Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus for positioning a gage and structure associated with the gage, such as a protective shield. A gage arm is mounted for linear movement upon a column, and the arm extends through structure which surrounds the arm forming a shield protecting the gaging apparatus from foreign matter. Power means position the gage arm protective shield and sensors determining the relative position between the shield and the gage arm control the position of the shield to prevent the shield from having an adverse effect upon the gage arm measurement. A lost motion linkage may interconnect the gage arm support with the shield for the positioning thereof, or the gage arm support may be positioned independently.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) probe utilizing a core mounting upon a sensing rod axially translatable with respect to a coil. The coil is movably supported for initially aligning the core and coil in a predetermined relationship to produce a desired electrical situation, such as a null condition, and the probe utilizes alignment means for quickly initially aligning the core and coil.

Abstract: A temperature compensated measuring system for measuring linear deformation due to the application of force. Electrical signals produced by a pair of dissimilar metal thermal detectors utilizing a pair of linear variable differential transformers are electrically summed to provide a signal free of thermal influence. Parallel rods of diverse metals are interconnected through one LVDT while a portion of one of the rods is connected to the member to be measured by the other LVDT and the summation of electrical signals permits an electrical thermally compensated readout indicating deformation due to force.