Two sensor torque measuring apparatus with compensation for shaft misalignment

Claim 3

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and said second sensing means are positioned adjacent said reference means and said torque-responsive means and diametrically opposite each other.

Claim 4

An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said reference means is supported to a free end of a sleeve, the other end of said sleeve being fixed to said shaft, said sleeve being coaxially disposed with said shaft.

Claim 5

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reference means is a first wheel fixed to said shaft, and said torque responsive means is a second wheel fixed to said shaft.

Claim 6

An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said first and said second wheels are toothed and positioned adjacent said first and said second sensing means, said first and said second sensing means being disposed diametrically opposite each other.

Claim 7

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said flip-flop means is coupled respectively to said first zero crossing detecting means and to said second zero crossing detecting means via respective differentiating circuit means.

Claim 8

An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein respective diode means are respectively positioned between said respective differentiating circuit means and said first flip-flop means.

Claim 9

An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said second flip-flop means is coupled respectively to said third zero crossing detecting means and to said fourth zero crossing detecting means via further respective differentiating circuit means.

Claim 10

An apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein further respective diode means are respectively positioned between said respective further differentiating circuit means and said second flip-flop means.

Claim 11

Apparatus for measuring the torque on a shaft which compensates for shaft misalignment comprising, in combination: a. a sleeve fixed to said shaft; b. a first toothed wheel fixed to said sleeve; c. a second toothed wheel, spaced from said first toothed wheel and fixed to said shaft, said second wheel being responsive to the torque on said shaft; d. a first magnetic sensor having, i. a first transducer magnetically coupled to said first toothed wheel for generating a first sine wave in response to the passage of teeth of said first toothed wheel past said first transducer, and ii. a second transducer magnetically coupled to said second toothed wheel for generating a second sine wave in response to the passage of teeth of said second tooth wheel past said second transducer, whereby the relative phase difference between the first and second sine waves is related to the relative position of the first toothed wheel with respect to the second toothed wheel and of the relative position of the shaft with respect to the first and second transducers; e. a second magnetic sensor displaced from the first magnetic sensor having i. a third transducer magnetically coupled to said first toothed wheel for generating a third sine wave in response to the passage of teeth of said first toothed wheel past said third transducer, and ii. a fourth transducer magnetically coupled to said second toothed wheel for generating a fourth sine wave in responsive to the passage of teeth of said second tooth wheel past said fourth transducer, whereby the relative phase difference between the third and fourth sine waves is related to the relative position of the first toothed wheel with respect to the second toothed wheel and of the relative position of the shaft with respect to the common axis of the third and fourth transducers f. first zero crossing detecting means coupled to said first transducer and responsive to its output for developing a first signal; g. second zero crossing detecting means coupled to said second transducer and responsive to its output for developing a second signal; h. first flip-flop means having two input means coupled respectively to said first zero crossing detecting means and to said second zero crossing detecting means, and responsive to the first and second signals; i. third zero crossing detecting means coupled to said third transducer and responsive to its output for developing a third signal; j. fourth zero crossing detecting means coupled to said fourth transducer and responsive to its output for developing a fourth signal; k. second flip-flop means having two input means coupled respectively to said third zero crossing detecting means and to said fourth zero crossing detecting means, and responsive to the third and fourth signals; and l. integrating means coupled to said first flip-flop means and to said second flip-flop means and responsive to their outputs for developing a torque indicating signal.

Claim 12

Apparatus for measuring the torque on a shaft which compensates for shaft misalignment comprising, in combination: a. a sleeve fixed to said shaft; b. a first toothed wheel fixed to said sleeve; c. a second toothed wheel, spaced from said first toothed wheel and fixed to said shaft, said second wheel being responsive to the torque on said shaft; d. a first magnetic sensor having, i. a first transducer magnetically coupled to said first toothed wheel for generating a first sine wave in response to the passage of teeth of said first toothed wheel past said first transducer, and ii. a second transducer magnetically coupled to said second toothed wheel for generating a second sine wave in response to the passage of teeth of said second tooth wheel past said second transducer, whereby the relative phase difference between the first and second sine waves is related to the relative position of the first toothed wheel with respect to the second toothed wheel and of the relative position of the shaft with respect to the first and second transducers; e. a second magnetic sensor displaced from the first magnetic sensor having i. a third transducer magnetically coupled to said first toothed wheel for generating a third sine wave in response to the passage of teeth of said first toothed wheel past said third transducer, and ii. a fourth transducer magnetically coupled to said second toothed wheel for generating a fourth sine wave in responsive to the passage of teeth of said second tooth wheel past said fourth transducer, whereby the relative phase difference between the third and fourth sine waves is related to the relative position of the first toothed wheel with respect to the second toothed wheel and of the relative position of the shaft with respect to the common axis of the third and fourth transducers f. first zero crossing detecting means coupled to said first transducer and responsive to its output for developing a first signal; g. second zero crossing detecting means coupled to said second transducer and responsive to its output for developing a second signal; h. first flip-flop means having two input means coupled respectively to said first zero crossing detecting means and to said second zero crossing detecting means, and responsive to the first and second signals; i. third zero crossing detecting means coupled to said third transducer and responsive to its output for developing a third signal; j. fourth zero crossing detecting means coupled to said fourth transducer and responsive to its output for developing a fourth signal; k. second flip-flop means having two input means coupled respectively to said third zero crossing detecting means and to said fourth zero crossing detecting means, and responsive to the third and fourth signals; and l. integrating means coupled to said first flip-flop means and to said second flip-flop means and responsive to their outputs for developing a torque indicating signal.

Claim 13

An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said second magnetic sensor is disposed diametrically opposite from said first magnetic sensor.