Abstract: An apparatus and method for the alignment of a converging light beam with a fiber having a core and cladding, using light leaked from the cladding is provided. Light from an incoming light beam is leaked from the cladding and passes through a ferrule surrounding the cladding, to light sensors located adjacent the ferrule. When any sensor senses light, that sensor signals the converging light beam to move away from that sensor (and towards the core of the fiber) until no light shines on that sensor. Each sensor performs this same function until no light shines on any sensor, indicating a proper alignment of the light on the core of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for achieving three-dimensional alignment of a pair of optical components, and apparatus for supporting such method, is initiated by fixing one of the optical components at a selected location on a semiconductor substrate. Subsequently, the other optical component and its associated submount are attached to a pair of coupled motion stages. A reference signal, to which the first optical component has been aligned, is transmitted to the other component and to a detector. That detector is positioned to measure changes in a selected characteristic of the reference signal, such as changes in optical power, as the position of the second optical component and its submount are manipulated. Through the use of a feedback loop, the second component and submount are moved in a pattern until an optimal alignment is converged upon.

Abstract: A system for detecting deviations from an optical axis of one or more individual component beams associated with plural laser beams. The system includes a first mechanism that selectively isolates individual component beams from plural laser beams and provides the individual component beams as output in response thereto. A second mechanism detects deviations from a desired optical axis of the individual component beams output from the first mechanism. In the specific embodiment, the system further includes a mechanism that automatically corrects the detected deviations of each component beam of the plural beams. A beam pick-off device, such as a pick-off collimating lens or beam splitter, redirects a sample of the plural beams, which represents separated plural beams to a color wheel. The individual component beams include red, green, and blue laser beams.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the alignment of a projection lens assembly includes a base for mounting the apparatus on the projection lens assembly, a gimbal system having a bottom section mounted to the base and a top section, the gimbal system having position adjusters for adjusting the position of the bottom section in two orthogonal direction with respect to the base, and having tilt adjusters for angularly adjusting a plane of the top section with a plane of the base, and a laser generator mounted on the top section. The position adjusters and the tilt adjusters are used to position a laser beam to be emitted by the laser generation to be coaxial with a central axis of the projection lens assembly. When the laser generator is then energized, the laser beam forms a visible red dot on the rear projection screen and, using simple measurements, an operator is able to verify the alignment of the projection lens assembly in the rear projection television receiver.

Abstract: A method for acquiring misalignment information as to centerlines of first and second in-line shafts utilizing a shaft alignment system including an analyzer having a memory. A sensor head mounted on the first shaft at an initial angular position relative to the centerline of the first shaft includes a microprocessor having memory, a collimated light source emitter for transmitting a collimated light beam in a first direction corresponding to the centerline of the first shaft, a detector having a detecting surface for detecting a collimated light source from a second direction corresponding to the centerline of the second shaft, and an angular position sensor for determining an angular position of the sensor head as the head is rotated about the centerline of the first shaft. The sensor head is rotated in a first or a second rotational direction relative to the centerline of the first shaft.

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: A method of fabricating an objective lens includes the steps of attaching a first lens to a first holder, adjusting an angle between the optical axis of the first lens and the optical axis of a second lens while sliding the second lens on a sphere, and attaching the second lens to a second holder so that the angle becomes 0°, forming contact between first and second planes, sliding the second holder with respect to the first holder in a state where the first and second planes are in contact so that the optical axis of the first lens matches the optical axis of the second lens to carry out decentration adjustment, and fixing the second holder subjected to decentration adjustment with respect to the first holder.

Abstract: A bore sighting assembly for accurately mounting a telescopic sight on a rifle or other firearm, with the sighting assembly utilizing a laser beam generator for creating a beam having a diameter of less than that of the bore, and with the light being directed axially through the bore onto a remote target. In addition to the laser generator, the bore sighting assembly includes a guide for controllably directing the beam from the generator through and along the axis of the bore for impingement onto a remote target. The guide includes eccentric bushings for adjustably positioning the laser generator in the receiver area of the rifle or firearm, and a beam control disc may be secured to the distal tip of the barrel for additional guidance and control of the laser beam.

