Abstract: A tension sensor includes a planar tab having a first and second side, first and second end sections and an aperture through each of the end sections. A first strain gage is attached to the first side of the tab. The first strain gage has a tension grid aligned to a longitudinal axis of the tab and a cross-tension grid perpendicular to the tension grid. A second strain gage is attached to the second side of the tab. The second strain gage has a tension grid aligned to the longitudinal axis of the tab and a cross-tension grid perpendicular to the tension grid. The first strain gage and second strain gage are wired in a Wheatstone bridge in which the tension grid and the cross-tension grid of the first strain gage form one side and the tension grid and the cross-tension grid of the second strain gage form another side.

Abstract: A method for reducing bias drift in electrical-mechanical systems sensor such as an accelerometer is provided. The method includes the steps of arranging at least one accelerometer in a chamber and initiating a plurality of temperature cycle sets. Each temperature cycle set has a minimum temperature, a maximum temperature, and a ramp rate. The conditioning method monitors the accelerometers until a bias drift is stabilized within a desired bias drift range. The minimum temperature and the maximum temperature limit a temperature range in which the accelerometer is cycled. Use of temperature limiting can quickly accelerate stabilization of the bias drift while also reducing degradation.