US 2014/0190255 A1 · ULTRA HIGH RESOLUTION GRAVITY GRADIOMETERY TECHNIQUE

Abstract

A method and system provide the ability to measure relative displacement and rotation. A first light is continuously shined from a first light source that is fixed on a first entity to a first two-dimensional (2D) plate fixed on a second entity. The first direction of propagation of the first light does not change relative to the first entity. A second light is shined from a second light source that is fixed on the first entity to a second 2D plate fixed on the second entity. A second direction of propagation of the second light does not change relative to the first entity and is different from the first direction of propagation. The displacement of the lights on plates is directly monitored to determine a 3D displacement vector that represents a relative displacement between the first entity and the second entity. Thus, a three dimensional gravity gradient tensor is constructed.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method for measuring a relative displacement and rotation, comprising:

continuously shining a first light from a first light source that is fixed on a first entity to a first two-dimensional (2D) plate fixed on a second entity, wherein a first direction of propagation of the first light does not change relative to the first entity;
continuously shining a second light from a second light source that is fixed on the first entity to a second 2D plate fixed on the second entity, wherein a second direction of propagation of the second light does not change relative to the first entity, and wherein the first direction of propagation is different from the second direction of propagation;
and
monitoring displacement of the first light on the first plate and the second light on the second plate to directly determine a three-dimensional (3D) displacement vector that represents a relative displacement in three dimensions between the first entity and the second entity.

1 more element

An system for measuring a relative displacement and rotation comprising:

(a) a first light source, wherein:
(i) the first light source is fixed on a first entity;
(ii) the first light source continuously shines a first light to a first two-dimensional (2D) plate fixed on a second entity;
and
(iii) a first direction of propagation of the first light does not change relative to the first entity;
(b) a second light source, wherein:
(i) the second light source is fixed on the first entity;
(ii) the second light source continuously shines a second light to a second 2D plate fixed on the second entity;
(iii) a second direction of propagation of the second light does not change relative to the first entity;
and
(iv) the first direction of propagation is different from the second direction of propagation;
and
(c) the second entity is configured to directly monitor displacement of the first light on the first plate and the second light on the second plate to determine a three-dimensional (3D) displacement vector that represents a relative displacement in three dimensions between the first entity and the second entity.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Ultra high resolution gravity gradiometery technique

Life of this patent

Ultra high resolution gravity gradiometery technique

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18