Abstract: The present invention includes a reticle image generator and a display screen selected to form a reflected reticle image from the optical element to be aligned, wherein the reflected reticle image is viewed on the display screen. The optical element is then aligned in response to the reflected reticle image upon the display screen.

Abstract: A system and procedure for aligning an information carrying laser beam to an optical fiber. The laser diode is first axially aligned to the end of the fiber within specific angular and spatial tolerances. Practical spatial tolerances in an example are one micro meter in a typical Cartesian x, y, and z coordinate system. The angular tolerance is about one micro radian. The system components include a collimating lens that collimates the laser beam, a strong lens that focuses the collimated laser beam onto the fiber end, and a weak lens placed between the collimated lens and the strong lens that performs the final positioning of the focused beam onto the fiber end. This weak lens provides an optical leverage that allows more than an order of magnitude less tolerance in positioning the weak lens compared to the final position of the laser beam onto the fiber end. The collimation and the position of the elements are determined using known instrumentation, known methods and known mechanical assemblies.

Abstract: A laser head is placed roughly centrally in a hollow cylinder with the capacity to rotate. The pertinent rotation motion of the laser head takes place essentially around the lengthwise axis of the hollow cylinder, while the alignment of the laser beam agrees only approximately with the lengthwise axis of the hollow cylinder. When the laser head turns, a hyperboloid-shaped family of light beams is generated. These light beams produce an essentially circular projection pattern on a target attached outside of the hollow cylinder. The projection pattern with its center defines a point on an ideal axis (core) which is assigned to the hollow cylinder. The invention is suitable especially for measuring shaft tunnels of ships, but also for laying piping systems with large dimensions such as pipelines.

Abstract: An automatic light-coupling system for optical components suitable for coupling and packaging an optical assembly, comprising: a light-coupling device comprising: a coupling media installer comprising a horizontal table for moving a coupling media along a horizontal direction; a vertical table for moving a coupling media along a vertical direction; and a coupling media table for clipping a connector of the coupling media; and an optical component installer comprising a focus-control table for controlling the focusing and withdrawing of the optical components; a horizontal turntable for controlling the horizontal rotation of the optical components; a vertical turntable for controlling the vertical rotation of the optical components; an adapter of the optical component for holding the optical component, in which a pinhole is placed in front of the optical component so that the light emitted from the optical component passes through the pinhole and forms a light beam that is rotated to correct the assembly incli

Abstract: An apparatus, including a light detecting means, determines the actual position of an optical fiber array having one or more, but fewer than all, short fibers by detecting light transmitted through the short fiber(s) as a laser beam is horizontally and/or vertically scanned across the proximal fiber end(s). The fiber array is attached to an alignment block that facilitates delivery of the array to an accurate positioning means comprising two substantially parallel dowels.

Abstract: A device for harmonizing a laser beam path with an observation path for a target includes a laser that generates a laser beam; a first optical element that directs a first part of the laser beam toward the target along the laser beam path while directing a second part of the laser beam toward a conversion device; and a second optical element that directs a converted beam from the conversion device to a sensor that receives the converted beam and an image from the target. The conversion device includes a photoluminescent material that converts the second part of the laser beam into a converted radiation having a wavelength within a spectral band of the sensor, and an optical assembly that focuses the second part of the laser beam into the photoluminescent material and that collects at least a portion of the converted radiation to form the converted beam. The photoluminescent material can include photoluminescent ions such as erbium ions, or a semiconductor material such as indium arsenide.

