Abstract: An electro-optical distance-measuring unit (10) includes a light source (1), the emitted light of which in the distance-measuring unit (10) is guided onto a measurement path (8) at least by one polarizing beam splitter (3), an electro-optical modulator (5) and a retarder (6). Light that is returned along the measurement path (8) is guided at least by the retarder (6), the electro-optical modulator (5) and the polarizing beam splitter (3) onto a detector (4). The distance-measuring unit (10) furthermore includes a control and evaluation unit (11) for determining a length of the measurement path (8) in accordance with a modulation frequency of the electro-optical modulator (5) and a signal of the detector (4). The light source (1) has a broad spectrum of the emitted light and is preferably a super-luminescent diode.

Abstract: An angle measuring device for optical angle measurement has a telescope body 5 which is rotatably mounted around at least one shaft (1, 2; 11), wherein the shaft (1, 2; 11) is rotatably mounted at least two bearing points 6, and the bearing points 6 are at a distance from one another in the direction of the shaft (1, 2; 11). In this case, at least two sensor arrangements for detecting the position of the shaft (1, 2; 11) are respectively arranged at a measurement point along the shaft (1, 2; 11), wherein the measurement points are at a distance from one another in the direction of the shaft (1, 2; 11). At least one of the sensor arrangements has a group of capacitive sensors (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) which detect a displacement of the shaft (1, 2; 11) in directions perpendicular to the axial direction at the measurement point.

Abstract: A coordinate measurement instrument includes an optical distance measurement device (200, 300) for measuring the distance from an auxiliary measurement means (5) which can move in space, a zoom camera (106), which can rotate with respect to at least two axes, with a zoom lens, and an overview camera (104) for coarse localization of the auxiliary measurement means (5). A light exit and light receiving optical system (101, 102) of the distance measurement device (200, 300), the zoom camera (106) and the overview camera (104) are arranged on a shared carrier (1) which can rotate with respect to at least two axes (A, Z). The optical axis (111) of the distance measurement device (200, 300) and the optical axis of the overview camera (104), preferably extend coaxially outside the coordinate measurement instrument.

Abstract: An electro-optical distance-measuring unit (10) includes a light source (1), the emitted light of which in the distance-measuring unit (10) is guided onto a measurement path (8) at least by one polarizing beam splitter (3), an electro-optical modulator (5) and a retarder (6). Light that is returned along the measurement path (8) is guided at least by the retarder (6), the electro-optical modulator (5) and the polarizing beam splitter (3) onto a detector (4). The distance-measuring unit (10) furthermore includes a control and evaluation unit (11) for determining a length of the measurement path (8) in accordance with a modulation frequency of the electro-optical modulator (5) and a signal of the detector (4). The light source (1) has a broad spectrum of the emitted light and is preferably a super-luminescent diode.

Abstract: A coordinate measurement instrument includes an optical distance measurement device (200, 300) for measuring the distance from an auxiliary measurement means (5) which can move in space, a zoom camera (106), which can rotate with respect to at least two axes, with a zoom lens, and an overview camera (104) for coarse localization of the auxiliary measurement means (5). A light exit and light receiving optical system (101, 102) of the distance measurement device (200, 300), the zoom camera (106) and the overview camera (104) are arranged on a shared carrier (1) which can rotate with respect to at least two axes (A, Z). The optical axis (111) of the distance measurement device (200, 300) and the optical axis of the overview camera (104), preferably extend coaxially outside the coordinate measurement instrument.

Abstract: In a method and a measuring device (10) for measuring an absolute distance value corresponding with a range (9) between a measuring device (10) and a target (8), wherein for measuring the absolute distance value a number of individual measuring steps are performed with an absolute distance meter (1), a distance variation between the measuring device (10) and the target (8) is also measured with a relative distance meter (2) at least approximately simultaneously with these individual measuring steps and the distance variation is taken into account as the absolute distance is being determined. Preferably an iterative method comprising several sampling steps is used for measuring the absolute distance, e.g. according to the Fizeau method, wherein an output value (A) is generated from an input value (fn, fn+1, fn+2, . . . ) and measured in each sampling step. The output value (A) is dependent on the input value (fn, fn+1, fn+2, . . . ) and on the distance.

