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Torque sensor

  • US 4,414,855 A
  • Filed: 06/01/1981
  • Issued: 11/15/1983
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1981
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A torque sensor, comprising:

  • a non-magnetic drive shaft coupled between a source of torque and a load, said drive shaft including a cylindrical outer surface;

    a thin magnetically soft amorphous metal material affixed to said cylindrical surface of said drive shaft;

    first and second cylindrical pick-up coils, each having a longitudinal axis which is colinear with the longitudinal axis of said drive shaft;

    first electronic switch means coupled in series with a source of DC power and said first pick-up coil for controlling the flow of a first current through said first pick-up coil, said first current being proportional to the permeability of said amorphous material;

    second electronic switch means coupled in series with said DC power source and said second pick-up coil for controlling the flow of a second current through said second pick-up coil, said second current being proportional to the permeability of said amorphous material;

    oscillator means, connected to said first electronic switch means and said second electronic switch means, for generating an AC switching signal to control said first and second electronic switch means;

    integrator circuit means, coupled to said first and second pick-up coils, for integrating said first and second currents;

    level shifter current means, coupled to said integrator circuit means, for generating an output signal proportional to the stress of said drive shaft whereby the torque applied to said drive shaft is represented, said output signal having a zero level in the absence of applied torque to said drive shaft.

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