Abstract: A method for aligning the optical surfaces of the high extraction annular ring resonator which includes a scraper mirror with a decentered aperture. A probe beam, from an external laser, is directed into the resonator cavity through the decentered aperture in the scraper mirror. The symmetrical properties of the probe beam near and far field intensity distribution patterns are used to align the optical surfaces within the cylindrical ring resonator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a survey instrument, which comprises a solid state image sensor 4 where an image from a telescope is formed, an emitter 6 for emitting flash light toward a target, and a survey controller for detecting position of the center of the target on the solid state image sensor based on difference of image signals between on condition and off condition of the emitter of the solid state image sensor, or it comprises a telescope rotatable around at least one of vertical shaft center and horizontal shaft center, an angle detector for detecting angle of the telescope, a memory for memorizing image signal from the solid state image sensor, and a survey controller for calculating angular displacement based on angles which are detected by the angle detector when image signals in on and off conditions of the emitter are incorporated, for calculating difference between the two image signals by shifting them so that angular displacement of each image signal are offset, and for detecting position

Abstract: Scanning method and apparatus for maintaining a desired position of an article are presented. The apparatus comprises an illumination unit, a focusing optics and a focus detection unit. The illumination unit generates an incident light beam for illuminating an elongated region of the article and producing light returned from the illuminated region. The focusing optics focuses the incident beam onto a focal plane and collects at least a portion of the returned light. The focus detection unit comprises an imaging optics and a detector having a sensing surface responsive to light impinging thereon for generating data representative thereof. The imaging optics is capable of forming first and second images on the sensing surface. The first and second images are formed by first and second spatially separated substantially identical light components of the collected returned light, respectively, which propagate symmetrically relative to an optical axis of the focusing optics.

Abstract: The present invention provides an instrument adapted for alignment with a light beam, which instrument includes an instrument body having a point of entry of the light beam, a light conducting channel, and a sensing element carried by the instrument and being spaced from the point of entry of the light beam. The sensing element serves to provide indication of alignment or misalignment between the instrument and the light beam. The light beam travels inside the instrument along the light conducting channel extending from the point of entry to the sensing element. One or more light guiding devices are disposed inside the light conducting channel to increase precision of alignment between the instrument and the light beam. The light guiding device has a wall forming a guiding passage inside the guiding device.

Abstract: A device for ascertaining misalignments of two shafts (1, 2) arranged one behind the other has a light emitter (6) rigidly fixed on one shaft (1) and which transmits in a manner known per se an alignment measurement beam (F) onto a detector surface (8a) of an optoelectronic position detector (8). According to the invention, the position detector (8) has another detector surface (8b) located next to the first detector surface (8a) and parallel thereto, and in front of which is mounted an optical inclinometer (9) to ascertain the momentary angle .alpha. of a predetermined radial reference direction of the shaft with respect to the earth perpendicular. The optical inclinometer (9) transmits the angle information as an angle-dependent position of a light spot on said second detector surface (8b). The angle .alpha.

Abstract: A rail misalignment detection system for use in verifying whether fixed span and moveable span rails on a fixed span and a moveable span of a rail bridge, extend within an acceptable range of misalignment when the moveable span is positioned in a closed alignment with respect to the fixed span of the bridge, comprises an optical beam transmitter and a receiver, one mounted on the fixed span and the other mounted on the moveable span, such that the transmitter directs a beam of collimated light to a photocell in the transmitter. The transmitter and receiver are mounted on the respective spans of the bridge such that their position relative to one another corresponds to the relative position or alignment of one set of the rails on the moveable span and fixed span of the bridge.

Abstract: Proposed for detecting the relative position of two bodies (2, 3) or surface regions of bodies is an electro-optical measuring instrument which has, in a known way, a light beam transmitter (4), which can be attached to the one body (3) or surface region and transmits a focused light beam (L), and a single-axis or multi-axis optoelectronic position detector with a light-sensitive measuring surface (5). During measurement of the bodies (2, 3) or surface regions, the light beam (L) impinges on the measuring surface (5), and its point of impingement (LA) moves over the light-sensitive surface (5), during execution of a measuring movement, in a way which is characteristic of the current mutual alignment of the bodies (2, 3) or surface regions.

