Abstract: The invention concerns a system for the alignment of a laser beam transmitter with a transit or other sighting mechanism set up in another place by means of a contrivance on one of the instruments, which projects laser beams in a plane running through the principal axis of the instrument. The beams are registered by a receiving device on the other instrument through two windows lined up along its principal axis.

Abstract: A method and system of positioning a boring mechanism in a stern tube, wherein a hollow boring bar having a plurality of laser detecting devices in the hollow portion thereof and an adjusting mechanism corresponding to each of the detectors on the outside of the bar supported within the tube, and a laser beam is directed down the center line of the bar. The detector and auxiliary circuits detect when the laser beam is off center and signals a control means to adjust the corresponding adjusting mechanism and thus the position of the boring bar until the laser beam is again centered.

Abstract: A device or planoscope for determining a certain plane through the use of a change in an angle of bands of a moire interference pattern. The device may have several sets of screens of opaque lines separated by transparent lines. Each set of screens has a rearward screen of lines and two forward screens of lines. The first forward screen is angled relative to the length of the rearward screen and the second forward screen is parallel to the rearward screen and is located adjacent a side of the first forward screen. The lines of all three screens are parallel to each other and to the length of the rearward screen. The number of lines per unit width of the rearward screen is different than the number of lines per unit width of the forward screens. When the rearward screen is viewed through the forward screens in the certain plane, the bands of the moire interference pattern which arises are parallel to the screen lines.

Abstract: An optical system such as an astronomical telescope must be carefully alid to assure that its optical axis is normal to its mounting or support surface. Alignment is achieved by forming circumferentially-spaced diffuse reflectors on the face of the vidicon and by illuminating only these individual reflectors plus a small surface area in their immediate vicinity. Light from the reflectors passes through the optics to a liquid pool for reflection back to the vidicon face plate. If the alignment is true, the reflected images form at fixed locations. In this regard, the locations of the vidicon reflectors are so arranged that the images fall on unilluminated surface areas. Scanning then detects both the reflectors (dark on bright) and the images (bright on dark). Deviations from the fixed image locations represent misalignments which can be corrected.

Abstract: To boresight the laser of a laser designator system to the null point of an automatic television tracker, by selectively causing the laser beam to be retroreflected to the video sensor of the system, which interfaces with a television tracker. The tracker locks onto the retroreflected laser spot, with the tracker error signals, in a feedback control loop, being used to control the video sensor raster bias to center the sensor sweeps about the laser spot, thereby nulling the tracker error signals and achieving boresight with the laser automatically.

Abstract: A system for automatically aligning a high power laser. The optical train the high power laser includes an unstable resonator cavity, a two axis, gimballed turning mirror and a extraction mirror. The autoalignment system utilizes a HeNe laser to propagate an alignment beam coaxial with, and prealigned with, the high power beam. The reference beam traverses the same optical path as the main, high power beam, propagating through all of the relay optics of the laser train. This allows angular deviations in the pointing direction of the main beam to be inferred from the angularity of the reference beam. At the downstream end of the laser train, the extraction mirror functions as an optical interface, pointing the main beam in the preferred output direction and extracting the reference beam by means of a central passageway through the extraction mirror. The extracted reference beam is directed on a path incident to a null angle sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in compensating for gun sighting errors due to misalignment between the muzzle axis of a gun and the optical axis of an associated gun sighting system is described, comprising a marker and a collimator mounted on the gun remotely from the muzzle and in fixed relation to one another, a reflector fixed to the muzzle portion of the gun barrel so as to be capable of reflecting into the collimator an uncollimated marker beam emanating from the marker, and means for defining an initial coincidence mark whose position is fixed in relation to the said optical axis so that after leaving the collimator the reflected marker beam can form a marker image superimposed upon the said initial coincidence mark, whereby any subsequent deviation of the muzzle axis from the said optical axis results in a corresponding movement of the marker image away from the initial coincidence mark.

Abstract: An integrated attaching and aligning apparatus for mounting a laser shot simulator or the like in gun barrels of different calibers with a barrel member of two coaxial sections which slides into the gun barrel. A first resilient ring is removably mounted about the first section at one end for engaging and centering the barrel member in the gun barrel. A second resilient ring is removably mounted on an inside barrel between the two sections at the other end of the barrel member so that axial force applied to the second ring by the second section deforms the second ring against the gun barrel to center the barrel member in the other end. A laser source receiver and lens are adjustably mounted within the barrel member.

