Torque transducer

Claim 2

A torque transducer for measuring torque input or output of a rotary machine and comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart in parallel relation along the rotational axis of said machine, said first plate being adapted to be rigidly fixed to the housing of said machine, and said second plate member being adApted to be rigidly fixed to a stationary support surface to prevent rotation thereof with said first plate member about said rotational axis, a plurality of flexure beams extending axially between and secured at opposite ends to said first and second plate members, said flexure beams being mounted in cantilever fashion on said second plate member and providing the sole support for the assembly of said first plate member and said machine at their unsupported ends, said beams being flexed under the influence of the reaction torque applied to said housing during operation of said machine to provide for the reaction torque-induced rotation of said assembly about said rotational axis and relative to said second plate member, and means operatively connected to said first plate member for producing a signal representative of the angle through which said first plate member is rotated relative to said second plate member, said flexure beams being oriented about said rotational axis to maintain rotation of said assembly substantially coaxial with said rotational axis, with at least one of said beams being flat-sided and facing edgewise radially toward said rotational axis, said one beam being medially intersected by a plane containing said rotational axis and being vertically disposed when said rotational axis is horizontally oriented, said rotary machine having an energy transferring shaft extending from said housing, and at least one of said mounting plate members being provided with a central aperture through which said shaft is adapted to coaxially and freely extend.

Claim 3

A torque transducer for measuring torque input or output of a rotary machine and comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart in parallel relation along the rotational axis of said machine, said first plate being adapted to be rigidly fixed to the housing of said machine, and said second plate member being adapted to be rigidly fixed to a stationary support surface to prevent rotation thereof with said first plate member about said rotational axis, a plurality of flexure beams extending axially between and secured at opposite ends to said first and second plate members, said flexure beams being mounted in cantilever fashion on said second plate member and providing the sole support for the assembly of said first plate member and said machine at their unsupported ends, said beams being flexed under the influence of the reaction torque applied to said housing during operation of said machine to provide for the reaction torque-induced rotation of said assembly about said rotational axis and relative to said second plate member, and means operatively connected to said first plate member for producing a signal representative of the angle through which said first plate member is rotated relative to said second plate member, said flexure beams being oriented about said rotational axis to maintain rotation of said assembly substantially coaxial with said rotational axis, with at least one of said beams being flat-sided and facing edgewise radially toward said rotational axis, said one beam being medially intersected by a plane containing said rotational axis and being vertically disposed when said rotational axis is horizontally oriented, said first plate member being configured and disposed to mate with and seat against an opposing, axially directed end face of said housing.

Claim 4

A torque transducer for measuring torque input or output of a rotary machine and comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart in parallel relation along the rotational axis of said machine, said first plate being adapted to be rigidly fixed to the housing of said machine, and said second plate member being adapted to be rigidly fixed to a stationary support surface to prevent rotation thereof with said first plate member about said rotational axis, a plurality of flexure beams extending axially between and secured at opposite ends to said first and second plate members, said flexure beams being mounted in cantilever fashion on said second plate member and providing the sole support for the assembly of said first plate member and said machine at their unsupported ends, said beams being flexed under the influence of the reaction torque applied to said housing during operation of said machine to provide for the reaction torque-induced rotation of said assembly about said rotational axis and relative to said second plate member, and means operatively connected to said first plate member for producing a signal representative of the angle through which said first plate member is rotated relative to said second plate member, said flexure beams being oriented about said rotational axis to maintain rotation of said assembly substantially coaxial with said rotational axis, with at least one of said beams being flat-sided and facing edgewise radially toward said rotational axis, said one beam being medially intersected by a plane containing said rotational axis and being vertically disposed when said rotational axis is horizontally oriented, said first plate member being configured and disposed to mate with and seat against an opposing, axially directed end face of said housing.

Claim 5

The torque transducer defined in claim 2 wherein said machine has an energy-transferring shaft projecting from said housing and wherein said first plate member is formed with a central aperture through which said shaft is adapted to coaxially and freely extend.

