Patent US4347748A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4347748A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Torque transducer
Assignee: PIERSON ASSOCIATES Inc
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Filing: 1980-03-11
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Granted: 1982-09-07
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Expires: 2000-03-11
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for measuring torque (or functions derived therefrom or related thereto) transmitted by a shaft driven to rotate and connected to a load. The apparatus includes first and second optically flat, radiation reflecting, surfaces located on the shaft at respective first and second positions displaced from one another axially along the shaft and means for directing beams of radiation from a suitable source at the reflecting surfaces. There are first and second pick-up means spaced from the shaft and located to receive the radiation beams reflected by the respective first and second reflecting surfaces during rotation of the shaft and provide respective first and second outputs as a result of the radiation beams directed thereat by the reflecting surfaces. Signal processing circuit means associated with the first and second outputs provides an output interrelated with angular twist of the shaft at one of said first and second positions relative to the other. Direct reading of measurements obtained are readily provided and the energy radiation source means preferably a laser.
Inventors
- 👤 James G. Pierson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L3/00; G01L3/02; G01L3/04; G01L3/10; G01L3/12; G01L3/109
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
Apparatus for measuring torque (or functions derived therefrom or related thereto) transmitted by a shaft driven to rotate and connected to a load comprising: (a) first and second optically flat, radiation reflecting, surfaces located on the shaft at respective first and second positions displaced from one another axially along the shaft; (b) means for directing beams of radiation from a suitable source at the reflecting surfaces; (c) first and second pickup means spaced from the shaft and located to receive the radiation beams reflected by the respective first and second reflecting surfaces during rotation of the shaft and provide respective first and second outputs as a result of the radiation beams directed thereat by the reflecting surfaces; (d) signal processing circuit means associated with said first and second outputs providing an output interrelated with angular twist of the shaft at one of said first and second positions relative to the other, and (e) at least one aperture between at least one said first and second reflecting surfaces and the pickup means associated therewith through which the reflected beam passes prior to striking the pickup means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
Apparatus for measuring torque (or functions derived therefrom or related thereto) transmitted by a shaft driven to rotate and connected to a load comprising: (a) first and second optically flat, radiation reflecting, surfaces located on the shaft at respective first and second positions displaced from one another axially along the shaft; (b) means for directing beams of radiation from a suitable source at the reflecting surfaces; (c) first and second pickup means spaced from the shaft and located to receive the radiation beams reflected by the respective first and second reflecting surfaces during rotation of the shaft and provide respective first and second outputs as a result of the radiation beams directed thereat by the reflecting surfaces; (d) signal processing circuit means associated with said first and second outputs providing an output interrelated with angular twist of the shaft at one of said first and second positions relative to the other, and (e) at least one aperture between at least one said first and second reflecting surfaces and the pickup means associated therewith through which the reflected beam passes prior to striking the pickup means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means operatively associated with the output of said signal processing circuit means providing a direct reading of measurements obtained.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said energy radiation source means comprises a collimated light source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiation source means comprises a laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pickup means comprise photo diodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pickup means are two photo diodes actuated by reflected radiation and having outputs connected to a Flip-Flop, said Flip-Flop having an output pulse time that is directly proportional to shaft twist.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second reflecting surfaces are co-linear and co-planar at a shaft no-load condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including two spaced apart apertures in the path of the reflected beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 8 including a focusing lens in the path of the reflected light beam and disposed between said apertures.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said aperture is circular.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said aperture is a slit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said aperture is located in the path of the reflected beam displaced by angular twist of the shaft relative to the other beams.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a collar secured to the shaft and wherein one of said reflecting surfaces is mounted on said collar.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said collar is secured to the shaft by means contacting the latter along only a short minor length axially along the shaft.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for measuring torque (or functions derived therefrom or related thereto) transmitted by a shaft driven to rotate and connected to a load comprising: (a) first and second optically flat, radiation reflecting, surfaces located on the shaft at respective first and second positions displaced from one another axially along the shaft; (b) means for directing beams of radiation from a suitable source at the reflecting surfaces; (c) first and second pickup means spaced from the shaft and located to receive the radiation beams reflected by the respective first and second reflecting surfaces during rotation of the shaft and provide respective first and second outputs as a result of the radiation beams directed thereat by the reflecting surfaces; and (d) signal processing circuit means associated with said first and second outputs providing an output interrelated with angular twist of the shaft at one of said first and second positions relative to the other, said beam directing means, pickup means and signal processing circuit means being located in a casing and including a shock absorbing mounting means for said casing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for measuring torque (or functions derived therefrom or related thereto) transmitted by a shaft driven to rotate and connected to a load comprising: (a) first and second optically flat, radiation reflecting, surfaces located on the shaft at respective first and second positions displaced from one another axially along the shaft; (b) means for directing beams of radiation from a suitable source at the reflecting surfaces; (c) first and second pickup means spaced from the shaft and located to receive the radiation beams reflected by the respective first and second reflecting surfaces during rotation of the shaft and provide respective first and second outputs as a result of the radiation beams directed thereat by the reflecting surfaces; and (d) signal processing circuit means associated with said first and second outputs providing an output interrelated with angular twist of the shaft at one of said first and second positions relative to the other, said beam directing means, pickup means and signal processing circuit means being located in a casing and including a shock absorbing mounting means for said casing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 15 including a laser mounted in said casing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said beam directing means comprises a beam splitter and reflector and a beam reflector.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein each of the beam splitter and reflector, and beam reflector are mounted by positionally adjustable gymbals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for measuring torque (or functions derived therefrom or related thereto) transmitted by a shaft driven to rotate and connected to a load comprising: (a) first and second optically flat, radiation reflecting, surfaces located on the shaft at respective first and second positions displaced from one another axially along the shaft; (b) means for directing beams of radiation from a suitable source at the reflecting surfaces; (c) first and second pickup means spaced from the shaft and located to receive the radiation beams reflected by the respective first and second reflecting surfaces during rotation of the shaft and provide respective first and second outputs as a result of the radiation beams directed thereat by the reflecting surfaces; (d) signal processing circuit means associated with said first and second outputs providing an output interrelated with angular twist of the shaft at one of said first and second positions relative to the other, and (e) a separate aperture in the path of each of the reflected beams of radiation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for measuring torque (or functions derived therefrom or related thereto) transmitted by a shaft driven to rotate and connected to a load comprising: (a) first and second optically flat, radiation reflecting, surfaces located on the shaft at respective first and second positions displaced from one another axially along the shaft; (b) means for directing beams of radiation from a suitable source at the reflecting surfaces; (c) first and second pickup means spaced from the shaft and located to receive the radiation beams reflected by the respective first and second reflecting surfaces during rotation of the shaft and provide respective first and second outputs as a result of the radiation beams directed thereat by the reflecting surfaces; (d) signal processing circuit means associated with said first and second outputs providing an output interrelated with angular twist of the shaft at one of said first and second positions relative to the other, and (e) a separate aperture in the path of each of the reflected beams of radiation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-09-06 | 1986-03-08 | 1986-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-09-06 | 1990-03-08 | 1990-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-09-06 | 1994-03-08 | 1994-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |