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Carl Zeiss Jena Recording Balloon Theodolite.
Mechanical Recording Theodolites date back to 1910. They are not common in the
west (former NATO contries.) At least two manufacturers made them in the Former DDR
(East Germany), Carl Zeiss Jana and Frieburger (the same people who make the well
respected drum sextant). The Freiburger model prints readings on a paper tape, and
the theodolite covered here generates a plot on paper polar charts.
A Jena Catalog Page describes the instrument as follows: "This instrument is
operated by a single observer and produces a synchronous and sequential semi-automatic
plotting of the horizontal projection of the line of a balloon's flight without reading
the horizontal and vertical directions."
Simply stated it is a balloon theodolite that mechanically converts movements in
azimuth and elevation along with and assumed ascent rate to points on to a polar
coordinate system chart. A theodolite and plotting board in one unit. Note
that the finder scope has a separate eyepiece. This seems to be common in German
designs. This instrument is illustrated in "Handbuch Der
Meteorologischen Instrumente" published in 1935. It is believed to have been in production
through the late
1940's.
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Zeiss Diagram Numbers: |
1. Objective of main telescope
1a. Objective of finder telescope
2. Eye-piece of finder telescope
3. Knurled stud for horizontal movement of setting mark (25)
4. Plotting table
5. Stud with catch for insertion or
6. Fine setting screw for horizontal rotation of telescope.
7. Trabrach screw
8-8a. Notch and point director sights
10. Telescope eyepiece with dioptric scale and detachable rubber shade
11. Knurled ring with catch for vertical motion of telescope
12. Fine setting screw for
13. vertical
14 Cross and longitudinal bubbles
15. Horizontal scale on
16 Tightening screw for tripod leg hinges
17. Tightening screws for leg sockets
18. Coupling screw with hook for suspending clock (19) |
19. Clock for minute signals (warning
& minute)
20.
with objective aperture of setting in
21-21a. Column for vertical displacement of setting-in mark, with scale
(21a) for reading mark setting, pauses marked by tens
22. Stud for raising the mark at the tenth pause (when extending the balloon
track).
23-24. Studs for for rough displacement of mark (25)
25. Setting-in mark
26. Slide bar for horizontal displacement of mark (25)
27. Lever for operating the pricking needle, actuating counter and lowering
mark (25)
28 Pricking needle
29. Clamp screws for retaining ring of plotting sheet
30. Clamping lever for locking the rotating horizontal circle. |
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