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Accurate Technologies

Turbospeed Sensors

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PICOTURN - The Successful Solution To Detect Turbo Speed

Accurate Technologies is pleased to offer the well-known PICOTURN product family of rotational turbocharger speed sensors for the automotive sector. PICOTURN sensors are in widespread use in on and off-road vehicles as well as heavy equipment applications by major OEM’s and Tier Ones globally. Example user cases include engine test stations, passenger car and commercial test vehicles or auxiliary equipment; indeed any instance where precision speed measurement of aluminum or titanium compressor wheels is required.


Compact and cost-effective, PICOTURN sensors incorporate well-proven technology whose measuring principle is based on one-megahertz pulse induction and eddy current discrimination. Latest developments from PICOTURN include H-type sensor versions, optimized for higher temperature / sensitivity applications, confirming the brand’s technical leadership in this sector.
Shop PICOTURN Products

Smart Sensors for Measuring
Turbocharger Speed

PICOTURN® sensors are in widespread use in on and off-road vehicles as well as heavy equipment applications by major OEM’s and Tier Ones globally.


With the PICOTURN® product family, ATI has established a popular and well-known series of rotational speed sensors for turbochargers. This product family demonstrates the wide range of applications covered by precision time measurements. PICOTURN® represents a mature and cost effective measurement system for end users.


High Performance at Competitive Cost:

  • Precise measurement of rotational speeds up to 400K rpm
  • Sensing directly at the compressor wheel
  • Support of aluminum and titanium wheels
  • Enables safe (comfortable) spacing between sensor and wheel to reduce risk of contact or damage
  • Extremely small package

Environmentally Robust:​

The new H-series sensors are optimized for high sensitivity, critical applications.

  • High-operating temperature of up to    270 °C
  • Minimum temperature of operation of -40’C
  • Measurement unaffected by dirt, oil and dust
  • Improved safety by eliminating the need for magnetized nuts that can come loose and cause damage
  • PTCM version is IP67 certified

Simple Implementation:

The new H-series sensors are optimized for high sensitivity, critical applications.

  • Self-adjustment simplifies mounting
  • Digital and/or analog output
  • Suitable even for small compressor wheels (32 mm)
  • Suitable for single stage and two stage systems


PICOTURN PTCM
PICOTURN - 1G
Measuring Method
PICOTURN - 2G
PICOTURN PTCM

PICOTURN PTCM V1.1

Compact Controller

Accurate Technologies Inc. (ATI) offers the PICOTURN PTCM, a compact controller for turbocharger rotational speed sensors. Compared to optical or magnetic sensing systems, the PICOTURN system is proven as a rugged, reliable, simple, accurate and cost effective solution. The system’s functional principle is a 1MHz pulse induction with eddy current discrimination, using a compressor mounted solenoid sensor that detects and counts compressor vanes individually, generating a standard TTL/CMOS output signal.

PICOTURN PTCM
❶ Power & Interface Cable Connector
❷ Code Switch for Number of Vanes
❸ Status LED
❹ Sensor Connector
Datasheet
The PICOTURN PTCM consists of a sensor with a 1.5m cable, a compact, ruggedised signal-conditioning box, plus a lead for output and power supply. Both the sensor and PTCM box are rated as IP67 proof if connected and installed as per PICOTURN’s recommendations, making it ideal for underbonnet fitments. The PTCM is capable of compressor wheel speed measurement up to 400,000 rpm with a minimum operating speed of 200 rpm.


The PICOTURN system benefits from high sensitivity, allowing a large distance between sensor and the rotating vanes in the range of 1 mm at 0.6mm vane thickness. Various sensors are available to accommodate numerous user cases differentiated by the length and thread of the sensor head. The PTSM-H series benefits from enhanced sensitivity, enabling use with titanium wheel and other critical applications where higher temperatures are a priority.

