Abstract: A semiconductor transducer comprises a semiconductor strain gauge composed of a mono-crystalline semiconducting material and a strain sensing region formed in a first main surface of the mono-crystalline semiconducting material, and a strain measuring member coupled to the semiconductor strain gauge through an alloy material. An electrical insulating layer is attached to a second main surface of the mono-crystalline semiconducting material which is coupled to the strain measuring member through the alloy material. The insulating layer is extended to a side surface of the mono-crystalline semiconducting material thereby to cover the same side.

Abstract: A transducer for measuring the load of a vehicle employing an equalizing beam suspension. In an equalizing beam suspension a pair of tandem wheels are supported by opposite ends of a pair of transversely spaced, center-mounted equalizing beams. Each equalizing beam carries one of the transducers which measures the deflection of the respective equalizing beam responsive to vehicle loading. The transducer includes a push rod clamped to the equalizing beam and extending into a measurement block which is clamped to a different point on the equalizing beam. The measurement block contains a strain gauge instrumented cantilever beam against which the motion transmitting bar abuts. Consequently, the cantilever beam deflects responsive to movement of the motion transmitting bar toward and away from the measurement block produced by load induced deflections of the equalizing beams. The measurement block is essentially a plurality of stacked plates, one of which forms the cantilever beam.

Abstract: A pressure sensing device comprising a ring surrounding or adapted to surround a body subjected to internal pressure; means to connect the ring physically to the body at spaced locations, the connecting means transmitting to the ring dilation and contraction movements of the body due to variation of pressure therein; said movement transmitted by the connecting means causing a portion of the ring between adjacent spaced locations to flex elastically in the manner of a bending beam, and an electrical transducer mounted upon said flexing portion of the ring, to produce electrical signals dependent on the pressure variation. One form of the device is adapted to clamp around an engine fuel line to sense fuel pressure. Another form of the device is adapted to measure engine cylinder pressure. In a further development of the invention these two forms of device are combined to feed information to engine analysing circuitry producing a visual display.

Abstract: A device to monitor movement of a surface such as, for example, the roof of a mine tunnel or the like and to provide an indication if that movement exceeds some predetermined creep rate or velocity. The device includes a sensing member formed of a material whose precise creep characteristics as a function of stress and strain are known. The device includes a sensing member formed of a material whose precise creep characteristics as a function of stress and strain are known.