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.

An apparatus for determining torque on bit and bending forces in a drilling assembly. The apparatus includes a body having an inner bore defined by an inner wall and having an outer wall, the body also including first and second light bores disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall and a light emitting assembly arranged and configured to cause a light beam to enter the first and second light bores. The assembly further includes first and second light sensors disposed in or at an end of the first and second light bores, respectively, that measure a location where light that enters the first and second light bores contacts the sensors

Non-contact sensors include an image sensor configured to capture image data of a portion of a surface of a rotatable shaft and an electronic control unit communicatively coupled to the image sensor. The electronic control unit is configured to receive image data having a plurality of frames from the image sensor and store the image data in a memory component of the electronic control unit, determine a transformation in image space between one or more surface features that appear in a first frame of the image data and the same one or more surface features that appear in a second frame of the image data, determine a rotational position of the rotatable shaft at a time of capture of the second frame of the image data based on the transformation and a quantitatively characterized relationship between image space and object space, and store the rotational position of the rotatable shaft.

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.

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.

A tool is equipped with a torque sensor, suited for a tightening task of a fastening component of a device such as a fluid control system that requires a large number of fastening components for assembly and has a narrow space for access to the fastening components, and capable of automatically detecting a tightening torque. The tool includes a torque sensor capable of detecting a tightening torque for tightening a fastening component acting on a bit. The torque sensor initiates measurement of the tightening torque when the tightening torque detected exceeds a set threshold value, completes measurement when the tightening torque detected falls below the set threshold value and a set time elapses, and outputs torque-related data formed on the basis of measurement data from measurement initiation to measurement completion and including a measurement time. The torque-related data includes a peak value of the measurement data.

A tool is equipped with a torque sensor, suited for a tightening task of a fastening component of a device such as a fluid control system that requires a large number of fastening components for assembly and has a narrow space for access to the fastening components, and capable of automatically detecting a tightening torque. The tool includes a torque sensor capable of detecting a tightening torque for tightening a fastening component acting on a bit. The torque sensor initiates measurement of the tightening torque when the tightening torque detected exceeds a set threshold value, completes measurement when the tightening torque detected falls below the set threshold value and a set time elapses, and outputs torque-related data formed on the basis of measurement data from measurement initiation to measurement completion and including a measurement time. The torque-related data includes a peak value of the measurement data.

A method to determine a characteristic on a turbine shaft is provided. The method includes disposing a reflective/absorptive target comprising a plurality of markings in a geometric pattern on the component. A light emitting source will then be focused onto a predetermined starting position on the target. The plurality of markings will linearly traverse across the light emitting source from the predetermined starting position. The reflected/absorbed light pulses from the plurality of markings will be detected and recorded. From the timing of the recorded light pulses, the characteristic of the component is determined. The geometric pattern comprises at least two non-parallel lines and a third line including the predetermined position. A system to determine a characteristic on a turbine shaft as well as a method to determine the torsional deflection of a turbine shaft are also provided.

A method to determine a characteristic on a turbine shaft is provided. The method includes disposing a reflective/absorptive target comprising a plurality of markings in a geometric pattern on the component. A light emitting source will then be focused onto a predetermined starting position on the target. The plurality of markings will linearly traverse across the light emitting source from the predetermined starting position. The reflected/absorbed light pulses from the plurality of markings will be detected and recorded. From the timing of the recorded light pulses, the characteristic of the component is determined. The geometric pattern comprises at least two non-parallel lines and a third line including the predetermined position. A system to determine a characteristic on a turbine shaft as well as a method to determine the torsional deflection of a turbine shaft are also provided.