Patents Assigned to Kern & Co.
  • Patent number: 8137780
    Abstract: A plastic hollow body, in particular plastic pipe, the wall of which is constructed from cylindrical layers bonded to one another, wherein at least one layer is a layer made of a thermosetting material produced in the centrifugal process and the plastic hollow body includes multiple layers of thermosetting material and multiple layers of thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Knoch, Kern & Co.
    Inventors: Guntram Bock, Jürgen Miethlinger, Rainer Borth
  • Patent number: 5003187
    Abstract: For sensing the surface of an object, a number of gratings with linear line patterns of different periods on a common carrier are successively projected onto the surface. Images of the line patterns deformed at the object surface are detected and stored by a television camera and evaluated by an electronic circuit. The evaluation comprises computing, from the residual phases of the object points within each fringe of the linear pattern, the absolute heights of these points with respect to a common reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Kern & Co., AG
    Inventors: Roland Zumbrunn, Linus Richner
  • Patent number: 5000585
    Abstract: A shaft is borne in a standard by an intermediate member and a supporting bearing so that the shaft may follow without constraint lateral shifts of the supporting bearing by tilts about a plurality of small angles located in different planes. This effect is achieved by providing one of two guiding rings for the shaft within the intermediate member with two small sliding projections. These projections may be vertically arranged on a diameter of the intermediate member, which in turn is mounted to the standard by two small seat-engaging surfaces which are horizontally arranged on a diameter of the intermediate member. The apparatus is preferably used with shaft angle encoders for theodolites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Kern & Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Dieter Hoffmann, Thomas Scholian
  • Patent number: 4993162
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a stable carrier plate for carrying prisms cemented thereto and conducting an optical ray path from its source to a position sensitive photoelectric receiver. A liquid horizon is provided on the carrier plate for shifting the optical ray path if the apparatus is inclined. A design stable against temperature and mechanical stress with a flat and compact shape is achieved in an easily mountable two axes inclinometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Kern & Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas Scholian
  • Patent number: 4957375
    Abstract: A shaft is guided axially with respect to position and clearance in a bearing flange. The guidance is adjustable by means of guiding pieces engaging a turned groove of the shaft. The groove has oblique conical sidewalls, and each guiding piece by radial adjustment limits the axial position of a respective sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Kern & Co. AG
    Inventor: Dieter Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4943149
    Abstract: A bearing bush with a side opening is mounted within a telescope barrel. The telescope thus may be easily mounted on a tilting axis by simply inserting an axle into the bush. Mounting and adjustment of the tilting axis within its bearings and of angular measuring systems is thus independent of mounting of the telescope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Kern & Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Erika Wahlen, Dieter Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4916324
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Kern & Co. AG
    Inventor: Dietrich Meier
  • Patent number: 4877324
    Abstract: The optical aiming device may be mounted on firearms. It comprises a light-collecting rod (8) consisting of a phosphor material to illuminate a central circular spot (22) of an aiming mark (6). Such illumination passes through a truncated hollow cone (25) and is used for good ambient light conditions. For poor ambient light four tritium luminous cells (18, 19, 20, 21) are mounted around the truncated hollow cone (25). Each tritrium cell illuminates one radial line component (23) of the aiming mark (6) via the external mirrored lateral area of cone (25). To adapt the brightness of the aiming mark to the brightness of the target the tritium luminous cells (18, 19, 20, 21) may be shifted on a circle around cone (25) with respect to the line components (23) of aiming mark (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Kern & Co. AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Hauri, Hans Etter
  • Patent number: 4872341
    Abstract: A tight sealing is provided at the junction of three joints between three flat components. The components are joined to each other by sealing elements, which may be of the inserting or receiving type. The tight seal is achieved by providing an inserting element with a groove such that it gets a double function, at the same time being inserted into one sealing element and receiving another sealing element at the junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Kern & Co.
    Inventor: Erika Wahlen
  • Patent number: 4869105
    Abstract: The supporting body of an instrument is joined to a casing by means of ribs fitting into guideways angularly spaced around a centerline of the supporting body. Thereby, small clearances between the ribs and guideways in a direction parallel to the casing wall surfaces are effective in limiting play at right angles to the casing walls, where much greater clearances must be provided. The casing may expand or shrink freely without exerting strains on the supporting body that could interfere with the proper function of the instrument, due to the large radial clearances between the ribs and guideways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Kern & Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jorg Hartmann, Dieter Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4759623
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Kern & Co. AG
    Inventor: Dietrich Meier
  • Patent number: 4681433
    Abstract: For simplification of storage of measured range and direction values in surveying, as well as for coordination and processing of these values with additional information these values are transmitted from the measuring station (1,2) to the target point (2'). The additional information is mainly obtained at the target point (2') at a distance from the measuring station (1,2) and at the other end of the measured range, whereas the measured values are transmitted by modulating electric signals upon the infrared beam of an electrooptic range-finder (2) or by means of a separate short wave link. At the target point (2') there are a signal receiver and a programmable data storage device (3) which accepts the additional information keyed in by hand via a keyboard (17).Advantages are obtained by this method in simplifying the observer's task and preparation of reports, providing automatic data transmission and therefore reducing reading and transmission errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Kern & Co. AG.
