Abstract: The invention relates to a tensioner (1, 1?, 1?) for a traction means such as a belt, a chain or the like, having a tensioning lever (2) which is in operative connection with a helical spring (32) and is pivotable about a fixed axis (20) and on which a receptacle (21) for a tensioning element for bearing against the traction means to be tensioned is arranged, the helical spring (32) being held at its ends by spring receptacles (30, 31; 30?, 31?; 30?, 31?). It is proposed that the helical spring (32) be screwed to at least one of the spring receptacles (30, 31; 30?, 31?; 30?, 31?). This construction ensures that a reliable and easy-to-assemble connection between the helical spring (32) and the spring receptacle (30, 31) is achieved at this point.

Abstract: A tensioner (1, 1?) for a traction mechanism such as a belt, chain or the like, with a tensioning lever (4) which can be acted on by a helical spring (2), can pivot about a stationary shaft and on which a tensioning element is provided for abutment against the traction mechanism to be tensioned. The helical spring (2) is held at its ends by spring receptacles (6, 7) and a means (8, 9, 71) is provided for delimiting the spring excursion.

Abstract: A distance measurement device which has a lighting unit, including transmission optics with light beam forming optics. Illumination patterns are formed on objects in the measurement area which differ depending on the distances from the measurement device. A light receiving unit is arranged adjacent the lighting unit and generates an image of the illuminated object via receiving optics. A detector array is located in the image plane of the receiving optics which converts the optical image into corresponding electrical signals. The signals from the detector area are forwarded to a signal processing unit that is capable of generating information concerning the distance between the object and the distance measurement device from the detected illumination pattern and the signals generated by the detector.

Abstract: A laser radar device that operates on an elapsed time basis and has a pulsating laser for emitting successive light pulses into a monitored region. A light receiver receives light impulses reflected by an object in the monitored region and generates electrical signals responsive to the received light impulses. The signals are forwarded to an evaluation unit adapted to generate a distance signal indicative of a distance between the object and the laser radar device on the basis of the speed of light and an elapsed time between the emission of the light pulses and the receipt of the reflected light pulses. A light diverter located between the laser and the monitored region continuously varies the directionality of the light impulses directed into the monitored region and includes a beam splitter that divides the energy of the emitted light pulses into a main beam and a sensing beam.

Abstract: A laser radar device that operates on an elapsed time basis and has a pulsating laser for emitting successive light pulses into a monitored region. A light receiver receives light impulses reflected by an object in the monitored region and generates electrical signals responsive to the received light impulses. The signals are forwarded to an evaluation unit adapted to generate a distance signal indicative of a distance between the object and the laser radar device on the basis of the speed of light and an elapsed time between the emission of the light pulses and the receipt of the reflected light pulses. A light diverter located between the laser and the monitored region continuously varies the directionality of the light impulses directed into the monitored region and includes a beam splitter that divides the energy of the emitted light pulses into a main beam and a sensing beam.

Abstract: A laser scanner which operates pursuant to the elapsed time principle and which has a pulsed laser that directs successive light pulses into a monitored region. The laser scanner further has a light receiving arrangement for receiving light pulses reflected by an object in the monitored region and that generates electric received signals which are fed to an evaluation unit for determining a distance between the object and the laser scanner based on the elapsed time between the emission of the light pulse and the receipt of the reflected pulse and the speed of light from which a distance signal is formed that is representative of the distance between the object and the scanner. There is a light diverter unit between the pulsed laser and the monitored region which continuously directs light pulses along different directions into the monitored region.

Abstract: A distance measurement device which has a lighting unit, including transmission optics with light beam forming optics. Illumination patterns are formed on objects in the measurement area which differ depending on the distances from the measurement device. A light receiving unit is arranged adjacent the lighting unit and generates an image of the illuminated object via receiving optics. A detector array is located in the image plane of the receiving optics which converts the optical image into corresponding electrical signals. The signals from the detector area are forwarded to a signal processing unit that is capable of generating information concerning the distance between the object and the distance measurement device from the detected illumination pattern and the signals generated by the detector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser scanning apparatus, in particular for distance determination, comprising a transmission unit which has a pulsed laser for the transmission of a light beam into a zone to be monitored, comprising a light deflection unit to deflect the light beam transmitted by the pulsed laser into the zone to be monitored, comprising a reception unit for the reception of light pulses which are reflected by an object located in the zone to be monitored, and comprising a front screen which transmits the light beam and which separates the transmission unit, the reception unit and the light deflection unit from the surroundings of the laser scanning apparatus, with at least one optical element being provided which splits off a part beam from the transmitted light beam and deflects the part beam to a photo-detector for a measurement of the transmission of the front screen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser comprising a cavity which is defined by an end mirror and a decoupling mirror. A fibre comprising an active core is arranged in said cavity and can be excited by pump radiation until it has a multimodal laser activity, in such a way that a plurality of transversal modes form in the cavity. A mixture of modes is present in the fibre, and the decoupling mirror comprises reflection properties for laser and pump radiation, said properties varying according to the location, such that it reflects the pump radiation and the laser radiation which does not leave the active core of the fibre, and significantly decouples low transversal modes.

