FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
[39 of 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See Section 10 and Rule 13]
TITLE: “A SYSTEM FOR DETECTING TRANSIENT TORQUE IN A POWER TRAIN OF A VEHICLE”
Name and Address of the Applicant: TATA MOTORS LIMITED of Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai – 400 001, Maharashtra, India
Nationality: INDIAN
The following specification particularly describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure, in general, relates to field of automobile engineering. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a system for detecting transient torque in a powertrain of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
Generally, automobiles are provisioned with a power train to impart movement to the vehicle. The power train usually includes a prime mover, a gear box for receiving power from the prime mover and coupled to a propeller shaft for transmission of the power. The propeller shaft may be further coupled to a differential of the vehicle to distribute power to the wheel axles. During general operation of the vehicle, the prime mover imparts rotation to the gears in the gear box which in turn causes the propeller shaft to rotate. The differential is configured to impart rotation from the propeller shaft to the wheel axles.
Transmission of power from the prime mover to the wheel axles usually involves torsional loads on the components of the power train. During sudden acceleration and deceleration, instantaneous torque in the power train may be greater than the designed torque. Such repeated harsh driving conditions may result in catastrophic failure of the power train assembly, which is undesired.
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above. The background section of the present disclosure should not be considered as a limitation of the present disclosure.
The drawbacks/difficulties/disadvantages/limitations of the conventional techniques explained in the background section are just for exemplary purpose and the disclosure would never limit its scope only such limitations. A person skilled in the art would understand that this disclosure and below mentioned description may also solve other problems or overcome the other drawbacks/disadvantages of the conventional arts which are not explicitly captured above.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more shortcomings of the conventional design are overcome by a system as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the provision of such system as claimed in the present disclosure.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the design of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a system for detecting transient torque in a power train of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a housing rotatably coupled to a component of the power train and defined with an internal cavity. The housing rotates along with rotation of the component. Further, the system includes a ring rotatably disposed within the internal cavity. Furthermore, a plurality of magnets are positioned along a surface of the ring. The ring rotates in a direction opposite to a direction of rotation of the housing to create phase change between the plurality of magnets, corresponding to transient torque in the power train. Additionally, a plurality of magnetic sensors are positioned proximal to the housing and configured to detect phase change between the plurality of first magnets and the plurality of second magnets, which corresponds to transient torque in the power train. The system of the present disclosure aids in providing an alert to the driver to change driving style to reduce loads on the power train
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system includes a data processing unit communicatively coupled to the plurality of magnetic sensors and configured to receive a signal corresponding to the phase change between the plurality of first magnets and the plurality of second magnets from the plurality of sensors and generate an alert corresponding to transient torque in the power train. The system of the present disclosure aids in reducing rash driving on road and assist in driver and occupant safety.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system includes a plurality of buttons positioned along the surface of the ring. The plurality of buttons are configured to prevent frictional contact between the internal cavity of the housing and the ring.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system includes a fluid disposed in the internal cavity of the housing and configured to impart a low frictional boundary between the ring and the housing.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system the plurality of buttons are made of Teflon material.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the component is a propeller shaft of the power train.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing is made out of aluminium material.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system the fluid is a silicon fluid having viscosity ranging between 75,000 mm2/s to 1,000,000 mm2/s.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the ring is made of steel material.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a prime mover, a power train coupled to the prime mover and a system for detecting transient torque in the power train of the vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a housing rotatably coupled to a component of the power train and defined with an internal cavity. The housing rotates along with rotation of the component. Further, the system includes a ring rotatably disposed within the internal cavity. Furthermore, a plurality of magnets are positioned along a surface of the ring. The ring rotates in a direction opposite to a direction of rotation of the housing to create phase change between the plurality of magnets, corresponding to transient torque in the power train. Additionally, a plurality of magnetic sensors are positioned proximal to the housing and configured to detect phase change between the plurality of first magnets and the plurality of second magnets, which corresponds to transient torque in the power train. The system of the present disclosure aids in providing an alert to the driver to change driving style to reduce loads on the power train.
It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a powertrain of a vehicle equipped with a system for detecting transient torque, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 2 is an isometric transparent view of the system for detecting transient torque in the powertrain, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the system for detecting transient torque in the powertrain, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 4 is representative of in-phase signal and phase change signal between a plurality of first magnets and a plurality of second magnets, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent processes do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the specification, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that the system comprises a list of features/elements or steps does not include only those features/elements, but may include other features and elements not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or structure. In other words, one or more features/elements in a system proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system thereof. Also, the terms like “at least one” and “one or more” may be used interchangeably or in combination throughout the description.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts. Embodiments of the disclosure are described in the following paragraphs with reference to Figs. 1 to 4, the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs.
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a powertrain of a vehicle. As an example, the vehicle may be but not limiting to a passenger vehicle, a commercial vehicle and the like. The vehicle includes a powertrain which includes a prime mover [not shown in Figs] which may be an internal combustion engine or an electric motor for transferring power to a wheel axle (80c). The vehicle may further include a gear box (80a) to transmit torque from the prime mover. The gear box (80a) may be coupled to a propeller shaft (80b) which in turn in coupled to a differential for distributing power to wheel axel (80c). The vehicle may further includes a system (100) for detecting transient torque in the power train of the vehicle. Transient torque may be a sudden torque rise in a fraction of second or millisecond in the power train of the vehicle beyond a design limit of the power train. In an embodiment, the transient torque may range from 2000

