All The Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:
a substantially circular chin ring having an outer surface and a slot;
a first radially spaced aperture in the chin ring on a first side of the slot;
a second radially spaced aperture in the chin ring on a second side of the slot;
a first louver disposed at least partially over the first radially spaced aperture, wherein the first louver is disposed at a first angle relative to the outer surface; and
a second louver disposed at least partially over the second radially spaced aperture, wherein the second louver is disposed at a second angle relative to the outer surface.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first angle is about forty-five degrees.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second angle is about forty-five degrees.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first louver is symmetrically disposed about an axis relative to the second louver.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first angle and the second angle is less than about ninety degrees.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a securing tab disposed on the chin ring.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the securing tab comprises a securing aperture.
8. An aircraft component comprising:
an aircraft wheel housing defining a substantially cylindrical volume having a circumference;
a chin ring having an outer surface and a slot, wherein the chin ring is circumferentially coupled to the aircraft wheel housing;
a first radially spaced aperture in the chin ring on a first side of the slot; and
a second radially spaced aperture in the chin ring on a second side of the slot,
wherein the chin ring comprises a first louver set comprising a first set louver and a second louver set comprising a second set louver, and
wherein the first set louver is disposed at a first angle relative to the second set louver.
9. The aircraft component of claim 8, further comprising a torque drive disposed in the slot.
10. The aircraft component of claim 8, wherein the first angle is about forty-five degrees.
11. The aircraft component of claim 10, wherein the second angle is about forty-five degrees.
12. The aircraft component of claim 9, wherein the first louver is symmetrically disposed about the torque bar relative to the second louver.
13. The aircraft component of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first angle and the second angle is less than about ninety degrees.
14. The aircraft component of claim 8, wherein the chin ring is secured to the aircraft wheel housing by a fastener disposed in a securing aperture of the chin ring.
15. An apparatus comprising:
a substantially circular support structure;
a substantially circular shield structure coupled to the support structure;
a first radially spaced aperture in the shield structure on a first side of the slot;
a second radially spaced aperture in the shield structure on a second side of the slot;
a first louver disposed at least partially over the first radially spaced aperture, wherein the first louver is disposed at a first angle relative to the outer surface; and
a second louver disposed at least partially over the second radially spaced aperture, wherein the second louver is disposed at a second angle relative to the outer surface.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first angle is about forty-five degrees.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the second angle is about forty-five degrees.
18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first louver is symmetrically disposed about an axis relative to the second louver.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein at least one of the first angle and the second angle is less than about ninety degrees.
20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a securing tab disposed on the chin ring.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A dispenser of washing agents for a household washing machine, in particular a dish-washer, said dispenser (1) comprising
a body (2),
at least one compartment (6) for containing a washing agent,
a lid (7) that, in a respective closed position, keeps the compartment (6) closed in order to retain the washing agent therein,
wherein the whole lid (7) can be moved angularly towards the inside of a washing chamber of the machine on which the dispenser (1) is mounted, an angular movement of the whole lid (7) taking place about a first axis of rotation (8) between said closed position and a respective first open position, in which said compartment (6) is at least partially open so as to enable delivery of the washing agent in said chamber,
and wherein the dispenser (1) further comprises articulation means (4) which are interconnected between said body (2) and said lid (7) and are operative for enabling the whole lid (7) to perform angular movements about a second axis of rotation (5), between said closed position and a respective second open position, in which the whole lid (7) is positioned such that said compartment (6) is at least partially open, so as to enable access therein for the purposes of charging said washing agent.
2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said lid (7) consists of a single covering member (7) hinged for being angularly movable about said first axis of rotation (8) between said closed position and said first open position, said articulation means (4) being interconnected between said body (2) and said covering member (7).
3. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said articulation means (4) are angularly movable about said second axis (5) along with said lid (7), when the latter moves between said closed position and said second open position.
4. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said articulation means comprise an intermediate component (4) defining at least a part of said compartment (6).
5. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, in said closed position, said compartment (6) is at least partly delimited by said articulation means (4) and said lid (7).
6. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein retention means (19-20, 9-16; 30-34) are provided, which are operative for maintaining the whole lid (7) in said closed position.
