Curve-measuring equipment with distance totaliser and display - calculates retrospective path of follower independently of direction of movement and gives electronic indication of travel

摘要

The curve-follower may be a ball such as is used in a computer peripheral mouse controller. The components of displacement in two orthogonal directions are measured and the distance travelled is evaluated from the square root of the sum of the squares of these components. The calculation is repeated at frequent intervals corresp. to short incremental movements by an electronic circuit which adds the results and displays the overall distance travelled. USE/ADVANTAGE - On maps or plans. Equipment can move in any direction without restriction to small radius of curvature, and is ready for use without complex setting-up procedures. It involves no gearing, and result may be displayed in digital or analogue form.