Torque sensor device, system and method

A torque sensor system, for determining a torque exerted upon an elastically deformable coupling having a first end and a second end, the torque sensor system comprising:

• a first angular position sensor subsystem having a first stationary part mountable to a frame or a housing, and having a first rotatable part connected or connectable to said first end of the elastically deformable coupling, the first angular position sensor subsystem being configured for providing at least one first electrical signal related to a first angular position of the first rotatable part relative to the first stationary part;
• a second angular position sensor subsystem having a second stationary part mountable to said frame or housing, and having a second rotatable part connected or connectable to the second end of the elastically deformable coupling, the second angular position sensor subsystem being configured for providing at least one second electrical signal related to a second angular position of the second rotatable part relative to the second stationary part;
• a processing circuit communicatively connected or connectable to said first and said second stationary part for receiving said at least one first and second electrical signal, and configured for determining said first angle based on said at least one first signal, and for determining said second angle based on said at least one second signal, and for determining an angular difference between the first angle and the second angle, and for providing a signal indicative of the torque as a function of the angular difference.

A method of determining a torque exerted upon an elastically deformable coupling having a first end and a second end, the method comprising the steps of:

• i) providing a first angular position sensor subsystem having a first stationary part mountable to a frame or a housing, and having a first rotatable part connected or connectable to said first end of the elastically deformable coupling;
• ii) providing a second angular position sensor subsystem having a second stationary part mountable to said frame or housing, and having a second rotatable part connected or connectable to the second end of the elastically deformable coupling;
• iii) providing a processing circuit communicatively connected or connectable to said first and said second stationary part for receiving said at least one first and second electrical signal;
• iv) providing, by the first angular position sensor subsystem, at least one first electrical signal related to a first angular position of the first rotatable part relative to the first stationary part;
• v) providing, by the second angular position sensor subsystem, at least one second electrical signal related to a second angular position of the second rotatable part relative to the second stationary part;
• vi) determining, by the processing circuit, said first angle based on said at least one first signal, and determining said second angle based on said at least one second signal, and determining an angular difference between the first angle and the second angle, and providing a signal indicative of the torque as a function of the angular difference.