Torque transducers
AssigneeCrane Electronics, Inc.
InventorsDavid O. Crane, Ian B. Golding, Andrew C. Lester
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A torque transducer comprises strain measuring means on a torque deformable shaft and slipring means for transmitting the torque signals from the rotating shaft to stationary brush means. The slipring means are annular disc of carbon material, such as sintered graphite and the brush means are individual strips of flexible metal passing under tension partially around the respective sliprings. The electrical contact between the strain sensing means and the carbon disc is by means of printed circuit boards each of which has an annular or substantially annular portion with its conductive coating in face-to-face contact with a face of a respective carbon disc. The carbon disc and printed circuit boards being in axial compression on the shaft.
Claims14
A torque transducer comprising:
- a torque deformable shaft
- strain sensing means on the shaft for generating a torque related electrical signal,
- slipring means mounted for conjoint rotation with the shaft for receiving the signal, and
- flexible strip brush means passing partially around and tensioned against the slipring means in electrical brushing contact therewith for transmitting the signal to associated electrical circuit means;
- wherein the slipring means comprise a plurality of discs of carbon material arranged coaxially with the shaft but electrically isolated from one another, electrical connections from the strain sensing means to the individual carbon discs being via annular or substantially annular printed circuit boards in axial compression between the carbon discs of the slipring means:
- and
- the flexible strip brush means comprise a plurality of metal strips, one per carbon slipring disc.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.