Patent ID: 6782766
Filing Date: 2004-08-31
Classification: G01L

Abstract:
An apparatus for obtaining an indication of at least one of torque, axial alignment and axial location for a shaft rotating about an axis of rotation, said apparatus comprising:a first set of detectable elements operably connected to the shaft and positioned parallel to the axis of rotation; a second set of detectable elements parallel to the axis of rotation and interlaced in a sensing plane with said first set of detectable elements, said second set of detectable elements having a variable relative position with respect to said first set of detectable elements; a third set of detectable elements positioned laterally to said first set of detectable elements and said second set of detectable elements in an alignment plane parallel to the sensing plane, said third set of detectable elements being positioned at an offset angle to the axis of rotation; and a plurality of sensors positioned to detect passage of said first set of detectable elements, said second set of detectable elements and said third set of detectable elements, each of said plurality of sensors producing a signal in response to detection of passage of detectable elements; wherein relationships for signals produced from detection of said first, second and third sets of detectable elements with respect to a reference signal provides an indication of at least one of torque, axial alignment and axial location.