Gravity Gradiometer
AssigneeTechnological Resources Pty. Limited
InventorFrank Joachim Van Kann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method of tuning properties of a gravity gradiometer for measuring components of the gravity gradient tensor. The gravity gradiometer comprises a pair of first and second transversely arranged sensor masses that are arranged for movement about an axis and relative to each other in response to a gravity gradient. The gravity gradiometer further comprises first and second capacitors for sensing and influencing the movement of the first and second sensor masses. The method comprising applying a bias voltage to at least one of the capacitors for generating an electrostatic force which acts on one of the sensor masses and thereby influences the movement of that sensor mass.
Claims11
A gravity gradiometer for measuring components of the gravity gradient tensor, the gravity gradiometer comprising:
- at least one sensor mass suspended by a pivotal coupling which enables movement of the at least one sensor mass about an axis in response to a gravity gradient;
- at least one transducer for generating an electrical signal in response to the movement of the at least one sensor mass relative to a component of the transducer, the at least on transducer further being arranged for influencing the movement of the at least one sensor mass;
- and
- electrical circuitry for receiving the electrical signal from the at least one transducer and for directing an actuating signal to the at least one transducer so that in use the at least one transducer functions as sensor and actuator.
An accelerometer, comprising:
- at least one transversely arranged first sensor mass suspended by a coupling which enables movement of the sensor mass about or along an axis in response to an angular or linear acceleration respectively;
- at least one transducer for generating an electrical signal in response to the movement of the at least one sensor mass relative to a component of the transducer, the at least one transducer further being arranged for influencing the movement of the at least one sensor mass;
- and
- electrical circuitry for receiving the electrical signal from the at least one transducer and for directing an actuating signal to the at least one transducer so that in use the at least one transducer functions as sensor and actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.