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Bluetooth rotary torque sensor handles heavy vibrations
Published:  10 June, 2014

US-based SensorData Technologies claims to have developed the only transducer to offer reliable Bluetooth-based wireless sensing of rotary torque in high-vibration environments, where conventional torque transducers often suffer from premature wear and failure. The BT4000 flange drive sensor can measure torque levels up to 8kNm at speeds of up to 7,000 rpm, and provide analogue voltage, digital or frequency signal outputs.

The easy-to-install sensors can be used as drop-in replacements in applications where the sensor power rotors of existing torque sensors have been damaged during installation or use, or where other rotary torque measurement systems have failed as a result of high levels of vibration.

The new sensors have encapsulated on-board electronics that provide strain gauge bridge excitation, bridge output amplification, and amplified signal conversion into 16-bit digital words. This immediate conversion of signals is said to result in a significant reduction in the conducted noise effects that are common with other rotary torque measurement systems.

The on-board electronics also make remote shunt calibration easier. The use of Bluetooth wireless transmissions and powering the rotor inductively, makes the sensors immune to EMI, ground loop interference, and the effects of nearby metal.

Sensor Data's Bluetooth-based rotary torque transducer can be used in applications where others might fail

Each sensor is supplied with a Bluetooth wireless remote base station with three analogue output options and a USB port for connecting to PCs or other devices. The Bluetooth transmissions operate in the 2.4GHz ISM band and use frequency-hopping to combat interference and fading. Any device that receives 2.4GHz Bluetooth data can receive signals from the sensors for subsequent processing.

A zero-velocity version of the speed sensor is available.