Nm to 40000 Nm which may occur due to sudden acceleration or sudden deceleration of the vehicle. As an example if the design limit is 800 Nm and due to harsh driving i.e. sudden clutch release induces a transient torque of above 2000 Nm.
Fig. 2 is an isometric transparent view of the system (100). The system (100) may include a housing (10) (represented in dotted line) which may be rotatably coupled to a component of the powertrain of the vehicle, and may be configured to rotate along with the rotation of the component. As an example, the component may be a propellor shaft (80b). In an embodiment, the housing (10) may be coupled to the component of the vehicle by fasteners or may be thermally joined, and may be coupled by means of an interference fit. In an embodiment, the housing (10) may be defining a geometrical shape such as but not limited to a cylindrical structure. As apparent from Fig. 2, the housing (10) may further include an internal cavity which may be filled with a fluid (40). The system (100) may further include a ring (20) which may be rotatably disposed within the internal cavity of the housing (10). The ring (20) may rotate within the internal cavity relative to rotation of the housing (10). A space in the internal cavity of the housing (10), between the ring (20) and the inner side of the housing (10) may be filled with the fluid (40) which is configured to create a low frictional barrier between the ring (20) and the housing (10). In an embodiment, the fluid (40) may be a highly viscous substance configured to floatably dispose the ring (20) within the internal cavity of the housing (10). Fig. 3 represents a sectional view of the housing (10) including the ring (20) and the fluid (40). In an embodiment, the fluid (40) may be silicon fluid (40) of viscosity ranging between 75,000 mm2/s to 1,000,000 mm2/s. In an embodiment, the ring (20) may be hydrostatically or hydrodynamically disposed within the internal cavity of the housing (10). In an embodiment, when the ring (20) is hydrostatically disposed within the housing (10), the fluid (40) may be pressurized and filled in the internal cavity of the housing (10). In an embodiment, when the ring (20) is hydrodynamically disposed within the housing (10), the housing (10) may be connectable to a reservoir for storing the fluid (40) and the hydrodynamic arrangement may be configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid (40) in the housing (10). In an embodiment, the internal cavity between the ring (20) and the housing (10) may include a plurality of ball bearings [not shown in Figs] to impart low friction region between the ring (20) at the housing (10). Furthermore, the ring (20) may be configured to rotate along with the rotation of the housing (10). The ring (20) may be made out of steel material.

