SLIP RING/BRUSH ASSEMBLY FOR TORQUE TRANSDUCERS

Abstract: A torque transducer has a torque transformable shaft 2 with strain gauges 10, 12 electrically connected to sliprings 58 separated by spacers 60. A torque related signal is transmittable via the sliprings to a brush arrangement 22 having flexible strips 24 pulled by tension from springs 26 against the periphery of the sliprings 58, with the strips 24 tracked between the spacers 60 onto the sliprings 58.

Description: Field of the Invention The invention relates to torque transducers for use for example in improving the fastening of nuts and bolts to a reliable standard. The transducers may be used to calibrate the tools used for fastening or may be combined as an attachment to or as integral part of the tool. Background of the Invention Torque measurement by strain gauges attached to torque transmitting shafts has been subject to signal noise as a result of slipring - brush contact variation. The noise can be particularly obtrusive where impact or impulse torque is applied suddenly placing the shaft for short moments under considerable strain. US Patent specification No. 4,544,039 describes a brush-based system in which special resilient mounting of the brushes is used to avoid signal noise. The system is fairly complex. DD-A-65060 describes a torque transducer in which a spring belt carries the strain gauge signal to a jockey pulley from which it is taken off by an internal bush. The invention seeks to improve such torque transducers in a first aspect of the invention. The invention may provide, in the second aspect of the invention, a slipring/brush assembly which may be useful outside the torque transducing field in other applications, particularly where shafts revolve intermittently. Summary of the Invention The invention according to Claim 1 and to Claim 6 firstly provides torque transducer having a torque deformable shaft and a strain sensing means thereon, a torque related signal being transmittable from the shaft through a slipring on the shaft and a brush arrangement in which the brush arrangement includes a flexible strip pulled under tension against the slipring periphery. By using a flexible strip wrapped around a slipring, electrical contact can be maintained even if the shaft transmits torque intermittently. It is thought that there is a minimum chance of loss of contact due to bounce of the strip. If the strip seeks to lift off from the slipring at one position, its contact pressure elsewhere is likely to increase. The strip may oscillate transversely of the shaft to accomodate any shaft run-out without losing contact. A low signal to noise ratio may be obtained facilitating the transmission by the slipring/brush arrangement of an unamplified torque related signal, in turn promoting a compact construction of the rotatable parts. The strip may be in contact with the slipring over a large angle of at least 180°, preferably at least 250°. The strip ends can then be anchored in close proximity on one side of the slipring with the strip engaging the other side of the slipring. The strip may be in electrical contact with the slipring at spaced positions but preferably provides a continuous electrical contact surface. The flexible strip is preferably of a simple laminated construction with a flexible, non-conductive, suitably plastic, backing strip adhered by two-sided adhesive tape to a layer of substantially pure carbon for contacting the slipring. The strip conforms readily to the slipring periphery. The carbon has a low friction and light tension can be used. The adhering surfaces are urged together as a result of the tension. The carbon material is sandwiched between the backing strip and the slipring so that good electrical contact may be achieved. If the carbon layer wears through, the plastic backing strip will not damage the slipring. Suitably one end of the strip is fixed and electrically connected to associated circuitry whilst the other end is placed and pulled to tension the strip into the slipring. Preferably the flexible strip is clamped in position at one end by an electrically conductive member and the flexible strip is retained at the other end by a resilient means e.g. a spring. Suitably the arrangement is such that friction in the intended customary sense for applying a fastener pulls the flexible strip a way from the clamped end. Advantageously both ends of the flexible strip ends are mounted on a common block so as to engage at least half of the slipring periphery and the common block includes arcuate peripheral recesses for receiving a tension spring connected to one flexible strip end and a recess for clamping the other flexible strip end in close proximity to the slipring. A large contact angle can so be provided in a simple manner. Preferably the sliprings are mounted separated by projecting members for tracking the flexible strips and maintaining them aligned with the sliprings. Thus the slipring assembly locates the flexible strips axially. A common block design can be used for a variety of shaft sizes facilitating mass-production. Conveniently the sliprings are part of a sub-assembly mounted in an impact resistant manner to the end of the shaft receiving the input torque e.g. from a power tool and an insulating key engaging the keyways in the sliprings is arranged to hold the sliprings in position. Thus the slipring assembly contributes to the compactness and reliable performance of the torque transducer for the measuring of sudden torque inputs. The insulating key maybe received in a sleeve journalled on the end of the shaft. The strip tension is not varied appreciably as wear takes place giving consistent performance. It is believed that debris formation will be small and not readily detract from the mechanical and electrical operation. The flexible strips can be made and replaced easily from a lamination quickly and cheaply. DRAWINGS: Figure 1 shows a transverse section through a torque transducer according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an