Switching and Sensing Solutions

Mercury Gyro Sensors

Polaron specialise in glass tilt sensors for civil and military applications including the aerospace industry where absolute reliability is essential. Precision construction techniques determine the output characteristics, ensuring consistent results and an exceptional life span in a suitable circuit. Sensors are widely used in aircraft. Instrumentation ( including the RAF Tornado), and in guidance systems (including naval torpedoes).

Mercury switches can respond to very small angels (one arc minute), or large deflections – two switching functions can even be combined within the same tube; for low and high angles or for normal and fast erection. High angle changover switches have a central ‘open’ position and ‘make’ at either side to provide a changeover sense to the torque motors, these are used with sensitive cut-off switches.



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Auto Cut-Off switches use additional electrodes to control higher voltages using initial erection. Acceleration Cut-Off switches operate during turns or manoeuvres with a ‘g’ force of several degrees to disconnect the gyroscope erection system.

Polaron can supply or overhaul sub-assemblies and custom housings to your specification. Typical installations are gyroscopes or artificial horizons; where mercury switches give superior performance, in less space than electronic systems.

Assembly fixing brackets, containing one to three switches positioned to very close tolerances, are designed to perform to required settings – miniature assemblies are available. Atypical gyroscope unit includes a centre sensitive switch (with acceleration cut-off) and two high angle changeover switches.

As the largest manufacturer of mercury switches in the Europe, Polaron have unrivalled experience of developing sensors to meet specifications and supplying levelling switches to individual requirements. Enquire for details of sample switches and appropriate outline diagrams, dimensions and typical switching characteristics and for details of our range of Motion Sensing and Monitoring mercury switches.