Abstract: A machine is provided for splitting a pear which has been previously cored and peeled into two or more segments. The machine comprising a first spindle upon which the pear is cored and peeled after which the pear is pushed by a pusher means on to a second coaxial movable spindle which pivots away from the axis of the first spindle and into alignment with a stationary knife where a second pusher pushes the pear off of the second spindle and through the knife thereby cutting the pear into segments while the first spindle is accepting a second pear.

Abstract: The current flowing through a variable resistor of a transducer, responsive to a variable condition, is measured without interference with the normal operation of electrical circuitry to which the resistor is connected. Current-diverting means, connected in series with the transducer resistor, diverts the transducer current to measuring circuitry which includes a current to voltage converter operating in a manner to return the diverted current to the electrical circuitry. Means responsive to the output of the converter and to reference voltages derived from the electrical circuitry, provides output values corresponding to the state of the variable condition at the time a measurement is made.In a specific embodiment of the invention, the apparatus monitors the internal gas pressure of a pressurized telephone cable without interfering with the normal use of a subscriber's equipment.