Claim 6

The torque transducer defined in claim 2 wherein said machine has an energy-transferring shaft extending from said housing, and wherein said first and second plate members are formed with axially aligned, central apertures which said shaft is adapted to coaxially and freely extend.

Claim 7

A torque transducer for measuring torque input or output of a rotary macHine and comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart in parallel relation along the rotational axis of said machine, said first plate being adapted to be rigidly fixed to the housing of said machine, and said second plate member being adapted to be rigidly fixed to a stationary support surface to prevent rotation thereof with said first plate member about said rotational axis, a plurality of flexure beams extending axially between and secured at opposite ends to said first and second plate members, said flexure beams being mounted in cantilever fashion on said second plate member and providing the sole support for the assembly of said first plate member and said machine at their unsupported ends, said beams being flexed under the influence of the reaction torque applied to said housing during operation of said machine to provide for the reaction torque-induced rotation of said assembly about said rotational axis and relative to said second plate member, and means operatively connected to said first plate member for producing a signal representative of the angle through which said first plate member is rotated relative to said second plate member, said flexure beams being oriented about said rotational axis to maintain rotation of said assembly substantially coaxial with said rotational axis, with at least one of said beams being flat-sided and facing edgewise radially toward said rotational axis, said one beam being medially intersected by a plane containing said rotational axis and being vertically disposed when said rotational axis is horizontally oriented, said housing having an axially directed end face configured to mate with a mounting portion of said support surface to enable said machine to be mounted directly on said support surface, said first and second plate members being interposed axially between said end face and said mounting portion, and said first and second plate members having axially oppositely facing complementary surfaces respectively configured to mate with said end face and said mounting portion and respectively adapted to seat against said end face and said mounting portion in assembled relation with said machine and said support surface.

Claim 8

A torque transducer for measuring torque input or output of a rotary macHine and comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart in parallel relation along the rotational axis of said machine, said first plate being adapted to be rigidly fixed to the housing of said machine, and said second plate member being adapted to be rigidly fixed to a stationary support surface to prevent rotation thereof with said first plate member about said rotational axis, a plurality of flexure beams extending axially between and secured at opposite ends to said first and second plate members, said flexure beams being mounted in cantilever fashion on said second plate member and providing the sole support for the assembly of said first plate member and said machine at their unsupported ends, said beams being flexed under the influence of the reaction torque applied to said housing during operation of said machine to provide for the reaction torque-induced rotation of said assembly about said rotational axis and relative to said second plate member, and means operatively connected to said first plate member for producing a signal representative of the angle through which said first plate member is rotated relative to said second plate member, said flexure beams being oriented about said rotational axis to maintain rotation of said assembly substantially coaxial with said rotational axis, with at least one of said beams being flat-sided and facing edgewise radially toward said rotational axis, said one beam being medially intersected by a plane containing said rotational axis and being vertically disposed when said rotational axis is horizontally oriented, said housing having an axially directed end face configured to mate with a mounting portion of said support surface to enable said machine to be mounted directly on said support surface, said first and second plate members being interposed axially between said end face and said mounting portion, and said first and second plate members having axially oppositely facing complementary surfaces respectively configured to mate with said end face and said mounting portion and respectively adapted to seat against said end face and said mounting portion in assembled relation with said machine and said support surface.

Claim 9

The torque transducer defined in claim 5 wherein said machine has an energy-transferring shaft extending from said housing and wherein said first and second plate members are formed with axially aligned, central apertures through which said shaft is adapted to coaxially and freely extend.

