Patent ID: 8042407

Claim:
In a system for installing an underground utility by retraction that is applied to a leading end of the utility to draw the utility through the ground such that the utility is subjected to a tension force during installation, a tension monitoring apparatus, comprising: a sensor for sensing the tension force to produce a tension signal; an electronic section for using the tension signal; a battery for supplying electrical power to said electronic section; and a housing for supporting the sensor in a way that exposes the sensor to said tension force and for defining an elongated chamber between a pair of opposing, first and second ends, said housing being electrically conductive and a first one of said ends configured for receiving said tension force such that the tension force is transferred through the housing to the second one of said ends for then transferring the tension force to said utility, and said electronic section being positionable in said chamber with said battery such that said housing serves as at least a portion of an electrical circuit for supplying said electrical power to the electronic section from the battery.