What Is a Torque Sensor & its Various Types?

Rotary Torque Sensor

The Torque sensors are prominent industrial devices with many automotive sector applications meant to record & monitor torque force on a system.

These sensors are subcategorized into two broad varieties based on the kind of torque to be measured; one is the reactive sensors while the other being the rotation torque transducer type. Both the types have the strain gauge as the DNA which controls the mechanism of torque measurement; it is confined to the Wheatstone bridge. In a nutshell, the strain gauge acts as the primary sensing element. 

Types of the Torque Sensors

 

Reactive Torque Sensors

This variety of torque sensors is typically fixed, somewhat rigid in structure with no moving parts; it measures torque which is directly proportional to the torsional force. The common automotive use of the Reactive Torque Sensors includes brake testing, torsional force measurement, dynameters, and lubrication studies. 

Rotational Torque Sensors

The Rotational Torque Sensors varies from the Reactive Torque Sensors as the former has a freely rotating shaft within the fixed housing. That shaft act as a coupling between the absorber/load and the driving mechanism. When the shaft is torsionally stressed, then a variation in the output is observed. The variation in the load and the rotational speed affect the torque force being measured. The many popular areas of use of Rotational Torque Sensors include electric motor testing, dynamometer testing, drive train measurement, gearbox testing and more.

Torque Sensor

Comparison Overview of Each Type

A reaction torque sensor does not rotate as it has no moving part, typically it behaves like load cell. The key advantage highlights of this torque meter are that they are pretty inexpensive in compassion to the rotary torque sensor, in this type no changes are needed for the rotating shaft and most importantly fewer factors considering including the rpm. However, there are few notable shortcomings of a reaction torque sensor such as it doesn’t record true torque shaft. This type of sensor lacks in precision when compared to its counterpart rotational torque transducer.

To Wrap Up

Selecting the right torque transducer is a tough ask therefore it requires you to devote time in research work analyzing the pros and cons of each type to make the best investment.