axial section through the torque transducer of Figure 1 but not including a brush assembly thereof; Figure 3 shows a side elevation of the brush assembly of the torque transducer of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an enlarged end view of part of the brush assembly of the torque transducer of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a block diagram of the control system for the torque transducer of Figure 1; and Figure 6 is a perspective of the torque transducer in use. Description by Reference to the Drawings A housing 1 of a torque transducer mounts a shaft 2 between an input end bearing arrangement 4 and an output end bearing arrangement 6. The shaft 2 has a torque deformable, necked portion 8. An inpact or impulse tool can be connected to the tool input end 5 of the shaft 2 and the shaft has an end 7 providing an output for a socket-wrench adapter for a fastener such as a nut. Strain gauges 10 and 12 are connected to the necked portion 8 and wiring 18 is led from the strain gauges 10, 12, via soldering pads 14, 16 through a recessed shaft portion for connection to a slipring assembly 20. A brush assembly 22 (see Figure 1) is bolted to the housing 1 and includes four flexible strips 24 connected at one end through tension springs 26 to pins 28 and connected at the other end through a metal, electricallly conductive clamping member 30 and a screw 32 to a body 37 of the brush assembly 22. Wiring 34 connected to the clamping member 30 is connected through cabling with an associated circuit located exterior of the torque transducer. Potting compound is used were convenient to immobilise the wiring 34 and the wiring 18 to provide an overall assembly mechanically resistant to sudden torque application and is shown at 36. Dealing now in some more detail with the constituent parts of the torque transducer, the flexible strips 24 of the brush assemblies 20 (Figure 4) include a backing strip 38 of a plastics material to which is attached by means of double sided adhesive tape 40 a strip 42 of a carbon material having typically a purity of substantially 99%. The end of the strip 24 connected to the spring 26 is reinforced by a strip of metal 44. The thickness of the various layers is selected so that the strip will readily bend to conform to the slipring periphery without cracking or creasing. The brush block or body 37 (Figures 1 and 3) has arcuate recesses 48 for receiving the spring 26 so as to provide for the use of a reasonably long spring. The block 37 has a slot 50 at the front at the position where the clamping members 30 secure the flexible strips 24. The bolts securing the brush assembly to the housing 1 are shown at 54. The slipring assembly 20 (Figures 1 and 2) includes a sleeve 56 rotatable freely with respect to or journalled on the end 7 and secured, for example by means of a pin 72 to the tool input end 5. The sleeve 56 is covered by plastics insulating material forming an insulating locating radius at 62 for sliprings 58 and providing a shoulder 64 for locating the sliprings axially. The four sliprings 58 are mutually separated by means of spacers 60 of electrically insulating material. The sliprings 58 have a recess 66 which forms a channel for wiring leading towards the strain gauges 10, 12. The sliprings have further recesses forming a keyway for a key 68 of an insulating material. The sliprings 58 and spacers 60 are clamped together against the should 64 by means of a locknut 70 arranged so that it tends to secure more tightly upon the application of sudden torque when torque is applied in the sense normally used for securing fasteners. In use the brush assembly 22 will be shielded by a cover 76. The flexible strip 24 has a low coefficient of friction. Good contact with the sliprings 58 can be achieved at a relatively low tension applied by the spring 26. There is nearly 270° contact between the strip 24 and the sliprings 58. A meaningful torque related signal can be obtained not appreciably affected by noise arising from the brush/slipring interface. Whilst it is prefered to rotate the sliprings in the direction of arrow A in Figure 1 in the sense normally used for securing fasteners so that the braking effect on the sliprings 58 tends to work the strip towards the sprung strip end, the torque transducer can also be used when the shaft 2 is rotated in the opposite direction. A pair of double 45° torsion strain gauges 10, 12 are shown so that the apparatus can distinguish between torque applied in opposite senses. The strain gauges 10, 12 are connected through the sliprings/strips to an electronic circuit in a wheatstone bridge configuration externally of the rotating shaft. Figure 5 shows systematically an impulse tool 100 connected to the tool input end 5 and a nut 102 operated on through the output end 7. Strain gauges 10, 12 of the torque transducer wheatstone bridge configuration output along the four channels provided by the sliprings 58 and strips 24 to a circuit 101 to generate a signal indicative of the actual torque. That signal can be passed through an RC network 104 so as to filter out noise and modulate the actual torque signal so as to make it proportional to the torque retained by the nut (see also US Patent Specification No. 4,544,039). The torque retained signal is then passed to a comparator 106 which compares the signal with a settable reference signal from 108 to switch the power tool control circuit 110 off when the reference signal level has been reached. The same design of brush assembly can be used for a variety of shaft sizes. The housing 1 will have to be adapted to accomodate larger or smaller shaft sizes but the same brush assembly 22 can be used subject to the use of strips 24 of appropriate length and possibly varying the springs 26 so as to provide the desired contact pressure between the flexible strips 24 and the sliprings 58. Typically the maximum tension is from 75 g to 150 g, with lower tension levels for smaller slipring diameters fitting on shafts providing a deformable portion of 10 