Assembly for measuring movement of and a torque applied to a shaft
US7024946B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 23, 2004 |
| Grant date | Apr 11, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 1, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01L3/103
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The subject invention provides an assembly for measuring movement of and a torque applied to a shaft extending between first and second ends and being hollow, specifically for measuring rotation and twisting of the shaft. A permanent magnet is disposed within the shaft for producing a parallel magnetic field emanating radially from the shaft. A sensor mechanism is positioned adjacent the shaft to detect the magnetic flux produced in response to the shaft being moved. The sensor mechanism includes a magnetostrictive (MR) material disposed annularly about the shaft and extends between first and second edges. A flux collector extends beyond the first and second edges of the magnetostrictive material to direct the magnetic flux through a Hall sensor to detect an axial component of the magnetic flux in response to twisting. A positional ring extends annularly around and spaced from the shaft and a positional sensor is disposed between the positional ring and the shaft for measuring a radial component of the magnetic flux in response to rotating.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.