Definition
A device on a turboprop engine that measures the twisting force the engine is delivering to the propeller shaft, expressed as torque. The reading is sent to a cockpit gauge so the pilot can monitor and set engine power.
Plain English
A small instrument on the engine that measures how hard the engine is twisting the propeller shaft, and shows that as a power reading in the cockpit.
Context Anchor
Seen in turboprop engine discussions and cockpit power indications, especially when setting or checking power in a fixed-shaft turboprop.
Derivation
Torque comes from the Latin 'torquere,' meaning 'to twist.' A torque sensor literally senses how much twisting force is being applied — which is exactly what an engine does to a propeller shaft.
Why Pilots Care
It allows the pilot to monitor actual engine output and avoid exceeding limits during power changes.
Analogy
It is like feeling how hard you are twisting a wrench. The torque sensor does that job inside the engine drive system and reports the result to the pilot.
Intuition Check
A torque sensor does not measure propeller speed or airplane thrust directly. It measures twisting force in the engine drive system, which is then used as a power indication.
Example Sentence 1
During the power check, the pilot watched the cockpit gauge as the torque sensor showed the engine reaching its takeoff torque setting.
Example Sentence 2
A sudden drop in the torque sensor indication prompted the pilot to check for a propeller control issue.