Abstract: The present invention includes a diffractive optic and an illuminator for illuminating the diffractive optic. The illuminated diffractive optic forms a reticle image which is projected onto the optical elements to be aligned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an axial relationship by viewing a target with an image inverter and determining the relationship of the optical axis of the image inverter relative to the position of the target by comparing the inverted view against another view. The image inverter can act as level by comparing the inverted image with a direct view of the target, or can measure an angle defined by the first target, the image inverter and a second target offset along a second axis. A mirror associated with the image inverter can provide a reflection of the second target along the reflective axis of the mirror, thus providing a measurement of the angle defined by the intersection of the reflective axis and the optical axis. Each target can comprise a bar, which can divide two contrasting portions to clarify the comparison of the inverted image and the direct or reflected image. The bar can be oriented horizontally or vertically, or at any appropriate orientation to support survey of angles or lines.

Abstract: An optical crossed grating is used to calibrate a conventional autocollimator operated with a single-frequency light source. Since a collimated monochromatic beam is diffracted at a number of well known angles after being reflected from the grating, an array of spots is formed on the detector surface that makes it possible to calibrate the autocollimator in a single operation. Because the angle of the diffracted light is determined only by the spacing in the grid, the calibration accuracy is insensitive to temperature variations and to the position of the grid on the sample stage. The calibration scaling values are calculated simply by measuring the spot spacings on the detector surface in relation to the diffraction angles corresponding to the grid spacing.

Abstract: Alignment data is analyzed to determine machine condition information that is not necessarily related to alignment. Alignment fixtures provide alignment data to an analyzer that finds a curve of a predetermined type, such as a sine curve, that best fits the data. A confidence factor is calculated indicating the probability that the alignment data corresponds to misalignment. The alignment data is further analyzed to determine a condition, other than misalignment, that contributed to the magnitudes of the alignment data. Preferably, the analyzer is used to check for machine conditions such as looseness in the machine, rubs, and spall defects in a bearing. Preferably, the condition analysis is based on both the confidence factors and curve parameters, such as phase, offset and amplitude of a sine curve. In the condition analysis mode, the analyzer provides both manual and automatic routine for removing selected segments of data to produce trial data sets that are analyzed to determine machine conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an electromagnetic beam, namely a laser beam, aimed at a particular point in space and aligned with a unique propagation path. The apparatus includes one or more adjustable beam steerers located in the propagation path, and first and second spaced apart beam position detectors arranged in the beam path. The beam steerer(s) are preferably adjustable along at least two orthogonal axes of rotation for controlling the propagation direction of the beam. Error signals from the position sensors are fed into a beam steerer controller connected to the beam steerer(s) for electro-mechanically adjusting the beam steerer. The method of the invention involves fixing the propagation path on an angularly adjustable beam steering surface so that the propagation path at a different unique point in space, such as a target, can be controlled by adjusting the angular orientation of that beam steerer.

Abstract: In a retainer holding a plurality of optical transmission members at given positions, a position of an optical center of each of the optical transmission members is measured at a high measuring accuracy. In this case, a lens system forming a beam waist in its output beam is arranged so as to oppose to an end face of each of the optical transmission members, and then the output beam is input to the optical transmission member, and subsequently a position of the lens system is measured when a light intensity of a beam emanated from the optical transmission member is maximum, and thereafter a position of the optical transmission member is calculated from the measured value.

Abstract: A guide beam direction setting apparatus of the present invention has a guide beam generator (12) having a guide-beam emission optical system (14) for emitting a guide beam (P), an indicator-beam emission optical system (15) for emitting an indicator beam (K), and detection units (23) for detecting the indicator beam. The indicator beam (K) is a beam which has a flat spatial spread in the emission direction of the guide beam. The detection units (23) are disposed so that they correspond to the collimation direction (L) of a collimation direction unit (11) and that they are spaced from the indicator-beam emission optical system (15), and the emission direction of the guide beam (P) is aligned with the collimation direction (L) by detecting the indicator beam (K) with the detection units (23).

