SLEW DRIVE SYSTEMS WITH TORQUE SENSORS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF
Disclosed herein are slew drive components and systems. In some cases, a slew drive system can comprise a sensor configured to measure deformation in a deformation element of a sensor carrier component, which can result from axial displacement of a worm gear of the slew drive system. In some cases, measured deformation of a deformation element can be used to determine torque applied to a worm gear by a slew drive worm wheel, as described herein. As such, the sensor can be a torque sensor.
1 . A slew drive system comprising:
a slew drive housing comprising i) a first housing for a worm wheel, and ii) a base of the worm wheel, wherein the base comprises a second housing;
a sensor carrier comprising a deformation element; and
one or more sensors coupled to the deformation element;
wherein the sensor carrier is coupled to a medial of a long side of the second housing.
2 . The slew drive system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor carrier is coupled to the second housing from about 10 mm to about 20 mm below the worm wheel.
3 . The slew drive system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more torque sensors.
4 . The slew drive system of claim 3 , wherein the one or more torque sensors comprise one or more automated torque sensors.
5 . The slew drive system of claim 4 , wherein the one or more automated torque sensors are configured to detect a fault in the slew drive system and convey an alert to an overseer of the slew drive system.
6 . The slew drive system of claim 3 , wherein the one or more torque sensors are configured to convey data at a frequency of less than about 25 Hz.
7 . The slew drive system of claim 3 , wherein the one or more torque sensors are configured to sense a backwards holding torque ranging from about 0% to about 100%.
8 . The slew drive system of claim 3 , wherein the one or more torque sensors have an electrical life greater than about 50,000 hours.
9 . The slew drive system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller in communication with at least one sensor of the one or more sensors.
10 . The slew drive system of claim 9 , further comprising a flexible printed circuit (FPC) coupled to the one or more sensors and the controller.
11 . The slew drive system of claim 10 , wherein the FPC is coupled to the sensor carrier.
12 . The slew drive system of claim 9 , wherein the controller comprises a processor configured to determine a force applied to the deformation element based on one or more measurements from the one or more sensors.
13 . The slew drive system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors are configured to measure a deformation of the deformation element.
14 . The slew drive system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor carrier comprises a metal film.
15 . The slew drive system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor carrier comprises an adhesive.
16 . The slew drive system of claim 15 , wherein the adhesive comprises an epoxy mixture.
17 . The slew drive system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more sensors coupled to a frame of the sensor carrier.
18 . The slew drive system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor carrier is welded to the second housing.
19 . The slew drive system of claim 1 , wherein the second housing comprises a worm gear shaft.
20 . The slew drive system of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a worm gear.
21 . A slew drive system comprising:
a slew drive housing comprising i) a first housing for a worm wheel, and ii) a base of the worm wheel, wherein the base comprises a second housing;
a sensor carrier comprising a deformation element; and
one or more sensors coupled to the deformation element;
wherein the sensor carrier is coupled to a distal end of the second housing near a motor disposed within the second housing.
22 . The slew drive system of claim 21 , wherein the sensor carrier is coupled to the distal end of the second housing above the motor or below the motor on a leg a plurality of legs of the second housing.