Gravity meter
AssigneeThe Commonwealth of Australia Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
InventorMichael Thomas Gladwin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gravity gradiometer including first and second proof masses and a device for providing simultaneous free flight of the proof masses under the influence of the gravitional force in which the gradient is to be measured and a capacitance device for monitoring the movement of the centers of mass with respect to each other during free flight by monitoring capacitance between portions of the two proof masses.
Claims24
A gravity gradiometer comprising first and second proof masses and means for providing simultaneous free flight of the proof masses under the influence of the gravitational force in which the gradient is to be measured and capacitance means for monitoring the movement of the centers of mass with respect to each other during free flight by monitoring capacitance between portions of the two proof masses.
A gravity gradiometer for use on a moving platform including a first proof mass having a first centers of mass and a second proof mass having a second centers of mass;
- capacitance means including a multiplicity of capacitance members at least one capacitance member provided by each of the proof masses;
- and means for placing the proof masses in free flight under the influence of the gravitational field with the centers of mass at different distances from the source of the gravitational field in which the gradient is to be measured and wherein the capacitance members of respective proof masses are adapted to be operatively spaced apart during free flight such that movement of the centers of mass with respect to each other during free flight due to the gravitational gradient causes a change in capacitance of the capacitance means to provide a measure of the movement of the centers of mass relative to each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.