Abstract: A method for the frequency stabilization of a gas laser with a laser tube (1), in stable operation includes a continuous operation control procedure with the following steps: Operating the gas laser for the radiation of laser light; measuring an intensity of one component of the radiated laser light with a detector (8); adjusting a tube temperature of the laser tube (1) by means of a control system (7), so that the measured intensity is controlled to a set-point value. During a startup phase, the procedure includes the following steps: Measuring an ambient temperature; controlling the condition of the laser tube (1) by means of the control system (7) to a set-point state, wherein the set-point state corresponds to a temperature of the laser tube (1) at the measured ambient temperature in the steady condition without any further heating or cooling; and switching over to the continuous operation control.

Abstract: An angle measuring device for optical angle measurement has a telescope body which is rotatably mounted around at least one shaft (1, 2; 11), wherein the shaft (1, 2; 11) is rotatably mounted at least two bearing points 6, and the bearing points 6 are at a distance from one another in the direction of the shaft (1, 2; 11). In this case, at least two sensor arrangements for detecting the position of the shaft (1, 2; 11) are respectively arranged at a measurement point along the shaft (1, 2; 11), wherein the measurement points are at a distance from one another in the direction of the shaft (1, 2; 11). At least one of the sensor arrangements has a group of capacitive sensors (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) which detect a displacement of the shaft (1, 2; 11) in directions perpendicular to the axial direction at the measurement point.

Abstract: In a method and a measuring device (10) for measuring an absolute distance value corresponding with a range (9) between a measuring device (10) and a target (8), wherein for measuring the absolute distance value a number of individual measuring steps are performed with an absolute distance meter (1), a distance variation between the measuring device (10) and the target (8) is also measured with a relative distance meter (2) at least approximately simultaneously with these individual measuring steps and the distance variation is taken into account as the absolute distance is being determined. Preferably an iterative method comprising several sampling steps is used for measuring the absolute distance, e.g. according to the Fizeau method, wherein an output value (A) is generated from an input value (fn, fn+1, fn+2, . . . ) and measured in each sampling step. The output value (A) is dependent on the input value (fn, fn+1, fn+2, . . . ) and on the distance.

Abstract: A method for the pyrolosis of biomass with the aid of a heating element and a feed for guiding the biomass. During pyrolysis, the heating element and the biomass are pressed against each other at a pressure of 5 bars-80 bars. A device for pyrolysing biomasses, comprises a material supply and a pyrolysing station. The material supply comprises elements for generating a pressure of between 5 bars and 200 bars, pressing the raw material which is to be pyrolysed against the pyrolysing station. The pyrolysing station comprises a heating element which is heated to a temperature of between 300° C. and 1000° C. in an operational state.

Abstract: A method for the frequency stabilization of a gas laser with a laser tube (1), in stable operation includes a continuous operation control procedure with the following steps: Operating the gas laser for the radiation of laser light; measuring an intensity of one component of the radiated laser light with a detector (8); adjusting a tube temperature of the laser tube (1) by means of a control system (7), so that the measured intensity is controlled to a set-point value. During a startup phase, the procedure includes the following steps: Measuring an ambient temperature; controlling the condition of the laser tube (1) by means of the control system (7) to a set-point state, wherein the set-point state corresponds to a temperature of the laser tube (1) at the measured ambient temperature in the steady condition without any further heating or cooling; and switching over to the continuous operation control.

Abstract: A method for the pyrolosis of biomass with the aid of a heating element and a feed for guiding the biomass. During pyrolysis, the heating element and the biomass are pressed against each other at a pressure of 5 bars-80 bars. A device for pyrolysing biomasses, comprises a material supply and a pyrolysing station. The material supply comprises elements for generating a pressure of between 5 bars and 200 bars, pressing the raw material which is to be pyrolysed against the pyrolysing station. The pyrolysing station comprises a heating element which is heated to a temperature of between 300° C. and 1000° C. in an operational state.

