Lugs reference-based torquemeter controller by helical spline axial force retention
AssigneePratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
InventorTomasz Rozputynski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A torque measurement system is provided and includes a first shaft to rotate by input torque, a second shaft to rotate by torque received from the first shaft, the second shaft including first lugs, a reference shaft including second lugs and being connected to the first and second shafts via spline and helical spline connections, respectively, an elastic element to oppose a reaction force of the helical spline connection to axially displace the reference shaft resulting in reference shaft twisting due to the helical spline connection and a measurement system to measure angular displacement between the first and second lugs due to the reference shaft twisting.
Claims20
A torque measurement system, comprising:
- a first shaft to rotate by input torque;
- a second shaft to rotate by torque received from the first shaft, the second shaft comprising first lugs;
- a reference shaft comprising second lugs and being connected to the first and second shafts via spline and helical spline connections, respectively;
- an elastic element to oppose a reaction force of the helical spline connection to axially displace the reference shaft resulting in reference shaft twisting due to the helical spline connection;
- and
- a measurement system to measure angular displacement between the first and second lugs due to the reference shaft twisting.
A torque measurement system of a gearbox of an aircraft gas turbine engine, the torque measurement system comprising:
- an input shaft to rotate about a rotational axis by input torque;
- an output shaft to rotate about the rotational axis by torque received from the input shaft, the output shaft comprising first lugs;
- a reference shaft comprising second lugs and being connected to the input and output shafts via spline and helical spline connections, respectively;
- an elastic element to oppose a reaction force of the helical spline connection to axially displace the reference shaft resulting in reference shaft twisting due to the helical spline connection;
- and
- a measurement system to measure angular displacement between the first and second lugs due to the reference shaft twisting.
A method of torque measurement of a gearbox of an aircraft gas turbine engine, the method comprising:
- rotating an input shaft about a rotational axis by input torque;
- rotating an output shaft about the rotational axis by torque received from the input shaft;
- connecting a reference shaft to the input and output shafts via spline and helical spline connections, respectively;
- opposing a reaction force of the helical spline connection by an elastic element to axially displace the reference shaft resulting in reference shaft twisting due to the helical spline connection;
- and
- measuring angular displacement between first and second lugs of the output shaft and the reference shaft, respectively, due to the reference shaft twisting.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.