Abstract: This device for the three-dimensional recording of a scene (4) comprises a laser emitter (20), elements for scanning along two rotation axes (16, 44) in order to scan the scene using a laser beam emitted by the laser emitter (20), a photosensitive receiver (46) for receiving an image of a spot (52) created by the laser beam on the scene (4), element (38, 50) for focussing the laser beam backscattered by the scene (4) towards the photosensitive receiver (46), first measuring element for measuring the orientation of the beam leaving the scanning element and second measuring element for measuring the distance between the device and the spot by laser telemetry.

Abstract: An aberration-correcting optical relay for an optical system. The relay comprises front and rear converging optical units together with a correcting meniscus or two correcting meniscuses placed symmetrically relative to each other, the meniscus(es) having main faces that are substantially concentric, and preferably exactly concentric, the two converging optical units being placed on a common axis and the correcting meniscus(es) being placed on said axis between the two converging optical units. The front converging optical unit situated upstream from the correcting meniscus(es) is placed in such a manner that the distance from an image point of the portion of the optical system upstream from the optical relay to the front converging optical unit is equal to the focal length of the front converging optical unit, said unit thus transforming a beam coming from said image point into a parallel beam.

Abstract: An aberration-correcting optical relay for an optical system. The relay comprises front and rear converging optical units together with a correcting meniscus or two correcting meniscuses placed symmetrically relative to each other, the meniscus(es) having main faces that are substantially concentric, and preferably exactly concentric, the two converging optical units being placed on a common axis and the correcting meniscus(es) being placed on said axis between the two converging optical units. The front converging optical unit situated upstream from the correcting meniscus(es) is placed in such a manner that the distance from an image point of the portion of the optical system upstream from the optical relay to the front converging optical unit is equal to the focal length of the front converging optical unit, said unit thus transforming a beam coming from said image point into a parallel beam.

Abstract: This device for the three-dimensional recording of a scene (4) comprises a laser emitter (20), elements for scanning along two rotation axes (16, 44) in order to scan the scene using a laser beam emitted by the laser emitter (20), a photosensitive receiver (46) for receiving an image of a spot (52) created by the laser beam on the scene (4), element (38, 50) for focussing the laser beam backscattered by the scene (4) towards the photosensitive receiver (46), first measuring element for measuring the orientation of the beam leaving the scanning element and second measuring element for measuring the distance between the device and the spot by laser telemetry.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for effecting the sweep of a beam of light stricly plane and parallel to a given axis, comprising a sweeping mirror, mounted on an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the said given axis, and the plane of which substantially contains the said axis of rotation, and an optical device arranged substantially in the plane containing the said given axis of rotation. It comprises a first means of adjustment for adjusting the angle of incidence of the beam of light with respect to a predetermined plane passing through the said given axis and substantially perpendicular to the said axis of rotation of the mirror, and a second means of adjustment for adjusting the inclination of the axis of rotation of the mirror with respect to the said predetermined plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to process and apparatus for three-dimensional surveying by triangulation with a laser beam source. Pursuant to known practice, a laser beam scans a scene to be surveyed, by means of controlled rotary positioning of a mirror. The reflected beam is detected by a linear array of photosensitive receptors, enabling the location of the illuminated point to be determined by triangulation. Significant to the invention is the use of a secondary light source for precision measurement of the angular location of the scanning mirror, rather than relying upon controlled positioning of the mirror, which is much less accurate.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the frequency of vibrations imparted by the vibrating element of a compacting machine to the ground which comprises a vibration pick-up responsive to the amplitude of vibrations of a mass composed of the vibrating element and the ground being vibrated which produces a vibration signal; a position sensor sensing the angular position of an eccentrically loaded rotary shaft on which the vibrating element is mounted, which produces a position signal; and a phasemeter which receives the vibration and position signals and provides an output signal related to the phase difference therebetween. This phase difference may be displayed in which case the motor for the rotary shaft can be controlled manually in accordance therewith or it may be fed to an automatic control system in which it is compared with a set signal to produce an error signal for automatically regulating the speed of motor turning the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A direction and speed control system for a steerable locomotive having independent speed controls for two driving rollers, in which, where C.sub.D and C.sub.G are speed control signals for the two rollers, .alpha. is a steering angle of a steerable support, which may be a mere skid or a driving roller and C.sub.max is a maximum speed control value, there are three operational networks which generate signals F.sub.1, F.sub.2 and F.sub.3 given by C(1-K.sub.1 tan .alpha.), C(1+K.sub.1 tan .alpha.) and C.sub.max (1-K.sub.1 .vertline. tan .alpha..vertline.)/(1+K.sub.1 .vertline. tan .alpha..vertline.), comparators which receive C.sub.max and F.sub.1 and C.sub.max and F.sub.2 respectively and output terminals fed in parallel, through gating circuits controlled by the comparators, by the first and third networks and by the second and third networks respectively.

Abstract: A control lever assembly for controlled reciprocation of an operating member which may be a Bowden cable for regulating the flow rate of a pump supplying a hydraulic motor in a hydrostatic transmission. In addition to the usual pivotally mounted control lever, an intermediate lever is pivotally connected between the control lever and the operating member. The intermediate lever is received in a sleeve member which is pivotally mounted about a fixed axis spaced from the fixed axis about which the control lever pivots. The sensitivity of the control lever assembly is thus made smoother and more gradual proximate to the neutral or dead center position of the assembly.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission vehicle which is direction controlled by a speed controlled running assembly known as a motor-director running assembly and which has at least one further speed controlled driving running assembly. The motor-director running assembly is pivotable by means of a direction control system and its speed control system is coupled with that of each driving running assembly so that a speed which is coordinated with each driving running assembly is automatically applied to the motor-director running assembly when the vehicle is travelling in a straight line or turning.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting passes of a self-propelled compacting machine following a spreading machine after the latter has laid a strip of surfacing composition. A guide vehicle is hitched to the spreading machine and is towed therewith, and has a guide member which may either have the contour of a closed geometrical figure such as a circle or be simply a pivot. The compacting machine turns about the guide vehicle along an epicycloidal path of travel. A sensing device on the compacting machine which may be a feeler or a flexible member is responsive to the variations of the radial distance between the compacting machine and guide member. The sensing device operates a limit switch when the variations exceed a predetermined amount which in turn controls an electrically operable hydraulic valve which communicates with a double-action cylinder and piston unit controlling in turn the direction of the front wheel of the compacting machine for increasing or decreasing the turning radius thereof.