Patent ID: 7520179
Filing Date: 2009-04-21
Classification: F16D,G01L

Abstract:
1. A method of measuring a force applied by a first member to a second member via a connecting body secured at a first location thereon to said first member, and at a second location thereon, spaced from said first location, to said second member, comprising: transmitting a cyclically-repeating acoustical wave through a transmission channel in said connecting body from a first location thereon to said second location thereon; measuring the transit time of said acoustical wave through said transmission channel from said first location to said second location; and utilizing said measured transit time to produce a measurement of said force; wherein said connecting body is a fastening plate which fastens said first member to said second member, and said first and second members are a first rotary member and a second rotary member fastened for rotation together about a common axis of rotation by said fastening plate, such that the force measured is the torque applied by said first rotary member to said second rotary member.