# US 9,038,446 B1 · System and method for an automotive engine torque sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,446 B1 - Document ID: US9038446B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 14/073,813 - Filed: 2013-11-06 - Published: 2015-05-07 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2013-11-06 - Applicants: Larry D. Sinclair - Inventors: Larry D. Sinclair - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038446B1 ## CPC - B60K 5/1283: {Adjustable supports, e.g. the mounting or the characteristics being adjustable} - G01L 3/1478: {involving hinged levers} - G01L 5/0042: {applying a torque} - G01M 15/044: {by monitoring power, e.g. by operating the engine with one of the ignitions interrupted; by using acceleration tests} - B60K 5/1216: {characterised by the location of the supports relative to the motor or to each other (B60K5/1225 takes precedence)} - F16F 15/027: comprising control arrangements {(F16F15/0237 takes precedence)} - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION ## Abstract The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus of measuring torque. The method and apparatus entails measuring the torque generated by an automobile engine using a torque sensor replacing the driver side engine mount. A spring component of the torque sensor tares the weight of the engine and a hydraulic pressure gauge measures the lifting forces acting on a pressure receiver of the torque sensor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An automotive engine torque sensor system comprising; a mounting plate adapted to attach to an automotive engine; a mounting bracket coupled at one end to the mounting plate and attached at an opposite end to a chassis of an automobile; a spring between the mounting bracket and mounting plate, the spring adapted to tare the weight of the engine; a torque gauge including a pressure receiver coupled to the mounting plate for measuring lifting forces acting on the pressure receiver. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The automotive engine torque sensor system of claim 1, wherein the torque gauge is a hydraulic pressure gauge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The automotive engine torque sensor system of claim 1, wherein the pressure receiver is mounted approximately one foot from a crankshaft. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The automotive engine torque sensor system of claim 1, wherein the pressure receiver is a hollow rubber tube filled with a liquid. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The automotive engine torque sensor system of claim 4, wherein the liquid is mineral oil. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The automotive engine torque sensor system of claim 4, wherein the area of the pressure receiver receiving external forces acting on the pressure receiver is approximately 1 inch squared. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The automotive engine torque sensor system of claim 1, wherein the pressure receiver is mounted on a side of the engine lifted by torque reaction force. ### Claim 8 A method of measuring automotive engine torque, comprising: replacing a driver side engine mount with an engine torque sensor system, including a spring and a hydraulic pressure receiver connected to a pressure gauge; suspending the weight of the engine with the spring to tare the weight of the engine; measuring lifting forces exerted on the hydraulic pressure receiver by engine torque reaction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the hydraulic pressure receiver is a hollow rubber tube filled with a liquid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the liquid is mineral oil. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the hydraulic pressure receiver is mounted approximately one foot from a crankshaft. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The automotive engine torque sensor system of claim 8, wherein the area of the hydraulic pressure receiver is approximately 1 inch squared. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The automotive engine torque sensor system of claim 8, wherein the hydraulic pressure receiver is mounted on a side of the engine lifted by torque reaction force. ### Claim 14 An automotive engine torque sensor system comprising; an engine torque sensor further comprising a first mount for attaching a first end of the engine torque sensor to an engine; a second mount for attaching a second end, opposite the first end, of the engine torque sensor to a chassis of an automobile; a spring between the first and second mounts, the spring adapted to tare the weight of the engine; a hydraulic pressure receiver coupled to the second mount adapted to measure lifting forces acting on the hydraulic pressure receiver; an oil filled line connected at a first end to the hydraulic pressure receiver; a hydraulic pressure gauge connected at a second end of the oil filled line, the hydraulic pressure gauge including a display for displaying net forces acting on the hydraulic pressure receiver. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The automotive engine torque sensor system of claim 14, wherein the hydraulic pressure receiver is mounted approximately one foot from a crankshaft. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The automotive engine torque sensor system of claim 14, wherein the hydraulic pressure receiver is a hollow rubber tube filled with a liquid. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The automotive engine torque sensor system of claim 16, wherein the liquid is mineral oil. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The automotive engine torque sensor system of claim 14, wherein the area of the hydraulic pressure receiver is approximately 1 inch squared. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The automotive engine torque sensor system of claim 14, wherein the hydraulic pressure receiver is mounted on a side of the engine lifted by torque reaction force. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The automotive engine torque sensor system of claim 14, wherein the display is selected from a group consisting of a dial, a digital numerical display, and a scale.