Claim 10

A torque transducer for measuring torque input or output of a rotary machine and comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart in parallel relation along the rotational axis of said machine, said first plate being adapted to be rigidly fixed to the housing of said machine, and said second plate member being adapted to be rigidly fixed to a stationary support surface to prevent rotation thereof with said first plate member about said rotational axis, a plurality of flexure beams extending axially between and secured at opposite ends to said first and second plate members, said flexure beams being mounted in cantilever fashion on said second plate member and providing the sole support for the assembly of said first plate member and said machine at their unsupported ends, said beams being flexed under the influence of the reaction torque applied to said housing during operation of said machine to provide for the reaction torque-induced rotation of said assembly about said rotational axis and relative to said second plate member, and means operatively connected to said first plate member for producing a signal representative of the angle through which said first plate member is rotated relative to said second plate member, said flexure beams being oriented about said rotational axis to maintain rotation of said assembly substantially coaxial with said rotational axis, with at least one of said beams being flat-sided and facing edgewise radially toward said rotational axis, saiD one beam being medially intersected by a plane containing said rotational axis and being vertically disposed when said rotational axis is horizontally oriented, one of said plate members being of annular configuration and peripherally surrounding said housing in assembled relation therewith.

Claim 11

A torque transducer for measuring torque input or output of a rotary machine and comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart in parallel relation along the rotational axis of said machine, said first plate being adapted to be rigidly fixed to the housing of said machine, and said second plate member being adapted to be rigidly fixed to a stationary support surface to prevent rotation thereof with said first plate member about said rotational axis, a plurality of flexure beams extending axially between and secured at opposite ends to said first and second plate members, said flexure beams being mounted in cantilever fashion on said second plate member and providing the sole support for the assembly of said first plate member and said machine at their unsupported ends, said beams being flexed under the influence of the reaction torque applied to said housing during operation of said machine to provide for the reaction torque-induced rotation of said assembly about said rotational axis and relative to said second plate member, and means operatively connected to said first plate member for producing a signal representative of the angle through which said first plate member is rotated relative to said second plate member, said flexure beams being oriented about said rotational axis to maintain rotation of said assembly substantially coaxial with said rotational axis, with at least one of said beams being flat-sided and facing edgewise radially toward said rotational axis, saiD one beam being medially intersected by a plane containing said rotational axis and being vertically disposed when said rotational axis is horizontally oriented, one of said plate members being of annular configuration and peripherally surrounding said housing in assembled relation therewith.

Claim 12

The torque transducer defined in claim 7 wherein said one plate member is said second plate member.

Claim 13

The torque transducer defined in claim 7 wherein said one plate member is said first plate member.

Claim 14

A torque transducer for measuring torque input or output of a rotary machine and comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart in parallel relation along the rotational axis of said machine, said first plate being adapted to be rigidly fixed to the housing of said machine, and said second plate member being adapted to be rigidly fixed to a stationary support surface to prevent rotation thereof with said first plate member about said rotational axis, a plurality of flexure beams extending axially between and secured at opposite ends to said first and second plate members, said flexure beams being mounted in cantilever fashion on said second plate member and providing the sole support for the assembly of said first plate member and said machine at their unsupported ends, said beams being flexed under the influence of the reaction torque applied to said housing during operation of said machine to provide for the reaction torque-induced rotation of said assembly about said rotational axis and relative to said second plate member, means operatively connected to said first plate member for producing a signal representative of the angle through which said first plate member is rotated relative to said second plate member, said flexure beams being oriented about said rotational axis to maintain rotation of said assembly substantially coaxial with said rotational axis, with at least one of said beams being flat-sided and facing edgewise radially toward said rotational axis, said one beam being medially intersected by a plane containing said rotational axis and being vertically disposed when said rotational axis is horizontally oriented, and means for selectively adjusting the effective axial length of flexure of at least one of said flexure beams.

