The present application discloses implementations that relate to devices and techniques for sensing position, force, and torque. Devices described herein may include a light emitter, photodetectors, and a curved reflector. The light emitter may project light onto the curved reflector, which may reflect portions of that projected light onto one or more of the photodetectors. Based on the illuminances measured at the photodetectors, the position of the curved reflector may be determined. In some implementations, the curved reflector and the light emitter may be elastically coupled via one or more spring elements; in these implementations, a force vector representing a magnitude and direction of a force applied against the curved reflector may be determined based on the position of the curved reflector.

The present invention relates, in part, to systems for characterizing force (e.g., friction, wear, and/or torque). In one embodiment, the system allows for wear testing of samples in a high throughput manner. In another embodiment, the system allows for torque sensing in a non-contact manner.

The present invention relates, in part, to systems for characterizing force (e.g., friction, wear, and/or torque). In one embodiment, the system allows for wear testing of samples in a high throughput manner. In another embodiment, the system allows for torque sensing in a non-contact manner.

A rotary angle sensor for an electric power assisted steering system of a motor vehicle, wherein the rotary angle sensor comprises an optical sensor unit with a light source, optical components and a photodetector and a disc with an optical pattern, wherein the optical sensor unit and the disc are configured to rotate relative to each other around a rotary axis, and wherein the optical sensor unit is configured such that light reflected from the optical pattern is measured by the photodetector, wherein the optical pattern comprises steps and spaces separating the steps, such that light reflected by steps and spaces destructively interferes leading to an intensity modulation of the reflected light according to an optical pattern which encodes a binary type code for the rotary angle of the disc.

A rotary angle sensor for an electric power assisted steering system of a motor vehicle, wherein the rotary angle sensor comprises an optical sensor unit with a light source, optical components and a photodetector and a disc with an optical pattern, wherein the optical sensor unit and the disc are configured to rotate relative to each other around a rotary axis, and wherein the optical sensor unit is configured such that light reflected from the optical pattern is measured by the photodetector, wherein the optical pattern comprises steps and spaces separating the steps, such that light reflected by steps and spaces destructively interferes leading to an intensity modulation of the reflected light according to an optical pattern which encodes a binary type code for the rotary angle of the disc.

A system including an instrument having a working tool configured to penetrate a tissue; a sensor configured to generate in real-time one or more torque signals related to torque of the working tool; a controller in operative communication with the sensor and configured to receive the one or more torque signals. The controller processes the torque signals into one or more processed signals representative of torque, energy, power or a combination thereof. The system also includes a display providing to the user in real-time the one or more processed signals. Related devices, systems, methods, and articles are provided.

A system including an instrument having a working tool configured to penetrate a tissue; a sensor configured to generate in real-time one or more torque signals related to torque of the working tool; a controller in operative communication with the sensor and configured to receive the one or more torque signals. The controller processes the torque signals into one or more processed signals representative of torque, energy, power or a combination thereof. The system also includes a display providing to the user in real-time the one or more processed signals. Related devices, systems, methods, and articles are provided.

A solution for noncontact optical torque measurement of a rotating component is provided. At least one imaging system acquires images of a rotating component. A torque computing unit determines the torque of the rotating component using the images. The torque computing unit can compare the acquired images to previously collected expected images obtained under a known torque condition. The torque computing unit determines the torque of the rotating component based on variations between the acquired images and the collected expected images.

A solution for noncontact optical torque measurement of a rotating component is provided. At least one imaging system acquires images of a rotating component. A torque computing unit determines the torque of the rotating component using the images. The torque computing unit can compare the acquired images to previously collected expected images obtained under a known torque condition. The torque computing unit determines the torque of the rotating component based on variations between the acquired images and the collected expected images.

A lubricity tester unit may comprise a housing, a shaft, wherein a first end of the shaft is disposed at a first end of the housing, wherein the shaft extends through housing along a central axis of the housing, and an encoder, wherein the encoder is disposed on an internal wall of the housing, wherein the shaft is disposed through a hole in the encoder, wherein the encoder is an optical encoder configured to measure angular position of the shaft. The lubricity tester unit may further comprise rotating rings, wherein the rotating rings are coupled to a second end of the shaft, a friction inducing surface, wherein the friction inducing surface is disposed around the rotating rings, a first sensor, wherein the first sensor is disposed through the housing, and a second sensor, wherein the second sensor is disposed through the housing.