7. The dispenser according to claim 6, wherein said retention means (19-20, 9-16; 30-34) comprise first retention means (19, 20), which can be switched between a respective engagement condition and a respective release condition, and vice versa, where:
in said engagement condition, said first retention means (19, 20) are operative for withholding a first end portion of said lid (7) in the proximity of said body (2); and
in said release condition, said first retention means (19, 20) are operative for freeing said lid (7), the latter thus being able to perform angular movements with respect to said first axis (8), said first end portion, in particular, thus being able to move at least in part away from said body (2).
8. The dispenser according to claim 7, wherein said first retention means (19-20) can be switched automatically by actuating means (23, 24) associated to said body (2).
9. The dispenser according to claim 6, wherein said retention means (19-20, 9-16; 30-34) comprise second retention means (9-16; 30-34), which can be switched at least manually between a respective first condition and a respective second condition, where:
in said first condition, said second retention means (9-16; 30-34) are operative for withholding a second end portion of said lid (7), or else said first axis (8), in the proximity of said body (2); and
in said second condition, said second retention means (9-16; 30-34) are operative for enabling said articulation means (4) to move, together with said lid (7) about said second axis (5), said second end portion being able to move away accordingly at least in part from said body (2).
10. The dispenser according to claim 6, wherein said retention means (19-20, 9-16; 30-34) comprise second retention means (9-16; 30-34), which can be switched at least manually between a respective first condition and a respective second condition, where:
in said first condition, said second retention means (9-16; 30-34) are operative for withholding said articulation means (4) in the proximity of said body (2); and
in said second condition, said second retention means (9-16; 30-34) are operative for enabling said articulation means (4) to move away at least in part from said body (2).
11. The dispenser according to claim 9, wherein:
in said first open position, said first retention means (19, 20) are in the respective release condition, and said second retention means (9-16; 30-34) are in the respective first condition;
in said second open position, said first retention means (19, 20) are in the respective engagement condition, and said second retention means (9-16; 30-34) are in the respective second condition; and
in said closed position, said first retention means (19, 20) are in the respective engagement condition, and said second retention means (9-16; 30-34) are in the respective first condition.
12. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said first axis (8) is substantially parallel to said second axis (5).
13. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said first axis (8) is substantially perpendicular to said second axis (5).
14. The dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising:
first hinging (5; 35), between said articulation means (4) and said body (2); and
second hinging means (8), between said articulation means (4) and said lid (7).
15. The dispenser according to claim 14, wherein said first hinging means comprise at least one pin (5) inserted in a respective passage (35), the pin (5) being defined in said articulation means (4), and the passage (35) being present on said body (2), or vice versa.
16. The dispenser according to claim 14, wherein said second hinging means comprise one or more cylindrical elements (8), each inserted in a respective hole, each cylindrical element (8) being defined in said articulation means (4), and the respective hole being present on said lid (7), or vice versa.
17. The dispenser according to claim 16, wherein two of said cylindrical elements (8) are provided, there being inserted in each of them a respective end of a shaft (10), which is able to perform angular movements and which forms part of said second retention means (9-16; 30-34).
18. The dispenser according to claim 17, wherein at least of the following is integral with said shaft (10):
a first tooth (11), being able to co-operate with a respective engagement seat (13) integral with said body (2),
a projection (12), being able to co-operate with elastic means (14) associated to said articulation means (4),
an actuating element (16), being able to be pressed manually for producing angular movements of said shaft (10).
19. The dispenser according to claim 7, wherein said first retention means (19, 20) comprise an engagement projection (19) fixed to said lid (7) and having a rounded surface, which is able to co-operate with a respective retention element (20), where, during angular movement of said lid (7) about said second axis (5), said rounded surface remains in contact with and slides over said retention element (20) to maintain a position of said lid (7) with respect to said articulation means (4) substantially constant.
20. The dispenser according to claim 7, wherein first elastic means (9) are provided, which are operative between said articulation means (4) and said lid (7) for moving said first end portion away from said body (2).
21. The dispenser according to claim 9, wherein second elastic means are provided, which are operative between said body (2) and said articulation means (4) for moving the latter and said second end portion away from said body (2).
22. The dispenser according to claim 5, wherein on at least one portion of a surface of said intermediate component (4) there appear indications (28A, 28B) of dosage of the washing agent.
