Abstract: A technique for measuring mechanical force by exploiting the static electric polarization developed by piezoid elements in response to application of mechanical pressure, the magnitude of the polarization being representative of the magnitude of the mechanical force applied to one or more piezoid elements by disposing the piezoid elements adjacent to an electron transmission medium capable of sustaining an electric field internally, in which the polarization developed by the piezoid elements repel particles of like charge from the adjacent surface of the transmission medium and attract particles of opposite charge to the adjacent surface. By supplying a current of charged particles to one end of the transmission medium and separately collecting the charged particles toward different surfaces of the transmission medium, the strength of the polarization, which is representative of the strength of the applied mechanical forces, can be measured.

Abstract: A high performance vehicular muffler is provided. The muffler includes a centrally disposed outlet tube, an inlet tube and a transfer tube. Internal baffles define a low frequency tuning chamber with which the inlet tube and transfer tube communicate. A high frequency tuning chamber surrounds the portion of the outlet tube between the internal baffles. The high frequency tuning chamber is packed with an absorbant. The opposed end caps of the muffler are provided with outwardly bowed portions to achieve a more laminar flow of exhaust gases and to minimize back pressure.