Referring again to Fig. 2, the housing (10) and the ring (20) may be concentrically positioned to each other. Each of the housing (10) and the ring (20) may include a central hole. The housing (10) (represented in dotted line) may be of non-ferromagnetic material such as but not limiting to aluminum. As apparent from Fig. 2, the system (100) may further include a plurality of first magnets (30a) positioned along a surface of the housing (10). The plurality of first magnets (30a) may rotate along with the rotation of the housing (10). The system (100) further includes a plurality of second magnets (30b) positioned along a surface of the ring (20) and rotates along with the rotation of the ring (20). In an embodiment, the plurality of second magnets (30b) may be positioned parallel to the arrangement of the plurality of first magnets (30a). The plurality of first magnets (30a) and the plurality of second magnets (30b) may be a temporary magnet, permanent magnet or an electromagnet.
Referring back to Fig. 1, the system (100) may further include a plurality of magnetic sensors (50) which may be positioned proximal to the housing (10). The plurality of magnetic sensors (50) are configured to detect change in magnetic field between the plurality of first magnets (30a) and the plurality of second magnets (30b) i.e., a phase change (90b) [best seen in Fig. 4] between the plurality of first magnets (30a) and the plurality of second magnets (30b) and generate a signal corresponding to the same. In an embodiment, the signal generated by the plurality of magnetic sensors (50) may be in form of a sine wave, a cosine wave, a square wave, a triangle wave or a sawtooth wave. Further, the system (100) may include a data processing unit (70) which may be communicatively coupled to the plurality of magnetic sensors (50). The data processing unit (70) may be configured to receive the signal generated by the plurality of magnetic sensors (50) and generate an alert corresponding to phase change (90b) between the plurality of first magnets (30a) and the plurality of second magnets (30b), in response to transient torque in the powertrain.
In an embodiment, the data processing unit (70) may comprise at least one data processor for executing program components for executing user- or system-generated requests. The data processing unit (70) may be a specialized data processing unit (70) such as integrated system (bus) controllers, memory management control units, floating point units, graphics processing units, digital signal processing units, etc. The data processing unit (70) may include a microprocessor, such as AMD Athlon, Duron or Opteron, ARM’s application, embedded or secure processors, IBM PowerPC, Intel’s Core, Itanium, Xeon, Celeron or other line of processors, etc. The data processing unit (70) may be implemented using a mainframe,

distributed processor, multi-core, parallel, grid, or other architectures. Some embodiments may utilize embedded technologies like application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc.
Referring back to Fig. 2, the housing (10) may include a plurality of buttons (60) positioned along various surfaces of the ring (20). The plurality of buttons (60) are projection elements which are configured to prevent frictional contact between the ring (20) and the housing (10). In an embodiment, the plurality of buttons (60) may be but not limiting to Teflon buttons (60). In an embodiment, the plurality of buttons (60) may also be positioned along an inner surface of the housing (10).
In an operational embodiment, during the movement of the vehicle, a sudden acceleration or deceleration may result in sudden increase or decrease in torque in the power train of the vehicle. This sudden increase in torque may result in catastrophic failure to the components of the power train. During normal driving conditions, the housing (10) rotates in the direction of rotation of the propeller shaft (80b) and the ring (20), which is floatably disposed within the internal cavity of the vehicle also rotates in the direction of rotation of the housing (10) and at substantially same speed, due to the fluidic contact between the housing (10) and the ring (20). Due to such rotation of the housing (10) and the ring, the plurality of first magnets (30a) and the plurality of second magnets (30b) will be in-phase (90a) [as seen in Fig. 4]. In an instance, when there is sudden acceleration, the ring (20) positioned within the internal cavity of the housing (10) may rotate in direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the housing (10) due to the inertial forces induced during sudden acceleration. The fluid (40) disposed within the internal cavity of the housing (10) and the plurality of buttons (60) positioned along the surface of the ring (20) may assist in low frictional contact between the ring (20) and the housing (10). Due to such rotation of the ring and the housing (10), there will be phase change (90b) [as seen in Fig. 4] between the plurality of first magnets (30a) and the plurality of second magnets (30b). The phase change (90b) may be detected by the plurality of magnetic sensors (50), which then generates the signal. The signal generated by the plurality of sensors may be received by the data processing unit (70) which may analyze the signal and generate an alert about transient torque to the operator, which is an indication to the operator to change the driving style. As an example, the alerts may be one of an audio, visual or verbal instructions.
In an embodiment, due to sudden deceleration, the housing (10) rotates at the same speed as that of the propeller shaft (80b). The ring (20) positioned within the cavity of the housing (10)