23. The dispenser according to claim 6, wherein on at least one portion of a surface of said lid (7) there appear indications (27A, 27B) of dosage of the washing agent.
24. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein sealing means (4A, 18) are provided, which operate between said lid (7) and said articulation means (4).
25. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein sealing means (3A, 18) are provided, which operate between said lid (7) and said body (2).
26. The dispenser according to claim 4, wherein a seat (3) is provided in said body (2), for housing a part of said compartment (6) defined by said intermediate component (4).
27. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said articulation means (4) comprise at least one of
a fork-shaped or substantially U-shaped element,
two parallel arms, articulated at in the respective bottom parts to said body (2) and at respective top parts to said lid (7).
28. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein in said body (2) a chute portion (3A) is defined, which is operative for facilitating charging of the washing agent in said compartment (6).
29. The dispenser according to claim 9, wherein said second retention means (9-16; 30-34) comprise an element (30) slidably mounted on said body (2) and having at least one respective engagement projection (31), which is able to engage in a respective seat (32) defined in said articulation means (4).
30. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said articulation means (4) have one or more openings (29) to enable passage of water towards said body (2) andor towards a ~rear part of said articulation means (4).
31. The dispenser according to claim 7, wherein at least one first mobile element (20) of said first retention means (19, 20) is associated to said articulation means (4) and at least one second mobile element (24) of said first retention means (20) is associated to said body (2), there being provided between said first mobile element (20) and said second mobile element (24) mutual engagement means (36, 37), which can be decoupled from one another in at least one operating condition of the dispenser (1).
32. The dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising end-of-travel means, which are operative for limiting angular movement of said lid (7) andor said articulation means (4).
33. The dispenser according to claim 9, wherein said second retention means (19-20, 9-16; 30-34) comprise friction means.
34. A dispenser of washing agents for a household washing machine, in particular a dish-washer, said dispenser (1) comprising
a body (2),
at least one compartment (6) for containing a washing agent,
a lid (7) that, in a respective closed position, keeps the compartment (6) closed in order to retain the washing agent therein,
wherein the lid (7) can be moved angularly towards the inside of a washing chamber of the machine on which the dispenser (1) is mounted, an angular movement of the lid (7) taking place about a first axis of rotation (8) between said closed position and a respective first open position, in which said compartment (6) is at least partially open so as to enable delivery of the washing agent in said chamber,
the dispenser (1) further comprising articulation means (4) which are interconnected between said body (2) and said lid (7) and are angularly movable about a second axis of rotation (5) along with said lid (7), when the latter moves between said closed position and a second open position, in which the lid (7) is positioned such that said compartment (6) is at least partially open.
35. A dispenser of washing agents for a household washing machine, in particular a dish-washer, said dispenser (1) comprising
a body (2),
at least one compartment (6) for containing a washing agent,
a lid (7) that, in a respective closed position, keeps the compartment (6) closed in order to retain the washing agent therein,
wherein the lid (7) can be moved angularly towards the inside of a washing chamber of the machine on which the dispenser (1) is mounted, the angular movement of the lid (7) taking place about a first axis of rotation (8) between said closed position and a respective first open position, in which said compartment (6) is at least partially open so as to enable delivery of the washing agent in said chamber,
the dispenser (1) further comprising articulation means which include an intermediate component (4) defining at least a part of said compartment (6), said intermediate component (4) being interconnected between said body (2) and said lid (7) and operative for enabling the lid (7) to perform angular movements about a second axis of rotation (5), between said closed position and a respective second open position.
36. A dispenser of washing agents for a household washing machine, in particular a dish-washer, said dispenser (1) comprising
a body (2),
at least one compartment (6) for containing a washing agent,
a lid (7) that, in a respective closed position, keeps the compartment (6) closed in order to retain the washing agent therein,
wherein the lid (7) can be moved angularly towards the inside of a washing chamber of the machine on which the dispenser (1) is mounted, the angular movement of the lid (7) taking place about a first axis of rotation (8) between said closed position and a respective first open position, in which said compartment (6) is at least partially open so as to enable delivery of the washing agent in said chamber,
the dispenser (1) further comprising articulation means (4) which are interconnected between said body (2) and said lid (7) and are operative for enabling the lid (7) to perform angular movements about a second axis of rotation (5) which is substantially perpendicular to said first axis (8).

