Abstract:
A sensor system (10) and method for monitoring a powertrain (20) having a drive shaft (1). The sensor system (10) comprises an optical fibre (2) with a strain sensitive element (3). According to one aspect, a connection structure (4) is configured to hold at least a part of the optical fibre (2) with the strain sensitive element (3) at a radial distance (R2-R1) remote from the drive shaft (1) for amplifying the strain (S2) on the strain sensitive element (3) with respect to the strain (S1) on the drive shaft (1). According to a further aspect, at least three respective lengths of one or more optical fibres follow parallel, e.g. helical, paths with respect to each other to distinguish different strain forces.
Abstract:
Mesure de torsion d'un arbre tournant par faisceau laser et filtres polarisants. Le dispositif de mesure comprend un générateur de faisceau laser (27), deux filtres polarisants (29, 31) solidaires de l'arbre (25) et distants l'un de l'autre et un récepteur de rayonnement laser (33) recevant le faisceau laser ayant traversé ces deux filtres.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a tension monitoring system comprising: - at least one camera for acquiring at least one image of at least one pattern located on an object of interest, wherein the pattern comprises a plurality of points and where each point is arranged on the object in such as way as to follow the movement of the object; - a computational device; wherein the computational device is arranged to analyze the acquired image for detecting the position of each pattern point using an image analysis algorithm arranged to determine the geometrical centre of a point using a contrast detection method, determining the distance between at least two pattern portions, and calculating the tension induced in the object using a reference value of distance between the two pattern portions when the object is mechanically relaxed.
Abstract:
There is provided a drive wheel system capable of measuring torque applied to a wheel by an engine while transmitting the power output of the engine to the wheel. The drive wheel system includes: a hub bearing unit; a first sensor portion for measuring a rotational speed of the wheel; a second sensor portion; a Birfield joint connected to the hub bearing unit; a drive axle for connecting the Birfield joint and a tripod joint; and the tripod joint connected to one end of the drive axle. An outer peripheral surface of an outer ring of the tripod joint includes circular arc portions and concave portions as many as the circular arc portions. The second sensor portion is disposed radially apart from the circular arc portion. The torque is measured from a phase difference between waveforms detected from the first and the second sensor portions.
Abstract:
A system containing a micro-mechanical or nano-mechanical device and a method of operating the same is provided. The device includes a resonator and a piezoresistive element connected to the resonator. The method includes AC biasing the piezoresistive element at a first frequency, driving the resonator at a second frequency different from the first frequency, and detecting a mechanical response of the resonator at one or both of a difference frequency and a sum frequency of the first and second frequencies.
Abstract:
A method and system for monitoring torque in a rotating shaft (12) is disclosed. Two peripheral bands (18, 20) having equally spaced toothed projections (22) are axially disposed along the length of a shaft and laser sensors (26, 28) are disposed adjacent to the bands for monitoring pulses generated in response to passage of the toothed bands past the sensors as the shaft rotates. Pulse processing means (32) are provided to determine timing differences between the pulses and a torque output signal is produced which corresponds to the pulse time lag between the two bands.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for measuring an angle and/or a torque on a rotatable body. The angle of rotation is detected by means of magnetic or optical sensors. In a preferred embodiment, two devices (7, 8) are provided that are provided with two optically readable code traces respectively. The two code traces (1a, 1b or 2a, 2b) of a device (7 or 8) are embodied in the same way and are arranged in such a way that said devices are offset against each other so that allocated sensors (4) output a digital signal. The angle of rotation is calculated from the offset of the two digital signals. In another embodiment, a torsional element (5) having a known torsional stiffness is arranged between the two devices (7, 8). A torque that is transmitted by the rotatable body (3) can thus by calculated from the difference angle of the two devices (7, 8). The inventive device is preferably used in the steering axle of a motor vehicle.
Abstract:
A combined torque and angular position detector includes two disks (10, 12) rotatable about a common axis. Relative angular displacement of the disks results from torque applied thereto. Each disk has a number of regions of differing optical transmissivity and these control the transmission of optical radiation from a source (20) to an array (22) on which an image of the regions of the disks is formed. A data processor (24) processes image intensity data and determines the angular positions of the disks and their relative displacement. Alternative arrangements are described in which positional information is derived by (i) providing one disk regions of intermediate transmissivity of width varying around one disk, (ii) by having the regions of lesser transmissivity of width varying around one disk or (iii) by arranging combinations of regions of several different widths around one disk.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing patterns on the surfaces of grating elements of a torque transducer having a shaft comprising first and second rigid torque input members connected by a torsional coupling enabling relative angular deflection between the first and second input members, first and second grating elements respectively associated with the first and second input members, the surfaces of the grating elements being adjacent to each other and able to relatively displace as a function of torque in the shaft, the method comprising the steps of: forming an assembly by rotationally and axially fixing the input members and respective grating elements to the torsional coupling; mounting the assembly in a machine comprising a radiation source arranged to irradiate regions of the surfaces of the grating elements whilst a relative angular displacement between the torque input members with respect to their zero torque alignment condition is maintained; and simultaneously irradiating regions of the surfaces of the grating elements whilst the angular displacement between the torque input members is maintained.