Issued patent
Split-Ring Torque Sensor
An issued NASA patent from the Technology Transfer catalog.
About this technology
Overview
Innovators at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC), in collaboration with Oceaneering and The Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, have developed the Split-Ring Torque Sensor (SRTS), a device that uses optical sensors to measure the position, velocity, and torque of a rotating system. The SRTS was created for use in NASA's X1 robotic exoskeleton, an in-space, wearable exercise machine designed to supply resistance against leg movement for NASA astronauts in future missions. The X1 exoskeleton implements the SRTS in its belt-drive series elastic actuator (SEA) and provides a lower profile and lower weight system than competing designs. The SRTS offers greater flexibility in tailoring for specific applications and requirements. In addition to its applications in robotics, the SRTS has potential uses in medical fields including prosthetics, aerospace & defense applications, automotive applications, testing & measurement, and industrial markets.