DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DETECTING RATES OF CHANGE OF TORQUE

• US 20080245159A1
• Filed: 01/05/2008
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MagCanica, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ivan J. Garshelis, Ryan J. Kari, Stijn P.L. Tollens
• Inventors: KARI, Ryan J., GARSHELIS, Ivan J., TOLLENS, Stijn P.L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,832,289 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/862.27
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 3/101 involving magnetic or electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 3/102 involving magnetostrictive means magnetostrictive sensors H10N35/101
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 3/103 Details about the magnetic material used
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 3/104 involving permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

Sensors for outputting signals indicative of a rate of change of torque experienced by a magnetized member in response to a change in torque experienced by the member are described. Such sensors include at least one sense element capable of detecting a change in a magnetic parameter of a magnetized region of the member positioned proximate to the sense element in response to a change in torque applied to the member. Devices for detecting and/or measuring rates of changes in or of torque that employ one or more of these sensors are also described, as are various applications for such devices.

Claims

1. A sensor for detecting a rate of change of torque experienced by a member capable of transmitting torque, comprising:

a. a sense element configured to output a signal indicative of a rate of change in torque experienced by a member carrying or subjected to a time-varying torque, wherein the sense element is capable of detecting a change in a magnetic parameter of a magnetized region of the member positioned proximate to the sense element in response to a change in torque experienced by the member; and

at least one of a processor according to part (b), below, or a memory according to part (c), below; and

b. a processor operatively associated with the sense element and configured to process signals output from the sense element to determine a rate of change of torque experienced by the member;

or

c. a memory operatively associated with the sense element and configured to store data representing information in the signal output from the sense element.

2. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic parameter is selected from the group consisting of magnetic flux and magnetization orientation.

3. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the signal is a voltage.

4. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the magnetized region of the member comprises a magnetized band, optionally a circumferentially magnetized band.

5. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the member comprises a plurality of magnetized regions, at least two of which are optionally magnetized in opposite orientations.

6. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the member comprises a plurality of spaced magnetized bands, wherein at least one of the plurality of spaced magnetized bands is a circumferentially magnetized band.

8. A sensor according to claim 1 further comprising a power supply operatively associated with the sensor, wherein the power supply optionally comprises a battery.

9. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sense element is disposed in a housing configured to position the sense element in spaced relation and proximate to the magnetized region of the member.

10. An assembly, comprising a sensor according to claim 1 positioned proximate to a member comprising at least one magnetized region such that the sense element can sense a change in the magnetic parameter of the magnetized region(s) of the member in response to a change in torque experienced by the member.

11. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein the member comprises a shaft including a plurality of spaced magnetized regions, wherein each of the plurality of spaced magnetized regions optionally is (i) independently selected from the group consisting of a magnetized portion of the shaft and a magnetized ring fixed to the shaft, and (ii) circumferentially magnetized.

12. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein the sense element is disposed in a housing configured to position the sense element in spaced relation and proximate to the magnetized region(s) of the member.

13. An assembly according to claim 10 further comprising a power supply operatively associated with the sensor.

14. An assembly according to claim 10 further comprising a magnet spaced from a magnetized region of the member and positioned to maintain or enhance magnetization of the magnetized region of the member.

15. A method of detecting a rate of change of torque experienced by a member, comprising:

a. subjecting a member having a magnetized region to a time-varying torque; and

b. using a sensor according to claim 1 that has been positioned proximate to the magnetized region of the member to detect a rate of change in torque experienced by the member.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein information relating to a rate of change in torque experienced by the member is used to control or monitor at least one of:

a. absolute torque applied to or experienced by the member;

b. a rate of change in torque experienced by the member;

c. a parameter that results in a change in torque experienced by the member; and

d. a parameter that functionally depends on a change in torque experienced by the member.

7. A sensor according to claim A-1, wherein the sense element comprises a plurality of loops of an electrical conductor, optionally a solenoidal coil.

17. An energy-harvesting electrical circuit, comprising:

a. a sense element configured to output a voltage induced in the sense element in response to a rate of change in torque experienced by a member having a magnetized region positioned proximate to the sense element and capable of carrying or being subjected to a time-varying torque; and

, optionally,

b. an electrical energy storage device operably associated with the sense element, wherein the electrical energy storage device optionally comprises a battery.

18. A system for harvesting electrical energy, comprising:

a. a member having a magnetized region;

b. an energy-harvesting electrical circuit according to claim 17 positioned proximate to a magnetized region of the member; and

, optionally,

c. an electrical energy storage device operably associated with the energy-harvesting electrical circuit, wherein the electrical energy storage device optionally comprises a battery.

19. A method for generating electricity, comprising:

a. using an energy-harvesting electrical circuit that comprises a sense element configured to output a voltage induced in the sense element in response to a rate of change in torque experienced by a member having a magnetized region positioned proximate to the sense element and capable of carrying or being subjected to a time-varying torque, wherein the electrical circuit is configured to output electricity in response to a change in torque applied to the member;

b. positioning the magnetized region of the member proximate to the sense element of the energy-harvesting electrical circuit; and

c. applying a time-varying torque to the member to induce a voltage in the sense element, thereby generating electricity.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the energy-harvesting electrical circuit optionally further comprises an operably associated electrical energy storage device, with the sense element, wherein the electrical energy storage device optionally comprises a battery.