Abstract: Sensing and electrical-signal characterization of fluid pressures is effected by a miniature precision transducer manufacturable at low cost from a combination of a pair of sub-assemblies, one of which consists of a single-piece metal transducer element having a flanged body with a blind-hole port leading from a mechanical pressure fitting to the inner side of a transverse thin diaphragm which forms the blunt flat end of the body except for a bonded covering of both the machined outer side of the diaphragm and its coplanar annular rigid rim by a foil-type rosette strain gage bridge array and its layer of supporting insulation.

Abstract: In the ion gauge system disclosed herein, the ion current obtained from an ion gauge tube is directly converted to a signal having a frequency proportional to the ion current so that a digital measurement of vacuum may be obtained. The ion current charges an integrating capacitor which is periodically discharged after reaching a preselected threshold. Preferably, the threshold is adjusted in proportion to the ion gauge emission current so that automatic compensation for variation in the emission current is obtained, the output frequency being proportional to the ratio of the ion current to the emission current. The variable frequency output signal generated by the integration and discharge process is counted by a scaling circuit which automatically changes the timing interval to provide the desired number of significant figures while incrementing the exponent value in a scientific notation display in keeping with the active time base.

Abstract: Each of two pairs of electrical-resistance strain gages which are to make up a measurement bridge for a beam-type load cell is fashioned as a composite wherein two spaced-apart grids of foil-type parallel elongated filaments oriented and functioning as strain gages are made of material promoting a strain gage factor effective to compensate for elastic modulus change of the beam material as temperature varies over an expected range.

Abstract: A one-piece stamped sheet-metal heat sink for dissipation of heat which accumulates about the plastic housing and metallic tab of a miniature semiconductor power device is formed as a shallow open-topped channel having short upstanding sides which flare laterally outwardly and then upwardly and then both inwardly and downwardly to bent-over inner edges spaced apart just slightly closer than the sides and inclined above the sides in position to engage top edges of a plastic semiconductor package fitting within the channel. The symmetrical unitary structure thus formed exhibits flexibility enabling its inner edges to spread apart readily as a semiconductor package is pressed into the channel and to spring back into the position where its edges engage and hold the package.

Abstract: In a jet torch of the type in which a venturi yields a high-velocity stream of air entrained with combustible gas released from a pressurized tank, the stream gases are mixed for reliable and efficient burning, while at the same time sidewall cooling and flashback-suppression are promoted, by thin crossed vanes edge-locked within the flame tube and bent without twist to deflect the stream gases about the cylindrical interior of the flame tube for resulting swirling motion.

Abstract: Dissipation of heat from miniature solid-state devices and the like is achieved by a resilient heat-sink structure which opens to receive a tab or other heat-transfer body freely between two relatively-movable oppositely-disposed broad-area portions of the structure and which then closes and yieldingly holds the two portions about the body as shaped end connectors are sprung and locked as the result of simple manipulations.

Abstract: A rugged and stylish wooden chair shippable in compact knock-down form includes separate prefabricated back and arm subassemblies with lower portions proportioned to serve as contour-blended marginal parts of the seat of a seat-leg assembly, the cooperating sub-assemblies being readily united and fastened together securely and unobtrusively with the aid of laterally-extending dowels and bolts. Major stresses occurring at joining sites are advantageously in shear and are reliably resisted by both the dowels and the bolts, and corner posts for the back are prefabricated as parts of the arm sub-assemblies to realize outstanding structural strength. Rocker runners may be fastened to the lower ends of the seat legs, in a rocking-chair embodiment, and each runner thereof is provided with one leg-socket and fastener opening of elongated form accommodating the somewhat coarse leg-spread tolerances expected for the seat subassemblies.

Abstract: Strain-gaged transducers sensing weight of a storage tank in an electronic weighing system also provide the sole structural suspension for the tank upon its underlying support. The transducers are arrayed about a position which is central to the tank, and each is mechanically linked with it via a height-adjustable lateral-expansion assembly including a clevis with its horizontal shaft slidable longitudinally along an axis aimed at the center position and with universal jointing about mutually-perpendicular axes. Misalignments and expansions are accommodated, without impairing accuracy of weight measurements.

Abstract: A strain-gage transducer incorporating a plurality of electrical-resistance strain gages coupled together in a bridge network is caused to remain zero-balanced under varying-temperature conditions by way of dual-resistance foil-type unit interposed at one of the output corners of the bridge with its two like foil-resistance elements occupying adjacent arms. The foil material is selected to exhibit a resistance change with temperature representing a factor which enables a target room-temperature measurement to be calculated once a rate of change of bridge output with temperature has been determined from measurements taken while the unstrained transducer is held at different temperatures. Relatively broad surfaces of the foil elements are left exposed, and the unit of which they are a part is so disposed in relation to the transducer structure that the exposed foil is accessible for controlled erasure-type abrasion which will bring about the target measurement and attendant compensation.

Abstract: Heat accumulating about the plastic housing and metallic tab of a miniature electronic semiconductor power device is dissipated by a surrounding one-piece sheet metal heat sink shaped as a closely-fitting channel portion closed at the bottom but open-slotted midway along the top; from margins of the top slot, a pair of integral fingers spring downwardly to engage and hold a plastic semiconductor package within it, and from the same margins a pair of upwardly and laterally-flaring spaced broad-area fins are also spread to enhance transfer of heat away from the site at which a tab of a device is held within.

Abstract: Precision strain-gage transducers of low-cost construction, which lend themselves well to expression in the form of protectively-enclosed miniature load beams, are developed from sensing elements fine-blanked from wholly flat thin metallic sheet stock, the shaping and dimensioning of critical strain-responsive portions being controlled by the fine-blanking of both inner and outer edges of the element. Versatile mounting and loading provisions are conveniently associated with the element by way of simple openings formed laterally of the strain-responsive portions, and protective enclosure of sensitive strain gages and the strain-responsive portions is achieved by the transverse build-up of the element with stamped sheet-stock flanges affixed and sealed to it at spaced positions and to ends of a surrounding tubular bellows.