1. A catheter comprising:
a proximal section having a proximal end and a distal end and at least two parallel, side-by-side extending lumens including a delivery lumen having an inner diameter extending substantially from the proximal end to the distal end and a guidewire receiving lumen, the guidewire receiving lumen having a proximal guidewire exit port at a location distal to the proximal end;
a reinforcing tubular member having a wall and proximal and distal ends, said reinforcing tubular member located in the proximal section delivery lumen extending from substantially the proximal section proximal end to a point distal to the proximal guidewire exit port, wherein the reinforcing tubular member is spirally cut through at least a portion of its wall wherein the spiral cut has a pitch that continuously decreases from the proximal end to the distal end and thereby transitions from relatively rigid to relatively more flexible from a proximal point to a distal point thereon and has an outer diameter equal to about the inner diameter of the delivery lumen for the entire length-of the reinforcing tubular member;
a distal section having a proximal end and a distal end and having at least a distal section guidewire receiving lumen and a distal section delivery lumen, the distal section guidewire receiving lumen and the distal section delivery lumen being coaxial for at least a portion of the distal section, the distal section guidewire receiving lumen being in fluid communication with the distal end of the guidewire receiving lumen of the proximal section and the distal section delivery lumen being in fluid communication with the distal end of the delivery lumen of the proximal section; and
a balloon located at the distal end of the distal section, the balloon having an interior in fluid communication with the delivery lumen.
2. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the proximal guidewire exit port is located less than about 10 cm from the distal end of the distal section of the catheter.
3. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the proximal guidewire exit port is located greater than about 10 cm from the distal end of the distal section of the catheter.
4. The catheter of claim 3, wherein the proximal guidewire exit port is located about 24 cm to about 34 cm from the distal end of the distal section of the catheter.
5. The catheter of claim 1, wherein a stent is mounted on the balloon.
6. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing tubular member is comprised of at least two materials of varying stiffness.
7. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing tubular member transitions from relatively rigid at a point proximal to the proximal guidewire exit port to relatively more flexible at a point distal to the proximal guidewire exit port.
8. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing tubular member maintains the same flexibility from a point proximal to the proximal guidewire exit port to a point distal to the proximal guidewire exit port.
9. A catheter comprising:
a proximal section having a proximal end and a distal end and at least two parallel, side-by-side extending lumens including a delivery lumen having an inner diameter extending substantially from the proximal end to the distal end and a guidewire receiving lumen extending substantially from the proximal end to the distal end, the guidewire receiving lumen having a first proximal guidewire exit port located between the proximal end and the distal end and a second proximal guidewire port located at the proximal end;
a reinforcing tubular member having a wall and proximal and distal ends, said a reinforcing tubular member located in the proximal section delivery lumen, wherein the reinforcing tubular member is spirally cut through at least a portion of its wall wherein the spiral cut has a pitch that continuously decreases from the proximal end to the distal end and thereby transitions from relatively rigid to relatively more flexible from a proximal point to a distal point thereon and having an outer diameter equal to about the inner diameter of the delivery lumen for the entire length of the reinforcing tubular member;
a distal section having a proximal end and a distal end and having at least a distal section guidewire receiving lumen and a distal section delivery lumen, the distal section guidewire receiving lumen and distal section delivery lumen being coaxial for at least a portion of the distal section, the distal section guidewire receiving lumen being in fluid communication with the distal end of the guidewire receiving lumen of the proximal section and the distal section delivery lumen being in fluid communication with the distal end of the delivery lumen of the proximal section; and
a balloon located at the distal end of the distal section, the balloon having an interior in fluid communication with the delivery lumen.
10. The catheter of claim 9, wherein the first proximal guidewire exit port is located less than about 10 cm from the distal end of the distal section of the catheter.
11. The catheter of claim 9, wherein the first proximal guidewire exit port is located greater than about 10 cm from the distal end of the distal section of the catheter.
12. The catheter of claim 11, wherein the first proximal guidewire exit port is located about 24 cm to about 34 cm from the distal end of the distal section of the catheter.
13. The catheter of claim 9, wherein a stent is mounted on the balloon.
14. The catheter of claim 9, wherein the reinforcing tubular member is comprised of at least two materials of varying stiffness.
