Patent ID: 6490934
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: G01L,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
A magnetoelastic torque sensor for providing an output signal indicative of the torque applied to a member about an axially extending axis, of said member, comprising:a magnetostrictive, magnetoelastically active element directly or indirectly attached to or forming a part of the surface of said member in such a manner that torque applied to said member is proportionally transmitted to said element; said magnetoelastically active element comprising magnetic domains and being endowed with an effective uniaxial magnetic anisotropy having the circumferential direction as the easy axis, and magnetically polarized in a circumferential direction, whereby, when torque is applied to said member, said magnetoelastically active element produces a magnetic field varying with said torque; and magnetic field sensor means mounted proximate to said magnetoelastically active element and oriented with respect thereto for sensing a characteristic of said magnetic field and provide said output signal in response thereto.