FEATURES

  • Compact size
  • Supports all standard and H-type PICOTURN 1G sensors
  • Adjustable number of vanes
  • Designed for underbonnet use

System Overview

PICOTURN PTCM System Overview
❶  Signal Conditioning box
❷ Sensor with cable
❸ System

Specifications & Description

Dimensions
 45mm x 50mm x 25mm (when sensor connected)
Protection Class
 IP67
 Number of Vanes1 to 31
 Digital OutputTTL/CMOS (One impulse per N vanes, N = 1 to 31)
Analog Output
0.5 to 4.5V
Temperature
-40°C to +85°C
Supply Voltage
9 to 30 volts DC
 * Excess temperature tolerated for short periods

Sensor Specifications

 Sensor Tip Element
Temperature
 Sensor Body
Dimensions

 Protection Class
 Standard sensor –40°C to +250°C* (482°F)
 H-type sensor –40°C to +270°C* (518°F)
Fine thread M5x0.5, with various lengths 25 to 60mm
Standard thread M5x0.8, with various lengths 40 to 70mm
  IP67
   Standard Sensor H-type Sensor
  Sensor Tip Element Temperature r –40°C to +250°C* (482°F) –40°C to +270°C* (518°F)
Sensor Body Dimensions
 Fine thread M5x0.5, with various lengths 25 to 60mm
Standard thread M5x0.8, with various lengths 40 to 70mm
 Protection Class   IP67

PTCM Order Information

 Part No. Product Description
 221030002 PTCM ATI V1.1 New reduced sized Controller/Signal Conditioning box with standard interface
221040002 PTCM-L ATI V1.1 New reduced sized Controller/Signal Conditioning box with LEMO interface connector

Sensor Options - 1G Sensors

H-types for higher temperature and higher sensitivity: -40°C to +270°C

 Part No. Product Sensor length /Thread length Diameter Cable length
 220180003 PTSM-H 5.3 60 mm / 54 mm M5 x 0.8 1.5m
 220180004 PTSM-H 5.5 46 mm / 40 mm M5 x 0.8 1.5m
 220180005 PTSM-H 5.6 75 mm / 69 mm M5 x 0.8 1.5m
 220180006 PTSM-H 5F.2 41 mm / 25 mm M5 x 0.5 1.5m
 220180007 PTSM-H 5F.3 56 mm / 40 mm M5 x 0.5 1.5m
 220180008 PTSM-H 5F.5 76 mm / 60 mm M5 x 0.5 1.5m

Standard Type: -40°C to +250°C

 Part No. Product Sensor length /Thread length Diameter Cable length
 220150008 PTSM 5.3 60 mm / 54 mm M5 x 0.8 1.5m
 220150006 PTSM 5.5 46 mm / 40 mm M5 x 0.8 1.5m
220150012
 PTSM 5.6 75 mm / 69 mm M5 x 0.8 1.5m
 220150004 PTSM 5F.2 41 mm / 25 mm M5 x 0.5 1.5m
 220150014 PTSM 5F.3 56 mm / 40 mm M5 x 0.5 1.5m
 220150016 PTSM 5F.5 76 mm / 60 mm M5 x 0.5 1.5m

Accessories

 Part No. Product Description
220320001
220320002
220320003
 PTCM-1.5-nc
PTCM-3.0-nc
PTCM-1.5-BNC
 System interface power cable, open ends
System interface power cable, open ends
System interface power cable, BNC connectors for
signals, banana jack connectors for power
 1.5m length
3.0m length
1.5m length
 220320004 PTCM-L System Cable LEMO open ended 2m length
220330001
 PTCM Mounting Plate Mounting plate including screws
220030002
PTSM 5F.x Clamping nut
 For fine thread sensors -SM5F.x
 220360004 ATI PTCM coverfoil Faceplate
 220370001 PTCM coverseal Seal for faceplate
PICOTURN - 1G

PICOTURN - 1G

The Original System for Turbocharger Speed Measurement

Accurate Technologies Inc. (ATI) offers the PICOTURN 1G rotational speed sensor for turbochargers. Compared to optical or magnetic sensing systems, the PICOTURN system is proven as a rugged, reliable, simple, accurate and cost effective solution. The system’s functional principle is a 1MHz pulse induction with eddy current discrimination, using a compressor mounted solenoid sensor that detects and counts compressor vanes individually, generating a standard TTL/CMOS output signal. Maximum wheel speed measurement is 400,000 rpm, with a minimum operating speed of 390 rpm. The preferred turbo compressor wheel material is aluminum; titanium wheels require individual testing to verify compatibility with the PICOTURN sensor.

