Does anyone know of a sensor that determines position, feeds back a signal
to both allow position and preselection of motion? I am trying to fabricate
a flap handle that when put in a position (say 30 deg flaps) actuates the
motor; the sensor senses when the motor (flap) is there and then shuts off.
Seems to me cowl flap linear actuators might do that? But I already have a
motor and a way to sense flap position. I just need to feed it back and
control it at the flap handle.
Marc

Any potentiometer will work as a sensor.
http://parts.digikey.com/1/parts-kws/a-250k-potentiometer

Paul Lamar

Out put stage attached. The word I was looking for was voltage divider for
the
flap position selector switch. You will need a pot with as many turns as
ball
screw shaft (or proportional gearing).
C. Smith


Paul,
         Agricultural combine harvesters have just what you are looking
for, which they use to set the sieves and rotors at pre-set positions..  As
a spare part they charge $1000, but can be bought elsewhere for a few
hundred or less, (the actuator.)  The brains I have never had to look at,
but you could find a local farmer and look at his machine.  The Case 8010
uses them as I suspect New Holland or any later harvester in your area.  All
the driver does is hit the button and everything is set to whatever settings
have been pre-set to that crop, say wheat, if you move into corn, again just
hit the button and all is altered by the linear actuators.  Sure beats the
old days when at each different crop it took a half hour with spanners to do
the same and you came out covered in chaff and crap and itched for the rest
of the day.  Neil.