Torque Sensor Fluid Cooling Bore Temperature Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Twisting-torque sensors used in turbine engines face measurement errors due to temperature variations, with existing solutions either introducing errors outside calibrated torque ranges or requiring complex recalibration and confinement, which complicates precise torque measurement.
Innovation Solution
A torque sensor with a temperature-confinement enclosure and fluid-circulation circuit that maintains a stable temperature for the transmission shaft, using a temperature sensor to correct torque measurements by controlling the fluid temperature within the bore of the shaft, allowing for independent conformation and calibration procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the torque sensor is placed in a confined environment to reduce temperature variations, then the temperature stability is improved, but the measurement precision is still affected because temperature variations are not completely eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance that circulates through a bore in the transmission shaft. This fluid acts as a thermal mediator, absorbing and carrying away excess heat from the shaft, thereby maintaining more stable operating temperatures and improving measurement precision without requiring complete environmental confinement
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a hydraulic cooling system where fluid circulates through the shaft bore to regulate temperature. This hydraulic approach provides active thermal management, allowing the sensor to maintain precision across varying environmental conditions without rigid confinement structures
2Measurement precision
If inclined reading teeth are used to correct temperature influence, then the measurement accuracy is improved for one torque range, but errors are introduced outside this calibrated range
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using fixed inclined teeth optimized for one torque range, the invention changes the operational parameters by circulating fluid at controlled temperatures. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the sensor to maintain accuracy across multiple torque ranges, as the fluid temperature can be adapted to match different operating conditions
3Measurement precision
If a fluid-circulation circuit with temperature correction is implemented, then the temperature influence on measurement is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid-circulation circuit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cools the transmission shaft, stabilizes operating temperature, and provides a medium for temperature sensing and correction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate cooling systems, temperature sensors, and correction mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving superior temperature-compensated measurement precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly reduces temperature influence on torque measurements, enabling precise and adaptable torque sensing across various aircraft turbine engines with simplified calibration and reduced space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid-circulation circuit, comprising: a portion constituted by said bore of the transmission shaft, a fluid injector into the bore at said input of the shaft
Implementation Method 2
the temperature of the transmission shaft thus being known since it is very close to the temperature of the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a twisting torque sensor, comprising a transmission shaft (12) subjected to the torque to be measured, a reference shaft (14), and a device for measuring an angular deformation representing the torque to be measured between the two shafts. The torque sensor is characterised in that the transmission shaft (12) comprises a bore (24) extending from one end of the transmission shaft (12), referred to as input (28) of the shaft, to an opposite end, and in that the torque sensor comprises an enclosure (22) for confining the temperature of the two shafts, and a fluid circulation circuit including a portion made up of said bore (24), an injector (32) for injecting the fluid into the bore (24) at said input (28) of the shaft, and a fluid temperature sensor (34) in the fluid circulation circuit, the measured temperature being intended for correcting the torque measurement.