Abstract: A device for the alignment of a laser beam amplification system comprises at least measuring means and alignment templates positioned instead of filtering hole plates of the amplification system, the alignment templates having holes whose centers have substantially the same spatial positions as the centers of the filtering holes, certain template holes being provided with reference sights offset in an angular way with respect to one another, the tips of these sights being pointed towards the center of the holes, the measuring means defining, by sighting at the end of the amplification system, the divergences between the focusing points of the beam in the holes, merged at a single point, and the tips of the sights, their angular positions enabling them to be assigned to their respective holes, the positions of elements of the amplification system being then controlled as a function of the measurements of divergences.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an electromagnetic beam, namely a laser beam, aimed at a particular point in space and aligned with a unique propagation path. The apparatus includes one or more adjustable beam steerers located in the propagation path, and first and second spaced apart beam position detectors arranged in the beam path. The beam steerer(s) are preferably adjustable along at least two orthogonal axes of rotation for controlling the propagation direction of the beam. Error signals from the position sensors are fed into a beam steerer controller connected to the beam steerer(s) for electro-mechanically adjusting the beam steerer. The method of the invention involves fixing the propagation path on an angularly adjustable beam steering surface so that the propagation path at a different unique point in space, such as a target, can be controlled by adjusting the angular orientation of that beam steerer.

Abstract: A positioning device (500) for positioning workpieces along translations and through angular rotations about two or more axes of rotation. In particular, the positioning devices (500) can be employed in method for aligning an optical fiber (510) with an optical beam such that the axis of the optical fiber (510) is aligned coincident to the axis of the optical beam and the endface (508) of the optical fiber (510) is deployed at the global maximum along the axis of the optical beam. The positioning devices are for use laser-to-fiber set-ups, laser-to-spatial filter set-ups, fiber-to-fiber set-ups and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a direction finding system capable of positioning directions at two points, and particularly, for shifting a ground central base line and a reference point for tunneling work or the like to an underground tunnel shaft or the like, to position a digging thrust direction. A polarized light radiating device irradiates a body for the direction finding system with a polarized light beam or ray bundle and a direction difference detecting device provided within the body receives therein the polarized light beam emitted from the polarized light radiating device and detects the difference between the direction of the polarized light beam and a predetermined direction. A rotatory polarizing plate of the direction difference detecting device allows the polarized light beam to pass therethrough and a condenser lens gathers the polarized light beam transmitted through the rotatory polarizing plate.

Abstract: A rotation sensor for measuring relative rotation or angular orientation between first and second members utilizing polarized light techniques. The present invention also relates to a method for measuring angular orientation using light polarization techniques.

Abstract: The present invention adjusts the relationship of two optical components within an optical coupler by the use of eccentric sleeves. As individual eccentric sleeves of an adjustable subassembly are rotated, they change either the angle or the location of the axis of one optical component relative to the location of the axis of another fixed optical component. Adjustment of the alignment of the optical components therefore requires only the rotation of the sleeves of the adjustable subassembly. Locking the sleeves into a selected adjustment is accomplished by the insertion of a low expansion, quick setting, bonding agent into holes located so that they feed the bonding agent into the spaces between the sleeves. Thus, after the bonding agent has fused together the otherwise movable parts, any further movement of the sleeves is prevented, and the alignment is permanently preserved.

Abstract: An invasive instrument, such as a biopsy needle, syringe or drill, is adapted to be guided by an energy beam such as a laser beam along a predefined line of sight path toward a subsurface target. The instrument is adapted for use in conjunction with an energy beam targeting and directing system which directs an energy beam in a line of sight path toward a target. The instrument includes a portion for percutaneously accessing a subsurface target, an energy conducting portion and an energy responsive means interposed between the means for percutaneously accessing a subsurface target and the energy conducting portion. In use of the instrument, whereby an operator monitors the energy responsive component for a visual indication of alignment of the instrument with the predefined line of sight path, while advancing the portion for percutaneously accessing the subsurface target along the line of sight path toward the target.