    Inventor: Heinz Aeschlimann
  • Patent number: 4553836
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Kern & Co. AG.
    Inventors: Dietrich Meier, Hans-Ulrich Minder
  • Patent number: 4537464
    Abstract: This invention provides an infrared lens system for the wavelength range of 3.5 .mu.m-5 .mu.m of F/1 and having an angle of field of 3.2.degree.. The lens system consists of three lens elements. As viewed from the object side the first element is a positive lens (1) made of silicon (Si), the second element (3) is made of calcium fluoride (CaF.sub.2) and the third is a positive lens (2) made of silicon (Si). This lens system is intended for use in a thermal imaging device, having a scanning mirror (4) and a radiation detector (5) with a sapphire cover (6). Thus a low cost achromatic infrared objective system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Kern & Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Roman Boutellier
  • Patent number: 4482219
    Abstract: This invention provides a high speed compact catadioptric, i.e. reflecting-refracting objective system of F/1.2.The lens system comprises, in accordance with the advance of the light rays, a positive lens with a convex surface toward the object, a lens with front and back surface concave toward the object and with a main mirror surfaced on the peripheral portion of said back surface. A counter-mirror is surfaced to the central portion of said positive lens and a field lens is cemented to the central portion of said lens with the main mirror surfaced thereon. Small zonal errors of spherical aberration, economical production and a reduced sensitivity to machining and mounting errors result from employing only two optical members which carry the mirrors and lens elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Kern & Co. AG
    Inventor: Ludvik Canzek
  • Patent number: 4482118
    Abstract: This invention provides an adjusting base for geodetic instruments.By a double function of a clamping ring the adjusting base may be used with both instruments with a standard central single peg and instruments with more pegs arranged around a common center. Various interchangeable parts enable the adjusting base to be used on all known tripods and pillar plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Kern & Co. AG
    Inventor: Dieter Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4352556
    Abstract: A reflector for electrooptical measurement of the distance between a first (3) and a second point (4) is arranged with a right angle sighting device (13) in a common case (8). The reflector (6) may thus be set up at a point (5) where the directions to the first (3) and second points (4) form a right angle. This facilitates the distance measurement between points (3, 4) that are not suited for the set up of reflectors or where visual contact between the points (3, 4) is impaired by an obstacle (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Assignee: Kern & Co. AG
    Inventors: Erwin Haefliger, Fritz Hinden, Aldo Lardelli
  • Patent number: 4274736
    Abstract: With an electrooptical distance meter a reference signal is timeshifted by means of an electronic phase shifter (20), until it has a given phase relation to the measurement signal. Both signals are compared in phase by a double balanced mixer (22), the output of which directs the electronic phase shifter (20) by a control loop (20, 22, 23). The phase shift is measured after frequency conversion by two additional double balanced mixers (24, 25). Thus handy precision distance meters with measurement frequencies about 500 MHz may be built, comprising control loops for laser diode transmitter (1), avalanche diode receiver (13), phase shifter (20) and intermediate frequency, as well as a processor (5, 29) control for automatic function of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Assignee: Kern & Co. AG
    Inventor: Beat Balmer
  • Patent number: 4273425
    Abstract: This invention provides a high speed compact catadioptric, i.e. reflecting-refracting objective system of F/1.2.The lens system comprises, in accordance with the advance of the light rays, a positive lens with a convex surface toward the object, a lens with front and back surface concave toward the object and with a main mirror surfaced on the peripheral portion of said back surface. A counter-mirror is surfaced to the central portion of said positive lens and a field lens is cemented to the central portion of said lens with the main mirror surfaced thereon. Small zonal errors of spherical aberration, economical production and a reduced sensitivity to machining and mounting errors result from employing only two optical members which carry the mirrors and lens elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1981
    Assignee: Kern & Co. A.G.
    Inventor: Ludvik Canzek
  • Patent number: 4259010
    Abstract: A restitution instrument for measuring and evaluating picture plates. The instrument includes a mounting stage for mounting the plate. The stage has two edges forming a 90.degree. angle. A carriage means attached to the stage, is used for guiding the stage free of rotation in directions parallel to the edges, i.e., X and Y directions. A drive means is attached to the stage for driving the stage in the X and Y directions along the carriage means. The drive means includes a drive unit slidably mounted to each of the edges and a drive member driven by a drive motor. The member is mounted at 90.degree. to the edge. The member drives the stage in a line of motion perpendicular to the edge. The lines of motion of each of the members intersects at a fixed point whose projection on to the stage falls upon an image point under observation. The drive means includes a measuring means for determining the distance the stage is driven in each of the X and Y directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Assignee: Kern & Co. AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Hauri