Low-cost optical neural-net torque transducer

Torque signals are used today across a broad range of automation applications such as dynamometer test stands and web process lines. Some of the drawbacks to using commercial torque transducers include their cost, reliability, and mechanical stiffness. It is possible to utilize an artificial neural network coupled with the photoelastic effect of many polymers to provide a small, low-cost torque sensor. The availability of low-cost torque sensing opens up many new applications that previously did not cost justify the investment in a commercial torque sensor. The sensor material has a high bandwidth which enables sampling high-frequency torque signals. High frequency torque signals are particularly useful for investigating machinery dynamics and for machinery health assessment