Trw Limited

Michael J Medora

Don Blandino

Joseph D Miller

Erland K Persson

Michael J Boyer

A torque sensing apparatus (,) includes first and second sensor elements (,) which are substantially diametrically opposed relative to a central axis extending between the first and second sensor elements. Each of the sensor elements (,) is operative to provide an electrical signal (,) that varies as a function of the relative position between first and second parts of the respective sensor elements. The electrical signals (,) of the first and second sensor elements (,) vary in inverse relationship in response to non-rotational relative movement between the first and second parts of the respective sensor elements.

Torque sensing apparatus for an electric assist steering system

An apparatus for sensing the relative rotational position between a stator (28) and a rotor (32) in a variable reluctance motor (26) includes a transmitting ring (40) mounted to the rotor (32) and having a transmitting coil (46) mounted thereon. A receiving ring (42) is mounted to stator (46) and has a receiving coil (56) mounted thereon. The receiving coil includes three conductor patterns (56a, 56b, 56c) having the same shape, each of said conductor patterns being electrically insulated from each other, and each conductor pattern being offset from adjacent conductor patterns by 120 electrical degrees. A drive signal is coupled to the transmitting coil. The apparatus further includes a controller (76) for monitoring the outputs from the receiving coil patterns and for determining the relative rotation between the rotor and the stator from the monitored outputs. The receiving coil patterns are each arranged in a circumferentially varying square wave pattern.

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Sterling Heights, MI, United States of America

Michael J Medora