Methods and apparatus for linear inductive torque sensing that may include transmitting an AC magnetic field with a transmit coil toward a conductive target and receiving a field reflected by the conductive target with a receive coil, wherein the conductive target comprises first and second targets positioned with respect to each other and each shaped to linearly increase or decrease an amount of conductive area of the conductive target due to relative movement of the first and second targets which changes an amount of the field reflected by the conductive target. A signal from the receive coil can be processed to determine a relative position of the first and second targets corresponding to an amount of torque on an elongate member connected to the first and second targets. In other embodiments, a change in inductance of the transmit coil is measured to determine relative target position.

Methods and systems for estimating an amount of torque that is transferred via a differential ring gear assembly are described. In one example, axial displacement of the differential ring gear assembly is determined and converted into a torque estimate. The torque estimate may be used to verify other powertrain torque estimates or for closed loop torque control.

An inductive sensor may include a first angle measurement path associated with determining an angular position based on a first set of input signals. The inductive sensor may include a second angle measurement path associated with determining an angular position based on a second set of input signals. The inductive sensor may include an amplitude regulation path associated with regulating amplitudes of a set of output signals. The inductive sensor may include a safety path associated with performing one or more safety checks. Each safety check of the one or more safety checks may be associated with at least one of the first angle measurement path, the second angle measurement path, or the amplitude regulation path.

Methods and apparatus for linear inductive torque sensing that may include transmitting an AC magnetic field with a transmit coil toward a conductive target and receiving a field reflected by the conductive target with a receive coil, wherein the conductive target comprises first and second targets positioned with respect to each other and each shaped to linearly increase or decrease an amount of conductive area of the conductive target due to relative movement of the first and second targets which changes an amount of the field reflected by the conductive target. A signal from the receive coil can be processed to determine a relative position of the first and second targets corresponding to an amount of torque on an elongate member connected to the first and second targets. In other embodiments, a change in inductance of the transmit coil is measured to determine relative target position.

A torque detection arrangement for a vehicle driven by muscle power has an input shaft via which a torque for driving the vehicle can be transmitted. The torque is to be detected. At least one rotary member is mounted on the input shaft and is designed to transmit the torque. The input shaft and the rotary member are resiliently connected in the rotational direction via a torsion spring arrangement. A twisting angle detection arrangement is designed to detect a rotation of the rotary member relative to the input shaft. The input shaft is designed as a hollow shaft. A torsion spring of the torsion spring arrangement is arranged inside the hollow input shaft.

A torque and angle of rotation detection system is rotatable about an axis of rotation and includes a stator unit separated from a rotor unit by an air gap disposed radially with respect to the axis of rotation. The rotor unit includes strain gauges, dipole magnets and a secndary coil with ferrite elements. The stator unit includes a magnetic field sensor and a primary coil wherein a primary electrical voltage in the primary coil generates a secondary electrical voltage in the secondary coil.

A bicycle having a rear wheel including an axle, a hub shell, a torque element including a torque output portion and a torque input portion, and a rear cog coupled to the torque input portion. The torque output portion is a first radial distance from the torque input portion. The position sensor measures a rotational position of the torque input portion relative to the torque output portion. In one embodiment, the position sensor includes a displacement indicator (e.g., a radial tab mounted to the torque output portion) and a displacement sensor (e.g., an inductive sensor mounted to the torque input portion). The inductive sensor preferably has two sensing coils positioned on each side of the displacement indicator. The hub assembly can further comprise a wireless transmitter adapted to transmit data from the position sensor. The hub shell preferably includes a window that facilitates data transmission from the wireless transmitter.

A system and method are provided related to replacing components of a fully assembled torque sensor system having been previously calibrated, whereby the new system with its new components, which may be installed in a larger system, can be recalibrated at the location where the component replacement or servicing occurs. Individual components are provided with individual characteristics information, either on or associated with the shipped component, so the end user may retrieve the information and enter it in the software, such as that associated with a control unit, which is used with the fully assembled torque sensor. A database storing information about each manufactured component and their respective characteristics information, and fully assembled systems and their collective characteristics information, may be maintained and accessible by end users.

The invention relates to a torque regulating device (20) for regulating the output power and/or the torque of an electric drive (10) having an electric motor (12) with a stator and a rotor and preferably an output shaft (14) connected to the rotor for joint rotation. In order to enable a more accurate regulation with, at the same time, a possibility for implementing an improved safety monitoring of the electric drive (14), there are provided a torque sensor (26) for measuring a torque acting between the stator and the rotor, in particular by measuring on the output shaft (14), and a control system (24) which is connected to the torque sensor (26) and is configured to control the electric motor (12) in accordance with the torque measured by the torque sensor (26). Further, a corresponding regulating method and an advantageous torque sensor assembly for use in the device and in the method are proposed.

The present invention may provide a torque sensor comprising, a rotor, a stator disposed outside the rotor; a sensor assembly configured to measure a magnetic field generated between the rotor and the stator; and a housing, the rotor and the stator are disposed outside the housing, the sensor assembly is disposed inside the housing, wherein the housing includes a protrusion which faces the stator, wherein the stator includes a groove, wherein the protrusion is disposed in the groove.