The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 17, 1976
Filed:
Oct. 15, 1974
Evan R Flavell, Albany, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
Torque stress on a stationary or rotating shaft is measured in a contactless fashion utilizing differential optical sensing means. A pair of light-controlling discs are attached to opposite ends of a torsioning section of the shaft. The combination of light-valving discs comprises two areas, inner and outer, with complimentary light transmission control effects in response to differential angular rotation of the discs with respect to each other. Light is passed through the combination of discs and received by sensors aligned such that separate signals are generated from light passed through the inner and outer areas of the light-controlling discs. As torque is applied to the shaft in one direction, more light is transmitted through the one area, and less through the other. As torque is applied in the opposite direction, the opposite effect occurs. Over angles of such differential rotation of the discs, a stable signal is produced by the sensors that is proportional to the applied torque. Ring-configuration sensors, multiple sensor pairs, or optical distribution and collection means are utilized, as required, to minimize the effects of imperfections in the light transmission control materials, and thereby maximize the system signal-to-noise ratio.