Claim 15

A torque transducer for measuring torque input or output of a rotary machine and comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart in parallel relation along the rotational axis of said machine, said first plate being adapted to be rigidly fixed to the housing of said machine, and said second plate member being adapted to be rigidly fixed to a stationary support surface to prevent rotation thereof with said first plate member about said rotational axis, a plurality of flexure beams extending axially between and secured at opposite ends to said first and second plate members, said flexure beams being mounted in cantilever fashion on said second plate member and providing the sole support for the assembly of said first plate member and said machine at their unsupported ends, said beams being flexed under the influence of the reaction torque applied to said housing during operation of said machine to provide for the reaction torque-induced rotation of said assembly about said rotational axis and relative to said second plate member, means operatively connected to said first plate member for producing a signal representative of the angle through which said first plate member is rotated relative to said second plate member, said flexure beams being oriented about said rotational axis to maintain rotation of said assembly substantially coaxial with said rotational axis, with at least one of said beams being flat-sided and facing edgewise radially toward said rotational axis, said one beam being medially intersected by a plane containing said rotational axis and being vertically disposed when said rotational axis is horizontally oriented, and means for selectively adjusting the effective axial length of flexure of at least one of said flexure beams.

Claim 16

A torque transducer for measuring the torque input or output of a rotary machine and comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart along the rotational axis of said machine, said first plate member being rigidly fixed to the housing of said machine and said second plate member being secured against rotation with said housing, flexure beam means interconnecting said first and second plate members and providing for rotational motion of said machine and said first member relative to said second plate member by the reaction torque applied during operation of said machine, and means for measuring the rotation of said first plate member relative to said second plate member, said second plate member being of annular configuration and peripherally surrounding said housing.

Claim 17

A torque transducer for measuring the torque input or output of a rotary machine and comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart along the rotational axis of said machine, said first plate member being rigidly fixed to the housing of said machine and said second plate member being secured against rotation with said housing, flexure beam means interconnecting said first and second plate members and providing for rotational motion of said machine and said first member relative to said second plate member by the reaction torque applied during operation of said machine, and means for measuring the rotation of said first plate member relative to said second plate member, said second plate member being of annular configuration and peripherally surrounding said housing.

Claim 18

A torque transducer for measuring the torque input or output of a rotary machine having a housing rotatably supporting an energy-transferring shaft, said torque transducer comprising first and second mounting plates spaced axially apart along the rotational axis of said shaft, said first plate being adapted to be rigidly fixed to said housing, and said second plate being adapted to be rigidly fixed to a stationary support to prevent rotation thereof with said first plate about said rotational axis, a plurality of flexure beams extending axially between and rigidly secured at opposite ends to said first and second plates, said flexure beams being mounted in cantilever fashion on said second plate and providing the sole support for the assembly of said first plate and said machine at their unsupported ends, said beams being flexed under the influence of the reaction torque applied to said housing during operation Of said machine to provide for the reaction torque-induced rotation of said assembly about said rotational axis and relative to said second plate, and means operatively connected to said first plate for producing a signal representative of the angle through said first plate is rotated relative to said second plate, at least one of said first and second plates having a central aperture through which said shaft coaxially and freely extends.

Claim 19

A torque transducer for measuring the torque input or output of a rotary machine having a housing rotatably supporting an energy-transferring shaft, said torque transducer comprising first and second mounting plates spaced axially apart along the rotational axis of said shaft, said first plate being adapted to be rigidly fixed to said housing, and said second plate being adapted to be rigidly fixed to a stationary support to prevent rotation thereof with said first plate about said rotational axis, a plurality of flexure beams extending axially between and rigidly secured at opposite ends to said first and second plates, said flexure beams being mounted in cantilever fashion on said second plate and providing the sole support for the assembly of said first plate and said machine at their unsupported ends, said beams being flexed under the influence of the reaction torque applied to said housing during operation Of said machine to provide for the reaction torque-induced rotation of said assembly about said rotational axis and relative to said second plate, and means operatively connected to said first plate for producing a signal representative of the angle through said first plate is rotated relative to said second plate, at least one of said first and second plates having a central aperture through which said shaft coaxially and freely extends.

Claim 20

The torque transducer defined in claim 12 wherein the other of said first and second plates also has a central aperture through which said shaft coaxially and freely extends.

