Abstract: A method of manufacturing state transducers for mechanical components intended to be subjected to wear, mechanical and/or thermal loads, especially state transducers for tools. The invention is characterized in that electric conductors and, where appropriate, electronic circuits (9) of microscale for measuring wear, mechanical and/or thermal loads are applied on the surface of the component (11), and a protective layer (10) is applied upon at least portions of said circuits (9) and conductors, where said conductors, circuits and said protective layer (10) are applied so as to constitute a unit atomic integrated with the mechanical component (11), which conductors and circuits are intended to be connected to a signal processing or corresponding equipment. The invention also comprises a mechanical component treated according to said method.

Abstract: A strain gauge comprised of a premagnetized ferromagnetic film wherein any change in length of the film can be measured by employing the properties of magnetostriction and magnetoresistance. The strain gauge is deposited on a substrate by thin-film techniques and has a very high sensitivity. Preferably, two electrically insulated strips parallel strips of amorphous metal film have (in the absence of strain) respective directions of magnetization aligned antiparallel to one another and are connected electrically at one end. Such an arrangement facilitates the reversion of the magnetization back to its easy direction when the stress causing the strain is removed.

Abstract: A strain gauge comprised of a premagnetized ferromagnetic film wherein any change in length of the film is converted into a planar Hall voltage by employing the property of magnetostriction and the planar Hall effect. Alternately, a change in the length of the film can also be measured as a change in electric conductivity by employing the properties of magnetostriction and magnetoresistance. The strain gauge is deposited on a substrate by thin-film techniques and has a very high sensitivity.

Abstract: A load cell wherein strain gauges are produced by a thin film process on a pattern forming surface of a strain-inducible element in such a manner that the resistances of the strain gauges are varied in accordance with deformations caused in thin portions of the strain-inducible element, and adjustable resistors are deposited by the thin film process for an electric circuit assembly including a differential amplifier, a potential divider, a signal amplifier and a zero-point setter. And each of the resistors is adjusted by trimming simultaneously with trimming adjustment of the strain gauges.

Abstract: A load cell has strain gage resistors, lead portions for connecting them in a bridge and compensating portions for the compensation of the bridge balance, span or the like, which are laminated as metal thin films by means of the thin film technique. A protection film is formed over the metal thin films and trimmed by laser beams, and the protection film is made of a pigmented protection film made of synthetic resin for easy and accurate trimming.

Abstract: Structural failures, as in metal aircraft structures, are rapidly detected and measured by use of a new detection system comprising a thin film adhesively bonded to the metal structural surface to be monitored, said film containing a plurality of thin continuous strips which are adapted to be broken when a crack appears under the strips, said strips being substantially parallel but insulated from each other and the metal structural surface and arranged in a pattern such that there is frequent change in direction of the strips as in a zig-zag or rectangular pattern, each of said strips constituting a separate circuit joined to an electric power source and a sensing and recording means capable of detecting and recording any circuit failure caused by disruption of the metal strip, said disruption being caused by the formation of a crack under the said strip.

Abstract: A crack or rupture-detecting system comprising an electrically-insulating substrate which carries lines of electrically-conducting material formed of small electrically conductive particles which are in electrical contact. The substrate layer may be elastomeric when applied to the object to be protected, but later will crack or rupture if a crack or rupture occurs in the object and layer and thereby separate the particles in the conducting line or lines adjacent the crack or rupture.

Abstract: A load cell includes a bridge circuit having first to fourth strain gauge resistors and first and second temperature compensating resistors connected to the respective first and second strain gauge resistors. The first to fourth strain gauge resistors comprise a Nichrome layer formed on an insulating film, the first and second temperature compensating resistors each comprise a two-layered structure of the Nichrome layer and a titanium layer formed thereon, and connecting means for connecting the first to fourth strain gauge resistors and first and second temperature compensating resistors comprise a three-layered structure of the Nichrome layer and titanium layer and also a gold layer formed on the titanium layer.

Abstract: A bridge circuit consisting of two or more resistance strain gauges is formed on a synthetic layer on which a resistance layer and a metal layer provided for the terminal elements are applied. The corresponding patterns are etched into the metal and into the resistance layer. Balance surfaces consisting of materials with a temperature coefficient different from that of the resistance layer are connected in series to the resistance strain gauges. By changing the resistance of the balance surfaces, the circuit is balanced in terms of symmetry, in terms of the temperature coefficient of the resistance layer, and in terms of the temperature coefficient of the modulus of elasticity of the test object.

Abstract: A crack gauge for monitoring the progress of fatigue crack propagation in a conductive substrate is made by applying an inorganic insulating layer and then a metallic conductor. The conductor is laid in a geometry which results in a change in a measured electrical property of the conductor (e.g., resistance) as a fatigue crack propagates through the substrate and breaks the conductor. The adherent crack gauge is especially reliable in hostile environments. A special conductor geometry is useful for especially fatigue resistant substrates.