15. The catheter of claim 9, wherein the reinforcing tubular member transitions from relatively rigid at a point proximal to the proximal guidewire exit port to relatively more flexible at a point distal to the proximal guidewire exit port.
16. A catheter comprising:
a proximal section having a proximal end and a distal end and at least two parallel, side-by-side extending lumens including a delivery lumen having an inner diameter extending substantially from the proximal end to the distal end and a guidewire receiving lumen, the guidewire receiving lumen being defined by a longitudinally extending channel provided with a thin material capable of being punctured by a physician during use to form a proximal guidewire exit port at any of multiple locations distal to the proximal end;
a reinforcing tubular member having a wall and proximal and distal ends, said reinforcing tubular member located in the proximal section delivery lumen wherein the reinforcing tubular member is spirally cut through at least a portion of its wall wherein the spiral cut has a pitch that continuously decreases from the proximal end to the distal end and thereby transitions from relatively rigid to relatively more flexible from a proximal point to a distal point thereon and extends from substantially the proximal section proximal end to the proximal section distal end and having an outer diameter equal to about the inner diameter of the proximal section delivery lumen for the entire length of the reinforcing tubular member;
a distal section having a proximal end and a distal end and having at least a distal section guidewire receiving lumen and a distal section delivery lumen, the distal section guidewire receiving lumen and distal section delivery lumen being coaxial for at least a portion of the distal section, the distal section guidewire receiving lumen being in fluid communication with the distal end of the guidewire receiving lumen of the proximal section and the distal section delivery lumen being in fluid communication with the distal end of the delivery lumen of the proximal section; and
a balloon located at the distal end of the distal section, the balloon having an interior in fluid communication with the delivery lumen.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A strain sensor assembly operable to detect a strain in a structure, comprising:
a sensor element comprising an elongated, amorphous or nanocrystalline sensing microwire operable to be coupled with said structure so that the sensing microwire is placed in tension when said structure is subjected to strain, said sensing microwire having a positive magnetostriction property, a first remagnetization response when said structure is in an unstrained condition, and a second remagnetization response substantially greater than said first remagnetization response when the structure is in a strained condition and said sensing microwire is placed in tension; and
a detector separate from said structure and including a transmitter unit operable to create an alternating magnetic field of sufficient magnitude to magnetically couple with said sensing microwire in order to interrogate said sensing microwire and induce a sensing microwire remagnetization response, and a remagnetization sensor operable to sense said sensing microwire remagnetization response,
whereby when said structure is in a strained condition, said remagnetization sensor will sense said second remagnetization response.
2. The assembly of claim 1, said sensing microwire comprising an amorphous or nanocrystalline microwire having said positive magnetostriction properties and being under axial compression sufficient to create said first remagnetization response.
3. The assembly of claim 2, said sensing microwire being glass-coated.
4. The assembly of claim 2, including a support for said sensing microwire which provides an axial compressive load to said sensing microwire.
5. The assembly of claim 4, said support selected from the group consisting of a synthetic resin body substantially surrounding said sensing microwire, a body of paper pulp substantially surrounding said sensing microwire, and a coating solvent-based coating material which shrinks upon drying.
6. The assembly of claim 1, said sensor element further including an outer sheath formed of shape memory material disposed substantially about said sensing microwire.
7. The assembly of claim 1, said sensor element including a reference microwire positioned proximal to said sensing microwire, said reference microwire having a coercivity substantially different than the coercivity of said sensing microwire and a remagnetization response which can be distinguished from the from the second remagnetization response of said sensing microwire regardless of the strained condition of said structure.
8. The assembly of claim 1, said sensor element being applied to or imbedded within said structure.
9. The assembly of claim 1, the voltage amplitude of said second remagnetization response being at least about five times greater than the voltage amplitude of said first remagnetization response.
