Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring rotating shaft shafts and couplings in an aircraft propulsion system is described. The measurement system/method provides for accurate and precise monitoring of a rotating shaft flexible coupling in a fixed wing aircraft vehicle propulsion system. The measuring system/method provides for a high reliability short take off vertical landing fixed wing aircraft in which the vertical propulsion dynamically rotating drive shaft system and couplings are monitored in real time. The vehicular shaft coupling misalignment measuring system utilizes multiple positional sensors to provide highly reliable and precise determination of the dynamic characteristics of the rotating sensor target components of the propulsion system drive shaft. The relative position of the sensors is rigidly fixed externally from the rotating targets with a structural frame.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive sensor system and a method of measuring a magnetostrictive sensor pulse is provided. The measurement system and method includes providing a digital buffer circuit connected with an analog to digital converter to an analog waveform detector for receiving a magnetostrictive pulse waveform from a magnetostrictive waveguide. A template waveform is provided, and a returned magnetostrictive pulse waveform is recieved into the digital buffer circuit. The received pulse waveform is compared with the template waveform to determine an arrival time of the returned magnetostrictive pulse waveform. Providing the template waveform includes providing a synthesized return waveform generated to simulate a characteristic magnetostrictive return pulse waveform of the magnetostrictive system.

Abstract: The invention provides a method/system for measuring torque. The method/system includes providing a first rotating disk A having a target pattern and providing a second rotating disk B having a target pattern. The method/system includes providing a first set of at least three sensors, comprised of a first disk first sensor (1A), a first disk second sensor (2A), and a first disk third sensor (3A), the first set of al least three sensors for sensing the first rotating disk target pattern with the first set of at least three sensors fixed around and encompassing the first rotating disk. The method/system includes providing a second set of at least three sensors, comprised of a second disk first sensor (1B), a second disk second sensor (2B), and a second disk third sensor (3B), the second set of at least three sensors for sensing the second rotating disk target pattern, with the second set of at least three sensors fixed around and encompassing the second rotating disk.