Claim 21

The torque transducer defined in claim 13 wherein said support has a mounting portion axially facing an end face of said housing, wherein said end face is configured to mate with said mounting portion, wherein said first and second plates are disposed in assembled relation axially between said end face and said mounting portion, and wherein said first and second plates have axially oppositely facing mounting surfaces configured and disposed to respectively mate with and seat against said end face and said mounting portion.

Claim 22

The torque transducer defined in claim 12 wherein each of said plates is formed with a plurality of peripheral notches receiving corresponding ends of said flexure beams, with each notch being delimited by a pair of perpendicularly joined edge surfaces respectively extending parallel to planes disposed radially and tangentially of said shaft, and wherein means are provided for clamping the ends of said beams in their respective notches.

Claim 23

The torque transducer defined in claim 15 wherein the clamping means for at least one of said flexure beams comprises at each end thereof plate means fixed to the associated mounting plate and rigidly clamping the associated flexure beam end in place within its associated notch, and means for selectively adjusting the position of said plate means longitudinally of said one beam to vary the flexure length of the beam between the clamped regions at opposite ends thereof.

Claim 24

The torque transducer defined in claim 15 wherein corresponding notches in said first and second plates receiving at least one of said flexure beams are each formed with an axially extending relief groove at the intersection of said perpendicularly joined edge surfaces, wherein said one beam has a flat side seated against one of said edge surfaces and a straight edge perpendicularly joined to said flat side and seated against the other of said edge surfaces, the corner defined by said flat side and said edge being disposed at the mouth of said groove in parallel relation thereto.

Claim 25

The torque transducer defined in claim 12 wherein said flexure beams are spaced in parallel relation equidistantly around said rotational axis, wherein said beams are flat-sided, with each beam having an edge facing radially toward said rotational axis and medially intersected by a radial plane containing said rotational axis, and wherein the points of attachment of each beam to said first and second plate members lie on a line extending parallel to said rotational axis.

Claim 26

The torque transducer defined in claim 12 comprising a post fixed to one of said first and second mounting plates and extending along an axis that is parallel to said rotational axis, means providing a tapped bore in the other of said mounting plates along an axis normally intersecting the axis of said post, and an element threaded into said bore and having an end face which is abuttable with said post to limit rotation of said assembly to a predetermined angle, said element being selectively axially displaceable along the axis of said bore to selectively adjust the magnitude of said predetermined angle.

Claim 27

A torque transducer measuring the torque input or output of a rotary machine and comprising first and second mounting plates spaced axially apart along the rotational axis of said machine, said first plate being rigidly fixed to the housing of said machine, and said second plate being secured against rotation with said housing, flexure beam means interconnecting said first and second plates and being deflectable to provide for rotational motion of the assembly of said machine and said first plate about said axis by the reaction torque applied to said housing during operation of said machine, means for measuring the rotation of said first plate relative to said second plate, and stop abutment means comprising coacting elements mounted on said first and second plates for limiting rotation of said assembly at least in one predetermined direction, one of said elements being selectively adjustable relative to the other of said elements for selectively varying the magnitude of the angle through which said assembly is rotatable in said predetermined direction.

Claim 28

A torque transducer measuring the torque input or output of a rotary machine and comprising first and second mounting plates spaced axially apart along the rotational axis of said machine, said first plate being rigidly fixed to the housing of said machine, and said second plate being secured against rotation with said housing, flexure beam means interconnecting said first and second plates and being deflectable to provide for rotational motion of the assembly of said machine and said first plate about said axis by the reaction torque applied to said housing during operation of said machine, means for measuring the rotation of said first plate relative to said second plate, and stop abutment means comprising coacting elements mounted on said first and second plates for limiting rotation of said assembly at least in one predetermined direction, one of said elements being selectively adjustable relative to the other of said elements for selectively varying the magnitude of the angle through which said assembly is rotatable in said predetermined direction.