10. The assembly of claim 1, the voltage amplitude of said first remagnetization response being substantially zero.
11. A method of detecting strain in a structure, comprising the steps of:
coupling a sensor element comprising an elongated, amorphous or nanocrystalline sensing microwire to said structure so that the sensing microwire is placed in tension when said structure is subjected to strain,
said sensing microwire having a positive magnetostriction property, a first remagnetization response when said structure is in an unstrained condition, and a second remagnetization response substantially greater than said first remagnetization response when the structure is in a strained condition and the sensing microwire is placed in tension;
interrogating said sensor element by creating an alternating magnetic field of sufficient magnitude to magnetically couple with said sensing microwire in order to induce a sensing microwire remagnetization response; and
sensing said sensing microwire remagnetization response as an indication of the strain condition of said structure.
12. The method of claim 11, said sensing microwire comprising an amorphous or nanocrystalline microwire having said positive magnetostriction properties and being under axial compression sufficient to create said first remagnetization response.
13. The method of claim 12, said sensing microwire being glass-coated.
14. The method of claim 12, said sensing microwire being on a support providing an axial compressive load to said sensing microwire.
15. The method of claim 14, said support selected from the group consisting of a synthetic resin body substantially surrounding said sensing microwire, a body of paper pulp substantially surrounding said sensing microwire, and a coating solvent-based coating material which shrinks upon drying.
16. The method of claim 11, said sensor element further including an outer sheath formed of shape memory material disposed substantially about said sensing microwire.
17. The method of claim 11, said sensor element including a reference microwire positioned proximal to said sensing microwire, said reference microwire having a coercivity substantially different than the coercivity of said sensing microwire and a remagnetization response which can be distinguished from the from the second remagnetization response of said sensing microwire regardless of the strained condition of said structure, said method further comprising the steps of causing said alternating magnetic field to interrogate said reference microwire in order to induce a reference microwire remagnetization response, detecting said reference microwire remagnetization response, and comparing the reference microwire remagnetization response to said sensing microwire remagnetization response.
18. The method of claim 11, said coupling step comprising the step of applying said sensor element to said structure, or imbedding said sensor element within said structure.
19. The method of claim 11, the voltage amplitude of said second remagnetization response being at least about five times greater than the voltage amplitude of said first remagnetization response.
20. The method of claim 11, the voltage amplitude of said first remagnetization response being substantially zero.
21. A strain sensor comprising:
a sensor element comprising an elongated, amorphous or nanocrystalline sensing microwire having a positive magnetostriction property and an inherent Barkhausen remagnetization response magnitude;
a shape memory material disposed about said sensor element; and
a body of material operably engaging said sensing microwire and operable to place the sensing microwire under compression sufficient to substantially reduce said remagnetization response to a first, reduced magnitude.
22. The sensor of claim 21, said sensing microwire having a glass coating.
23. The sensor of claim 21, said sensing microwire, when placed in tension above a predetermined value, having a second remagnetization response magnitude substantially greater than said first remagnetization response magnitude.
24. The sensor of claim 23, said second remagnetization response magnitude being said inherent Barkhausen remagnetization response magnitude.
25. The sensor of claim 21, said material comprising a synthetic resin.
26. The sensor of claim 21, said first, reduced magnitude remagnetization response being substantially zero.
27. The sensor of claim 21, said first and second remagnetization response magnitudes being induced when said sensor element is interrogated by a remote, alternating magnetic field detector.
28. The sensor of claim 21, including an auxiliary reference wire assembly operably coupled with said sensor element.
29. The sensor of claim 28, said auxiliary reference wire assembly comprising a second amorphous or nanocrystalline reference microwire having a coercivity different than that of the sensor element.
30. The sensor of claim 29, including structure surrounding said reference microwire operable to allow the reference microwire to move freely despite compressive, tensile, or other stresses experienced by the surrounding structure.
31. A strain sensor comprising:
a sensor element comprising an elongated, amorphous or nanocrystalline sensing microwire having a positive magnetostriction property and an inherent Barkhausen remagnetization response magnitude, and an auxiliary reference wire assembly operably coupled with said sensor element; and
a body of material operably engaging said sensing microwire and operable to place the sensing microwire under compression sufficient to substantially reduce said remagnetization response to a first, reduced magnitude.
32. The sensor of claim 31, said auxiliary reference wire assembly comprising a second amorphous or nanocrystalline reference microwire having a coercivity different than that of the sensor element.
33. The sensor of claim 32, including structure surrounding said reference microwire operable to allow the reference microwire to move freely despite compressive, tensile, or other stresses experienced by the surrounding structure.