Abstract: A method and apparatus applying a laser beam to a working surface, by displacing the laser beam to trace a plurality of circular scans over the working surface; and continuously varying the diameters of the circular scans at a rate to produce a substantially homogenous distribution of the laser energy over the working surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are presented in order to carry out an automatic optical inspection of an off-center rotating component to be measured. Using a measurement procedure which avoids mechanical contact having a source producing parallel rays and a detecting means, the off-center rotating component is rotated about a rotational axis, whereby a motion of the detecting means is synchronized with the rotation and is carried out in such a fashion that the separation, in the direction of an optical axis, between the off-center rotating component and the detecting means remains constant. In this manner optical distortions are avoided which would otherwise occur in the optical measurement procedure.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the coalignment of a sighting or surveillance sensor suite including a coaligned laser (18) and sensor (12) includes the steps of: modifying the beam from the laser (18) to render it visible to the sensor (12); and redirecting the modified beam from the laser (18) to impinge on the sensor (12). In the preferred embodiments the frequency of the beam is doubled by a doubling crystal. For certain lasers this renders the beam visible to the human eye, or to a camera.

Abstract: A non-contacting type method for measuring perpendicularity of a straight post installed perpendicularly to a reference plane is performed by picking up partial images of an upper end and a lower end of the post in two directions vertical to each other to combine obtained images into one image, calculating inclinations or deviations of four images of lower end portion and upper end portion in the combined image, and comparing the inclinations or deviations to measure the perpendicularity with respect to the reference plane. An apparatus thereof includes a measuring section for optically obtaining image data of the object to be measured, a measuring-part driving unit for driving the measuring part in the X, Y and Z directions which are perpendicular to one another, and a data processing part for processing and calculate the image data obtained by the measuring part to display the result of perpendicularity calculation.

Abstract: An alignment instrument for marking surfaces with divergent light planes to provide absolute visual references. The instrument is provided with first and second refracting lenses; a concentrated light beam generator; a structure for selectively and respectively positioning the lenses into, or out of, the light beam; and a reflecting means for splitting the refracted, or unrefracted, light beam to provide diverging refracted light.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus is disclosed which is adapted to accurately detect an irradiated position on a target board which is irradiated with a beam, to thereby inspect deformation of a pipe such as a sewer or the like. A laser beam emitting unit (3) is arranged on one end side of a sewer (1). The laser beam emitting unit (3) is so adjusted that a laser beam (15) is impinged on a target board (11) of a target vehicle (9) traveling from the other end side of the pipe toward the laser beam emitting unit (3). The target board (11) is provided thereon with a plurality of phototransistors (13), whereby the irradiated position is detected depending on electric signals generated by the phototransistors.

Abstract: An optical system 10 comprises a light source 12 which may be either a point source or collimated and an arrangement 11,22 for directing a beam of light from the source 12 towards a boresighting arrangement 16 associated with an imaging lens 14 for imaging objects in object space 13 onto a detection surface 15. The boresighting arrangement 16 provides a marker on the surface 15 denoting the pointing direction 18 of the system 10 and is arranged so that the marker is of box-like pattern (17A, B 19A, B) closely centred on the pointing direction 18 so as to avoid obscuration of that part of the object image which is coincident with the pointing direction 18.

Abstract: A laser apparatus includes a laser for emitting a laser beam which is reflected from a primary mirror through a primary lens in a primary optical path and focused at a primary spot. A portion of the laser beam leaks through a back face of the mirror and is directed through a reference lens and focused at a reference spot in a reference optical path. Angular wander of the laser beam on the primary mirror is corrected by measuring the lateral position of the reference spot and adjusting the primary optical path to decrease lateral wander of the primary spot.

Abstract: The specification discloses a laser alignment head system for taking alignment data with respect to a pair of coupled shafts. Each alignment head includes a laser, a laser sensor for sensing a laser beam, an angle sensor for sensing the rotational orientation of the laser head, a computer and a transmitter for transmitting data from the laser head. The two laser heads are mounted on the two shafts in an opposing facing relationship with the laser beam of one head disposed on the laser sensor of the other head. As the shafts are rotated, the laser beam moves on the laser sensor and the laser sensor generates a position signal corresponding to such movement. Likewise, the angle sensor produces an angle signal corresponding to the rotational angle of the laser head as the shafts are rotated. The computer produces output data corresponding to the position signal and the rotational angle, and such data is transmitted to a receiver.

