Rotating machines torque measurement system for axially limited applications

Inventors: Mateusz Glowala (Garwolin, PL); Arthur W. Sibbach (Boxford, MA)

Assignees: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY; GE AEROSPACE POLAND sp. z o. o.

G01L3/109

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12704424
App. No.: 19/180,508
Granted: Aug 11, 2026
Kind: B1

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Abstract

A rotating machine torque measurement system includes a shaft assembly and spaced sensors. The shaft assembly includes a first shaft that is adapted to connect to a torque generating device, a second shaft that has a second end that is secured to a second end of the first shaft, and a third shaft that has a first end that is secured to a first end of the second shaft and is adapted to connect to a torque receiving device. The first, second, and third shafts are coaxial and can twist or angularly deform in relation to each other in response to a load applied to the shaft assembly. The sensors are positioned at the first and second ends of the shaft assembly to measure angular deformation of the shaft assembly.

Claims (31)

1 . A torque measurement system, comprising:

a shaft assembly having a first shaft, a second shaft, and a third shaft coaxially positioned, the first shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion adapted to be coupled to a torque generating device and supporting first reference targets, the second shaft having a cylindrical configuration and defining a first cavity that receives the first shaft, the second shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion of the second shaft secured to the second end portion of the first shaft, the third shaft having a cylindrical configuration and defining a second cavity that receives the second shaft, the third shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion of the third shaft adapted to be coupled to a torque receiving device, the first end portion of the third shaft secured to the first end portion of the second shaft and supporting second reference targets;

a first sensor positioned adjacent to the first reference targets;

a second sensor positioned adjacent to the second reference targets; and

a processor operably coupled to the first sensor and to the second sensor, the processor receiving a first signal generated by the first sensor and a second signal generated by the second sensor to determine the angular deformation of the shaft assembly and calculate an output proportional to the torque applied to the torque receiving device.

2 . The torque measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the first shaft defines a hollow bore that extends from the second end portion of the first shaft towards the first end portion of the first shaft.

3 . The torque measurement system of claim 1 , further including a first dampener positioned between the first shaft and the second shaft.

4 . The torque measurement system of claim 3 , further including a second dampener positioned between the second shaft and the third shaft.

5 . The torque measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the second end portion of the first shaft includes an outwardly extending annular flange and the second end portion of the second shaft includes an inwardly extending annular flange, the outwardly extending annular flange secured to the inwardly extending annular flange.

6 . The torque measurement system of claim 5 , wherein the first end portion of the second shaft includes an outwardly extending annular flange and the first end portion of the third shaft includes an inwardly extending annular flange, the outwardly extending annular flange of the second shaft secured to the inwardly extending annular flange of the third shaft.

7 . The torque measurement system of claim 6 , wherein the outwardly extending flange of the first shaft and the inwardly extending flange of the second shaft are secured together by welding, splines, press-fitting, or with rivets, and the outwardly extending flange of the second shaft and the inwardly extending flange of the third shaft are secured together by welding, splines, press-fitting, or with rivets.

8 . A load coupling shaft assembly comprising:

a first shaft, a second shaft, and a third shaft coaxially positioned, the first shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion adapted to be coupled to a torque generating device and supporting first reference targets, the second shaft having a cylindrical configuration and defining a first cavity that receives the first shaft, the second shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion of the second shaft secured to the second end portion of the first shaft, the third shaft having a cylindrical configuration and defining a second cavity that receives the second shaft, the third shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion of the third shaft adapted to be coupled to a torque receiving device, the first end portion of the third shaft secured to the first end portion of the second shaft and supporting second reference targets.

9 . The load coupling shaft assembly of claim 8 , wherein the first shaft defines a hollow bore that extends from the second end portion of the first shaft towards the first end portion of the first shaft.

10 . The load coupling shaft assembly of claim 8 , further including a first dampener positioned between the first shaft and the second shaft.

11 . The load coupling shaft assembly of claim 10 , further including a second dampener positioned between the second shaft and the third shaft.

12 . The load coupling shaft assembly of claim 8 , wherein the second end portion of the first shaft includes an outwardly extending annular flange and the second end portion of the second shaft includes an inwardly extending annular flange, the outwardly extending annular flange secured to the inwardly extending annular flange.

13 . The load coupling shaft assembly of claim 12 , wherein the first end portion of the second shaft includes an outwardly extending annular flange and the first end portion of the third shaft includes an inwardly extending annular flange, the outwardly extending annular flange of the second shaft secured to the inwardly extending annular flange of the third shaft.

14 . The load coupling shaft assembly of claim 13 , wherein the outwardly extending flange of the first shaft and the inwardly extending flange of the second shaft are secured together by welding, press-fitting, or with rivets and the outwardly extending flange of the second shaft and the inwardly extending flange of the third shaft are secured together by welding, press-fitting, or with rivets.

15 . A rotating machine and torque measurement system, comprising:

a torque generating device;

a torque receiving device;

a shaft assembly having a first shaft, a second shaft, and a third shaft coaxially positioned, the first shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion adapted to be coupled to the torque generating device and supporting first reference targets, the second shaft having a cylindrical configuration and defining a first cavity that receives the first shaft, the second shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion of the second shaft secured to the second end portion of the first shaft, the third shaft having a cylindrical configuration and defining a second cavity that receives the second shaft, the third shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion of the third shaft adapted to be coupled to the torque receiving device, the first end portion of the third shaft secured to the first end portion of the second shaft and supporting second reference targets;

a first sensor positioned adjacent to the first reference targets;

a second sensor positioned adjacent to the second reference targets; and

16 . The rotating machine and torque measurement system of claim 15 , wherein the torque generating device is a gas turbine engine or any rotating device capable of delivering torque.

17 . The rotating machine and torque measurement system of claim 15 , wherein the torque receiving device is an electric generator, a pump, or a turbine engine.

18 . The rotating machine and torque measurement system of claim 15 , wherein the first shaft defines a hollow bore that extends from the second end portion of the first shaft towards the first end portion of the first shaft.

19 . The rotating machine and torque measurement system of claim 15 , further including a first dampener positioned between the first shaft and the second shaft.

20 . The rotating machine and torque measurement system of claim 19 , further including a second dampener positioned between the second shaft and the third shaft.