Patent ID: 6431012
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
A rotary torque sensor arranged to transmit torque between rotary input and output elements and having a finite torque-transmitting capacity, said sensor having a plenum chamber with a pressure inlet and first and second pressure outlets, the pressure inlet being connected with a source of pressurized fluid, the first pressure outlet being connected with a fluid collecting device and the second pressure outlet being connected continuously with at least one adjusting unit of a continuously variable transmission unit, the plenum chamber containing a hydraulic fluid under a pressure and comprising a valve arranged to control a flow of said hydraulic fluid into and from said chamber and to vary the pressure of said hydraulic fluid in said chamber and to thus influence the capacity of the sensor to transmit torque between said input and output elements, wherein in a first operating state of the valve the inlet is closed and the first and second outlets are open, in a second operating state the inlet is closed and the first outlet is closed, and in a third operating state the inlet is open and the first outlet is closed.