Abstract: A coordinate-measuring instrument has a purely mechanical device (14) to compensate for the weight of a vertically displaceable spindle (9). The compensation device consists of a helical-coil spring having a working range which is small as compared with its length in relaxed condition, and a belt transmission interposed between the spring and the spindle (9). The belt transmission is preferably developed in the manner of a block and tackle. A first or drive pulley engages and drives the belt for Z-axis positioning of the spindle, and a second or belt-tension pulley applies weight-compensating tension to the belt.

Abstract: A calibration-test member in the form of a ball plate fixedly mounts a plurality of precision balls arrayed in spaced relation in a single plane. The ball plate is of symmetrical construction with respect to this plane, the balls being so mounted within one or more cutouts of the plate or on the edge of the plate, with ball centers in the plane of symmetry of the plate, that contacting of the balls is possible from both sides.

Abstract: A probe head for coordinate-measuring instruments has a torsionally rigid, play-free and friction-free probe-suspension system which defines a three-dimensional coordinate system, wherein a probe pin is deflectable in all three directions in space. In order to be able to use the probe pin completely independent of its orientation, a separate taring device provides taring adjustment for each of the three coordinate axes in space. The taring device automatically sets the zero position of the suspension system in any orientation of the probe head, and for any change in orientation. In this connection, it is particularly advantageous to develop each taring device from two springs which are preloaded to act in opposition upon an element which is gravitationally deflected upon any change in probe-head orientation; to reach the zero position detected by an indicator, i.e., to effect the taring adjustment, provision is made for adjustment of the preload force of at least one of these springs.

Abstract: A testing device for use in determining the uncertainty of measurement of a coordinate-measuring instrument comprises a support which can be placed on the measurement table of the coordinate-measuring instrument; the support contains a plurality of locating fastening elements which receive a test standard in different orientations within the measurement range of the coordinate-measuring instrument. The test standard is a ball rod which has a ball fixed to the opposite ends of an elongate body. One end of the ball rod is mounted to the support in a pivot/swivel bearing that is so structured as to permit free measuring-probe access to contact the ball at the thus-mounted end of the ball rod.

Abstract: A probe head for a coordinate-measuring instrument has a torsionally rigid, play-free and friction-free probe-suspension system which defines a three-dimensional coordinate system wherein the work-contact pin of the probe is deflectable in all three directions in space. For each of the three coordinate directions, an incrementally operating displacement-measuring system is provided, and each such system is associated with a zero indicator for recognition of the zero position of the system. Upon initial contact of the probe with the object to be measured, a trigger pulse is produced via a sensor. A subsequent electronic system processes the different signals delivered by the probe head so that optional operation is available either as a switching probe head or as a measuring probe head.

Abstract: The presence of an operating helicopter within a given field of view is remotely and passively monitored by optically imaging the field of view at a focal surface, using an infrared detector to produce an electrical signal. The electrical signal is filtered with a narrow pass-band having a center frequency which is adjustable over a range which spans the respective modulation frequencies of characteristic infrared radiation emitted by the rotating blades of each of a plurality of helicopters of different type. Provision is made to indicate such component of the electrical signal as survives the filtering step.

Abstract: In the automated performance of multiple measurements on each of a succession of workpieces, the invention contemplates establishing a plurality of safety-reference positions (S.sub.1 to S.sub.7) along the programmed displacement path intended for the probe head (10) and its work-contacting probe pin. Any one of a variety of error signals developed in the course of conducting the measurement program on a given workpiece is operative to temporarily stop further conduct of the program and to instigate a repeated attempt to successfully traverse the part of the program in which the error signal occurred.

Abstract: Plural switch-type probe heads used in a coordinate-measuring machine are electrically connected in parallel, and each probe head contains a resistor (106) which is series-connected to its switch contact (103/110). In addition, each probe head has a measurement resistor (108) which is independent of switch contacts, and the measurement resistors of all probe heads are also connected in parallel. The operative work-contacting switch signal is produced from a comparison of the currents flowing through the measurement resistors (108) and the series resistors (106).

Abstract: For the mounting of measuring scales or straight-edges, they are clamped on balls (2, 6) rollably retained within small regions, which form a lengthwise guide and are fixed relative to their mounting (3) at a single point (5).

Abstract: In order to initiate the operation of an incremental-correction measurement system, which measures such guidance errors as instantaneous lateral offset of a movable machine part with respect to its guidance direction (Y), a reference mark is provided by two cylindrical lenses (4, 5) which are arranged at an angle to each other and to the guidance direction. Since the distance intercepts for Y-direction scanning of and between the two cylindrical lenses is dependent on the instantaneous lateral offset (.DELTA.X) of the guided part, it is possible to determine the absolute offset values (.DELTA.X.sub.1, .DELTA.X.sub.2) of two spaced incremental-correction measurement systems (K1, K2), using pairs of pulses (A.sub.1/2, B.sub.1/2) generated by two signal transmitters (KNIP1, KNIP2) upon their scanning traverse of the respective cylindrical lenses in the course of a single calibration run.

