Patent ID: 7493831

Claim:
A device for sensing a torque applied through a shaft, the device comprising: a bearing attached to the shaft comprising an inner race rotationally fixed to the shaft, a stationary outer race and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer races; a magnetoelastic ring press-fit onto the inner race; an excitation coil placed in operative proximity to the magnetoelastic ring for inducing eddy currents within said magnetoelastic ring; a sensing coil placed in operative proximity to the magnetoelastic ring, said sensing coil sensing a magnetic field generated by said induced eddy currents within said magnetoelastic ring; an electric circuit operatively coupled to the sensing coil for sensing a change in electrical conductivity and magnetic permeability of said magnetoelastic ring which is representative of a torque applied through the shaft in proximity to said sensing coil and inner race.