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A torque sensor has been developed that is able to measure under the severe conditions present in a race car. Based on a robust concept originally developed for automotive applications the sensor has been adapted to the specific requirements of a Formula 1 installation. It has been integrated in the vehicle directly in the power train on the gearbox input shaft. With access to the actual engine output a range of applications can be performed in terms of engine and drive train monitoring. Moreover, the sensor can be used to acquire data of the actual dynamic torque levels and torque spikes that the powertrain is subjected to. This can be used to calculate the level of fatigue of the powertrain components based on real time torque data.

A torque sensor has been developed that is able to measure under the severe conditions present in a racecar engine. Based on a robust concept originally developed for automotive applications the sensor has been adapted to the specific requirements of a Formula 1 installation. In the vehicle it has been integrated directly in the power train on the gearbox input shaft. With access to the actual engine output a range of applications can be performed in terms of engine and drive train monitoring. An engine map can be acquired directly on the track and the performance of gearshifts can be measured and optimized. The torque signal can also be used for efficient traction control.

The instantaneous crankshaft torque has been measured with a crankshaft integrated torque sensor on a V8 Truck Diesel Engine subjected to cylinder unbalance. The results indicates that the torque signal is well suited for detecting steady state unbalances. With an empirical model of the engine type, the torque signal can be used to estimate the IMEP unbalance in each individual cylinder. This way unbalances as small as 3% of the actual load can be detected. In the case of intermittent unbalance it is verified that the torque instantaneously reflects the changes in IMEP unbalance.

The instantaneous torque of an internal combustion engine has been measured in front of the flywheel, using a solenoidal magnetoelastic torque sensor. The measured torque in a four cylinder engine has been compared with pressure signals during bench tests, and excellent correlation with values of the mean effective pressure for each cylinder have been obtained. Road tests have been performed in a car with a five cylinder engine and automatic transmission. Results with respect to engine control and misfire detection are presented, which show only minor disturbances from driving on rough roads.