USE OF THE FINITE ELEMENTS METHOD FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COPLANAR CAPACITIVE SENSOR MODEL

Abstract

The article presents the results of using computer simulation tools to study the characteristics of air gap sensors for the purpose of their optimization. The model is used to study the characteristics of air gap sensors in for the purpose of their further optimization depending on the design parameters of diagnosing object, which mainly depends on the type of powerful hydro generator. Changes in the air gap between the rotor and the stator can occur for a number of reasons, which are due to: shortcomings in the design, manufacture, installation and auxiliary alignments when fitting machine elements during assembly, aging components during operation, subsidence of the foundation, the negative impact of temperature changes, as available centrifugal and magnetic forces that occur on the machine during its operation. Changing the unevenness of the air gap in hydrogenerators largely determines its technical and economic performance, behavior during commissioning and during the entire operating period, because it is in the air gap is the conversion of mechanical rotating energy into electricity. To control the parameters of the gap became wider use capacitive sensors. The study performed a coplanar capacitive air gap sensor with high-potential, lowpotential and grounded electrodes. The model is used to study the picture of the electric field in the specified sensor, as well as to determine the transformation function "air gap - electrical capacity of the sensor". The results of obtained patterns of equipotential field distribution and sensor response characteristic are presented.