Device for detecting the twist angle of a shaft and/or a torque occurring on the shaft and methods for operating the device

US9026378B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• BALLUFF GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Sorin Fericean · Leonberg, DE
• Andrea Hiller-Brod · Weilheim, DE
• Reinhard Droxler · Eningen unter Achalm, DE
• Markus Fritton · Bad Liebenzell, DE
• Daniel Kraeter · Eppingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 11, 2011
• Grant date: May 5, 2015
• Expiry date: Jul 30, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01L25/003
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A device for detecting a twist angle and/or a torque of a shaft occurring on the shaft and methods for operating the device uses at least one first encoder and at least one second encoder at a predefined spacing therefrom. Each encoder influences at least one coil parameter, is associated with at least a part of the circumference of the shaft, and has at least one track having at least one period per revolution of the shaft. At least first and second inductive sensors scan the first and second encoders, respectively. Each inductive sensor provides a respective sensor signal reflecting at least one measure for the rotational angle of the shaft within the period, and a difference ascertainment unit ascertains and provides the twist angle of the shaft as an angle difference of the two rotational angles detected by the inductive sensors.