Abstract: A device for sensing the input shaft speed of an automotive automatic transmission that is driven by the engine through the fluid coupling of a torque converter. The speed sensor device includes circumferentially spaced markings about the transmission input shaft and a speed sensor that is placed at close proximity to the circumferentially spaced markings through a hole in the torque converter stator shaft. An electronic control unit (ECU) analyzes the sensor output signal and in the case of an active speed sensor it also functions as its power source. During vehicle operation, the transmission input shaft rotates the target wheel in front of the speed sensor causing modulation of its output signal. The electronic control unit analyzes the signal modulation and calculates the input shaft rotational speed. A variety of sensor/target-wheel options and sensor mounting techniques could be used depending on the application constraints.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for sensing a torque applied through a shaft (18). The device includes a shaft (18) and a bearing (40) attached to the shaft (18). The bearing (40) includes an inner race (44), an outer race (42) and a plurality of rolling elements (46). A magnetoelastic ring (24) is press-fit onto the inner race (44). An eddy current or a magnetic field sensor (30) is placed in close proximity to the magnetoelastic ring (24). In the case of an eddy current sensor (30), the magnetoelastic ring (24) is not magnetized. In the case of a magnetic field sensor (30), the magnetoelastic ring (24) is magnetically circularly polarized. In either case, the chosen sensor (30) senses the induced changes of the magnetoelastic ring (24) characteristics and its associated electronics provides a measure of the applied torque.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for sensing a torque applied through a shaft 18. The device comprises a magnetoelastic ring 24 press-fitted onto the shaft 18 and an excitation coil 2 placed in close proximity to the ring 24 at only a point along the circumference of the ring 24. The coil 2 is driven by an oscillator 4 for inducing eddy currents inside the material of the ring 24. A sensing coil 8 is also placed in close proximity to the magnetoelastic ring 24 at only a point along the circumference of the ring 24 for sensing the magnetic field generated by the induced eddy currents inside the ring 24. An electrical circuit senses any change in the magnetoelastic ring's 24 electrical conductivity and magnetic permeability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the speed of a target object passing a pair of sensor units (12) displaced apart by a predetermined distant L in the direction of motion of the target object (16). Passage of one or more features of the target object (16) past the first sensor unit (12A) results in the generation of a signal (x1), and passage of the same feature of the target object (16) past the second sensor unit (12B) results in the generate of a second signal, (x2). A signal processor (18) is configured to determine a mathematical correlation between signals (x1) and (x2), and an associated time delay (?0). The speed (v) of the target object (16) is calculated by the signal processor (18) as the (ratio of the predetermined distance (L) to the time delay (?0).

Abstract: A device for sensing the input shaft speed of an automotive automatic transmission that is driven by the engine through the fluid coupling of a torque converter. The speed sensor device includes circumferentially spaced markings about the transmission input shaft and a speed sensor that is placed at close proximity to the circumferentially spaced markings through a hole in the torque converter stator shaft. An electronic control unit (ECU) analyzes the sensor output signal and in the case of an active speed sensor it also functions as its power source. During vehicle operation, the transmission input shaft rotates the target wheel in front of the speed sensor causing modulation of its output signal. The electronic control unit analyzes the signal modulation and calculates the input shaft rotational speed. A variety of sensor/target-wheel options and sensor mounting techniques could be used depending on the application constraints.