US 5,964,530 AGranted

Method for compensating earth surface temperatures for the skyward effect thereon

AssigneeNone recorded

InventorLloyd C. Fons

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Abstract

A method for compensating measured earth surface temperatures for the effects which skyward temperatures have upon such measured temperatures. Also, methods for employing compensated earth surface temperatures to determine the likelihood of subsurface features existing beneath locations within a selected geographical area.

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Claims8

Dependent claims

A method for compensating measured earth surface temperatures for the effects of skyward temperatures, which method comprises:

a). selecting a geographical area of interest upon the earth's surface;
b) selecting a plurality of locations within the geographical area of interest;
c). measuring an earth surface temperature, T.sub.L, at each location of a plurality of locations within the geographical area, and simultaneously measuring a skyward temperature, T.sub.S, in a vertical direction above each location;
d). determining an average, T.sub.SA, of the skyward temperatures, T.sub.S, measured at the plurality of locations;
e). determining a normalized temperature, T.sub.NS, for each measured skyward temperature, T.sub.S, according to the equation:
T.sub.NS =T.sub.SA -T.sub.S ;
f). determining, for each location of the plurality of locations, a compensated earth surface temperature, T.sub.CL, according to the formula:
T.sub.CL =T.sub.L -(C)(T.sub.NS);
where (C) is a constant proportional to the effect of a variation in the measured skyward temperature, T.sub.S, at the respective location upon the measured earth surface temperature, T.sub.L.

6 more elements

A method for compensating normalized earth surface temperature values for the effects of skyward temperatures, which method comprises:

a). selecting a geographical area of interest;
b). selecting a plurality of locations within the geographical area of interest;
c) a each location of the plurality of locations, measuring an earth surface temperature, T.sub.L, and, simultaneously, measuring a skyward temperature, T.sub.S, vertically above the location;
d). determining an average skyward temperature, T.sub.SA, for the skyward temperatures, T.sub.S, measured at the plurality of locations;
e). determining an average measured earth surface temperature, T.sub.LA, for the earth surface temperatures, T.sub.L, measured at the plurality of locations;
f). determining a normalized skyward temperature, T.sub.NS, for each measured skyward temperature, T.sub.S, according to the formula:
T.sub.NS =T.sub.SA -T.sub.S ;
g) determining a normalized earth surface temperature T.sub.NL, for each measured earth surface temperature, T.sub.L, according to the formula:
T.sub.NL =T.sub.L -T.sub.LA
h). determining for each location of the plurality of locations a normalized compensated earth surface temperature, T.sub.NCL, according to the formula:
T.sub.NCL =T.sub.NL -(C)(T.sub.NS)
here (C) is a constant proportional to the effect of a variation in the measured skyward temperature, T.sub.S, upon the measured earth surface temperature, T.sub.L, at the respective location.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

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Claims8

Dependent claims

A method for compensating measured earth surface temperatures for the effects of skyward temperatures, which method comprises:

a). selecting a geographical area of interest upon the earth's surface;
b) selecting a plurality of locations within the geographical area of interest;
c). measuring an earth surface temperature, T.sub.L, at each location of a plurality of locations within the geographical area, and simultaneously measuring a skyward temperature, T.sub.S, in a vertical direction above each location;
d). determining an average, T.sub.SA, of the skyward temperatures, T.sub.S, measured at the plurality of locations;
e). determining a normalized temperature, T.sub.NS, for each measured skyward temperature, T.sub.S, according to the equation:
T.sub.NS =T.sub.SA -T.sub.S ;
f). determining, for each location of the plurality of locations, a compensated earth surface temperature, T.sub.CL, according to the formula:
T.sub.CL =T.sub.L -(C)(T.sub.NS);
where (C) is a constant proportional to the effect of a variation in the measured skyward temperature, T.sub.S, at the respective location upon the measured earth surface temperature, T.sub.L.

6 more elements

A method for compensating normalized earth surface temperature values for the effects of skyward temperatures, which method comprises:

a). selecting a geographical area of interest;
b). selecting a plurality of locations within the geographical area of interest;
c) a each location of the plurality of locations, measuring an earth surface temperature, T.sub.L, and, simultaneously, measuring a skyward temperature, T.sub.S, vertically above the location;
d). determining an average skyward temperature, T.sub.SA, for the skyward temperatures, T.sub.S, measured at the plurality of locations;
e). determining an average measured earth surface temperature, T.sub.LA, for the earth surface temperatures, T.sub.L, measured at the plurality of locations;
f). determining a normalized skyward temperature, T.sub.NS, for each measured skyward temperature, T.sub.S, according to the formula:
T.sub.NS =T.sub.SA -T.sub.S ;
g) determining a normalized earth surface temperature T.sub.NL, for each measured earth surface temperature, T.sub.L, according to the formula:
T.sub.NL =T.sub.L -T.sub.LA
h). determining for each location of the plurality of locations a normalized compensated earth surface temperature, T.sub.NCL, according to the formula:
T.sub.NCL =T.sub.NL -(C)(T.sub.NS)
here (C) is a constant proportional to the effect of a variation in the measured skyward temperature, T.sub.S, upon the measured earth surface temperature, T.sub.L, at the respective location.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description6,240 words

Summary1,380 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to methods for compensating measured earth surface temperatures for the effect of skyward conditions upon such temperatures. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for using temperatures measured in a skyward direction for compensating measured temperatures of the earth's surface. The earth surface temperatures compensated according to the method of the present invention are useful for determining subsurface features, such as the presence or absence of oil, gas, or mineral deposits.

#2. Description of Pertinent Art

Brief description of the drawings2 figures

#FIG. 1 of the drawings shows graphical plots of measured earth surface temperatures at locations along Traverse 1 and Traverse 2 of Example 1.

#FIG. 2 of the drawings shows graphical plots of normalized compensated earth surface temperatures for locations along Traverse 1 and Traverse 2 of Example 1.

Detailed description4,811 words

#As noted above, measured earth surface temperature values are affected by ambient conditions, such as incident radiation(sunlight), ambient temperatures, atmospheric humidity, wind dessication, cloud cover, atmospheric clarity, precipitation, etc. I have discovered that these ambient conditions are subject to rapid changes, even when, to a visual observer, the ambient conditions appear stable. Further, I have discovered that such changes in ambient conditions have significant effects upon earth surface temperature measurements which can mask differences in earth surface temperature measurements between locations which differences could indicate the presence or absence of subsurface features at the locations.

#According to the present invention, I have discovered that measured earth surface temperatures can be compensated for changes in ambient conditions employing skyward temperatures, as described above in the Summary Of Invention. Differences in compensated earth surface temperatures between locations can then be compared to determine whether sought for subsurface features may exist below one or another of the locations.

#In geographical areas where oil or gas deposits are likely to be found, locations having lower compensated earth surface temperatures are more likely to have oil or gas deposits beneath them than are other locations in the same geographical area having higher compensated earth surface temperatures. Likewise, in geographical areas where mineral deposits, such as metal ores, are likely to be found, locations having higher compensated earth surface temperatures are more likely to have mineral deposits beneath them than are locations having lower compensated earth surface temperatures.

Abstract

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Claims8

Abstract

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Claims8

Description6,240 words

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Classification5 codes

Life of this patent

Description6,240 words