Abstract: In an encapsulated measuring instrument for measuring the relative position of two objects, a scale and a scanning unit are mounted within a housing which defines a slit therein. One of the objects is connected with the scanning unit by means of a follower which extends through the slit. One or more sealing strips are provided for sealing off the slit, and each of the sealing strips includes a plurality of tightly bundled fibers.

Abstract: A position measuring instrument of the type having a scale and a scanning unit is provided with a plurality of reference marks on the scale. An identification mark is associated with each reference mark, and each identification mark is uniquely coded. The scanning unit operates to read the identification marks and to generate identification signals which are applied to a comparator or to a computer. The comparator or computer compares the identification signal corresponding to each reference mark with a set of designation signals. Only if a correspondence is found between the identification signal and one of the designation signals is the reference mark allowed to go into operation. Thus, by merely changing the designation signals electronically, any desired subset of a total number of reference marks can be enabled. The selected reference marks can readily be changed electronically without physical manipulation of the measuring instrument.

Abstract: A laser interferometer is disclosed in which the measuring path is enclosed in an elongated hollow body which has a flexible slot along one side through which extends the entrainment means for the movable reflector enclosed within the hollow body. This hollow body is maintained under a vacuum, with the area around the flexible slot being filled with a fluid to help maintain the vacuum. This fluid may be highly viscous oil or a magnetic fluid which is maintained by the magnetic field of permanent magnets.