Abstract: An optical scheme and system involving a probe laser with simple analog pessing to detect an optical echo. This allows verification that a transmitter has hit a target receiver or will allow synchronized firing with another laser transmitter.

Abstract: A method of visually aligning an optical instrument (10, 26, 28) that simultaneously operates at two different wavelengths where the first wavelength is in the visible photopic electromagnetic spectral region and the second wavelength is outside the visible photopic electromagnetic spectral region. The method for visually aligning the optical instrument (10, 26, 28) includes employing an aiming reticle (12) located at the eyepiece (18) of the optical instrument (10, 26, 28), this first reticle (12) having a reticle pattern (64) which is in focus when viewed through the eyepiece (18), and a plate (44) with a second reticle pattern (62) on one side. The second reticle pattern (62) is positioned in the optical system such that when this second reticle pattern (62) is illuminated (58) with light of the first wavelength, then this second reticle pattern (62) will be in focus and superimposed on the first reticle pattern (64) when viewed through the eyepiece (18).

Abstract: In a method of adjusting an optical axis of an optical fiber to a beam axis of a light beam of an optical element, light power values are measured at a plurality of positions to define a specific function which is determined by the light power values and the positions and which has a specific maximum value at a specific maximum position. The optical fiber and the optical element are relatively moved to the specific maximum position to measure a measured light value at the specific maximum position. The specific function is modified by the use of the measured light value to relatively move the optical fiber and the optical element to a final position. Such adjustment may be made three-dimensionally and/or rotatably. On rotatable adjustment, a predetermined value may be set instead of the specific maximum value.

Abstract: That illuminating pattern of the headlight which appears on a screen disposed in front of the vehicle is pictured. The optical axis of the headlight is adjusted based on an image of the illuminating pattern. A distribution of illuminance of the illuminating pattern along a scanning line which bridges a light portion and a dark portion of the image of the illuminating pattern is measured. A position of a reference point which serves as a reference in adjusting the optical axis is obtained from that point on the scanning line which corresponds to a crossing point of a first straight line and a second straight line. The first straight line is obtained from a portion corresponding at least to one of the light portion and the dark portion of a curve which represents the measured distribution of illuminance. The second straight line is obtained from a portion corresponding to a transient region which is positioned between the light portion and the dark portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting whether at least one die is centered about a thread held taught between two fixed points separated by a distance L, wherein:the thread is excited into vibration;its frequency F of vibration is measured;the corresponding length 1 of vibrating chord between one of said fixed points referred to as a "reference" fixed point and another point referred to as a "contact" point is deduced therefrom; andlength l is compared with length L and with the length of the segment of thread between said reference fixed point and said die, so as to deduce therefrom:either that the thread is touching said die, if length l corresponds to the length of the segment, said contact point then being situated at said die;or else that the thread is not touching said die, if length l is equal to the length L between said two fixed points, in which case said die is properly centered, said contact point then coinciding with the other one of said fixed points.

Abstract: A system for measuring relative angular position about a roll-axis, a yaw-axis, and a pitch-axis includes a source assembly and a receiver assembly. A source assembly emits a rotationally polarized carrier wave laser beam. A laser beam from a laser diode is directed through a linear polarizer and then through the center of a rotating half-wave plate. The plate is secured to a hollow shaft of an electric motor. The beam travels through the plate and through the hollow shaft. A reference signal corresponding to the rotational modulation imposed by the rotating plate is obtained using a flag which is secured to the shaft and positioned to actuate an optical encoder. After leaving the source assembly and reaching the receiver assembly, the beam travels through another linear polarizer, a neutral density filter, and an aplanatic achromatic lens to a two-dimensional position sensing detector. In response to the beam, the position sensing detector produces output signals that correspond to the position of the beam.