Abstract: An optical assembly is provided which comprises a light source, preferably a laser, and a particularly compensated prism unit, the laser and the prism unit being mounted on a common holder or base. The beam emitted from the laser is reflected 90.degree. by the prism unit, and although this unit is only approximately aligned with the laser the reflected beam will always form a right angle to the incident beam with an extreme accuracy, the deviation from 90.degree. being less than half an angular minute. The accuracy in reflexion independently of prism unit setting is attributed to the compensated prism unit, which comprises a quadrangular prism composed of two semi-quadrangular prisms, a reflecting surface being mounted, preferably in an adjustable position, adjacent one side of the prism.

Abstract: A mortar barrel is fitted with a plane mirror which reflects a first image n a viewing screen positioned in front of the mortar. A floating mirror which remains level with the ground plane is mounted to the barrel and reflects a second image on the viewing screen. Adjustment of the mortar is made for superposition of both images. After repeated firings, motar cant movement may be detected by the relative displacement of the images which requires readjustment.

Abstract: The specification discloses an improved system for projecting and utilizing a light beam as a reference line for construction purposes. The system includes a light beam projection device mounted in a housing. A light path compensator is positioned within the housing and intercepts the beam of light emitted by the light beam projecting device and automatically corrects slight deviations of the light beam from true horizontal. A vertically adjustable leg is attached to the front end of the housing and a horizontally pivotable leg is attached to each side of the housing near the rear end of the housing to enable leveling and centering of the housing in a conduit or positioning and leveling on any surface. Structure is controllable from the rear of the housing to deflect the light beam in a vertical plane to vary the grade of the beam projected by the device. An indicator, readable from the rear of the housing, is provided for indicating the grade at which the light beam is projected.

Abstract: A reference plane producing method and system wherein a substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic radiation, for example, a laser beam, is reflected to simultaneously disperse the beam in different directions to form a thin plane of such radiation which can be used, for example, as a construction reference line. In a preferred embodiment a primary cone having its apex projecting towards the incident beam and its optical axis coaxial with the incident beam is used to reflect the beam of light. Various embodiments of a basic apparatus having integral or separate collimating and leveling devices are described. The preferred source of radiant energy is a laser, most preferably a second-mode laser having a donut or annular shaped beam and is projected against an axially aligned conical reflecting surface. The conical surface can be a female cone formed by axially drilling into a transparent transmission tube, such as the emission end of a fiber-optic transmission system.

Abstract: An apparatus for observing the relative alignment of two pairs of guide rollers on a rolling mill roller guide. The roller guide is positioned with its guide roller pairs spaced along an axis extending between two light sources. A dichroic mirror is arranged between each pair of guide rollers and its adjacent light source. One dichroic mirror reflects blue light while transmitting red light, and the other dichroic mirror reflects red light while transmitting blue light. The light reflected from both dichroic mirrors is recombined by a third dichroic mirror and is then projected onto a screen as red and blue images which may be compared visually with a reference outline on the screen, the said outline being representative of proper guide roller alignment. When the roller pairs are properly aligned, the red and blue images coincide on the screen to produce a white image aligned with the reference outline.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical roll alignment device for aligning a roll pass in a bar/rod or section mill both with respect to the mating roll grooves themselves and an entry guide.The device comprises optical means housed in a guide including a system of mirrors or prisms for providing an image of only the shoulders of the mating roll grooves, a lens system for magnifying the image and a screen or eyepiece in which the image is viewed, together with coordinates of the guide housing whereby any misalignment between the guide and the roll pass may be observed and corrected.

Abstract: A lens system which has a built-in reference surface and which provides an emerging wavefront of variable radius of curvature useful in a Fizeau interferometer or a differential autocollimator is described. By interposing between the reference surface and the test surface a collimating lens whose distance from the reference surface can be varied, an emerging wavefront is produced whose radius of curvature can be varied from some positive value to infinity to some negative value depending on the distance of the lens from the reference surface. The improvement is particularly valuable in measuring long radius of curvature optical elements and systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically aligning a semiconductor wafer with a mask in the manufacture of integrated circuit devices is disclosed. The mask and wafer are each provided with alignment patterns, the alignment pattern on the wafer cooperating with the alignment pattern on the mask in a unique visual manner to signify alignment. A scanning mechanism is provided for automatically scanning the alignment pattern areas and producing output signals indicative of the relative positions of the alignment patterns on the wafer and mask. Logic circuitry is provided for operating in response to any misalignment represented by the scan output signals to compute formulae which are utilized to produce control signals for driving motor drive mechanisms to produce relative movement between the mask and wafer to bring them into alignment. Several separate alignment cycles are provided, if needed, for zeroing in on finalized alignment.