Abstract: In an adjusting device for displacing individual elements (2) of optical systems or of measuring systems in which the element to be displaced is movable on a base (1) along a predetermined direction (x) by means of a piezoelectric actuator arrangement (21, 22) which is supported by the element (2) and which is constructed and controllable in such a way that it exerts shock pulses on the element (2) in order to carry out a stepwise movement of the element (2) on the base (1), the element (2) is arranged in a body (1; 27) which has an open or closed hollow cross section and is supported in a frictional engagement on this body, at least at one location, with the intermediary of a pretensioned spring device (8, 8?).

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser scanning apparatus, in particular for distance determination, comprising a transmission unit which has a pulsed laser for the transmission of a light beam into a zone to be monitored, comprising a light deflection unit to deflect the light beam transmitted by the pulsed laser into the zone to be monitored, comprising a reception unit for the reception of light pulses which are reflected by an object located in the zone to be monitored, and comprising a front screen which transmits the light beam and which separates the transmission unit, the reception unit and the light deflection unit from the surroundings of the laser scanning apparatus, with at least one optical element being provided which splits off a part beam from the transmitted light beam and deflects the part beam to a photo-detector for a measurement of the transmission of the front screen.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for autofocusing onto a measuring location on an object moving in a direction which is at least approximately vertical to the optical axis of the imaging optics. According to the invention, a diaphragm device is to be provided the diaphragm opening of which extends in a direction aligned with the direction of movement of the measuring location; a receiving device for the measuring light has receiving areas arranged in a row beside each other and is inclined relative to the optical axis so that the image from the diaphragm device is incident on the receiving areas at an inclination of an angle &agr;; wherein the receiving device and the diaphragm opening are positioned relative to each other in such a way that characteristic measuring values are measured on the receiving areas when the measuring location is in or near the focus position.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for autofocusing onto a measuring location (M) on an object (O) moving in a direction (R) which is at least approximately vertical to the optical axis (A) of the imaging optics (3). According to the invention, a diaphragm device is to be provided the diaphragm opening of which extends in a direction (R′) aligned with the direction of movement (R) of the measuring location (M); a receiving device for the measuring light has receiving areas (e1, e2, . . . en) arranged in a row beside each other and is inclined relative to the optical axis so that the image from the diaphragm device is incident on the receiving areas (e1, e2, . . . en) at an inclination of an angle a; wherein the receiving device and the diaphragm opening are positioned relative to each other in such a way that characteristic measuring values are measured on the receiving areas when the measuring location (M) is in or near the focus position.

Abstract: A microscope comprises an illumination source, an optical imaging device by which light from the illumination source in the form of an illuminated field is directed onto an observed object, a reception device which receives the light influenced by the observed object in the from of an image field corresponding to the illuminated field, and a device for adjusting the distance between the imaging device and the observed object. Further, there is a device for structuring the illumination light in the beam path between the illumination source and the imaging device with two or more diaphragms spaced apart axially in the direction of the beam path. The diaphragms are arranged in such a way that a plane lying therebetween is focused in the image field on the reception device at the same time as the observed object. An evaluating device generates an actuating signal (s) for actuating the adjusting device depending on the intensities.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an autofocusing device, preferably for microscopes for wafer inspection, in which a point-shaped illumination diaphragm (1) which is illuminated by laser light is imaged in an observed object (5). An image of the point illuminated on the observed object (5) is formed in a measurement diaphragm arrangement conjugate to the illumination diaphragm (1), the position of maximum intensity of this image is determined by a position-sensitive detector (11) and this position is compared to a position corresponding to the focus position, and an actuating signal for autofocusing is obtained from the deviation between the two positions.

Abstract: In an arrangement for detecting the position of two bodies moving relative to one another by a light barrier system, a device is arranged on at least one of the moving bodies such that when the bodies move relative to one another there is a change in the signal of the light barrier system that can be evaluated. At least one pair of light barrier systems is connected one with the other directly or via an electronic circuit.

Abstract: In an adjusting device for displacing individual elements (2) of optical systems or of measuring systems in which the element to be displaced is movable on a base (1) along a predetermined direction (x) by means of a piezoelectric actuator arrangement (21, 22) which is supported by the element (2) and which is constructed and controllable in such a way that it exerts shock pulses on the element (2) in order to carry out a stepwise movement of the element (2) on the base (1), the element (2) is arranged in a body (1; 27) which has an open or closed hollow cross section and is supported in a frictional engagement on this body, at least at one location, with the intermediary of a pretensioned spring device (8, 8′).