Claim 29

The torque transducer defined in claim 20 wherein said flexure beam means comprises a plurality of flexure beams mounted in cantilever fashion on said second plate, wherein saId assembly is supported solely from the free ends of said beams, wherein one of said elements comprises a post for supporting said assembly in the event of structural failure of said beams, and wherein means coacting with said post limits axial displacement of said assembly when supported by said post.

Claim 30

A torque transducer for measuring the torque input or output of a rotary machine having a housing and an energy transferring shaft extending from said housing, said torque transducer comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart along a rotational axis of said machine, said first plate member being rigidly fixed to said housing of said machine and said second plate member being secured against rotation with said housing, flexure means interconnecting said first and second plate members and providing for rotational motion of the assembly of said machine and said first member about said axis and relative to said second plate member by the reaction torque applied to said housing during operation of said machine, and means for measuring the rotation of said first plate member relative to said second plate member, at least one of said plate members having an aperture through which said shaft freely extends.

Claim 31

A torque transducer for measuring the torque input or output of a rotary machine having a housing and an energy transferring shaft extending from said housing, said torque transducer comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart along a rotational axis of said machine, said first plate member being rigidly fixed to said housing of said machine and said second plate member being secured against rotation with said housing, flexure means interconnecting said first and second plate members and providing for rotational motion of the assembly of said machine and said first member about said axis and relative to said second plate member by the reaction torque applied to said housing during operation of said machine, and means for measuring the rotation of said first plate member relative to said second plate member, at least one of said plate members having an aperture through which said shaft freely extends.

Claim 32

The force transducer defined in claim 22 wherein said flexure means comprises a plurality of angularly spaced apart beams extending longitudinally of said axis and being fixed to said first and second plate members to support the assembly of said first plate member and said machine in cantilever fashion from said second plate member.

Claim 33

The force transducer defined in claim 23 wherein said shaft freely extends through apertures in both of said plate members.

Claim 34

The force transducer defined in claim 24 wherein said apertures are located centrally in both of said plate members and wherein said shaft extends coaxially through both of said apertures.

Claim 35

The force transducer defined in claim 23 wherein said one of said plate members is said second plate member.

Claim 36

The force transducer defined in claim 23 wherein said one of said plate members is said first plate member.

Claim 37

The torque transducer defined in claim 22 wherein said shaft coaxially extends through said aperture and wherein said aperture is centrally located in said one of said plate members.

Claim 38

A torque transducer for measuring the torque input or output of a rotary machine having a housing, said torque transducer comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart along the rotational axis of said machine, said first plate member being rigidly fixed to said housing of said machine and said second plate member being secured against rotation with said housing, and flexure means interconnecting said first and second plate members and providing for rotational motion of the assembly of said machine and said first member about said axis and relative to said second plate member by the reaction torque applied during operation of said machine, and means for measuring the rotaTion of said first plate member relative to said second plate member, one of said plate members being configured and disposed to mate with and seat against an opposing, axially directed end face of said housing, said machine having an energy-transferring shaft, and said one of said plate members having an aperture through which said shaft freely extends.

Claim 39

A torque transducer for measuring the torque input or output of a rotary machine having a housing, said torque transducer comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart along the rotational axis of said machine, said first plate member being rigidly fixed to said housing of said machine and said second plate member being secured against rotation with said housing, and flexure means interconnecting said first and second plate members and providing for rotational motion of the assembly of said machine and said first member about said axis and relative to said second plate member by the reaction torque applied during operation of said machine, and means for measuring the rotaTion of said first plate member relative to said second plate member, one of said plate members being configured and disposed to mate with and seat against an opposing, axially directed end face of said housing, said machine having an energy-transferring shaft, and said one of said plate members having an aperture through which said shaft freely extends.

Claim 40

The force transducer defined in claim 29 wherein said flexure means comprises a plurality of angularly spaced apart beams extending longitudinally of said axis and being fixed to said first and second plate members to support the assembly of said first plate member and said machine in cantilever fashion from said second plate member.

