Brimson Laboratories (United States)

Simultaneous, real time measurements of the relative inclinations of two distinct surfaces is the domain of the Brunson instrument Model 653DR Dual Axis Differential Electronic Level. A. gravity-referenced, two axis instrument, it allows communication between itself and a like, remote unit to establish a comparison between two planes, regardless of their horizontal or vertical separation. The performance and functions of the 653DR. as a static r dynamic monitoring or alignment instrument used as an alternative to more cumbersome, slower methods previously accepted are discussed. Included are the usefulness of data averaging; display of local, remote, or differential sensor data; selectable bandwidth. (or response damping); and comparison of the rate of tilt (angular velocity) of the two sensors. Applications such as the static monitoring of large structures including buildings, dams, ships, and aircraft are suggested. Also discussed are alignment applications in static or dynamic environments such as waterborne alignment of shipboard navigational systems, where the transference to remote locations of the attitude of a master plane referenced to the sips structure is critical.

Precision optical alignment and/or measurement more often than not requires coordinate systems which for convenience of analysis are not based on a gravity reference system. Conventional jig transits, telescopic transit squares and optical transit squares which rely on a gravity reference system require that measurements be taken from. plumb lines (vertical planes) and level lines (horizontal planes). If the object being analyzed is not oriented coincident to the earth's xis, then data oust be mathematically reduced by use of trigonometry and geometry formulae which mu be time consuming as well as introduce additional potential errors in analysis. A state-of-the-art optical instrument has been developed which virtually defies gravity and allows rapid. setting of orthogonal pl.H.nes without a gravity reference.