Patent attributes
A sensor is used in measuring the torque applied to a slew drive. The slew drive includes a worm gear and a worm wheel and the sensor is coupled with a securing device that is used to secure the worm gear to the slew drive housing. The sensor generates a signal which is indicative of the torque on the worm wheel. The worm gear is secured to the slew drive housing by a first bearing and a second bearing. Two end plates and eight bolts are also used to further secure the worm gear and the bearings to the slew drive housing. By tightening the bolts, a compressive force is applied on the worm gear through the bearings. The applied torque on the worm wheel causes an axial force on the worm gear. The axial force is transmitted through the worm gear, the bearings, the end plates, and the bolts. One or more sensors can be embedded in one or more of the end plates or the bolts to measure the strain, in the end plates or the bolts, due to the axial force. A control device receives the signal from the sensor and stores, analyses, and/or communicates the signal.