Claim 41

The torque transducer defined in claim 30 wherein said one of said plate members is said first plate member.

Claim 42

The torque transducer defined in claim 29 wherein said shaft extends coaxially through said aperture.

Claim 43

A torque transducer for measuring the torque input or output of a rotary machine and comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart along the rotational axis of said machine, said first plate member being rigidly fixed to the housing of said machine and said second plate member being secured against rotation with said housing, a plurality of flexure beams extending axially between said members and interconnecting said first and second plate members to provide for rotational motion of the assembly of said machine and said first member relative to said second plate member by the reaction torque applied during operation of said machine, means for measuring the rotation of said first plate member relative to said second plate member, and means for selectively adjusting the axial length of flexure of said beams.

Claim 44

A torque transducer for measuring the torque input or output of a rotary machine and comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart along the rotational axis of said machine, said first plate member being rigidly fixed to the housing of said machine and said second plate member being secured against rotation with said housing, a plurality of flexure beams extending axially between said members and interconnecting said first and second plate members to provide for rotational motion of the assembly of said machine and said first member relative to said second plate member by the reaction torque applied during operation of said machine, means for measuring the rotation of said first plate member relative to said second plate member, and means for selectively adjusting the axial length of flexure of said beams.

Claim 45

A torque transducer for measuring the torque input or output of a rotary machine having a housing wherein said rotary machine has a housing formed with an axially directed end portion that is configured to mate with a mounting portion of a support structure to enable said machine to be mounted directly on said support structure in absence of said transducer, with one of said portions having a projection and the other of said portions having a complementary recess capable of matingly receiving said projection, said torque transducer comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart along the rotational axis of said machine and being interposed axially between said end face and said mounting portion, said first plate member being rigidly fixed to the housing of said machine and said second plate member being secured to said mounting portion, flexure means interconnecting said first and second plate members and providing for rotational motion of said machine and said first member relative to said second plate member by the reaction torque applied during operation of said machine, said flexure means comprising a plurality of angularly spaced apart beams extending longitudinally of the axis about which said machine is rotatable and being fixed to said first and second plate members to support the assembly of said first plate member and said machine in cantilever fashion from said second plate member, and means for measuring the rotation of said first plate member relative to said second plate member, said plate members respectively having axially oppositely facing, complementary recessed and projecting sections respectively configured to mate with said projection and said recess, and said first and second plate members being respectively adapted to seat against said end portion and said mounting portion in assembled relation with said machine and said support structure, with said projecting section being received in said recess and said recessed section receiving said projection.

Claim 46

A torque transducer for measuring the torque input or output of a rotary machine having a housing wherein said rotary machine has a housing formed with an axially directed end portion that is configured to mate with a mounting portion of a support structure to enable said machine to be mounted directly on said support structure in absence of said transducer, with one of said portions having a projection and the other of said portions having a complementary recess capable of matingly receiving said projection, said torque transducer comprising first and second mounting plate members spaced axially apart along the rotational axis of said machine and being interposed axially between said end face and said mounting portion, said first plate member being rigidly fixed to the housing of said machine and said second plate member being secured to said mounting portion, flexure means interconnecting said first and second plate members and providing for rotational motion of said machine and said first member relative to said second plate member by the reaction torque applied during operation of said machine, said flexure means comprising a plurality of angularly spaced apart beams extending longitudinally of the axis about which said machine is rotatable and being fixed to said first and second plate members to support the assembly of said first plate member and said machine in cantilever fashion from said second plate member, and means for measuring the rotation of said first plate member relative to said second plate member, said plate members respectively having axially oppositely facing, complementary recessed and projecting sections respectively configured to mate with said projection and said recess, and said first and second plate members being respectively adapted to seat against said end portion and said mounting portion in assembled relation with said machine and said support structure, with said projecting section being received in said recess and said recessed section receiving said projection.