# US 2014/0152236 A1 · Devices and methods for detecting rates of change of torque > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0152236 A1 - Document ID: US20140152236A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/858,788 - Filed: 2013-04-08 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2007-01-06 - Assignees: MagCanica, Inc. - Applicants: MagCanica, Inc. - Inventors: Ivan J. GARSHELIS; Ryan J. KARI; Stijn P. L. TOLLENS - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140152236A1 ## CPC - G01L 3/101: {involving magnetic or electromagnetic means} - G01L 3/102: {involving magnetostrictive means (magnetostrictive sensors H10N35/101)} - G01L 3/103: {Details about the magnetic material used} - G01L 3/104: {involving permanent magnets} - H02J 7/70: characterised by the mechanical construction - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY ## Abstract Sensors for outputting signals indicative of a rate of change of torque experienced by a magnetized member in response to a change in torque experienced by the member are described. Such sensors include at least one sense element capable of detecting a change in a magnetic parameter of a magnetized region of the member positioned proximate to the sense element in response to a change in torque applied to the member. Devices for detecting and/or measuring rates of changes in or of torque that employ one or more of these sensors are also described, as are various applications for such devices. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sensor for detecting a rate of change of torque experienced by a member capable of transmitting torque, comprising: a. a sense element configured to output a signal indicative of a rate of change in torque experienced by a member carrying or subjected to a time-varying torque, wherein the sense element is capable of detecting a change in a magnetic parameter of a magnetized region of the member positioned proximate to the sense element in response to a change in torque experienced by the member; and at least one of a processor according to part (b), below, or a memory according to part (c), below; and b. a processor operatively associated with the sense element and configured to process signals output from the sense element to determine a rate of change of torque experienced by the member; or c. a memory operatively associated with the sense element and configured to store data representing information in the signal output from the sense element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic parameter is selected from the group consisting of magnetic flux and magnetization orientation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the signal is a voltage. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the magnetized region of the member comprises a magnetized band, optionally a circumferentially magnetized band. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the member comprises a plurality of magnetized regions, at least two of which are optionally magnetized in opposite orientations. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the member comprises a plurality of spaced magnetized bands, wherein at least one of the plurality of spaced magnetized bands is a circumferentially magnetized band. ### Claim 7 A sensor according to claim A-1, wherein the sense element comprises a plurality of loops of an electrical conductor, optionally a solenoidal coil. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A sensor according to claim 1 further comprising a power supply operatively associated with the sensor, wherein the power supply optionally comprises a battery. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sense element is disposed in a housing configured to position the sense element in spaced relation and proximate to the magnetized region of the member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An assembly, comprising a sensor according to claim 1 positioned proximate to a member comprising at least one magnetized region such that the sense element can sense a change in the magnetic parameter of the magnetized region(s) of the member in response to a change in torque experienced by the member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An assembly according to claim 10, wherein the member comprises a shaft including a plurality of spaced magnetized regions, wherein each of the plurality of spaced magnetized regions optionally is (i) independently selected from the group consisting of a magnetized portion of the shaft and a magnetized ring fixed to the shaft, and (ii) circumferentially magnetized. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) An assembly according to claim 10, wherein the sense element is disposed in a housing configured to position the sense element in spaced relation and proximate to the magnetized region(s) of the member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) An assembly according to claim 10 further comprising a power supply operatively associated with the sensor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) An assembly according to claim 10 further comprising a magnet spaced from a magnetized region of the member and positioned to maintain or enhance magnetization of the magnetized region of the member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A method of detecting a rate of change of torque experienced by a member, comprising: a. subjecting a member having a magnetized region to a time-varying torque; and b. using a sensor according to claim 1 that has been positioned proximate to the magnetized region of the member to detect a rate of change in torque experienced by the member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15, wherein information relating to a rate of change in torque experienced by the member is used to control or monitor at least one of: a. absolute torque applied to or experienced by the member; b. a rate of change in torque experienced by the member; c. a parameter that results in a change in torque experienced by the member; and d. a parameter that functionally depends on a change in torque experienced by the member. ### Claim 17 An energy-harvesting electrical circuit, comprising: a. a sense element configured to output a voltage induced in the sense element in response to a rate of change in torque experienced by a member having a magnetized region positioned proximate to the sense element and capable of carrying or being subjected to a time-varying torque; and, optionally, b. an electrical energy storage device operably associated with the sense element, wherein the electrical energy storage device optionally comprises a battery. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A system for harvesting electrical energy, comprising: a. a member having a magnetized region; b. an energy-harvesting electrical circuit according to claim 17 positioned proximate to a magnetized region of the member; and, optionally, c. an electrical energy storage device operably associated with the energy-harvesting electrical circuit, wherein the electrical energy storage device optionally comprises a battery. ### Claim 19 A method for generating electricity, comprising: a. using an energy-harvesting electrical circuit that comprises a sense element configured to output a voltage induced in the sense element in response to a rate of change in torque experienced by a member having a magnetized region positioned proximate to the sense element and capable of carrying or being subjected to a time-varying torque, wherein the electrical circuit is configured to output electricity in response to a change in torque applied to the member; b. positioning the magnetized region of the member proximate to the sense element of the energy-harvesting electrical circuit; and c. applying a time-varying torque to the member to induce a voltage in the sense element, thereby generating electricity. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A method according to claim 19, wherein the energy-harvesting electrical circuit optionally further comprises an operably associated electrical energy storage device, with the sense element, wherein the electrical energy storage device optionally comprises a battery.