Abstract:
A strain gage transducer wherein a plurality of strain gages are mounted on surface portions of a beam. The beam finds a plurality of thermal conductivity paths for conducting heat from the strain gages. The physical configuration defined by the beam for the first thermal conductivity path differs from that defined by the beam for the second thermal conductivity path, while yet the paths are arranged to be substantially identical in effective thermal conductivity so that dissipation of heat from the strain gages is substantially similar. In the illustrated embodiment, such differential beam configuration is provided by inclusion in the beam of one or more cavities. In one form, at least one cavity extends fully through the beam, and in another form, at least one cavity defines a recess extending only partially through the beam. In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity structure may be used to control the heat sink characteristics of the different portions of the beam. Alternatively, the cavity configuration may be used to define different rates of heat flow characteristics in the heat flow paths.