Torque sensors were a technology used aboard Federation starships, that needed periodic realignment. They served as part of the control system for the inertial dampers. (DS9: "Shattered Mirror") In 2375, upon entering the Briar Patch, Captain Picard noted that the torque sensors sounded like they were out of alignment. Upon checking, Geordi La Forge was amazed that Captain Picard could discern a twelve micron misalignment. In response, Picard claimed that, when he was an ensign, he could detect a three micron misalignment. (Star Trek: Insurrection)