ALIGNING TRIPOD Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: geodetic instrumentation. SUBSTANCE: proposed tripod is meant for installation and alignment of instrument. Aligning tripod has table with centering bushing, plumb line with level, three supporting moving apart feet and braking unit. Each foot comprises extending and immobile parts. Braking unit is filled with electromagnetic powder and is put on extending part of each foot. Braking unit has cylindrical case with electromagnet winding, ring working space, rotor, shaft with pinion, return spring and rack. Ring working space is filled with ferromagnetic powder. Rotor is made of non-magnetic material and carries radial blades. Shaft is made fast to rotor. Return spring is attached with one end to shaft and with the other end - to case. Rack is mounted on immobile parts of feet for interaction with pinion on shaft. EFFECT: widened application range of geodetic instruments employed to operate on solid surfaces, increased functional reliability of tripod. 3 dwg