continues to rotate at the speed of rotation of the propeller shaft (80b) before deceleration. Due to such rotation of the ring and the housing (10), there will be phase change (90b) [as seen in Fig. 4] between the plurality of first magnets (30a) and the plurality of second magnets (30b). The phase change (90b) may be detected by the plurality of magnetic sensors (50), which then generates the signal. The signal generated by the plurality of sensors may be received by the data processing unit (70) which may analyze the signal and generate an alert about transient torque condition to the operator, which is an indication to the operator to change the driving style. As an example, the alerts may be one of an audio, visual or verbal instructions.
In an embodiment, the system of the present disclosure aids in reducing rash driving on road and assist in driver and occupant safety. The alert generated during sudden acceleration or deceleration may help reduce torsional loads on the power train of the vehicle if the driver performs correctional measures during driving. Such advantage allows for increased life of the power train of vehicle. The present invention may also assist in down time of vehicle due to maintenance.
EQUIVALENTS
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such

recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral numerals:

Referral Numeral Description
100 System
10 Housing
20 Ring
30a First magnets
30b Second magnets
40 Fluid
50 Magnetic sensors
60 Buttons
70 Data Processing unit
80a Gear box
80b Propeller shaft
80c Wheel axel
90a In-phase
90b Phase change

We Claim:
1. A system (100) for detecting transient torque in a power train of a vehicle, the system
(100) comprising:
a housing (10) rotatably coupled to a component of the power train and defined with an internal cavity, wherein the housing (10) rotates along with rotation of the component;
a plurality of first magnets (30a) positioned along a surface of the housing (10) and rotates in the direction of rotation of the housing (10);
a ring (20) rotatably disposed within the internal cavity of the housing (10);
a plurality of second magnets (30b) positioned along a surface of the ring (20), wherein the ring (20) rotates in a direction opposite to a direction of rotation of the housing (10) to create phase change (90b) between the plurality of first magnets (30a) and the plurality of second magnets (30b), corresponding to transient torque in the power train; and
a plurality of magnetic sensors (50) positioned proximal to the housing (10), configured to detect phase change (90b) between the plurality of first magnets (30a) and the plurality of second magnets (30b), which corresponds to transient torque in the power train.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a data processing unit (70) communicatively coupled to the plurality of magnetic sensors (50) and configured to receive a signal corresponding to the phase change (90b) between the plurality of first magnets (30a) and the plurality of second magnets (30b) from the plurality of magnetic sensors (50) and generate an alert corresponding to transient torque in the power train.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of buttons (60) positioned along the surface of the ring (20), the plurality of buttons (60) are configured to prevent frictional contact between the internal cavity of the housing (10) and the ring (20).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a fluid (40) disposed in the internal cavity of the housing (10) and configured to impart a low frictional boundary between the ring (20) and the housing (10).

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of buttons (60) are made of Teflon material.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the component is a propeller shaft of the power train.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing (10) is made out of aluminum material.
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fluid (40) is a silicon fluid having viscosity ranging between 75,000 mm2/s to 1,000,000 mm2/s.
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ring (20) is made of steel material.
10. A vehicle comprising:
a prime mover;
a power train coupled to the prime mover;
a system (100) for detecting transient torque in the power train of the vehicle, the system (100) comprising:
a housing (10) rotatably coupled to a component of the power train and defined with an internal cavity, wherein the housing (10) rotates along with rotation of the component;
a plurality of first magnets (30a) positioned along a surface of the housing (10) and rotates in the direction of rotation of the housing (10);
a ring (20) rotatably disposed within the internal cavity of the housing (10);
a plurality of second magnets (30b) positioned along a surface of the ring (20), wherein the ring (20) rotates in a direction opposite to a direction of rotation of the housing (10) to create phase change (90b) between the plurality of first magnets (30a) and the plurality of second magnets (30b), corresponding to transient torque in the power train; and
a plurality of magnetic sensors (50) positioned proximal to the housing (10), configured to detect phase change (90b) between the plurality of first magnets (30a) and the plurality of second magnets (30b), which corresponds to transient torque in the power train.