Abstract: A probe head includes a housing having a first housing unit to be affixed on a machine, and a second housing unit on which a stylus is supported so as to be deflectable. The second housing unit is movably supported on the first housing unit so as to allow a deflection. The probe head furthermore has a switching unit, which includes a first contact element and a second contact element, the contact elements being arranged such that when the second housing unit is deflected relative to the first housing unit, the contact elements are able to be brought into mutual contact at different points as a function of the direction of deflection, whereby an electrical switching signal is able to be triggered by this contact.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of stabilizing the horizon of magnetic compasses. At measuring points measurements are taken of spatial components of the geomagnetic field vector and of an overall acceleration vector that is equal to the difference of the acceleration vector due to gravity and the acceleration vector of the magnetic compass. Taking into account the time rates of change of the measured components, the positional relation of the current horizon of the magnetic compass is determined relative to the stable horizon. Using quality functions that signal the deviation of the new spatial position relative to the one previously defined, an estimation method is used to evaluate the accuracy of the stabilized horizon of the system. A horizon can be produced that is largely unsusceptible to movement-induced accelerations of the device equipped with a magnetic compass.

Abstract: A method is specified for stabilizing the directional display of magnetic compasses on bodies moving in a magnetic field, in particular the terrestrial magnetic field, against magnetic interference sources. The spatial components of the magnetic field vector are measured at a measuring point within a first interference-free measurement region. Taking account of the temporal changes in the measured components, the absolute value of the magnetic field strength and, as a function thereof, a quality function are determined, which quality function is a measure of the temporal distribution of the measured magnetic field vector components and a measure of the quality of the value of the magnetic field strength. For a further measuring point, the quality function and the measured component values are used to estimate the magnetic field vector at this measuring point and to measure the spatial components of this magnetic field vector.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor mounting assembly embodying the present invention includes a base plate having cradles for pivotally receiving and adjustably locking a sensor supporting platform thereto. The base plate can be attached to an existing rearview mirror mounting member. The assembly further includes a cover providing access for adjusting the platform to a horizontal position and for allowing the rearview mirror mounting stem to extend therethrough.

Abstract: A tilt-compensating magnetic compass formed by a capsule enclosing a rotatable pointer to indicate direction and a rotatable magnetic-field detector provided with a permanent magnet. The detector, which is rotatable about an axis colinear with the axis about which the pointer rotates, orients itself with respect to the earth's magnetic field, the detector being tiltable to a degree depending on the inclination of the magnetic field and on the attitude of the compass with respect to the horizontal plane. The detector is mechanically linked to the pointer so that rotation of the detector results in a corresponding rotation of the pointer regardless of the degree of tilt, whereby the pointer accurately indicates direction. The linkage consists of a pin projecting from the detector and passing through a slot in a fork extending from the pointer, whereby when the detector tilts, the pin then shifts within the slot, but remains coupled to the fork to maintain the linkage without imparting movement to the pointer.