Abstract: A transducer which includes a metal strain gage material formed on a flexible monocrystalline silicon diaphragm is disclosed. The transducer is fabricated to a large extent with semiconductor processing steps. Gold is diffused into a platinum-tungsten gage material. This allows the gage material to be chemically etched in the presence of other metals to define the active gage resistors. In the presently preferred embodiment, these resistors are formed over thin areas of the diaphragm to provide increased linearity and sensitivity.

Abstract: A transducer which includes a metal strain gage material formed on a flexible monocrystalline silicon diaphragm is disclosed. The transducer is fabricated to a large extent with semiconductor processing steps. Gold is diffused into a platinum-tungsten gage material. This allows the gage material to be chemically etched in the presence of other metals to define the active gage resistors. In the presently preferred embodiment, these resistors are formed over thin areas of the diaphragm to provide increased linearity and sensitivity.

Abstract: A sinusoidal-like output is obtained from a source of DC by adding the outputs of two or more DC to AC inverters, producing flat-topped pules combining to provide a normally near ideal stepped sinusoidal-like waveform, with the output of a buck-boost circuit which produces bucking or boosting outputs of one polarity or another when voltage regulation is called for or a zero output when no regulation is called for.

Abstract: A combination orientable light and ventilating fixture includes a support and a ball housing adjustably mounted therein, the ball housing including front and rear openings and an inner chamber. A socket assembly for an electric lamp is mounted on the housing behind the rear opening and held in spaced relationship from the housing. A bezel element is removably secured to the ball housing at the front opening. A plenum or equivalent arrangement may be mounted on the rear of the support to cover the socket assembly and the rear opening of the ball housing, so that air may pass through the plenum and ball housing. A reflector for the electric lamp is securable to the removable bezel element at any of a plurality of locations axially within the chamber of the ball housing, so that its position relative to the electric lamp may be selected to vary the divergence of light emanating from the fixture.

Abstract: The remote, manipulator, attachable, connector apparatus includes telescoping outer and inner connector units, one of which preferably the outer one, has on the end thereof remote from the other connector unit an elbow portion laterally extending therefrom which preferably can be swiveled and locked and in any position in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the assembly. The latter connector unit has exposed preferably on opposite diametrically sides thereof a pair of outwardly, spring-urged, depressible members having operating, brightly colored latch members adapted to interlock with the other connector unit when the depressible members are in their outermost positions. If the depressible members are released, as the connector units are moved fully into telescoping relation, the latch members slide along raised surfaces of the other connector unit where they are readily visible.

Abstract: A dynamic pressure sensor employing piezoelectric ceramic elements in a shear mode. The ceramic elements are bolted in a sandwich-like assembly which includes collector plates to a support member; a piezoelectric compensating assembly is also bolted to this support member. The sensor provides high sensitivity and is particularly insensitive to vibration, case strains and the like.

Abstract: A rate of fluid flow measuring device utilizing a pair of helical Bourdon tubes to generate output signals, from two linear variable differential transformers, which are functions of fluid pressure and flow velocity. A thermocouple generates an output signal which is a function of the temperature of the fluid if a compressible fluid is to be measured. These pressure and temperature output signals are applied to computation means, programmed to solve a modified flow equation, as the variables in the equation, thereby generating an output signal which is a function of flow rate. The helical Bourdon tubes have inlet pressures applied to both ends thereof and are sealed at their centers, the seals being connected to the cores of the linear variable differential transformers to control the transformer output in accordance with the pressure drops across the seals.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing the profile, spacing and/or alignment of railroad tracks comprising one or more assemblies or pairs of range sensor units, preferably at least one directing a light image upon the top surface of a track rail and at least one directing a similar light image on the lateral side surface of the track rail. Each of the range sensor units includes optical sensing means positioned for receiving only the diffused image reflected upon the associated rail surface along a given axis making preferably a substantial angle to the axis along which the light image is directed upon the rail surface. The axes preferably lie in a plane extending longitudinally of the rail and make a substantial angle to both the vertical and horizontal planes.

Abstract: An array of elongated thermal printing elements which may be selectively energized through suitable electrodes connected to the long dimension of the thermal printing elements to thermally print numeric characters or other information.