Charles R Clifton

20220228934, Jul 21, 2022

Apr 8, 2022

17/716563

- Cary NC, US
Scott Kennedy - Durham NC, US
Charles A. Clifton - Cary NC, US
William Arlendo Smith - Holly Springs NC, US
Gary Martin - Raleigh NC, US
Russell E. Altieri - Holly Springs NC, US
Douglas Swanson - Cary NC, US

G01L 3/10

Torque sensing devices, systems, and methods are capable of measuring and/or determining a torque being transmitted through a shaft by measuring the torsional deformation of the shaft over a short length thereof. Such devices, systems, and devices have a sensor positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the shaft as it rotates, the sensor being positioned to maintain a substantially constant distance between the sensor and the outer surface of the shaft. The sensors may be variable reluctance (VR) sensors rigidly attached to a frame mounted on a bearing (e.g., a hanger bearing), which is mounted on the shaft, such that relative radial motion between the shaft and the VR sensor is minimized (e.g., so that they move in unison). Reducing this amount of motion results in a more accurate torque measurement.

20210247259, Aug 12, 2021

Aug 14, 2019

17/268353

- Cary NC, US
Daniel Kakaley - Cary NC, US
Charles Clifton - Cary NC, US
Warren Brannan - Sanford NC, US
Mark Jolly - Raleigh NC, US
Sanjeev Sachan - Cary NC, US

G01L 25/00
G01L 3/10

Systems and methods for measuring torque on a drive train component of a rotating drive system are disclosed. In some aspects, a system includes a target assembly, a sensor assembly, and a sensor processing unit. The sensor assembly is located proximate to the target assembly, and the sensor assembly includes sensors mounted radially around the shaft and configured to detect sensor targets as the target assembly rotates with the drive train component. The sensor processing unit is configured for receiving sensor signals from the sensor assembly and outputting a torque signal based on the sensor signals. The sensor processing unit is configured for receiving target calibration data for the target assembly and sensor calibration data for the sensor assembly. The sensor processing unit is configured for verifying that the target calibration data corresponds to the target assembly and that the sensor calibration data corresponds to the sensor assembly.