Abstract: A reflected light method of paleocurrent determination uses laser light source for investigation of paleocurrent direction for oriented sandstone samples from surface and from drill cores. The technique determines the average optic axis orientation by the variations in the intensity of a beam of reflected light from a polished surface of the sample as the sample is rotated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the magnitude of spherical hardness testing indentations in solid surfaces by scanning the indentations with a light beam. Scanning is achieved by tilting the beam in one or several planes perpendicular to the testpiece surface through a point which is the center of rotation for the beam tilting as well as the center of curvature of the indentation area in the plane of tilting. At least the part of the indenter making contact with the indented surface is spherically shaped, and the scanning light spot follows an arcuate path in the indentation being measured. The scanning light beam is sent through a transparent indenter, or scanning is carried out directly on the indentation after removal of the indenter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for checking the width and parallelism of margins following the centering of a print with respect to a support, wherein the support is moved in front of opto-electronic reading devices such that the margins extend parallel to the direction of movement. A number n of photosensitive member are distributed in a linear manner transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the support, the number of sensitized photosensitive members of the reading devices producing a signal greater than a threshold level is counted for each margin, the number of members counted is compared with a reference value, and the difference between the numbers of members counted at two different points of each margin is compared with a reference value. The first comparison provides a measure of the width of the margin, and the second comparison provides a measure of the parallelism of the margins.

Abstract: The acoustic energy responsive deformation of a workpiece surface is sensed in a contact-free manner by optical means using a laser which illuminates the surface at which deformation is expected. The reflection light energy is transmitted to an optical interferometer as previously shown in the art. The present improvement comprises the use of a multi-wavelength laser beam light and separating the light after passing through the interferometer into the distinct wavelengths. Each light signal corresponding to a specific wavelength is converted individually to an electrical signal, each electrical signal is rectified, and the plurality of rectified signals are then averaged in an electrical summing means.

Abstract: This invention relates to method and apparatus for improving the accuracy of optical or electrical position measuring apparatus wherein movement of one object relative to another is measured. One known system employs primary and secondary windings each comprising a multiplicity of series-connected conductors arranged on adjacent faces of relatively movable members of insulating material. In another system an optical Moire fringe pattern is moved in correspondence as regards extent and sense with the movement with the object and the number of fringes displaced from a fiducial line are counted.

Abstract: A plurality of projectors are positioned in spaced relationship about an object with a surface to be geometrically analyzed. The projectors have cooperating masks which project onto the object illuminated patterns that subdivide the object into predetermined sections. Each mask has a predetermined pattern of sections, and is applied in sequence. The masks are cooperatively advanced in the projectors, with a separate illuminating pattern prevailing on the object each time that the masks are advanced. The combinations of the patterns on the masks define closely-spaced sections subdividing the object. The patterns are coded so that each section is uniquely defined in coded form. Cameras having the entire object within their field of view, photograph the object each time a separate mask is applied. To sense sections of the surface independent of the reflectance characteristics of the surface, the projectors direct two separate illuminating signals at the object surface.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a printed circuit board constituted by an insulating board having a conductive pattern thereon which creates interconnections between circuit elements mounted on the board. In this system, a laser beam is deflected in the X and Y directions to generate a raster scan which is optically split in a manner making it possible to simultaneously examine corresponding sections of the conductive pattern on the board and on the artwork from which the board is derived. The artwork possesses the same scale and the same orientation as the desired conductive pattern on the board and therefore represents the nominal pattern required therefor. In this simultaneous examination, a comparison is made in an associated computer between the dimensions of the conductors in the pattern and the spacings therebetween on the board and on the artwork to determine the extent of the disparities therebetween.

Abstract: An egg candling device comprising a partly open housing mounting guiding means for guiding a conveyor for conveying eggs in a plurality of side-by-side lanes, at least one reflector for each of said lanes, and at least one lamp disposed between said conveyor and said reflectors.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus for bringing two objects, each having at least one reference mark, into a predetermined positional relation is disclosed in which the two objects are scanned by a beam of light emitted from a coherent light source, the light coming from the reference marks is received and converted into electrical signals by means of which the amount of deviation between the two objects is detected and the two objects are adjusted to the predetermined positional relation. Repetitively swept light from the light source is divided into two parts which scan the reference marks at different times and along different directions.

