Method and apparatus for zeroing a tilt meter mechanism
AssigneeApplied Geomechanics, Inc.
InventorKlaus L. Franz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved tilt meter mechanism characterized by a pyramidal pendulum support for a tilt sensor, and means for leveling the support to zero the sensor. A pair of motor driven gibs movable along vertical rails are provided, and a biasing mechanism urges angled faces of the support firmly against the gibs. To zero the tilt sensor, the motors associated with the gibs are individually actuated to move the gibs in directions substantially normal to the X-Y measurement plane of the sensor to bring the X-Y measurement plane into alignment with a gravitationally normal reference plane.
Claims16
In a tilt meter including a tilt sensor for detecting movement in an X-Y plane, means for aligning said X-Y plane of said tilt sensor with a gravitationally normal reference plane, and means for detecting when said X-Y plane has shifted relative said reference plane, an improved means for aligning said tilt sensor comprising:
- (a) means supporting said tilt sensor such that said X-Y plane is movable through said reference plane, said supporting means having an axis normal to said X-Y plane, a first surface forming an acute angle relative said axis and projecting an x component along said X-Y plane, and a second surface forming an acute angle relative said axis and projecting a y component along said X-Y plane;
- (b) first means in sliding abutment with said first surface, and second means in sliding abutment with said second surface;
- and
- (c) control means for selectively moving said first means and said second means in directions parallel to said axis, whereby said X-Y plane may be aligned with said reference plane.
A tilt meter mechanism comprising:
- (a) a tilt sensor for detecting movement in an X-Y plane;
- (b) means supporting said tilt sensor such that said X-Y plane is movable through a gravitationally normal reference plane, said supporting means having a first surface angled relative said X-Y plane and projecting an x component along said X-Y plane, and a second surface angled relative said X-Y plane and projecting a y component along said X-Y plane;
- (c) first means in abutment with said first surface, and second means in abutment with said second surface;
- and
- (d) first control means for moving said first means along said first surface in a direction normal to said X-Y plane, and second control means for moving said second means along said second surface in a direction normal to said X-Y plane.
A method of aligning a tilt meter mechanism including a tilt sensor for detecting movement in an X-Y plane, means supporting said tilt sensor such that said X-Y plane is movable through a gravitationally normal reference plane, said supporting means having a first surface angled relative said X-Y plane and having an x component relative thereto, and a second surface angled relative said X-Y plane and having a y component relative thereto, a first gib in abutment with said first surface, and a second gib in abutment with said second surface, said method for aligning said X-Y plane with said reference plane comprising:
- (a) moving said first gib along said first surface in a direction substantially normal to said X-Y plane;
- and
- (b) moving said second gib along said second surface in a direction substantially normal to said X-Y plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.