• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

University of Tennessee Research Foundation

Technology Transfer & Licensing

  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Foundation History & Details
    • Student Opportunities
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • UTRF Staff
    • Projects & Partners
  • Technologies
    • Available Technologies
    • Express Licensing
  • For Innovators
    • UT Research Foundation Accelerate Fund
    • Resources
    • IDEA Tutorial & Manuals
    • Technology Transfer Process
    • Business Incubator
    • UTRF Technology Maturation Grant Funding
  • Industry
    • Industry Partnerships
    • Agreement Examples
  • Media
    • News
    • Newsletters
    • Tech Talks
    • Annual Reports
  • Contact

Flexure-Based Torque and Thrust Drilling Hall-Effect Dynamometer​

The Problem

Industrial automation and control are crucial processes across a variety of industries, from automotive to aerospace to agricultural manufacturing. Smart drilling solutions with in-process torque/thrust measurement are needed in a variety of manufacturing industries as assemblies become ever larger and more complex. Current dynamometers, however, are often prohibitively expensive, utilize too much power, or are too low-fidelity to provide key capability improvements. ​

The Solution

Researchers at the University of Tennessee have developed a flexure-based torque and thrust drilling dynamometer making use of Hall-effect sensors for calculation purposes. The novel dynamometer is low-cost and has comparable measurement capability/error rates to commercially available rotating dynamometers commonly used in industry.

Design of the Drilling Dynamometer, with labeled mounting stage and hall-effect sensors. ​

​

Benefits

Benefit
Maximum percent difference of 8.2% for torque and 7.9% for thrust force when compared to commercially available rotating dynamometers.​
Low cost – roughly $650 supply cost per unit.​
Unique multi-sensor design provides linear response over the full sensor range with rejection of undesired structural dynamics.

More Information

  • Emma Vetland
  • Assistant Technology Manager, Multi Campus Office
  • 865-974-1811 | evetland@tennessee.edu
  • UTRF Reference ID: 24163
  • Patent Status: Patent Pending

Innovators

Ross Zameroski​

Graduate Research Assistant​, Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering (MABE), Tickle College of Engineering, UT Knoxville

Dr. Zameroski recieved his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the MABE Department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Zameroski was been named a 2024 Volunteer of Distinction, won the 2023 AeroDef Student Research Poster Pitch competition, and has authored several publications in the machining and manufacturing space. His research interests include metalworking, MRO, and machining technologies. ​

Read more about Ross Zameroski​

Tony Schmitz

Professor, Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering (MABE), Tickle College of Engineering, UT Knoxville

Dr. Schmitz received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Florida in 1999. He serves as joint faculty with the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and his research interests include manufacturing, machining, vibrations, and measurement and uncertainty analysis.​

Read more about Tony Schmitz

Footer

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Multi Campus Office

400 W. Summit Hill Drive
UT Tower 961A
Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: 865-974-1882

Health Science Center

UT Health Science Center
910 Madison Avenue, Suite 827
Memphis, TN 38163
Phone: 901-448-7827


Copyright © 2025


University of Tennessee Campuses & Institutes

  • UT Knoxville
  • UT Knoxville
  • UT Chattanooga
  • UT Chattanooga
  • UT Southern
  • UT Southern
  • UT Martin
  • UT Martin
  • UT Health Science Center
  • UT Health Science Center
  • UT Institute of Agriculture
  • UT Institute of Agriculture
  • UT Institute for Public Service
  • UT Institute for Public Service
  • UT Alumni Association
  • UT Alumni Association
  • UT Foundation
  • UT Foundation
  • UT Research Park
  • UT Research Park
X