US 6,981,423 B1
System and method for sensing torque on a rotating shaft
Frederick M. Discenzo, Brecksville, Ohio (US)
Assigned to Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc., Mayfield Heights, Ohio (US)
Filed on Sep. 30, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/674,967.
Application 10/674967 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/409894, filed on Apr. 09, 2003.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/371104, filed on Apr. 09, 2002.
Int. Cl. G01L 1/24 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 73—800 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An optical characteristic inspection system comprising:
a layer of photo-elastic material that overlays a portion of a rotating structure;
a signal emitting component that delivers a signal to the photo-elastic material, the signal is directed photo-elastic material along an axis of the structure;
an analysis component that receives light exiting the photo-elastic material, the exiting signal associated with structural degradation characteristics; and
a control component that provides a pulse of known amplitude to the system.