Torque monitoring apparatus
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorsCHRIS NORRIS, Stan Clemens
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A torque monitoring apparatus for monitoring torque between a driving structure rotating about a first axis and a driven structure rotating about a second axis. The torque monitoring apparatus includes a piston and cylinder assembly. The piston is received in an aperture defined by the cylinder. At least one of the piston and the cylinder is operable for connection to one of the driving structure and the driven structure and rectilinearly moveable along the first axis or the second axis. The aperture is centered on the axis of rectilinear movement.
Claims20
A torque monitoring apparatus for monitoring torque between a driving structure rotating about a first axis and a driven structure rotating about a second axis, wherein said torque monitoring apparatus comprises:
- a piston and cylinder assembly wherein said piston is received in an aperture defined by said cylinder and wherein at least one of said piston and said cylinder is operable for connection to one of the driving structure and the driven structure and rectilinearly moveable along one of the first and second axes, and wherein said aperture is centered on said one of the first and second axes.
A method comprising the steps of:
- transmitting torque to a driven structure with a driving structure rotating about a first axis;
- urging at least one of the driving structure and the driven structure in a rectilinear direction along a second axis during said transmitting step;
- positioning the at least one of the driving structure and the driven structure to act on a quantity of fluid disposed in a cavity during said urging step;
- and
- centering the cavity containing the quantity of fluid on the second axis.
A turbine engine comprising:
- a first structure rotatable about a first axis;
- a second structure driven in rotation about a second axis by said first structure;
- a torque monitoring apparatus for monitoring torque between said first and second structures, wherein said torque monitoring apparatus includes:
- a cylinder defining an aperture;
- and
- a piston received in said aperture wherein at least one of said piston and said cylinder is operable for connection to one of the first and second structures and thereby rectilinearly moveable along one of the first and second axes, and wherein said aperture is centered on said one of said first and second axes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.