Displacement and temperature sensors improve

A range of non-contact displacement and temperature sensors from Micro-Epsilon are being used to help improve the performance of an all-electric motorcycle that was entered into the recent Isle of Man TTXGP zero carbon fuel Grand Prix, which took place on 12th June. The race was held on the same day as the premier Senior TT event over the complete Isle of Man TT Mountain Course.

During testing in early 2009, the EV-0 RR motorcycle, designed by EVO Design Solutions Ltd, utilised several different non-contact sensors to help improve the bike’s performance. All sensors and electrics used on the bike were fitted and tested by KA Sensors, a specialist provider of sensors and instrumentation equipment to the motor sports industry.

KA Sensors customised Micro-Epsilon’s optoNCDT 1300 non-contact displacement sensor and mounted it to the nose of the bike’s chassis, with the laser window pointing down towards the ground. From here, the high speed (500Hz) sensor is able to accurately measure and monitor the ride height of the motorcycle. The sensor acts as an anti-wheelie device and enables the bike’s designers to adjust the suspension characteristics and engine power mapping in order to optimise the performance of the bike, whilst reducing energy consumption.