Harsh environment position sensing

Harsh environment position sensing: Variohm's ELPM applied in arduous desert conditions

Doppelmayr Transport Technology GmbH develops, plans and builds bulk material transport systems for challenging applications world-wide where conventional conveying is not practical or possible. One such application uses its RopeCon^® difficult terrain conveying system, transporting quarried limestone across the River Nile in Sudan for processing at a cement plant on the opposite river bank. RopeCon transports the bulk material on a driven flat belt with corrugated side walls that sits high above the river, supported off the ground by several large tower structures, and spans the 850 m wide Nile. The total conveying length is almost 3500 metres with a vertical rise of 14 metres and conveying capacity of 700 t/h.

For this installation, Variohm EuroSensor’s ELPM series linear potentiometers are applied. Due to the arduous desert conditions, these ELPM linear potentiometers are fitted with special dust covers to add a second level of protection to the IP67 rated position sensor.

The ELPM series linear potentiometer is housed in a slim 9.5 mm diameter cylindrical housing and is available in electrical stroke lengths to 175 mm (in 25 mm increments). The sensor is well proven for demanding applications across industry as well as the motorsports arena where the patented 24 VDC multi-fingered precious metal wiper system and conductive plastic resistance element provides exceptional reliability with very low electrical noise - even under the most arduous physical and environmental conditions. With self-aligning pivot bearing mountings or an optional snap-on version for quick installation and removal the ELPM’s independent linearity across the range is better than +/- 0.5%, and a mechanical life rating of 25 x 10⁶ operations combines with a rated speed to 10 m/sec for exceptional long-life capability.