Eaton Corporation

Paul W Morgan

Kish D Amlani

Thomas J Ellwood

John B Hodges

Richard C Phillips

An improved electromagnetic coupling circuit (16) is provided that features a rotor (18) carrying rotary windings (39) rotated by a rotary member (2) within an annular air gap (41) between two magnetic stator sections (34, 34') in which are disposed stator windings (40) and of which at least one of stator sections (34, 34') comprises a plurality of circumferentially-spaced wedge shaped segments (50) mounted upon a support member (27, 27') and having at least a portion of their respective facing edges in electrical contact with each other enabling low cost manufacture of large diameter stator sections.

Magnetic field coupling circuit and rotary transducer using same

A rotary transformer transducer system includes a rotatable shaft having a rotor and a transducer each mounted thereon, and a stationary member including a stator, with the rotor and stator coupling electrical energy therebetween without physical contact. A resistor mounted on the rotatable shaft is selectably switched to provide direct shunt calibration of the transducer without physical contact with the stationary member. A solid state switch, mounted on the shaft couples the resistor to the transducer. The switch is operated by a pulse coded signal coupled in the reverse direction through the rotary transformers normally provided to transmit the transducer signals.

Shunt calibration system for a transducer mounted on a rotating member

An improved rotary transducer (60) featuring a rotary member (2) rotatably mounted in a housing (4). Member (2) is preferably provided with a section (8) adapted to enhance measurement of stresses or other parameters of interest imposed upon member (2) under operating conditions preferably by means of one or more strain gages (32) forming one or more legs of a wheatstone bridge preferably mounted on member (2). Excitation voltage for the wheatstone bridge and/or the output voltage therefrom is delivered across an electromagnetic field between a magnetic stator member (16) fixed to housing (4) and a rotor member (18) secured to member (2). Stator member (16) comprises two magnetic stator members (34, 34') having respective asymmetrical facing surface portions adapted such that selective rotation of one relative to the other changes the configuration of an air gap therebetween within which rotor member 18 rotates and thereby changes the electrical reluctance of the magnetic coupling field between rotor member 18 and stator members (34, 34' ) to provide control over the magnetic coupling field and the excitation voltage or signal being transferred thereacross.

Variable magnetic field coupling circuit and rotary transducer using same

The performance and condition of a tool, workpiece or machine tool is sensed during machining operations by securing a single or plural strain gages to the tool holder. To increase the sensitivity of the strain gages on stationary tool holders, the tool holders are contoured to provide locations of higher strain in which the strain gages are attached. A single or plural strain gages are positioned to sense the combined effect of different strains such as axial thrust and torque and are electrically connected to provide a single Wheatstone bridge output 'signature' which may be monitored to detect a defective operation. In rotating tools, the single 'signature' output greatly reduces the coupling equipment such as rotary transformers and also reduces the monitoring equipment. A unique arrangement of a single strain gage or alternatively a plurality of gages enables monitoring of both torque and thrust simultaneously. The output from the plurality of strain gages can be made additive to increase sensitivity and yet requires only a single bridge circuit. The design is flexible in that the gages may be arranged for optimization of the single bridge output for either torque or thrust.

Growing community of inventors

Waterford Township, MI, United States of America

Paul W Morgan