Measurement uncertainty of torque measurements with rotating torque transducers in power test stands

The objective of the presented study is to introduce a method for estimating the measurement uncertainty of torque measurements. Unlike the well-known approaches, the uncertainty shall take into account the effects acting during torque measurement in industrial applications like power test stands. These effects include the effects also known from laboratory calibration like hysteresis, linearity or interpolation deviation, repeatability, reproducibility. Special emphasis is put on an estimation of their impact under the conditions in the power test stand. Additionally, further effects are included in the consideration, like temperature effects, the influences of parasitic loads and of rotational speed. The mathematical method for an estimation of the uncertainty is presented, the input quantities are discussed and suggestions are made as to how the uncertainty can be reduced for given applications. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.