Process engineers have been presented with a new technology for measuring
power in drive shafts and rotating machine, following the launch of the
RWT310/320 Torqsense Rotary Torque Sensors by developers Sensor Technology.

RWT units make use of a non contact measurement technique of a radio
frequency (RF) couple for power and signal communication. This means that
the units are mechanically straightforward and as such they stand to
completely redefine the expectations of control engineers, who to date have
had to put considerable time into obtaining the accurate torque readings
essential for accurate production monitoring.

They feature integral electronics with outputs for torque, speed and power.
The RWT 310 provides analog outputs and the RWT 320 both analog and digital
outputs such as serial and USB, being user programmable for signal levels.
Other innovative features include built-in peak torque sampling, storage and
torque averaging, and a self-diagnostics test package.

To achieve the non-contact operation that makes the Torqsense transducer
range unique, SAW (Surface Acoustic Waves) devices are used as frequency
dependent strain gauges to measure the change in resonant frequency caused
by strain experienced in the drive shaft. This measurement is directly
related to the torque experienced in the rotating machine element

Sensor Technology Ltd, 68 Heyford Park, Upper Heyford, Bicester, Oxon
Tel: 01295 730746 Fax: 01295 738966 E-mail: info@sensors.co.uk
Web: www.sensors.co.uk