Patent Document

This application claims benefit of 60/603,329 of Aug. 20, 2004. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   Embodiments relate to mechanical power sensing and mechanical power measurement. Embodiments also relate to constructing a power sensor module by packaging a torque sensor, a speed sensor, and related components within a single housing such that redundancies are exploited and costs reduced. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Machinery must often apply power generated by an engine or motor to a purpose such as drilling a hole or turning a wheel. As such, the machinery must transfer mechanical power. Mechanical power is transferred by rotating elements such as shafts, plates, and gears. For example, in a car the power generated by the engine must be transferred to the wheels. Most car engines generate power that is available on a rotating shaft called the crankshaft. The crankshaft is connected to a transmission via a clutch. A clutch effects rotary power transfer by adjusting the friction between two plates. Forcing a spinning plate&#39;s face against another plate&#39;s face causes power transfer or loss at the interface. 
   Sometimes a viscous fluid resides between the plate faces, which are specially formed or textures, such that power is transferred without the plates actually touching. A transmission adjusts the power by transferring it through a set of gears. The power then proceeds via more rotating elements, such as shafts, plates and gears, to the wheels where it supplies motive force. Car wheels themselves may be viewed as rotating gears that transfer power to the surface of the earth. 
   People often desire to know how much power the engine produces. They also want to know how much power each rotating element transfers and how much power is available at the wheels because some power is lost in the transfer from engine to earth. Any machine that similarly transfers mechanical power to a purpose has similar losses. Rotational mechanical power can be calculated as a function of torque and speed. 
   Torque is a force applied to cause rotation. For example, someone can try to turn a bolt with a 1 foot (ft.) wrench by placing one end of the wrench on the bolt and pushing the other end with 100 pounds (lbs.) of force. In this example, that person has applied 100 ft.-lbs of torque. Torque is a well-known concept to those skilled in any of the arts of engines, motors or mechanical power transfer. 
   Torque can be measured in a variety of ways. One way is to measure the flex or strain of a rotating element, such as a rotating shaft. Whenever power is transferred along a shaft, the shaft will flex. If more power is transferred, then the shaft flexes more. Sometimes, part of the shaft is designed specially for torque measurements. A short length of the shaft can be made thinner so it flexes more. A short length of the shaft can be made of a material that flexes differently than the material used for the rest of the shaft. Instead of a section that is thinned or a different material, an apparatus that reacts to the torque can be used. Regardless of any special properties or sections of the shaft, the flex is measured. 
   One of the many different conventional techniques for measuring the flex involves measuring the stress, or strain, on the shaft. U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,646 discusses, for example, an apparatus for measuring strain. Another technique involves measuring the relative rotational offset between two sections of the shaft. U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,528, for example, discusses an apparatus for measuring the relative rotational offset between two rotating members. The torque on gears and plates can also be measured because they also flex when under the influence of torque. 
   Furthermore, the torque on a rotating element can be measured anywhere on the rotating element because when a rotating element flexes, the entire rotating element flexes. For example, a flange can be attached to a shaft or can be formed as part of the shaft. A torque sensor on the flange can be used to measure the torque on the shaft. Those skilled in any of the arts of engines, motors, or mechanical power transfer know these and many other ways of measuring the torque applied to a rotating element. 
   Speed is simply how fast something is going. Rotational speed is how fast something is spinning and is often measured as rotations per minute (rpm). One way to measure rotational speed is to count how many times a target mounted on a rotating element passes a stationary sensor per unit of time. Another method is to power an electric generator at a speed directly proportional to that of a rotating element, typically via a mechanical linkage such as a belt or gear, such that the voltage produced is a function of rotating element&#39;s speed. Those skilled in any of the arts of engines, motors, or mechanical power transfer know these and many other ways of measuring rotational speed. 
   Torque and speed can be either measured using sensors or targets attached to rotating elements. There are many kinds of rotating elements. Shafts, gears, plates, belts, wheels, flywheels, pulleys, and cables are examples of rotating elements. The common property of all rotating elements is that they rotate. Those skilled in any of the arts of engines, motors, or mechanical power transfer know these and many other types of rotating elements. 
   Power refers to the amount of energy that can be produced, delivered, or consumed in a certain amount of time. The power transferred by a rotating element is proportional to the element&#39;s rotational speed multiplied by the torque on the element. The following equation (1) can be utilized to calculate power:
 
power(hp)=speed(rpm)*torque(ft-lbs)/5252   (1)
 
   Where the speed is in rotations per minute, torque is in foot-pounds, and power is in horsepower. Accurate measurements of the power transferred by a rotating element require accurate measurements of both speed and torque. 
   Heavy equipment and other large machines often incorporate sensors for measuring speed and torque. In general, these machines perform torque sensing in one module and speed sensing in another module. This is because of the size of the machine and the view that torque sensing is functionally different and separate from speed sensing. Additionally, torque sensing has customarily involved special hardware and foresight in machine design whereas speed sensing can be incorporated as an inexpensive afterthought. As a result, measurements of power have been available, but only as the result of a calculation derived from one measurement from a speed sensing module and another measurement from a torque sensing module. 
   Many applications, such as automotive, rarely have power measurements available because they are extremely price sensitive. The current solutions for power measurements are not appropriate for automotive engine, transmission, and drive train applications. There are many similar cost sensitive applications for which an adequate way to measure power does not exist. 
   Most sensors require wires that carry signals and power. Electrical power enables a sensor to operate. Input signals generally carry control information such as synchronization or operational commands to the sensor. Output signals generally carry sensor readings, diagnostics, or other information to external circuitry. Some sensors are battery powered and receive control signals and transmit output signals wirelessly. A sensor with low enough power requirements can be powered wirelessly. Such sensors often receive power and input signals and transmit output signals via inductive coupling. 
   The embodiments disclosed herein therefore directly address the shortcomings of conventional systems and devices by combining a torque sensor and a speed sensor into a single power sensor module that is suitable for many price sensitive applications. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY 
   It is therefore one aspect of the embodiments to provide a torque sensor and a speed sensor incorporated into a single module. 
   It is another aspect of the embodiments to provide for the stationary circuit to transmit electromagnetic energy to the rotating circuit via inductive coupling. 
   It is a further aspect of the embodiments to provide for measuring the speed of the rotating element. 
   It is also another aspect of the embodiments to provide for processing the speed signal to produce a speed measurement. 
   It is an additional aspect of the embodiments to use the torque signal to produce a torque measurement. 
   It is a yet further aspect of the embodiments to produce a power measurement from a speed measurement and a torque measurement. 
   It is another aspect of the embodiments to enclose a speed sensor and a torque sensor within the same housing. 
   The aforementioned aspects and other objectives and advantages can now be achieved as described herein. As indicated above, in one aspect a torque sensor and a speed sensor are incorporated into a single module. The two major parts of the module are the stationary parts and the rotating parts. The stationary parts include a housing, stationary circuitry, and speed sensor. The rotating parts include a target for the speed sensor, a torque sensor, and a rotating circuit. 
   Torque measurement is accomplished by use of a torque sensor mounted on a rotating element, rotating circuitry fixed to the rotating element, a stationary circuit, and at least one processor. The torque sensor itself can be any of the current solutions that are well known to those skilled in any of the arts of engines, motors, or mechanical power. Additionally, a sensor based on one or more SAWs can be used for torque sensing. SAWs are relative newcomers to the area of torque sensing but they exhibit excellent sensitivity and are inexpensive. Additionally, SAWs typically require so little power that they can be powered, controlled, and read wirelessly. 
   In accordance with another aspect, the stationary circuit transmits electromagnetic energy to the rotating circuit via inductive coupling. The rotating circuit, being electrically connected to the torque sensor, powers the torque sensor. The torque sensor, sensing the torque on the rotating element, produces torques sensor signal based on the sensed torque. The torque sensor signal is then passed to the rotating circuit where it is converted to the transmitted torque signal that is transmitted by the rotating circuit and received by the stationary circuit. The stationary circuit converts the transmitted torque signal into the torque signal and makes the torque signal available for processing. In this manner, a signal indicative of the torque on the rotating element can be passed from a rotating torque sensor to an outside circuit where it can be processed. Processing the torque signal along with a speed signal or a speed measurement can produce a power measurement. 
   In accordance with another aspect, the speed of the rotating element is measured. A target is affixed to either the rotating element or the rotating circuit. A speed sensor can be fixed to the stationary circuit. The speed sensor detects the movement of the target. The speed sensor produces an electric signal called the speed signal based on the detected movement of the target. In this manner, a signal indicative of the speed of the rotating element can be passed to an outside circuit where it can be processed. Processing the speed signal along with a torque signal or a torque measurement can produce a power measurement. 
   In accordance with another aspect, the speed sensor and torque sensor are both enclosed within the same housing. Part or all of the housing can be stationary and can have apertures through which the rotating elements pass. For example, a rotating shaft can pass through a hole in the housing. Alternatively, a rotating element, such as a plate or gear, can be used as part of the housing. The housing is designed for the purpose of enclosing the other parts of the power sensor module and it can also serve other purposes. For example, one side of the housing could also be part of a ball bearing assembly. Another example is that one side of the housing could also function as the flex plate of an automatic transmission. The two examples given here are intended to illustrate the ease with which the housing or parts of the housing could be incorporated into other functional parts of an engine, motor, transmission, or drive train and are not intended to limit this aspect in any way. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the background of the invention, brief summary of the invention, and detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a power sensor module in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an operational flow for torque sensing in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an operational flow for speed sensing in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an operational flow for measuring power in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an operational flow for measuring power, speed and torque in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an operational flow for measuring power, speed and torque in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a power sensor module in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a power sensor module in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a power sensor module in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a power sensor module in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 11  illustrates aspects of flanges, plates, and clutches in accordance with a preferred embodiment; and 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a power sensor module in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  illustrates an aspect of the power sensor module  100 . A stationary housing, comprising a left side housing  101  and a right side housing  102 , encloses the other parts of the power sensor module. The each side housing has an aperture  109  through which the rotating shaft  103  passes. There are numerous equivalent ways construct a housing. Inside the housing, the rotating shaft  103  passes through the stationary circuit  107  and the rotating circuit  104 . The rotating circuit  104  is fixed to the rotating shaft  103  such that it rotates also. The target  106  and the torque sensor  105  are also fixed to the rotating shaft  103 . The torque sensor  105  is electrically connected to the rotating circuit  104 . A speed sensor  108  is fixed to the stationary circuit. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates operational aspects of torque sensing using the components shown in  FIG. 1 . The torque sensor  105  produces a torque sensor signal that is passed via a direct electrical connection to the rotating circuit  104 . The rotating circuit  104  converts the torque sensor signal into the transmitted torque signal that is transmitted to the stationary circuit  107 . The stationary circuit  107  receives the transmitted torque signal and converts it into the torque signal  201 . The torque signal  201  is available for further processing. The stationary circuit  107  also transmits electromagnetic energy to the rotating circuit  104 . The rotating circuit  104  receives the energy and uses it to power itself and to power the torque sensor  105 . The torque sensor  105  can be any of the wide variety of torque sensors as discussed earlier, including SAW based torque sensors. 
   Another aspect is that the stationary circuit  107  can transmit control signals to the rotating circuit  104 . The control signals can be used to control operation of the rotating circuit  104 , such as adjusting amplifiers or modulators if those components are part of the rotating circuit. The control signals can also be passed to the torque sensor if the torque sensor is a type that has control signal inputs. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates aspects of speed sensing using the components shown in  FIG. 1 . The target  106 , being fixed to the rotating shaft  103  shown in  FIG. 1 , has the same rotational speed as the rotating shaft  103 . The target itself can be gear teeth, a magnet, a coil of wire, a reflective spot, or anything else that can be sensed by the speed sensor  108 . The speed sensor  108  senses the movement of the target  106  and produces an electric signal called the speed signal  301 . For example, if the target  106  is a single magnet and the speed sensor  108  is a coil of wire then the speed signal  301  would be a series of pulses with one pulse per revolution of the rotating shaft  103 . A speed measurement can be found by processing the speed signal  103 . In the example, one way to process the speed signal would be count the number of pulses that occur within one minute. The total would be the rpm of the rotating shaft. 
     FIG. 3  is intended to show one aspect of sensing speed. Those skilled in the art of speed sensing know many functionally equivalent techniques. For example, multiple targets can be used. The individual teeth on a gear or the multiple north-south poles on a polarized ring magnet can be used. Furthermore, some speed sensors produce a speed signal based on changing magnetic flux introduced by a multi-poled magnetic target or a ferrous target with a tooth slot pattern that perturbs a magnetically biased sensor. These sensors may be passive (coil based variable reluctance devices) or active (Hall Effect or magneto-resistive thin film devices produced by standard integrated circuit fabrication processes). Optical speed sensors are another option that is typically used in less harsh environments. Finally, instead of counting pulses over a known period to obtain the speed, the time between pulses can be used to calculate the speed. 
   Another aspect is shown in  FIG. 4 . In  FIG. 4 , a torque signal is produced as shown in  FIG. 2  and a speed signal is produced as shown in  FIG. 3 . However, in  FIG. 4 , neither the torque signal nor the speed signal is shown because they are both input into a processor  401  that uses them to produce a power measurement  402 . A processor can be an analog electronic device, a digital electronic device, or a combination. The distinguishing characteristic of a processor is that it accepts at least one signal or measurement and produces a measurement. The difference between a signal and a measurement is that only processors can produce measurements. 
   Another aspect is shown in  FIG. 5 . In  FIG. 5 , a power measurement  402  is produced as it was in  FIG. 4 . However, a torque measurement  501  and a speed measurement  502  are also produced. A processor  401  that has the torque signal as an input produces the torque measurement  501 . A different processor  401  that has the speed signal as an input produces the speed measurement  502 . An aspect not shown in the figure is that a single processor can accept the torque signal and the speed signal as inputs and use them to produce a speed measurement, a torque measurement, and a power measurement. 
