How Does An Inclinometer Work?

"body">of the bubble indicates the angle. This gas bubble
WHAT IS AN INCLINOMETER AND HOW DOES ITinclinometer is also known as a tilt meter, clinometer
WORK?or a slope indicator.
Also known as Tilt meter or Tilt sensor, thePENDULUM INCLINOMETER
Inclinometer is a tool used for measuring angular tilt.Pendulum tilt sensor is commonly used to determine
Inclinometers are used for sensing movements,the stability of the submarines and the ships. It has
whether it's embedded in concrete structures,generally been used by the navy around the world.
attached to a dam, buried down a tunnel or even forThe pendulum is a suspended hollow metal cylinder
monitoring the volcanoes the Inclinometer is capablefilled with mercury. Attached to a small shaft, it tends
of producing very accurate results even at the mostto remain vertical. The movement of the pendulum
irregular surfaces. Inclinometers and tilt sensors dateand hence the object it is attached to is noted by a
back around half a century. The inclinometer is alsopointer.
known as the clinometer.KINDS OF INCLINOMETERInclinometer is used for
Now the inclinometer is available in single and dual axismeasuring horizontal and vertical angles from vehicles
configurations.to airplanes, boats and even satellites. There are two
COMMON TECHNOLOGIES USED WITHIN THEbasic kinds of Inclinometers that are used:
INCLINOMETER SENSOR
The most common technology that is used for1. HORIZONTAL INCLINOMETER
Inclinometer or the clinometer sensor is theThis kind of tilt sensor or clinometer is used for
accelerometer, electrolytic, mercury, gas bubble liquidobserving deformation on concrete structures and
and pendulum.foundations.
ELECTROLYTIC INCLINOMETER
The electrolytic tilt sensors are able to produce a1. VERTICAL INCLINOMETER
very accurate measurement and are able to produceThe vertical tilt sensor or clinometer is used for
an electric signal to show exactly how much amonitoring abrupt movements, especially in landslide
structure is leaning in reference to gravity. This kindareas, under water and in tilted areas. They are
of tilt sensor is generally used in automotive industry,known to give dynamic performances.
electronics, gyroscopes and satellites. These are alsoDIGITAL INCLINOMETER
known as the most durable of all the tilt sensors yetKnown for their extraordinary accuracy, the digital
avaliable.inclinometer uses breakthrough technology. They are
MERCURY INCLINOMETERnow very strong, tough and really easy to use. Its
Inside a mercury type tilt sensor the tilt issignals and data are digital. It is used for the
determined by a metal or glass can, within whichverification of various angles and slopes in the
there is a tiny drop of mercury and two electrodes.engineering industry. This tilt sensor provides results
GAS BUBBLE LIQUID INCLINOMETERthat are precise and computed with both analog and
A gas bubble tilt sensor is comprised of a glass tubedigital sensors used for single-axis and dual-axis
filled with liquid. The tube which comprises of themeasurements.
liquid and the bubble is commonly bent. The position