Open parallel-plate dielectric resonator for passive torque sensing

Abstract

This paper presents a novel torque sensing concept, based on resonant perturbation of an open parallel plate dielectric resonator. When torque is applied to the shaft, the air gap between the parallel plates fixed on a clamp system is changed, which in turn shifts the frequency of the dielectric resonator. Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations using HFSS (ANSYS®) and experimental results regarding the effects of air gap variation on the TE01δ mode in the 2-3 GHz range are presented to prove the sensing concept.