Abstract: In a laser tracking system equipped for interferometric distance measurement there are provided at least two retroreflectors (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) which are connected to the target tracking mirror (1) in a manner such that their position changes when the spatial orientation of the target tracking mirror (1) is changed. Secondary measurement beams (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) deflected out of the primary measuring beam (4) of the laser tracking system are directed onto the retroreflectors (3.1, 3.2, 3.3.). Path length changes in the beam path of the secondary measurement beams (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) are interferometrically measured and the readings are used for computing the spatial orientation of the target tracking mirror (1).

Abstract: Measuring sphere reflector for direction measurements and/or distance measurements, which is distinguished in that there is inserted into the measuring sphere (10) a retroreflecting triple prism (17) whose base face (18) cuts out a part of the surface (11) of the measuring sphere and whose height is approximately equal to the radius of the measuring sphere (10), the center (16) of the measuring sphere (10) lying on the altitude (19) of the triple prism (17).

Abstract: Electro-optical measuring device for absolute distances to a target point. In addition to the beam polarization being modulated as is required for the Fizeau method, the invention provides that the modulation means contain a modulator crystal (8; 7) having electrodes which are connected to a variable DC source (11; 10), and that a control apparatus (19) is provided which initiates the determination of the value of the modulation phase in the region of minimum brightness at the associated modulation frequency, successively for different DC voltage values, over a full cycle of the basic polarization of the modulator crystal, stores and averages the measured values, repeats the measurement at a slightly changed modulation frequency if the mean value is not zero, and uses interpolation to determine the modulation frequency which is associated with the mean modulation phase value of zero. The measuring device is particularly suitable for coupling to a tracking system based on interferometry.

Abstract: A device for holding a cylindrical laser tube (3) in a stable radiation direction in the cylindrical internal space of a metallic housing (2), the internal space having a larger diameter than the laser tube (3) and O-rings (4) for mounting the laser tube (3) being fitted in the end regions of the internal space and the metallic housing (2) being mounted on a baseplate (1), characterized in that the interspace, enclosed by the O-rings, with respect to the laser tube (3) within the metallic housing (2) is filled with a thermally conducting paste (16), controllable heating and cooling elements are fitted in contact with the outer wall of the housing (2) and the housing (2) is mounted on the baseplate (1) in a fixed location only on one end.

Abstract: 2-aryl-ethane-sulphonic acids of the formulaAr.sup.1 --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --SO.sub.3 H (I),in whichAr.sup.1 denotes a carbocyclic or heterocyclic aromatic radical which can be bound to an anellated benzene nucleus,can be obtained by reaction of the underlying vinyl aromatic compound with sulphurous acid, if the reaction is carried out in the presence of an amine of the formulaN(R.sup.1,R.sup.2,R.sup.3 (III),in whichR.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 have the meaning mentioned in the description.

Abstract: To simplify the reflectors for electro-optical distance measurement with a distance measuring apparatus with modulation of light outside of the light source, the optical bundle for distance measurement is focussed on to the target. Thereby, distance measurements on unprepared (non-cooperative) objects or on objects prepared only with simple reflecting foils are made possible.

Abstract: For electrooptical measurement of distance with modulation of light external to the light source (1) a modulator system (5, 7, 8, 11) with low sensitivity to temperature and with a low modulating voltage is disclosed. The temperature dependence of the static birefringence of a modulating crystal (7) is compensated by passing the modulated light beam (6), after traversing the crystal (7), a quarterwave plate (11), the measured path (9) and the quarterwave plate (11) again--a second time through the crystal (7) with its polarization rotated by 90.degree.. The light beam returning from the measured path is separated from its source (1) by means of a polarizing beam splitter (5).

Abstract: With an electrooptical distance meter impulses of light are transmitted over the distance. The distance is found by counting the duration of gating signals which last between transmission and reception of the light impulses. 10,000 times of travel generated by a first digital circuit (16, 17, 18) are communicated to a second digital circuit (1, 19, 20) for storing and processing. The distance is computed by the second circuit (1, 19, 20) by forming a mean value from the more frequent counts. By evaluation of artificial gating signals of various durations and by generation of gating signals from the light impulses by means of various threshold levels an improved accuracy of distance measurement is achieved, even when measuring on natural, non cooperative objects.