Abstract: The determination of the three-dimensional orientation of a body relative to two horizontal reference directions with increased accuracy is performed by an inclinometer-based elevation measurement device which has at least three, and preferably eight individual inclinometers. The individual inclinometers are positioned relative to a housing of the measurement device in such a manner that they point in different directions in space and each combination of three individual inclinometers combines to form a triad for computationally determining the measured orientation values of the body in a first step. Thereafter, in second step, the measured orientation values are combined in a weighted or unweighted form to produce an overall measured value of the body having substantially higher precision.

Abstract: A graduated element attachment system in a position measuring system, the graduated element attachment system including a graduated element having a circumferential face and a holder. The holder includes a plurality of resilient elements, wherein each one of the plurality of resilient elements engages the circimferential face in such a manner so that the graduated element is clasped in several directions and wherein each of the plurality of resilient elements exerts a force on the graduated element wherein the exerted forces are directed in such a manner so that the plurality of resilient elements maintain the graduated element in equilibrium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security belt, in particular for personal protection, which can be attached and fixed to the human body. The belt comprises at least two belt sections which enable the security belt to be fitted and removed and a fixing element for connecting the belt sections in a secure and detachable manner. The security belt has at least one fixing device for various security and safety elements, which is connected to at least one of the belt sections in a fixed manner. The weight and dimensions of the security belt which encompasses the fixing device are configured in such a way that the security belt is very comfortable to wear and allows extensive freedom of movement over long periods of time during daily activities.

Abstract: A sculpted free-form light bulb has a body formed to simulate desired shapes of an object having a capping at one end and provided inside with a filament adapted to operate as a normal light bulb. A method of making the bulb includes steps of: making a sculpt out of resin in a desired shape (e.g., a teddy bear), translating that sculpt into a metal mold, blowing the metal mold at a temperature around 1150° C. at a pressure around 3 psig to form a bulb having that desired shape, sealing the bulb by placing a filament inside, capping the bulb, basing the bulb, and testing the bulb by placing it into a light testing machine.

Abstract: A position measuring device having a scanning device and a scale, wherein the scanning device is movable in relation to the scale in a measuring direction. The scale including a measuring graduation, wherein periodic measuring signals are generated when the scanning device scans the measuring graduation and a reference marking, wherein a reference marking signal is generated when the scanning device scans the reference marking with a scanning beam bundle. The scale further includes a first optically scannable area marking next to the reference marking and a second optically scannable area marking next to the reference marking and which has a different optical deflection property than the first optically scannable area marking, wherein photoelectric scanning of the first and second optically scannable area markings with the scanning beam bundle from the scanning device generates an area signal that differentiates characteristics of the first and second optically scannable area markings.

Abstract: An interferential position measuring arrangement including a light source connected to a first object, which emits a beam of rays in a direction of an optical axis and an optical element arranged downstream of the light source, which converts the beam of rays emitted by the light source into an incoming beam of rays. A scale grating connected to a second object that moves relative to the first object, which splits the incoming beam of rays into a first partial beam of rays, which is propagated into a first spatial direction and a second partial beam of rays, which is propagated into a second spatial direction.

Abstract: The three-dimensional orientation of a body relative to a reference direction is determined with increased accuracy by using a gyro-based azimuth and elevation measurement device which has at least four and preferably eight individual gyros. The individual gyros are positioned such that they react to rotary motions in different directions of space. In a first step all orientation measurement values are determined which are made available by three gyros at a time combined into a so-called triad. In a second step these measured values are combined in evaluated or unevaluated form into an overall measurement value of higher precision.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for high-speed autofocus and tilt of an inspection surface in a microscope system. The method and apparatus herein described projects an array of spots, lines, circles, grids or other shapes on the surface to be adjusted. The superposition of the array on the surface is imaged by a CCD camera and captured for subsequent analysis. Analysis of the captured image determines both the distance and angle through which the surface must be adjusted to bring it into the focal plane of the optical system. Focus and tilt error is estimated by comparing image dilation and distortion with calibrated data.

Abstract: To detect the relative position of bodies, surfaces or the like, especially those on machines, there is an optoelectronic sensor. The latter reacts to incident light, for example, monochromatic laser light. The available receiving surface is however comparatively small for low-cost or pixel-oriented sensors. By making available a diffuser and a projecting objective lens in front of an optoelectronic sensor the usable receiving surface for incident light can be greatly increased. The diffuser or also the projecting objective lens can additionally be designed as a color filter and can be used to reduce the effects of outside light. A process is provided with which an especially accurate determination of the median point of the laser light spot incident on the target (optoelectronic sensor) can be achieved.

Abstract: An optical position measuring system for determining the relative position of a first object which can be moved with respect to a second object along a measuring direction includes at least one periodic measuring graduation, which is connected to the first object and a scanning unit which is connected with the second object. The scanning unit includes a light source emitting beams of light, at least one scanning graduation and a detector arrangement in a detector plane.

