GB880008A - Improvements in or relating to torque measuring means - Google Patents

Abstract

880,008. Fluid-pressure servomotor control systems. BELOIT IRON WORKS. Nov. 29, 1957 [Dec. 7, 1956], No. 37324/57. Class 135. [Also in Group XIX] A torque-indicating device comprises a rotatable shaft 21 arranged for limited axial movement, means 14, 16 for producing an axial thrust in the shaft 21 proportional to the torque, a chamber 120 containing fluid under pressure and a valve 191 operative to control the discharge of fluid from the chamber to the atmosphere the shaft 21 being maintained in a position intermediate of its limits of axial movement by the pressure fluid, and the fluid pressure being indicated on a gauge 154. As shown, the torque to be measured is transmitted through gears 16, 14 having helically formed teeth and a spur gear 54, and is converted by the use of gears 14, 16 into a corresponding axial thrust acting to the right on the shaft 21. The shaft is supported for movement in this direction only by a fixed thrust bearing 44 and an axially movable double thrust bearing 88 connected to a non-rotatable diaphragm assembly 124 in a cylinder 114. This cylinder can be connected by means of a valve assembly 136, Fig. 2, not shown, to a pressure source, or to the atmosphere through the valve 191, and the pressure therein is indicated on the gauge 154. In operation, if the axial thrust due to the torque being transmitted is greater than the thrust developed by the air in the cylinder 114, then the diaphragm assembly 124 moves to the right and opens the valve 136 to the pressure supply until the thrusts are equalized. If the reverse is true, the diaphragm assembly 124 moves to the left and the cylinder is opened to atmosphere, the connection to the supply remaining closed until the thrusts are equalized.