Abstract: A blooming protection for a nightsight comprises a cylindrical cover of opaque material, which cover has an opening through which light can pass. The cover is plugged onto the tube on the objective side, like a protective cover. If the opaque section is aligned with a light source in the field of view, by rotating the cover, when observing a scene at night, not only is the blooming caused by said light source suppressed, but the overall contrast in the field of view is also increased. Furthermore, the life of the image-intensifier tube is extended, because of the reduced input radiation. Depending on the objective used, the shape and size of the opening in the cover through which light can pass can be constructed differently, and even variably.

Abstract: An illumination system for optical equipment, such as an operating microscope, includes at least two separate illuminating beam paths, a first light source, and a lamp housing. At least one additional light source is provided on a rotatable lamp quick-change attachment. When the first light source fails, the first light source is automatically replaced with the additional light source.

Abstract: A two-axis inclinometer having an inclination-sensitive ray-deflecting device is described, via which a geometrical figure having at least one angle is projected onto a linear array. In addition to providing high resolution, a large measurement range is also opened up by the special arrangement and configuration of the geometrical figure. X-, Y- and overlapping inclinations can be determined simultaneously using the described inclinometer.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a laser leveling instrument along a building line can remain standing unchanged on its base throughout both horizontal and vertical leveling operations. The light source is located in the base of the instrument. The instrument head can be swung through 90.degree. and houses a rotating prism which generates the vertical plane, and an adaptor. The adaptor includes a prism for deflecting the light from the source into the rotating prism and a triple prism which, when brought into the light path, deflects the light coming from the base perpendicular to the generated vertical plane, projecting it onto the building line.

Abstract: A wave front sensor having a focusing optical system (1), a perforated diaphragm (2) with a plurality of perforations (21) situated simultaneously in the beam path (3), in an encoded arrangement, in particular according to and a cyclic Hadamard code, a device (22) for advancing the perforated diaphragm (2), so that a multiplicity of different encoded arrangements of perforations (21) are situated successively in the beam path (3).

Abstract: Process and apparatus for testing optical components (12) or systems which are contained in an apparatus consisting of a focusing optical system (1) and a space-resolving light detector (2) close to the focal plane thereof, it being provided that a source (3), containing a collimator (32), for a narrowly delimited precisely parallel light beam with a plane wavefront is moved rectilinearly in a plane parallel to the wavefront, at a plurality of positions of the source (3) the signal of the light detector (2) is determined, tilting movements of the source (3) perpendicular to the line direction are detected by an apparatus with a second collimator (52) and space-sensitive detector (51), and the aperture of the optical system (1) is scanned twice with line directions rotated relative to one another through approximately 90.degree., and in addition an individual line coming close to the axis of rotation is scanned in a position rotated through approximately 45.degree..

Abstract: A microscope adapted for use by two or more operators during surgical operations has a main objective lens and at least two mutually independent stereoscopic observation beam paths. Each stereoscopic observation beam path has a magnification system and a focusing system disposed therein. Pupil displacement systems are provided in modular construction of different mechanical lengths but of equal optical path lengths. This modular construction allows individual and customized configurations of the microscope for adaptation to meet the needs and requirements of various operating conditions and the various operating disciplines.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the ratio of the capacitance values C.sub.1, C.sub.2 of two capacitors having very small capacitances, where the capacitors to be compared are interconnected by means of one of their one electrodes. A signal voltage U.sub.i (t) which can be differentiated, can be reproduced over at least two signal periods and has defined slopes is applied to the interconnected electrodes of the capacitors. The two other electrodes of the capacitors are each connected to current amplifiers (3,4). The amplified output signals U.sub.1 (t), U.sub.2 (t) of the two capacitors are supplied to an A/D convertor and during a first signal period, two digital amplitude values Us.sub.1, Us.sub.2 of the output signals of the one capacitor at an interval of half a signal period (T/2) are determined and, subsequently thereto and likewise at an interval of half a signal period, during the second signal period, two digital amplitude values Us.sub.3, Us.sub.

Abstract: A stand for supporting an apparatus includes a main frame; a linkage parallelogram connected to the main frame; a first supporting arm connected to the linkage parallelogram; an energy storing element connected to the linkage parallelogram at a plurality of places; and a device for displacing the center of gravity of the apparatus. The displacing device includes a second supporting arm having a first non-vertical axis (A--A). The second supporting arm is rotatably connected to the first supporting arm and is connected to the apparatus by a connection point having a second non-vertical axis which is perpendicular to the first non-vertical axis. The displacing device displaces the center of gravity of the apparatus into a point of intersection of the first non-vertical axis and the second non-vertical axis.

Abstract: A device for centering geodetic instruments over defined ground marks or defined position marks is described, in which a visible light beam is projected onto a ground mark or position mark. In an advantageous additional feature, the light beam of the invention can be used to measure the distance between the sighting line of the geodetic instrument and the sighted ground mark or position mark.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a collimating mark within an optical sighting device includes a light source to generate a beam of light for the mark, imaging optics, and a beam splitter. The beam splitter reflects one portion of the light from the light source into a sighting ray path and directs another portion of light on to a two-dimensional photosensor matrix. From the signals generated by the matrix, the actual position of the collimating mark is determined. A ballistics computer predetermines a set position. Control signals are generated based on an actual position/set position comparison to permit the continuous movement of the collimating mark such that it indicates the elevation and lead angles relative to the optical axis of the sighting device. The signals generated by the photosensor matrix are also used to control the contrast of the collimating mark with respect to its immediate surroundings.

Abstract: A method of measuring a distance to an object includes generating first signal pulses to be bounced off the object and receiving the first signal pulses, after the first signal pulses have been bounced off the object, as second signal pulses. When the amplitude of the second signal pulses is above a predetermined value, the second signal pulses are differentiated and then supplied as differentiated second signal pulses to an input of an analog-to-digital converter. When the amplitude of the second signal pulses is not above the predetermined value, the second signal pulses are passed through to the input of the analog-to-digital converter unchanged. Signal pulses at the input to the analog-to-digital converter are converted into digital signals. The digital signals are summed over a period of time to generate a sum. The sum is used to determine the time delay between generating the first signal pulses and receiving the second signal pulses. The time delay is proportional to the distance to the object.