Integration of proximity sensors with magnetostrictive torque sensors
First Claim
1. A magnetostrictive sensing system, comprising:
- a magnetostrictive sensor including a sensor head extending between a proximal end and a distal end that contains,a driving pole having a driving coil coupled thereto that is configured to generate a first magnetic flux in response to a driving current, andat least one sensing pole having a sensing coil coupled thereto that is configured to output a first signal based at least upon a measurement of a second magnetic flux resulting from interaction of the first magnetic flux with a target; and
at least one proximity sensor positioned within the sensor head and secured to the distal end of the sensor head, the at least one proximity sensor being distanced from the driving pole and the sensing pole and configured to output a second signal based upon a gap between the distal end of the sensor head and the target;
wherein the at least one proximity sensor is positioned such that the first magnetic flux generated by the driving coil and the second magnetic flux measured by the sensing coil are each substantially unchanged by the proximity sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gap compensated torque sensing system and methods for using the same are provided. The system can include a magnetostrictive torque sensor and at least one proximity sensor in communication with a controller. The proximity sensor can be substantially rigidly coupled to a sensor head of the torque sensor, either contained within the sensor head or mounted proximate to the sensor head using a bracket or other coupling mechanism. The torque sensor can sense magnetic flux passing through the target and the proximity sensor can measure a gap between itself and the target. The controller can estimate torque applied to the target from magnetic flux sensed by the torque sensor. The estimated torque can be modified by the gap measurement to compensate for changes in magnetic properties of the target due to variations in the gap. In this manner, the accuracy of the torque measurements can be increased.
8 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A magnetostrictive sensing system, comprising:
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a magnetostrictive sensor including a sensor head extending between a proximal end and a distal end that contains, a driving pole having a driving coil coupled thereto that is configured to generate a first magnetic flux in response to a driving current, and at least one sensing pole having a sensing coil coupled thereto that is configured to output a first signal based at least upon a measurement of a second magnetic flux resulting from interaction of the first magnetic flux with a target; and at least one proximity sensor positioned within the sensor head and secured to the distal end of the sensor head, the at least one proximity sensor being distanced from the driving pole and the sensing pole and configured to output a second signal based upon a gap between the distal end of the sensor head and the target; wherein the at least one proximity sensor is positioned such that the first magnetic flux generated by the driving coil and the second magnetic flux measured by the sensing coil are each substantially unchanged by the proximity sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A magnetostrictive sensing system, comprising:
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a magnetostrictive sensor including a sensor head extending between a proximal end and a distal end that contains, a driving pole having a driving coil coupled thereto that is configured to generate magnetic flux in response to a driving current, and at least one sensing pole having a sensing coil coupled thereto that is configured to output a first signal based at least upon a second magnetic flux resulting from interaction of the first magnetic flux with a target; and at least one proximity sensor positioned outside of the sensor head and coupled substantially rigidly thereto, the at least one proximity sensor configured to output a second signal based upon a gap between the distal end of the sensor head and the target; wherein the at least one proximity sensor is positioned such that the first magnetic flux generated by the driving coil and the second magnetic flux measured by the sensing coil are each substantially unchanged by the proximity sensor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification