A method and a device for measuring the torque in the drivetrain (1) of a wind power plant is described, having at least two incremental encoders (7, 8) which are positioned at two different positions on at least one shaft (3) of the drivetrain (1) and which each supply periodic rotational signals, wherein the phases of the rotational signals are evaluated in order to detect a phase shift, and a torque of the shaft (1) is determined from the phase shift. The detected phase shift is corrected as a function of a zero load phase shift (A.sub.Zero), using a rigidity factor K, wherein, in order to determine the zero load phase shift (A.sub.Zero) and the rigidity factor K, in-situ calibration is carried out before and/or between the torque-determining processes. The in-situ calibration is performed at zero load of the wind power plant, i.e. below a rated rotational speed and with a generator torque equal to zero, and at the rated load of the wind power plant, i.e. at the rated rotational speed and with a generator torque greater than zero.

A method and a device for measuring the torque in the drivetrain (1) of a wind power plant is described, having at least two incremental encoders (7, 8) which are positioned at two different positions on at least one shaft (3) of the drivetrain (1) and which each supply periodic rotational signals, wherein the phases of the rotational signals are evaluated in order to detect a phase shift, and a torque of the shaft (1) is determined from the phase shift. The detected phase shift is corrected as a function of a zero load phase shift (A.sub.Zero), using a rigidity factor K, wherein, in order to determine the zero load phase shift (A.sub.Zero) and the rigidity factor K, in-situ calibration is carried out before and/or between the torque-determining processes. The in-situ calibration is performed at zero load of the wind power plant, i.e. below a rated rotational speed and with a generator torque equal to zero, and at the rated load of the wind power plant, i.e. at the rated rotational speed and with a generator torque greater than zero.

A system and method for determining the load in a material handling system is disclosed. The load weight detection system measures torque at four operating conditions both at constant speed and during acceleration. The level of torque generated by the motor under each of these operating conditions is stored in the motor drive. The motor drive also receives a signal corresponding to the speed of the hoist motor. Based on the measured torque, as well as the expected torque at no load and at rated load for the measured speed, the motor drive then determines the load present on the hoist. In some systems, two or more hoists are required to operate in tandem to lift a load. Each motor drive determines the weight of the load supported by its respective hoist motor and determines a total weight of the load based on the weights determined by each motor drive.

A system and method for determining the load in a material handling system is disclosed. The load weight detection system measures torque at four operating conditions both at constant speed and during acceleration. The level of torque generated by the motor under each of these operating conditions is stored in the motor drive. The motor drive also receives a signal corresponding to the speed of the hoist motor. Based on the measured torque, as well as the expected torque at no load and at rated load for the measured speed, the motor drive then determines the load present on the hoist. In some systems, two or more hoists are required to operate in tandem to lift a load. Each motor drive determines the weight of the load supported by its respective hoist motor and determines a total weight of the load based on the weights determined by each motor drive.

A system and method utilize a first rotation sensor that provides a first signal indicative of a first rotation of a first end of a rotating coupling. The rotating coupling has an articulating member mechanically coupling the first end to a second end. A second rotation sensor provides a second signal indicative of a second rotation of the second end of the rotating coupling. A processor is coupled to the first and second rotation sensors and is operable to determine a relationship between the first and second rotations based on the first and second signals. Based on the relationship, the processor estimates at least one of a degradation of and a remaining useful life of the rotating coupling.

A drive train bench system has two dynamometers that are connected in series to a specimen. The mechanical characteristics estimation method has: a first measurement step for measuring a response to a first excitation torque input signal when the first excitation torque input signal overlaps a first torque current command signal while a measurement control circuit controls the two dynamometers; a second measurement step for measuring a response to a second excitation torque input signal when the second excitation torque input signal overlaps a second torque current command signal while the measurement control circuit controls the two dynamometers; and a mechanical characteristics transfer function estimation step for using the results from the first and second measurement steps to estimate a mechanical characteristics transfer function.

A drive train bench system has two dynamometers that are connected in series to a specimen. The mechanical characteristics estimation method has: a first measurement step for measuring a response to a first excitation torque input signal when the first excitation torque input signal overlaps a first torque current command signal while a measurement control circuit controls the two dynamometers; a second measurement step for measuring a response to a second excitation torque input signal when the second excitation torque input signal overlaps a second torque current command signal while the measurement control circuit controls the two dynamometers; and a mechanical characteristics transfer function estimation step for using the results from the first and second measurement steps to estimate a mechanical characteristics transfer function.

A dual-loop torque sensing system includes four position sensors disposed in the motor and the reduction drive to form a dual-loop for detection to calculate the output torques. The detection of the position sensors is for confirming abnormality of the dual-loop or the position sensors. A failure alarm is issued to enhance the safety of the working environment.

A dual-loop torque sensing system includes four position sensors disposed in the motor and the reduction drive to form a dual-loop for detection to calculate the output torques. The detection of the position sensors is for confirming abnormality of the dual-loop or the position sensors. A failure alarm is issued to enhance the safety of the working environment.

A series elastic actuator includes a gear, a mounting recess formed in the gear, an elastic body provided in the mounting recess, an output body, a through-hole penetrating the gear, a shaft passing through the through-hole, a pair of bearings to radially support the shaft, and a pair of bearing mounting recesses to receive the pair of bearings. The gear is configured to rotate by a rotational power source. A rotation force of the gear is transmitted to the gear by the elastic body. The through-hole may extend in an axial direction, and the pair of bearings may be spaced apart from each other in the axial direction. The pair of bearing mounting recesses may be formed at opposite ends of the through-hole.