested using a step function signal. The stability and accuracy of the test system should be noted, and appropriate acceleration ranges and sampling rates should be selected based on test requirements.

(2) Second Harmonic Distortion: It refers to the ratio of the amplitude of the second harmonic signal to the fundamental signal in the acceleration signal, usually expressed as a percentage. The second harmonic distortion of quartz accelerometers should be less than 5% to ensure the accuracy of test results.

Fig.2 Aerospace Quartz Accelerometer

Fig.2 ER-QA-01A Aerospace Quartz Accelerometer

(3) Bias Stability: It refers to the stability of the output signal of the quartz accelerometer during long-term testing, usually measured in zero drift or percentage. Quartz accelerometers are required to have a bias stability of less than 1% to ensure the reliability of test results.

These are some of the testing criteria and standards for quartz accelerometers, and the selection should be made based on specific requirements and application scenarios during actual testing.

3.Conclusion

In conclusion, testing methods play a crucial role in validating the performance and reliability of quartz flexure accelerometers. By thoroughly understanding and strictly adhering to these standards, the accuracy and reliability of test results can be improved, providing robust assurance for testing work.

Ericco not only provides high-precision quartz flexure accelerometers, such as ER-QA-03A (Bias repeatability: 10-50μg) and ER-QA-01A (Bias repeatability: 10μg), but also offers detailed testing and installation methods, as well as professional inertial solutions.