Abstract: A novel pressure sensor mechanism is provided which includes both a novel pressure sensor assembly and a novel handle for use therewith. The pressure sensor assembly has at least one pressure sensor at its distal end, the pressure sensor having electrodes which are connected through spaced leads to output terminals at a proximal end of the assembly. Even though sensor electrodes and leads may be on facing substrate sections of the assembly, the assembly is designed so as to permit all output terminals to be electrically accessed from the same side of the sensor assembly. An additional output terminal may be provided for preferred embodiments, which terminal is accessible from the same side of the sensor assembly as the other two output terminals, is substantially smaller than the other two output terminals and is connected to one of the other two output terminals by a sensor-ok lead or trace.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for detecting the contact or nip width between two contacting surfaces. The apparatus includes first and second insulating substrates each of which has a pattern of conductive material formed on a facing inner surface thereof, which substrates are adapted to be fitted between the contacting surfaces. For a first embodiment, the pattern of conductive material on one substrate includes a pair of conductive terminals spaced by a distance greater than the contact width to be measured and the conductive pattern on the other substrate includes a conductor which extends over at least a distance greater than the maximum width W to be measured.