Standard PICOTURN-1G Sensors are passive sensors.
Datasheet
PICOTURN-1G
The PICOTURN system benefits from high sensitivity, allowing a large distance between sensor and the rotating vanes in the range of 1mm at 0.6mm vane thickness. Various sensors are available to accommodate numerous user cases differentiated by the length and thread of the sensor head. The PTSM-H series benefits from enhanced sensitivity, enabling use with titanium wheel and other critical applications where higher temperatures are a priority.

Sensor Specifications

 Sensor Tip Element Temperature Standard sensor: –40°C to +250°C* (482°F)
H-type sensor: –40°C to +270°C* (518°F)
 IP67 rating Yes
 Sensor Body Dimensions Fine thread M5x0.5, with various lengths 25mm to 60mm
Standard thread M5x0.8, with various lengths 40mm to 70mm
 Extension cable Max length 1.5 meters / 2.5 meters
 * Excess temperature tolerated for short periods

H-types for higher temperature and higher sensitivity: -40°C to +270°C Sensor Head Temperature Range; 1.5m Cable Length

 Sensor Part Number Sensor Length Thread Length Diameter Drawing
 PT-H-SM5.3220180003
  60 mm  54 mm M5 x 0.8
 PT-H-SM5.5 220180004 46 mm 40 mm M5 x 0.8
 PT-H-SM5.6 220180005 75 mm 69 mm M5 x 0.8
PT-H-SM5F.2
 220180006 41 mm  25 mm M5 x 0.5
 PT-H-SM5F.3220180007
 56 mm 40 mm M5 x 0.5
PT-H-SM5F.5
 220180008 76 mm 60 mm M5 x 0.5 

Standard Type: -40°C to +250°C Sensor Head Temperature Range; 1.5m Cable Length

 Sensor Part Number Sensor Length Thread Length Diameter Drawing
 PT-SM5.3220150008
  60 mm  54 mm M5 x 0.8
 PT-SM5.5 220150006 46 mm 40 mm M5 x 0.8
 PT-SM5.6 220150012 75 mm 69 mm M5 x 0.8
PT-SM5F.2
220150004
 41 mm  25 mm M5 x 0.5
 PT-H-SM5F.3220150014
 56 mm 40 mm M5 x 0.5
PT-SM5F.5
220150016
 76 mm 60 mm M5 x 0.5 

Accessories 

 Part No. Product Description 
 220120001 Extension Cable SMB-SMB, for sensors 1.5m length
220030002
PTSM 5F.x Clamping nut
 For fine thread sensors-SM5F.x 
Measuring Method

The Measuring Method for Rotational Speed Sensors for Turbochargers

The sensor is made of a simple coil with a ferrite core. Together with a resistor this forms an R-L network, the time constant of which is measured by a TDC. Placing a vane of the compressor wheel in front of the coil will change the time constant of the R-L network. This is caused by the influence of the vane metal on the parameters of the coil inductance L. A DSP-unit following the TDC measurement unit processes the time data, identifies the passing of each single vane and calculates the rotational speed.

compressor wheel drawing

The time measurement is done with very high precision. The resolution is about 125 ps. The time constant of the R-L network can be very small, allowing high sampling rates in the range of 1 to 3 million samples per second.

time measurement

The physical effect of the vane metal on L varies, depending on the metal. The PICOTURN system is currently optimized for aluminum wheels. The system is basically suitable for other metals, too. However, the measurement sensitivity, and correspondingly the required distance between sensor and wheel, will vary depending on material and vane thickness. When using titanium wheels the system requires the use of High Temp Probes. 

compressor wheel
For aluminum, the maximum usable distance between sensor and wheel varies typically from 0.8 mm (32 mm wheels) to 1.6 mm (90 mm wheels). Thanks to the ratio measurement no trimming of the sensor coil is required. The length of the cable between sensor and controller may be up to a few meters. This allows separation of the electronics from the sensing components, reducing thermal and vibrational influences on the electronics. 


This special kind of measurement fully relies on magnetic fields. It is thus completely immune against distortion or sensitivity degradation from dirt or other factors which would influence optical or electric field detection. It detects the wheel itself and requires no modification of rotating parts.
compressor wheel in housing
PICOTURN - 2G
PT2G-BX V1.0 and PT2G-BD V1.0 and associated accessories are EOLed products and no longer available for new applications.
Please contact your local sales office for more information regarding remaining stock, and other options.

PICOTURN - 2G

Rotational Speed Sensors

Accurate Technologies Inc. (ATI) offers the PICOTURN 2G rotational speed sensor for turbochargers. Compared to optical or magnetic sensing systems, the PICOTURN system is proven as a rugged, reliable, simple, accurate and cost effective solution. The system’s functional principle is a 1MHz pulse induction with eddy current discrimination, using a compressor mounted solenoid sensor that detects and counts compressor vanes individually, generating a standard TTL/CMOS output signal. Maximum wheel speed measurement is 400,000 rpm, with a minimum operating speed of 390 rpm.


The open system architecture and the modular system design allow an easy integration into existing measurement systems as a stand-alone solution. The preferred turbo compressor wheel material is aluminum; titanium wheels require individual testing to verify compatibility with the PICOTURN sensor.
Datasheet

The PICOTURN system benefits from high sensitivity, allowing a large distance between sensor and the rotating vanes in the range of 1mm at 0.6mm vane thickness. Various sensors are available to accommodate numerous user cases differentiated by the length and thread of the sensor head.

PICOTURN Sensor
❶  Sensor body with M5x0.8 (standard) or M5x0.5 (fine pitch) thread, various lengths
❷  Teflon coated, double shielded signal line
❸ Molded body with ASIC based electronics inside

The PTSM-H series benefits from enhanced sensitivity, enabling use with titanium wheel and other critical applications where higher temperatures are a priority. The second generation PICOTURN sensing system - the PT2G - is summarized in the datasheet.

Sensor Specifications

 Temperature Cable and electronics
Sensor tip: Standard
Sensor tip: H-type
–40°C to +180°C* (356°F) 
–40°C to +250°C* (482°F)
–40°C to +270°C* (518°F)
 Dimensions
Fine thread M5x0.5 with various lengths 25mm to 60mm
Standard thread M5x0.8 with various lengths 40mm to 70mm
 Length of sensor element and its cableFrom body to ASIC
From ASIC to connector
Total length sensor element
 approx. 0.75 meter
approx. 0.12 meter
approx. 1.00 meter
 Extension cable Max length 10 meters
 * Excess temperature tolerated for short periods

H-types for higher temperature and higher sensitivity: -40°C to +270°C Sensor Head Temperature Range; 0.95m Cable Length

 Sensor Part Number Sensor Length Thread Length Diameter Drawing
 PT2G-H-SM5.3 220160015  60 mm  54 mm M5 x 0.8
 PT2G-H-SM5.5 220160017 46 mm 40 mm M5 x 0.8
 PT2G-H-SM5.6 220160018 75 mm 69 mm M5 x 0.8
 PT2G-H-SM5F.2 220160016 41 mm  25 mm M5 x 0.5
 PT2G-H-SM5F.3 220160013 56 mm 40 mm M5 x 0.5
 PT2G-H-SM5F.5 220160014 76 mm 60 mm M5 x 0.5 

Standard Type: -40°C to +250°C Sensor Head Temperature Range; .95m Cable Length

 Sensor Part Number Sensor Length Thread Length Diameter Drawing
 PT2G-SM5.3 220160010  60 mm  54 mm M5 x 0.8
 PT2G-SM5.5 220160019 46 mm 40 mm M5 x 0.8
 PT2G-SM5.6 220160006 75 mm 69 mm M5 x 0.8
 PT2G-SM5F.2 220160004 41 mm  25 mm M5 x 0.5
 PT2G-SM5F.3220160012
 56 mm 40 mm M5 x 0.5
 PT2G-SM5F.5 220160008 76 mm 60 mm M5 x 0.5 

All specifications are subject to change without notice.

*This product is not available in all regions.