Abstract: Strain gauge transducers (15) are fitted to the leading and trailing faces of a vehicle axle between each wheel (14) and the adjacent suspension (13). They have strain gauges (6, 7, 8, 9) in balanced bridge formation and their orientation is such that their outputs can be combined in one circuit (16, 17, 18) to produce an indication of axle loading and in another circuit to produce an indication (26) of torsion, these signals not being influenced by irrelevant strains. The information from the transducers can be combined to indicate individual axle loading, and total loading, and the torsional signal can be used in an anti-skid braking system.

Abstract: A rotary shaft (13) is fitted with strain gauges (17) in a bridge formation arranged to give a response to torque. Windings (18a, 19a) surround the shaft at axially spaced zones and rotate with it, co-operating with fixed windings (18b, 19b) providing transformer coupling. AC is applied across the bridge via one transformer (18) and an output from the bridge is available from the other transformer (19). This output has a phase shift related to torque, and a phase shift detector (24) and filter (25) provide a torque indicative DC signal. The strain gauges (17) are mounted on a compliant bridge (15,16) anchored at axially spaced zones to the relatively stiff shaft (13) for greater response.

Abstract: Strain gauge transducers (5,6,7,8,9) are fitted in pairs to a vehicle axle (2), generally between each wheel (3) and the adjacent suspension (4). They have strain gauges in balanced bridge formation and their orientation is such that their outputs can be combined to produce an indication of various loads, eliminating the influence of irrelevant strains. In one pairing, one transducer is on top of the axle while the other is on a front or rear face. In another pairing both transducers are on top of the axle at different longitudinal positions.

Abstract: Strain gauge transducers (15) are fitted to the leading and trailing faces of a vehicle axle between each wheel (14) and the adjacent suspension (13). They have strain gauges (6, 7, 8, 9) in balanced bridge formation and their orientation is such that their outputs can be combined in one circuit (16, 17, 18) to produce an indication of axle loading and in another circuit to produce an indication (26) of torsion, these signals not being influenced by irrelevant strains. The information from the transducers can be combined to indicate individual axle loading, and total loading, and the torsional signal can be used in an anti-skid braking system.

Abstract: A strain transducer of the kind in which a plug is inset into a workpiece surface requires an accurate interface fit with a drilled hole. One method proposes an oversize hole (12) which first receives an annular insert (14) in whose aperture (15) the transducer plug is a precision fit. The outer cylindrical surface of the insert has axially parallel serrations (16) which bite into the sides of the hole. Another method also has an oversize hole (22) whose mouth is constricted by a cylindrical punch (25) around a precision mandrel (24) which is then replaced by the transducer plug (28). Serrations (35) may alternatively be provided directly on the transducer plug (32), which can then be driven into a drilled hole (36) of only approximate accuracy.

Abstract: A detector for sensing the presence of grain in straw or chaff discharged from a combine has an elongated flat target plate extending across the machine. It is mounted on a relatively massive base through the intermediary of longitudinal resilient strips, which allow transverse bending. Transducers mounted on the reverse side of the plate provide an output from which sharp, grain impact signals can be filtered. The resilient strips are best arranged along nodes of a selected harmonic, preferably the second, of the transverse bending vibrations of the plate. The detector can be used generally for sensing small particles.