millimetre diameter and high tension levels for deformable portions of 20 mm diameter. The spring rates may vary from 0.005 kg per mm for smaller diameters t o 0.020 kg per mm for the larger diameters. The light operating tensions coupled with a virtually annular strip arrangement provides extremely light off-centre loads on he sliprings which can hence be made and supported so as to provide a light overall construction. The invention provides hence a compact torque transducer providing a reliable torque measurement at low costs. With reference to Figure 6, the tool 100 is powered through a hose 112. The output from the transducer 1 is passed by cable 114 to a box 116 containing the circuitry described by reference to Figure 5. It can be observed that the transducer 1 is compact. In modified arrangements of course the circuitry and display from box 116 may be integrated with the tool 100. It is also possible to use compression spring instead of a tension spring. In this case preferably there is a core element passing through the centre of the compression spring to apply tension to the strip. Noble metal (such as hard gold) may be used to cover the sliprings. This improves corrosion resistance and permits the torque transducer to be used for accurate measurement after a prolonged rest period. The brush block is preferably of nylon acetal or PTFE material or of other low friction material to minimise friction between the spring and the brush block. The slipring and brush arrangement have been described as part of a torque transducer for securing a tool of standard design. The arrangement may also be used as part of a standing fixture for calibrating the available output of impulse or impact tools. The arrangement could also be incorporated as an integral part of a purpose designed tool. The slipring and brush arrangement could also be of use outside the torque transducer field for transmitting electrical power or signals to or from a rotating shaft.

Claims: A torque transducer having: a torque deformable shaft (8,2), strain sensing means (10,12) on the shaft for generating a torque related electrical signal, slipring means (58) mounted for conjoint rotation with the shaft for receiving the signal, and brush means (22) for electrically contacting the slipring means mounted to transmit the signal to associated electrical circuit means; CHARACTERISED IN THAT the brush means comprises: a flexible strip (42) of carbon material laminated to a flexible backing strip (38) anchored at one end to a stationary mounting (37,30) and passing partially around the slipring means in brushing contact therewith; and bias means (26) for tensioning the laminated strip to draw the carbon material against the periphery of the slipring means. A torque transducer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the backing strip (38) is of a plastics material. A torque transducer as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the backing strip (38) and the carbon material strip (42) are laminated together by means of a double sided adhesive tape (40). A torque transducer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the carbon material strip comprises a carbon material having a purity of substantially 99%. A torque transducer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the stationary mounting (37,30) further comprises: a mounting body (37) for the flexible laminated strip (38), and a clamping member (30) of electrically conductive material for clamping the said one end of the laminated strip to the mounting body and for providing an electrical contact with the carbon material strip (42) to transmit the signal to the associated electrical circuit means; and wherein the bias means (26) comprises resilient means under tension between the clamping means and a second end of the flexible laminated strip to tension the laminated strip. A torque transducer having: a torque deformable shaft (8,2), strain sensing means (10,12) on the shaft for generating a torque related electrical signal, slipring means (58) mounted for conjoint rotation with the shaft for receiving the signal, and brush means (22) for electrically contacting the slipring means mounted to transmit the signal to associated electrical circuit means; CHARACTERISED IN THAT the brush means comprises: a plurality of flexible strips (42) of carbon material each laminated to a respective flexible backing strip (38), anchored at one end to a common stationary mounting (37,30) and passing partially around the slipring means in brushing contact therewith, and bias means (26) for independently tensioning said flexible laminated strips to draw the carbon material against the periphery of the slipring means, the flexible laminated strips each having a length enveloping of least half the periphery of the slipring means. A torque transducer, according to claim 6, wherein the common stationary mounting (37,30) comprises a common mounting body (37) having formed therein a plurality of arcuate peripheral recesses (48), one per flexible laminated strip (42) and, for each flexible laminated strip, clamping means (30) recessed in and secured to the mounting body for clamping a first end of the respective laminated strip to the mounting body; and wherein the bias means (26) comprises a tension spring in each of the recesses, each tension spring being anchored at one end to the common mounting body and at the other end to a respective one of the flexible laminated strips. A torque transducer as claimed in claim 7, in which the slipring means (58) comprises a plurality of sliprings separated by projecting members (60) which are arranged for conjoint rotation with the sliprings and which project from between adjacent sliprings for tracking the flexible laminated strips (42) to maintain alignment between the respective flexible laminated strips and their associated sliprings.

Inventors: HORNER, RONALD FRANCIS
Applicants: CRANE ELECTRONICS LIMITED
Application year: 1986
Main classification: G01L3
IPC codes: G08C19, B25B23, G01L3