Abstract: In an apparatus for measuring the sizes of fibers, said fibers are diluted into a carrier liquid in a container. The liquid is circulated by means of a pump in a main pipe through a chamber in which a vortex flow exists. A part of the liquid in the chamber is derivated through a small diameter pipe towards a photo-electric analyzing equipment.

Abstract: A lens nesting member carries a plurality of lenses in position to enable rapid selection of a desired lens and photoelectric means is provided for sensing and for identifying the desired lens.

Abstract: An optical system focuses a laser beam emanating from a laser onto a surface of an object, such as a circumferential surface of the object to be measured. The light beam is reflected from the object, so as to form a generally focused light spot; the intensity of the light spot, which depends on the distance of the surface from the optical system, is measured, and the measurement results are displayed and/or utilized for controlling the dimensions of the object, if the object is an elongated article, and is continuously produced, generally in a direction transverse to its cross-section.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for aligning telescopes with the axis of rotation of the earth, which utilizes a pole finder telescope having its optical axis offset from its mechanical axis by an angle which is equal to or a function of the angle by which the reference star is offset from the earth's axis of rotation at the time the alignment is being made.

Abstract: A simple and compact testing device is disclosed for enabling the boresight alignment of a laser designator to be quickly and readily checked. The device includes a tubular housing having a closed end and an open end adapted to be attached to the designator. A target disk and a converging meniscus lens provided with a reflective coating on its surface facing the target disk are snugly disposed within the housing adjacent to its closed and open ends, respectively, with a tubular spacer member interposed between and abutting the target disk and the lens. A portion of the laser light emitted from the designator is directed by the lens toward the target disk such that after a predetermined number of reflections from the target disk and the coating on the lens this laser light is focused to a small area on the target disk. The target disk emits visible light which travels back into the designator to provide an indication of the location of the spot of impingement of the laser light on the target disk.

Abstract: In a process for checking the dimension of a part, the part is moved continuously through a parallel beam of light, in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the beam, and forms a moving shadow on a pair of spaced photoelectric cells. The cells are spaced apart a distance such that there is a zone in the movement of the part in which both cells are partially shadowed and the sum of the areas of the illuminated parts of the surfaces of the cells is measured at the moment when the difference between the areas of the illuminated parts of the surfaces of the cells is zero, and compared with a reference.

Abstract: An irradiance analysis system which includes an array of square rods that are joined together and have a flat entrance end and a polished flat exit end through which visible light is transmitted to a Fresnel lens and focused to a particular area where the image focused is photographed so that when the various frames are developed they can be analyzed in a conventional film densitometer to yield quantative data on the temporal variation of laser beam irradiance distributions.

Abstract: The invention is a system for measuring the gage of railroad tracks and includes a pair of sensor probes mounted a fixed distance apart on a wheeled vehicle traveling along two rails and each located in positions horizontally adjacent to one of the rails. Each of the probes retains spaced apart first and second collimated light sources that direct first and second light beams at incident angles against the inner surface of the adjacent rail head at points five-eighths of an inch from the top surface thereof. After reflection from the rail head the first and second beams produce images in an optical receiver also retained by the probe. A detector produces an output dependent upon the spacing between the first and second beam image centers which is in turn dependent upon the distance between the probe and the adjacent rail head.

Abstract: In a method for defining the spatial location of points comprising an object surface, radiant energy is projected onto the object in successive steps with the energy projected in each step having a unique change in intensity with distance along an axis extending transversely of the projection field. The spatial locations of surface points are derived by comparison of reflected intensity information derived from records of the object so irradiated and predetermined patterns derived in accordance with the intensity changes with transverse distance in the respective energy projections.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining hematocrit, white cell and differential white cell and platelet counts in a centrifuged sample of blood contained in a transparent tube, preferably of capillary size. The apparatus is manually operated and utilizes a card which is appropriately calibrated on which the various blood cell counts are recorded.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating patterned images which are variable in color contrast and spatial frequency while retaining a substantially constant, uniform level of photometric luminance. Two broad spectrum beams of luminous energy are individually projected through two orthogonally oriented polarizers and interleaved upon being split. The intensity in one beam is homogeneous while the other contains a spatially periodic pattern. The two beams created by splitting and interleaving are selectively color filtered and combined after one is translated sufficiently to reverse its phase relative to the other. A rotating polarizer in the path of the output combined beam alters the pattern color composition between one extreme where the spatially reversing colors are defined by the color filters and the opposite extreme in which the pattern disappears into a uniform composition of the two colors.