Abstract: The disclosed lateral transfer retroreflectors include three flat reflectors, two of them being united at right angles to form a hollow roof reflector, and a third being carried on a central member at the required offset distance from the roof reflector and in a plane perpendicular to each of the first two reflectors. The parts are related to each other in two embodiments which enable adjustment of the planes of the flat reflectors relative to each other without exacting requirements as to right-angled edges of any of the flat reflectors or as to parallelism of end faces of the central member.

Abstract: An optical alignment device, having a first optical path and a second optl path intersecting the first optical path, includes a positioning means to assure that the first optical path is perpendicular to a radiation sensitive surface at a point when positioned on the surface. The method includes positioning the optical alignment device on the radiation sensitive surface, viewing along the second optical path and adjusting the position of a source of radiation until the source appears centered on the first optical path.

Abstract: The mutual positional relationship of a first pattern and a second pattern in a single viewing field will be determined. A light beam passing through an objective lens is divided by means of a beam splitter into a first light beam advancing along a first optical path and a second light beam advancing along a second optical path. Said first and second light beams are again united by a beam combiner to form, on an image plane, a first image of said first and second patterns formed by said first light beam passing through said first optical path and a second image of said first and second patterns formed by said second light beam passing through said second optical path. In said first optical path there is provided an adjuster for displacing, in said image plane, the first image of said first and second patterns formed by said first light beam.

Abstract: The specification discloses an improved system for projecting and utilizing a light beam as a reference line for construction purposes. The system includes a light beam projection device mounted in a housing. A light path compensator is positioned within the housing and intercepts the beam of light emitted by the light beam projecting device and automatically corrects slight deviations of the light beam from true horizontal. A vertically adjustable leg is attached to the front end of the housing and a horizontally pivotable leg is attached to each side of the housing near the rear end of the housing to enable leveling and centering of the housing in a conduit or positioning and leveling on any surface. Structure is controllable from the rear of the housing to deflect the light beam in a vertical plane to vary the grade of the beam projected by the device. An indicator, readable from the rear of the housing, is provided for indicating the grade at which the light beam is projected.

Abstract: A mirror is aligned on a laser tube using an apparatus comprising a window spaced from the mirror and a means for containing fluid, such as a bellows, between the window and the mirror. The window and the fluid have an index of refraction that matches that of the mirror. The bellows permits the mirror's relation to the window to be changed without the loss of the fluid. In aligning the lasing mirror, the window is oriented normal to a light beam from an autocollimator. The mirror is then placed in contact with the laser tube and oriented so that the beam from the autocollimator is reflected back on itself.

Abstract: A method of aligning the mirrors and bore tube axis of a laser without actually operating the laser comprising the directing of two light beams through the bore tube collinear with the bore tube axis; the two light beams being directed through the tube from opposite ends of the tube. The mirrors are positioned so that one or both of the light beams are reflected from the mirrors along paths also collinear with the bore axis. A fine alignment of the mirrors is provided by detecting the light of a modulated laser beam passed through the bore and mirrors. The mirrors are accurately positioned when the detected modulated laser beam provides a peak output.

Abstract: The invention comprises an afocal lens system having unitary magnification hich is either positive or negative and suitable for indicating departures of a reference point or a reference axis respectively from coincidence with a relatively fixed datum axis. The reference point or axis is included by the axis of the lens system, and the datum axis is defined by a line through an object and the zero position of an image of that object produced by the lens system. The lens system indicates the said departures from coincidence by means of shifts of the image from the zero position. The positive magnification afocal lens system is sensitive to tilt but insensitive to displacement, whereas the reverse is true of the negative magnification version. This feature allows tilt and displacement to be monitored separately.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a reference line for surveying, pipelaying and related purposes includes a laser source, means for automatically leveling the beam from the laser source, regardless of the orientation of the entire instrument, and means for deflecting the leveled beam to a desired angle relative to horizontal, also regardless of the orientation of the entire instrument.

Abstract: A straight line whose azimuth angle is to be measured, such as the angle of a gap of a magnetic head assembly relative to a disk radius, is imaged on an evaluation plane via a lens and a pair of deflecting mirrors, the first of which is semi-transparent. The mirrors are each inclined at a different angle from a common pivot line. The angular difference is such that the images do not touch and only one end portion of each image from the mirrors lies in the image field. The lateral spacing of these end portions is a function of the azimuth angle. A mask blocking out the center portion of the image may be used to assist in the end portion definition.