Abstract: An adapter for a precision inspection instrument used for measurement of rollers or rolls in the paper, steel, film industry, without contacting the rollers or rolls. The adapter employs a high pressure fluid, such as compressed air, which emerges through a plurality of nozzles to form an air cushion for supporting the adapter nears the roller. Additionally, the adapter can be provided with adjustable, specifically defined surfaces having nozzles for forming the air cushion on rollers of various dimensions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the mutual orientation of an optionally oriented hollow cylinder and a cut end of a body containing the hollow cylinder by employing a high-precision laser gyroscope. In using this method, the orientation measurements can be obtained in a more economical and time efficient manner than those employed using conventional methods.

Abstract: A device for precision measurement of shafts, spindles, or the like calls for two surfaces which are combined with one another, of which one is partially reflecting and the other is roughly fully reflecting. These surfaces reflect an incident light beam independently of one another onto a single optoelectronic target. The target can be read out two-dimensionally and is pixel-oriented. From only a single measurement position, the azimuth and elevation, and the parallel offset between the incident light beam and a center of the reflecting surfaces can be determined.

Abstract: A device for quantitative assessment of the aligned position of two machine parts, workpieces or the like is used especially for purposes of axis alignment or spindle alignment. A light beam is incident on an optoelectronic sensor which can be read out two-dimensionally and the impact point there is determined by the sensor. Part of the light beam is preferably reflected by the sensor directly onto a second optoelectronic sensor. The impact point of the reflected light beam there is determined in a feasible manner by the second sensor. The orientation of at least the first sensor relative the location of the light beam is determined from the signals of the two sensors.

Abstract: The three-dimensional orientation of a body relative to a reference direction is determined with increased accuracy by using a gyro-based azimuth and elevation measurement device which has at least four and preferably eight individual gyros. The individual gyros are positioned such that they react to rotary motions in different directions of space. In a first step all orientation measurement values are determined which are made available by three gyros at a time combined into a so-called triad. In a second step these measured values are combined in evaluated or unevaluated form into an overall measurement value of higher precision.

Abstract: The effectiveness of a method for checking for exact alignment of two successive shafts, axles or the like is improved by the fact the no measures with respect to linearization or temperature compensation are necessary any longer by using a light-sensitive array as the light-sensitive sensor. The effects of outside light and reflections can be suppressed. The cross section and the quality of a detected laser beam can be checked especially by visual inspection. Production of the corresponding device for executing this process is facilitated. By using matched beam splitters and reflectors as well as light sources of different colors the number of optoelectronic sensors necessary can be significantly reduced.

Abstract: The shock protection device prevents damage to optically and micromechanically acting gyroscopes. The gyroscope or precision instrument to be protected can be located in an inner housing shell which is spaced apart from an outer housing shell by elastic elements, and is thereby protected against shock. The inner housing shell can be brought temporarily into accurate mechanical contact with the outer housing shell by an electromechanical device. The spatial orientations of the inner and outer housing shells then correspond with high precision. In a further embodiment of the invention, the electromechanical device can be used precisely conversely to deactivate an existing shock protection and temporarily to bring about direct contact between a sensing element and an object to be checked on the occasion of a measuring operation.

Abstract: An adapter for a precision inspection instrument used for measurement of rollers or rolls in the paper, steel, film industry, without contacting the rollers or rolls. The adapter employs a high pressure fluid, such as compressed air, which emerges through a plurality of nozzles to form an air cushion for supporting the adapter nears the roller. Additionally, the adapter can be provided with adjustable, specifically defined surfaces having nozzles for forming the air cushion on rollers of various dimensions.

Abstract: Data obtained by rotating a set of sensors attached to rotatable parts or the like, in order to perform an alignment of such rotatable parts, is organized in three dimensional vector form (triplets). Two components of such a three dimensional vector will relate to observed apparent geometrical shifts and one component relates to an angle of rotation. In order to arrive at an improved “best fit” when evaluating the data, a three dimensional analysis is performed, based on the concept of an elliptical helix, and using spatial filtering or a neural network. For spatial filtering, three dimensional Fourier transforms are used.

Abstract: To detect the relative position of bodies, surfaces or the like, especially those on machines, there is an optoelectronic sensor. The latter reacts to incident light, for example, monochromatic laser light. The available receiving surface is however comparatively small for low-cost or pixel-oriented sensors. By making available a diffuser and a projecting objective lens in front of an optoelectronic sensor the usable receiving surface for incident light can be greatly increased. The diffuser or also the projecting objective lens can additionally be designed as a color filter and can be used to reduce the effects of outside light. A process is provided with which an especially accurate determination of the median point of the laser light spot incident on the target (optoelectronic sensor) can be achieved.