Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser beam levelling device which has a rotating frame which is rotatable round a vertical axis and an inclining arrangement which is pivotal round a horizontal axis. Means connected to a controller are also provided to enable the rotated and inclined position to be monitored. One inclining arrangement can be orientated and inclined by the controller such that the laser plane formed by a rotating laser beam is inclined in a specific direction by a specific angle. This inclination is an auxiliary inclination by means of which the laser plane is simultaneously inclined in a longitudinal and transverse gradient differing from this auxiliary direction of inclination in each case. The auxiliary direction and the auxiliary inclination are calculated automatically by the controller on the basis of the desired longitudinal and transverse gradient of the laser plane and are converted into corresponding control commands.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a compact self-leveling construction laser for the purpose of allowing the user to remotely call or page the measurement beam to his location using a retroreflector. The apparatus uses an auxiliary plumb beam provided by the construction laser for scanning the job site in search of the cooperative reflector. The invention consists of a construction laser, motor driven turntable assembly to which the construction laser is attached and a cooperative reflector carried by the operator.

Abstract: The instrument comprises a sphere mounted in a holder between two rings, so that the sphere is held in specific spatial relationship to holes in the holder which define a line of sight of the instrument. A flat cylindrical assembly comprising a bubble level and a compass is mounted on the sphere with the center of the assembly at a point which represents the point on the earth's surface intersected by a line from the earth's center to the geostationary satellite served by the instrument. The assembly touches and moves between the rings. A mark on this assembly points in the direction of a point on the sphere which represents true North relative to the center of the assembly. A map of the area served by the satellite is marked on the sphere. A scale marked in degrees and having a base point is mounted between the rings with its centerline parallel to the rings. The map is marked with points representing major locations at which antennas may be located.

Abstract: A device for determining the annual exposure of a site which comprises a viewer having a lens with markings provided thereon for determining the line of travel of the sun at a given latitude for selected dates of the year and indicating the position of the sun at selected times of the day. Interchangeable lenses are provided for different latitudes and are changed by removing a bezel which attaches the lens to the hollow cylindrical body of the device.

Abstract: A passive solar heating model for studying the daylight illumination of a lot containing buildings and trees comprises a platform, a pair of arms pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the opposite sides of the platform, and an arcuate guide track pivotally mounted to the free ends of the arms for supporting a light source. The pivotal arms allow adjustments to account for the latitude corresponding to the parallel on which the lot is located and the pivotal guide track allows adjustments to accommodate for the time of the year to be studied. Finally, the light source is movably mounted on the track allowing for time-of-the-day adjustments.

Abstract: A device for determining the annual solar exposure of a site which includes a wide angle viewer and a transparent screen having the paths of the sun at various times of year drawn on it, and with the viewer and screen fixed with respect to each other so that when one looks from north toward south through the viewer the paths of the sun at various times of the year are superimposed on the site being investigated.

Abstract: The invention concerns the field of the solar shadowscopes. The apparatus according to the invention is characterized by the fact that the conditions of sunshine are recreated by the displacement of the light source in the relation to the apparatus and that the final position of the light source is given by the real position meeting exactly a given theoretical position of the shadow on the date scale and on the hour scale of a point "T", actually shown by the point of intersection of two wires set in the light beam.Application to the determination of the shadows on a model.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed herein for evaluating solar exposure at various points in any one of a number of given geographic locations for any given period during the year in order to determine the most efficient location for a solar collector. This technique may be carried out utilizing a single apparatus which is also disclosed herein and which includes a solar pointing device and the necessary indicia to appropriately orient the pointing device with respect to its environment at the various points selected. Once the pointing device is oriented, it is moved in a solar pointing position in an way which determines the path of the sun between sunrise and sunset for each point. From these paths, the amount of actual solar exposure at each of the points selected can be determined taking into account any resulting obstructions such as trees, rooflines or the like.

Abstract: An insolation survey device for determining the exposure of a reference point to a cyclically varying radiation source. The device employs a base member for horizontally supporting a display sheet premarked with a grid calibrated in units corresponding to the measurement being taken. A transparent reflective member is supported by the base member over the display sheet so that a reflected view of the surrounding appurtenances and the view of the display sheet, through the transparent dome, form one composite picture. In the composite picture so formed, the period or periods, if any, within the radiation cycle that the reference point will be exposed to said radiation appear as unobstructed sky superimposed onto the premarked grid. A compass is provided to directionally align the device and means are provided for orienting the base member in a true horizontal plane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining local solar time for virtually any location on any planet having a radiating sun, wherein the method requires minimal a prior knowledge of the planet's major characteristics and the apparatus is organized so as to permit completely automatic determination of the key parameters from which the time calculation is derived. Advantageously, the time determination is accomplished using a formulation of the time equation which depends on two key solid angles initially obtainable any time the planet's sun is reasonably high above the horizon. Additionally, methods are outlined which permit the apparatus to provide basic navigational data, such as latitude and longitude locations (for other than extreme polar positions) of the timepiece.