Magnetostrictive torque sensor

摘要

An improved torque sensor for detecting the direction and the magnitude of a torque applied to a shaft. The sensor includes a magnetostrictive layer, a pair of bearings, a stator and two nuts. The sleeve is fixed the circumference of the shaft. The layer has a magnetostriction effect in accordance with torque applied to the shaft. A pair of collars are fixed to the shaft at opposite ends of the layer. The bearings are connected to the shaft. Each bearing contacts one of the collars. The stator accommodates two pairs of coils. Each coil pair includes an exciting coil and a detecting coil. The coils surround and face the magnetostrictive layer. The axial position of the stator is determined by the bearings. Each nut is threaded to a threaded portion fixed to the shaft and presses one of the bearings against the corresponding collar. Accordingly, the axial position of the stator is determined.