   Another aspect is shown in  FIG. 6 . In  FIG. 6 , a torque signal is produced as shown in  FIG. 2  and a speed signal is produced as shown in  FIG. 3 . However, in  FIG. 6  the torque signal is not shown because it is input into a processor  401  that uses it to produce a torque measurement  501 . Additionally, in  FIG. 6  the speed signal is not shown because it is input into a processor  401  that uses it to produce a speed measurement  502 . Furthermore, the speed measurement  502  and the torque measurement  501  are input to another processor  401  that uses them to produce a power measurement  402 . 
     FIG. 7  illustrates another aspect of the power sensor module. A stationary housing, comprising a left side housing  101  and a right side housing  102 , encloses the other parts of the power sensor module. The side of each housing has an aperture  109  through which the rotating shaft  103  passes. There are numerous equivalent ways to construct a housing. Inside the housing, the rotating shaft  103  passes through the stationary circuit  107  and the rotating circuit  104 . The rotating circuit  104  is fixed to the rotating shaft  103  such that it rotates also. The torque sensor  104  is also fixed to the rotating shaft  103 . The torque sensor  105  is electrically connected to the rotating circuit  104 . A speed sensor  108  is fixed to the stationary circuit. However, unlike the apparatus diagrammed in  FIG. 1 , in  FIG. 7  the target  106  is attached to the rotating circuit. The speed sensor  108  still detects the movement of the target  106  as before and there is no fundamental difference in operation. The difference is that mounting the target  106  on the rotating circuit  104  instead of the rotating shaft  103  results in fewer components being fixed directly to the rotating shaft  103 . 
     FIG. 8  illustrates another aspect.  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 7  showed 2 different apparatus in an exploded view wherein many components of power sensor modules were visible.  FIG. 8  illustrates a power sensor module fully assembled. As such, only the left side housing  101 , right side housing  102 , and rotating shaft  103  are visible. That is because the housing encloses the other parts of the power sensor module. 
     FIG. 9  illustrates another aspect. A plate  901  is directly attached to the rotating shaft  103 . The rotating circuit  104  can be attached to the plate  901  or to rotating shaft  103 . The target  106 , shown mounted on the rotating circuit  104 , can also be mounted directly to the plate  901 . The rotating circuit  104  is shown as a circular substrate, such as a printed circuit board, on which circuit components can be mounted. However, for some applications the rotating circuit  104  can also function as a plate. The torque sensor  105  is mounted to the plate  901 . The left side housing  902  has a cavity for enclosing the stationary circuit  107 . In some applications, the left side housing  902  can also be the substrate of the stationary circuit  107 . When the power sensor module of  FIG. 9  is fully assembled, the left side housing  902  and the plate  901  form a housing that encloses the other components, except for the rotating shaft that protrudes through an aperture  903 . 
     FIG. 10  illustrates another aspect wherein a gear  1001  is used. The gear  1001  is a rotating element to which the rotating circuit  106  and the torque sensor  105  are attached. The target  106  is shown attached to the rotating circuit  104 , although the target  106  can just as easily be attached to the gear  1001 . The rotating circuit  104  is shown as a circular substrate, such as a printed circuit board, on which circuit components can be mounted. However, for some applications the gear  1001  can be the substrate for the rotary circuit  104 . The left side housing  1002  is designed to hold the stationary circuit  107  on which the speed sensor  108  is mounted. The speed sensor  108  can also be mounted directly to the left side housing  1002 . In some applications, the left side housing  1002  can also be the substrate of the stationary circuit  107 . When the power sensor module is fully assembled, the left side housing  1002  and the gear  1001  form a housing that encloses the other components. 
     FIG. 11  illustrates rotating shafts  103  with flanges and plates. One flange  1101  is a tab of material attached to the rotating shaft  103 . Another flange  1102  is a circular disk formed as part of the rotating shaft. Another flange  1103  is a circular disk attached to the rotating shaft  103 . Fasteners  1104  attach a plate  901  is attached to the flange  1103 . There is a second plate  1105  shown attached to a second rotating shaft  1106 . When the first plate  901  is forced, face to face, against the second plate  1105  then the two plates are mechanically joined by friction. This is how a clutch works. The elements shown in  FIG. 11  illustrate some aspects of flanges, plates, and clutches, but are not intended to limit the present invention to the aspects shown. 
     FIG. 12  illustrates another aspect of the embodiment. It shows a power sensor module that is similar to that shown in  FIG. 1 . The difference is that the torque sensor  105  is not in between the stationary circuit  107  and rotating circuit  104 . In some applications, the distance between the stationary circuit  107  and the rotating circuit  104  must be controlled and there is not enough room for a torque sensor  105 .  FIG. 12  also illustrates that many minor variations in the placement of elements result in an equivalent power sensor module implementations. 
   It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features, aspects and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Technology Category: g