Patent ID: 7234361

Claim:
A sensor assembly for measuring strain along an axis (F) comprising; at least one inductance coil for establishing a ioop of magnetic flux, a core of magnetostrictive material for providing a primary path for the magnetic flux in a first portion of the loop of magnetic flux, and a magnetic carrier for providing a return path for magnetic flux in a second portion of the loop of magnetic flux as the magnetic flux circles said coil through said core and said carrier, and characterized by a first interface between said core and said carrier extending transversely to said axis (F) whereby said core and said carrier are urged together at said interface in response to said strain applied parallel to said axis (F); wherein one of said core and said carrier defines a stem extending axially between ends and a flange extending radially from one of said ends, said coil being disposed about said stem, said first interface being disposed between the flange and the other of said core and said carrier.