Page 42 - Industrial Technology March 2020 issue

ENGINEERING IN SPORT

PERFORMANCE SAILING

WATER SPORTS MICRO ANGLE SENSOR FOR ARDUOUS MARINE ENVIRONMENT APPLICATION

ruSail is a UK-based performance sailing sensors that include the 18mm PCD flange mounting
specialist and the name of a modular wireless Euro-CMRS and the puck-and-magnet design of the Euro-
sensing telemetry system that provides a unique CMRK. The new products are based on preceding Hall
Tscientific and measurable tool for racing Effect sensors that enjoy a high reputation in
sailboats. Used for expert training by elite sailors and measurement applications that include industrial
coaches, typically competing at national, international and automation, motorsports, mobile construction machinery
Olympic level, the system includes real-time measurement and agricultural vehicles. Improved production and
and advanced analysis of the most significant dynamic assembly techniques have led to smaller footprint
forces that influence sailboat performance. products with added flexibility that allows straightforward
Armed with this data, which may be analysed instantly mechanical and electrical adaptation to exactly match the
whilst on the water, sailors can react and improve their customer’s requirements.
performance technique affording a solid team advantage Across the new Euro-CMRx range a choice of single or
compared to traditional and delayed classroom debriefing dual redundant output, with CW or CCW direction,
methods. As part of the measurement components used large display at the front of the boat that sailors are able includes ratiometric or PWM signal levels from an industry
on the TruSail system, Ixthus Instrumentation is supplying to monitor as well as to a tablet on the coaches’ boat standard 5V DC input. Programmable angles from 30° up
Euro-CMRK series angle sensors for the TruSail’s rudder which runs the main telemetry and performance analysis to 360° in 1° increments are specifiable with independent
and boom position feedback as well as application application software. A similar TruSail system with a linearity to within ±0.5% of each signal range.
expertise that helped the sailing specialists meet its further CMRT sensor provides the team with the sailboat’s The CMRx family offers a vibration rating that meets
stringent marine environment and performance boom angle position and up to four boats may be linked at IEC 600068-2-6 and a temperature range from -40°C to
specifications. the same time with information shared between sailors +125°C, with short term operation to 150°C. Working life
TruSail’s technical director Glynn Lloyd explains the and coaches. As the sailors are directly able to adapt their is rated in excess of 50 million movements for the housed
requirements in detail. “Our products need to be light sailing style using the monitors, and coaches can support sensors and the completely contactless puck and magnet
because any additional them on the water during the actual training version has a virtually unlimited life. Encapsulated sensor
weight on the boat will session, sailing performance, boat set-up and electronics combined with high grade anodised aluminium
potentially slow it down or learning are all optimised. housing and stainless steel shaft materials further ensure
change the ‘feeling’ of the boat to the The Euro-CMRT is part of a new reliability and performance for the most demanding
sailor. TruSail systems have to work in all family of Hall Effect long-life angle environments.
weather conditions and because the sailors
perform to the limits – with meticulously fine
margins between winning and losing – every
fraction of a percent in performance really matters.
“At such extreme limits, high speed capsizing can be
frequent so our systems need extreme durability and
waterproofing. The Euro-CMRT angle sensors specified
by the engineers at Ixthus Instrumentation have proven
ideal for these conditions and their miniature design
helps keep the TruSail’s size and weight to a minimum.”
At only 10mm in diameter and 15mm housing length,
and with an M8 threaded mounting and a 3.175mm
flatted shaft, the Euro-CMRT programmable angle sensor
now used by TruSail features Hall Effect non-contacting
technology in an extremely lightweight IP68 sealed
design.
Manufactured by Variohm EuroSensor – Ixthus’ sister
company in the Variohm Group – this new product is the
latest version of a comprehensive range of Hall Effect
angle sensors that excel for proven durability, long life,
high duty-cycle and exceptional reliability. As the smallest
angle sensor in Variohm’s range, it is perfectly suited to
precision angle measurement tasks where light-weight
and restricted installation space are important design
considerations.
For the rudder sensor, the Euro-CMRT is mounted
inside the TruSail housing which also includes telemetry
electronics. Measuring the rudder angle through the tiller
link mechanism, the sensor’s angle is transmitted to a
MORE INFORMATION: www.ixthus.co.uk • info@ixthus.co.uk • Tel: 01327 353437

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY • March 2020
42