US3596100A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Linear output torque meter utilizing light sensing
Assignee: British Hovercraft Corp Ltd
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Filing: 1969-02-19
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1989-02-19
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for measuring torque in either a stationary or rotating shaft. Two light-polarizing screens are mounted on a shaft transmitting a torque in such a manner that the twist in the shaft caused by the torque causes a relative rotatory movement between the screens. Light from a light source passes through the screens to a light-sensing device which produces a signal according to the amount of light it receives. The relative rotatory movement of the screens caused by the applied torque causes a variation in the amount of light passing to the lightsensing device so that the signal produced indicates the amount of torque. The use of light to measure twist means an absence of drag and hence the ability to measure very small torques.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert William Hollick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L3/00; G01L3/02; G01L3/04; G01L3/10; G01L3/12; H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H03; H03J; H03J5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A torque meter comprising first and second light-polarizing screens each polarized to confine light oscillations falling thereon to a single plane; a shaft; means for mounting said screens on said shaft so that a relative rotational movement between said first and second screens is produced upon application of a torque to said shaft; at least one light source; at least one light-sensing device for receiving light emitted by said source after the passage of said light through said screens; means for preventing ambient light from reaching said lightsensing device; an electrical bridge circuit, said light-sensing device comprising a first light-sensitive transducer connected in one arm of said bridge circuit; amplifier means for amplifying the output of said bridge circuit; a rotatable light-polarizing screen; an electrical motor connected to the output of said amplifier means for driving said rotatable screen; a fixed polarizing screen; a second light source; a second light-sensing device for receiving light passing through said rotatable screen and said fixed screen, said second light-sensing device comprising a second light-sensitive transducer connected in a further arm of said bridge circuit; and indicating means driven by said electric motor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A torque meter comprising first and second light-polarizing screens each polarized to confine light oscillations falling thereon to a single plane; a shaft; means for mounting said screens on said shaft so that a relative rotational movement between said first and second screens is produced upon application of a torque to said shaft; at least one light source; at least one light-sensing device for receiving light emitted by said source after the passage of said light through said screens; means for preventing ambient light from reaching said lightsensing device; an electrical bridge circuit, said light-sensing device comprising a first light-sensitive transducer connected in one arm of said bridge circuit; amplifier means for amplifying the output of said bridge circuit; a rotatable light-polarizing screen; an electrical motor connected to the output of said amplifier means for driving said rotatable screen; a fixed polarizing screen; a second light source; a second light-sensing device for receiving light passing through said rotatable screen and said fixed screen, said second light-sensing device comprising a second light-sensitive transducer connected in a further arm of said bridge circuit; and indicating means driven by said electric motor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A torque meter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shaft includes a portion of reduced diameter between the supports for the screens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A torque meter as cLaimed in claim 1 wherein the means for preventing ambient light from reaching said first light-sensing device comprises a hood of material impervious to light surrounding said light source, said first and second screens and said first light-sensing device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A torque meter as claimed in claim 2 wherein one of said first and second screens is supported upon a cylinder attached to the shaft at one end of the portion of the reduced diameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A torque meter as claimed in claim 4 wherein the polarizing axis of one of said first and second screens is at 90* to the polarizing axis of the other of said screens when no torque is being transmitted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A torque meter as claimed in claim 4 further comprising amplifier means for amplifying the output from the electrical bridge circuit, and an automatic warning device actuated responsive to the output of said amplifier means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A torque meter as claimed in claim 4 further comprising amplifying means for amplifying the output of said electrical bridge circuit and an automatic stopping device actuated responsive to the output of said amplifier means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A torque meter as claimed in claim 4 further comprising amplifier means for amplifying the output of said electrical bridge circuit and a digital counter operated responsive to the output of said amplifier means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A torque meter as claimed in claim 6 wherein said output is integrated with other measurements to indicate other parameters.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |