UNIT 3: SENSORS AND ACTUATORS

LEAD-IN
1.1 Look at the names of sensors in the table and put it in the correct sentence.

1
 A. Flow Sensors G. Photoelectric sensors M. Humidity Sensors

B. Temperature Sensors H. Particle Sensors N. Force Sensors

C.Radiation Sensors I. Motion Sensors P. Vision and Imaging
Sensors
D. Proximity Sensors J. Metal Detectors
E. Pressure Sensors K. Level Sensors
F. Position Sensors L. Gas and Chemical Sensors

1. ……….are electronic devices that detect the presence of objects or colors within
their fields of view and convert this information into a visual image for display.
2. ………are electronic devices that detect thermal parameters and provide signals
to the inputs of control and display devices.
3. ………..are electronic devices that sense the presence of alpha, beta, or gamma
particles and provide signals to counters and display devices.
4………. are electronic devices used to detect the presence of nearby objects through
non-contacting means..
5. …………..are electro-mechanical devices that detect forces per unit area in gases
or liquids and provide signals to the inputs of control and display devices
6. …………..are electronic devices used to sense the positions of valves, doors,
throttles, etc. and supply signals to the inputs of control or display devices.
7. …………..are electrical devices that sense objects passing within their field of
detection, although they are also capable of detecting color, cleanliness, and location
if needed.
8. ……………are electronic devices used to sense dust and other airborne
particulates and supply signals to the inputs of control or display devices.
9. ………..are electronic devices that can sense the movement or stoppage of parts,
people, etc. and supply signals to the inputs of control or display devices.
10. ………….are electronic or electro-mechanical devices used to sense the
presence of metal in a variety of situations ranging from packages to people

2
11……….. are electronic or electro-mechanical devices used for determining the
height of gases, liquids, or solids in tanks or bins and providing signals to the inputs
of control or display devices
12. ………..are electronic devices that measure the amount of water in the air and
convert these measurements into signals that can be used as inputs to control or
display devices.
13. …………are fixed or portable electronic devices used to sense the presence and
properties of various gases or chemicals and relay signals to the inputs of controllers
or visual displays.
14. ………….are electronic devices that measure various parameters related to
forces such as weight, torque, load, etc. and provide signals to the inputs of control
or display devices.
15. ………….are electronic or electro-mechanical devices used to sense the
movement of gases, liquids, or solids and provide signals to the inputs of control or
display devices.
LISTENING
1.2 Listen a presentation audio about the actuators and answer the following
question.
1. What is an actuator?
2. What are the types of motion created by an actuator ?
3. What are the sources of energy used for the actuators?
READING
1.3 Now read the text about signals of a mechatronic system. For Questions 1-
8, choose the correct answer A, B or C.

3
4
1. What is the transducer?
A. a converter of energy from one form to another
B. a converter from one form of sensor to another
C. a converter of information
2. Sensors can be divided into
A. active or passive
B. active or non-active
C. active or inductive
3. Input signals come into mechatronics systems from

5
 A. sensor or other systems
B. outputs of other systems
C. other
4. The output of a sensor is only
A. analog signal and TCP/IP packets
B. digital signal and TCP/IP packets
C. analog, TCP/IP packets and square signals
5. Difference between active and passive sensor is that
A. active sensor emit signals, passive sensors do not emit signals
B. active sensor receive signals, passive sensors do not emit signals
C. both active and passive sensors emit signals
6. Solenoids are
A. devices which have an immobile iron core that is activated by a current
flow
B. devices which have a movable iron core that is activated by a current flow
C. devices having a mobile iron core that is not activated by a current flow
7. Switches
A. control some activity
B. control relays and solids-state devices
C. switch some devices
8. Ways of DC motor control is
A. fixed DC voltage
B. fixed DC voltage and pulse width modulation
C. pulse width modulation

6
1.4 Study these abbreviations and say what they stand for.
1. LADAR 6. TCP/IP

2. FLIR 7. FET

3. PWM 8. MOSFET

4. EIA 9. DC

5. ADC 10. AC

VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR

1.5 Complete the following sentences with the list of words below.
A. actuator G.antilock braking M. Data Acquisition
system
B.digital-to-analog H. Mechatronics N. Frequency response
converter
C.synergy I. Microprocessor O. Filtering

D.modulation J. Measurement

E.sensor K. Microcontroller

F. systems engineering L. Switch

7
8
Explanations and Definitions

9
1.6 Read the following definitions and complete the crossword below with the
terms they identify.

10
11
 SPEAKING
1.7 Choose one topic about the types of sensors and actuators and make a
presention on it.
SELF STUDY SECTION
1.8 For Questions 1-15, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at
the end of each line to form a word that fits in the space in the same line. Use
the example at the beginning.

12
1.10 For Questions 1-10, read the text below and decide which answer A, B, C
or D best fits each gap.

13
14