Patent ID: 8171805
Filing Date: 2012-05-08
Classification: G01L

Abstract:
1. A system for determining torque, comprising: an outer rotor including an inner volume, the outer rotor responsive to a drive torque to rotate; an inner rotor disposed at least partially within the inner volume of the outer rotor, the inner rotor spaced apart from, and magnetically coupled to, the outer rotor to rotate therewith; a first optical transceiver disposed adjacent the outer rotor, the first optical transceiver configured to selectively transmit first incident light toward, and receive reflected first incident light from, the outer rotor, the first optical transceiver further configured to generate a first signal in response to received reflected first incident light; a second optical transceiver disposed adjacent the inner rotor, the second optical transceiver configured to selectively transmit second incident light toward, and receive reflected second incident light from, the inner rotor the second optical transceiver further configured to generate a second signal in response to received reflected second incident light; a processor coupled to receive the first signal and the second signal and configured, upon receipt thereof, to determine torque on the inner rotor.