Patent ID: 6776058
Filing Date: 2004-08-17
Classification: G01L

Abstract:
A torque sensor, comprising:a first target wheel having peripherally located first magnetic irregularities; a second target wheel having peripherally located second magnetic irregularities; a torsion bar fixedly connected to each of said first and second target wheels, wherein said first and second target wheels are mutually spaced a predetermined distance apart; a first magnetosensitive sensor located adjacent said first target wheel, wherein said first magnetosensitive sensor comprises a first array comprising a plurality of first magnetosensitive elements; a second magnetosensitive sensor located adjacent said second target wheel, wherein said second magnetosensitive sensor comprises a second array comprising a plurality of second magnetosensitive elements; a first source of magnetic field at said first magnetosensitive sensor and magnetically interacting with said first magnetic irregularities so that said first magnetosensitive elements sense relative position of said first magnetic irregularities; a second source of magnetic field at said second magnetosensitive sensor and magnetically interacting with said second magnetic irregularities segments so that said second magnetosensitive elements sense relative position of said second magnetic irregularities; and an electronic circuit connected to said first and second magnetosensitive sensors which provides at least one preselected signal output responsive to relative movement of the first and second target wheels with respect to said first and second arrays, respectively.