In-line rotating capacitive torque sensor
Abstract
A method and apparatus for measuring torques developed along a rotating mechanical assembly comprising a rotating inner portion and a stationary outer portion. The rotating portion has an electrically-conductive flexing section fitted between two coaxial shafts in a configuration which varies radially in accordance with applied torque. The stationary portion comprises a plurality of conductive plates forming a surface concentric with and having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the rotating portion. The capacitance between the outer, nonrotating and inner, rotating portion varies with changes in the radial configuration of the rotating portion. Signal output varies approximately linearly with torque for small torques, nonlinearly for larger torques. The sensor is preferably surrounded by a conductive shell to minimize electrical interference from external sources.
- Inventors:
-
- P.O. Box 385, Beach Island, SC 29841
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- E I DUPONT DE NEMOURS & CO INC
- OSTI Identifier:
- 867971
- Patent Number(s):
- 5046371
- Assignee:
- Kronberg, James W. (P.O. Box 385, Beach Island, SC 29841)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01L - MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-76SR00001
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- in-line; rotating; capacitive; torque; sensor; method; apparatus; measuring; torques; developed; mechanical; assembly; comprising; inner; portion; stationary; outer; electrically-conductive; flexing; section; fitted; coaxial; shafts; configuration; varies; radially; accordance; applied; comprises; plurality; conductive; plates; forming; surface; concentric; diameter; slightly; larger; capacitance; nonrotating; changes; radial; signal; output; approximately; linearly; nonlinearly; preferably; surrounded; shell; minimize; electrical; interference; external; sources; signal output; inner portion; rotating portion; stationary outer; outer portion; assembly comprising; external source; conductive plates; stationary portion; torque sensor; mechanical assembly; external sources; conductive plate; in-line rotating; approximately linear; /73/
Citation Formats
Kronberg, James W. In-line rotating capacitive torque sensor. United States: N. p., 1991.
Web.
Kronberg, James W. In-line rotating capacitive torque sensor. United States.
Kronberg, James W. Tue .
"In-line rotating capacitive torque sensor". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/867971.
@article{osti_867971,
title = {In-line rotating capacitive torque sensor},
author = {Kronberg, James W},
abstractNote = {A method and apparatus for measuring torques developed along a rotating mechanical assembly comprising a rotating inner portion and a stationary outer portion. The rotating portion has an electrically-conductive flexing section fitted between two coaxial shafts in a configuration which varies radially in accordance with applied torque. The stationary portion comprises a plurality of conductive plates forming a surface concentric with and having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the rotating portion. The capacitance between the outer, nonrotating and inner, rotating portion varies with changes in the radial configuration of the rotating portion. Signal output varies approximately linearly with torque for small torques, nonlinearly for larger torques. The sensor is preferably surrounded by a conductive shell to minimize electrical interference from external sources.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991},
month = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991}
}