Abstract: An apparatus for visibly indicating a spatial plane is disclosed, including a light emitter for generating a beam of light, means for dividing said beam of light into a pair of light beams, and means for scanning that pair of light beams in a pair of planes, wherein the planes in which the light beams are scanned are adjacent, symmetrical, and on either side of the spatial plane which is to be indicated. Specifically, the light emitter is a laser, and the means for scanning the pair of light beams includes penta-prisms which are rotated for scanning purposes. Preferably, the light beams which are scanned include high and low tensity areas, and the low tensity areas overlap in the spatial plane to be indicated.

Abstract: In a connector member for optical fibres, a fibre is coaxially held in a holder member which is supported by a silicone-rubber liner interposed between the bore of a housing and the circumference of the holder with the facility of radial adjustment in two mutually perpendicular directions by set screws making use of the compressibility of the liner. Longitudinal adjustment of the fibre is also provided by securing the fibre in a collet bush, in which it is held by a split collet, and which itself is longitudinally adjustable by a hollow coaxial set screw in a guide bore of an outer bush. An assembly jig is also described, in which a retractable tray of a wall supports the collet in front of an axial bore of a slide. This bore accommodates the collet bush, while a filament constituting the fibre is extended in the requisite position, in which it is located by V-grooves in end wall members of the jig.

Abstract: The alignment of a collimated light beam is monitored by diverting a sample portion of the beam through an auxiliary optical light beam transmission system which converts the sample portion into an annular collimated light beam and transmits it coaxially with the main beam. The annular beam is reflected back through its transmission system by a fixed reference annular mirror that permits the passage of the main beam through its aperture. The retransmitted annular beam is divided to sensors that detect its angular misalignment and lateral displacement as a true measure of main beam alignment relative to the fixed reference annular mirror. End to end main beam alignment is accomplished by servo controlled optical elements that respond to the outputs of these sensors and to the outputs of sensors that measure alignment of the main beam input.

Abstract: A thermocompression, tailless wire bonder which permits the bonding operation to take place at any location along the path of the bonding tool without affecting the length of wire protruding below the bonding tool or the location of the end of the wire relative to the torch. A non-frictional wire tensioning device is employed to produce a constant and adjustable tension on the bonding wire. A virtual image, parallax free, optical positioning system is utilized to position the bonding tool.

Abstract: A method is described for positioning an optical fiber. The method takes two general forms: (1) The optical fiber is positioned carefully with respect to some predetermined external surface on a stationary holder such that the optical fiber may be later precisely located through use of that surface; and (2) Precisely orienting one or more optical fibers which have been prepositioned with respect to an article such that that article may be similarly precisely oriented. Generally, the methods involve the passing of light through the optical fiber, detecting the output therefrom through the use of a position-sensitive photodetector, and moving the optical fiber so as to achieve a desired relationship to the position-sensitive photodetector.

Abstract: Very large retroreflectors, especially retroreflectors designed for laterally transferring and reversely directing the incoming beam along a parallel but offset outgoing path, are checked for accurate perpendicularity of their reflecting faces. First and second flat, laterally displaced and opposite-facing test reflectors are disposed between an error detector and the retroreflector. To special advantage, the test reflectors are coplanar parts of two pates that are united face-to-face. One test reflector is used to determine its own perpendicularity to the error detector and thereby to determine the perpendicularity of the plane of the second test reflector to the axis of an autocollimator or other error detector. The autocollimator directs its beam toward one end of the retroreflector for lateral transfer and redirection along a reverse path offset from the incoming beam. The second test reflector returns the outgoing beam along what should be an identical but reverse path, to the autocollimator.

Abstract: A light reference system for generating .[.a collimated beam of light and converting.]. and projecting .[.the same as.]. a relatively intense fan-shaped or diverging plane of light from an operator manipulatable device on a machine or a vehicle to an object or opening which may be positionally referenced to the device in a selected predetermined relation by operator control of the machine or vehicle and manipulatable device, thus enabling the operator to observably locate a sharply defined resulting line of light so as to establish such selected relation. The light reference system is capable of a number of different embodiments or forms, a few of which are disclosed herein. An exemplary embodiment of the machine or vehicle with which such a system is combined herein is of a fork lift truck vehicle on which the light reference system in various forms is mounted on the elevatable load handling device or fork carrier for generating .[.a collimated beam of light and for converting the same into.].