Patent ID: 6581477
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: G01L

Abstract:
A torque sensor for a power assist steering system for sensing applied torque between relatively rotatable input and output shafts, the input shaft being connected with the output shaft by a torsion element, said torque sensor comprising:a rotary input transformer for providing an input signal, said rotary input transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding; a rotary transmitter connected for rotation with the input shaft, said rotary transmitter having a radially extending transmitter face divided into a plurality of transmitter pole segments by a plurality of radially extending slots, said rotary transmitter including a transmitter coil electrically connected with said secondary winding of said rotary input transformer, said transmitter coil completely encircling each of all of said transmitter pole segments individually and having two sections of said transmitter coil disposed in each of all of said plurality of slots, said rotary transmitter being operative to receive said input signal and a transmitted signal related to said input signal and transmit a transmitted signal related to said signal; a rotary receiver axially spaced from said rotary transmitter and connected for rotation with the output shaft, said rotary receiver including at least one receiver coil for receiving a said transmitted signal; and a rotary output transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding, said primary winding of said rotary output transformer being electrically connected with said at least one receiver coil, said rotary output transformer providing an output signal related to said transmitted signal.