Abstract: A laser with variable wavelength contains, as laser-active material in the laser resonator, a mixture consisting of a first substance present as granulate and of a fluid (liquid or gaseous) second substance. One of these substances is laser-active. The course of the dispersion curves (11-12, and 13-14, respectively) of the indices of refraction of the two substances is dependent on temperature and/or pressure or density, and the curves have at least one point of intersection. When the laser is excited, it emits at a wavelength (.lambda..sub.1, .lambda..sub.2) which corresponds to the point of intersection of the dispersion curves. The temperature and/or pressure or density of the mixture of substances within the laser resonator is varied for controlled selection of the emission wavelength (.lambda..sub.1, .lambda..sub.2).

Abstract: A passive collector/detector system is described for automatic response to laser range-finder radiation, the response being with capability to determine the general direction from which the range-finder radiation is incident.

Abstract: The operating means for manual focusing of a microscope having a motorized-focus drive is embodied in a separate control console that is flexibly connected to and positionable alongside the microscope; the operating means includes a finger wheel or knob which is coupled with an electrical bit-signal generator (encoder). Digital output signals of the encoder are fed to control electronics for the focus-drive motor, and the electronic control system may either be contained within the control console, or it may be packaged, along with further electronic control means for additional functions, in a separate housing provided for the purpose.

Abstract: The invention concerns a receiver (1) in the probe head of a multiple-coordinate measuring machine in which probe-pin combinations (21) can be replaceably chucked with high precision with respect to their position in space. The receiver contains an isostatic three-point support (14) against which the base (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) of the probe-pin combination is drawn by an electrically operated clamping device. The clamping device is coupled with the control computer of the measuring machine so that a probe change can be effected automatically.In a preferred embodiment, the clamping device consists of a permanent magnet (11) and of an electromagnet (10) by which the field of the permanent magnet (11) can be selectively counteracted or increased to achieve pick-up and release functions. In another embodiment, a motor-driven screw thread performs the pick-up and release functions, and assures that the picked-up probe will unambiguously be drawn into correct isostatic engagement with the three-point support.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a binocular ophthalmological operation microscope with an optical fixation mark defined as effectively a point source of light, at the output end of an optical-fiber cable, wherein the output end faces the patient on the mechanically central axis of the microscope, i.e., on an alignment centered between and in the geometric plane defined by the respective binocular-viewing axes. The illumination system for the optical-fiber cable has provision for selective adjustment of the brightness of light output from the cable, thereby permitting selection of a brightness level which is comfortable to the patient and which also enables the observing physician to see the optical-fiber output as a cornea-reflected light spot, within his field of view.

Abstract: The invention contemplates an astigmatic-power lens having at least one lens surface which differs from spherical or toric shape and which is characterized by the fact that, for each elemental region of said lens surface, the principal curvatures and the principal curvature-directions are so selected that the astigmatism of the spectacle lens and of the eye to be corrected are optimally adapted as to direction and extent.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a multi-focal spectacle lens with a dioptric power varying progressively between different zones of vision, namely, a progressive lens which, with a short progressive zone, substantially satisfies in the progressive zone as well as in the far-vision and near-vision zones all requirements (monocular and binocular) for sharpness and compatibility, while reducing horizontal and vertical directional errors to tolerable values by selecting distortion on both sides of the principal sight line accordingly.

Abstract: Two methods are disclosed for eliminating the influence of guidance errors on the precision of determining the position of guided machine parts as in a coordinate-measuring machine, whereby the resulting measurement may be provided with a correction which is dependent on the guidance error. In a first method of the invention, the relevant guidance errors of the machine are determined and approximated by correction functions which are stored in the computer of the machine; the stored correction functions are used for automatic correction of errors otherwise inherent in operation of the coordinate-measuring machine. In a second method of the invention, additional measuring devices are mounted to displaceable parts of the machine, and these devices respond to changes in offset distance from reference surfaces arranged parallel to applicable coordinate guides; these measurement devices provide continuous detection of guidance errors, throughout the measurement process.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a photometer tube having a rotatably mounted slit-diaphragm insert, with provision for scanning a specimen object through the slit, in the direction perpendicular to the instantaneous longitudinal orientation of the slit. In a first embodiment, the rotatable slit is coupled with an angle transmitter which supplies a control signal for scanning by a motor-driven X-Y specimen stage. In a second embodiment, the diaphragm holder itself is mounted on a carrier, for lineal displacement on the carrier in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the slit, and the carrier is rotatable to permit slit orientation with respect to a pattern of interest in an observed specimen.