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US 9,291,742 B2Granted
Double pendulum gravimeter and method of measuring gravity using the same
AssigneeMicro-g LaCoste, Inc.
InventorTimothy M. Niebauer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A double pendulum gravimeter accurately measures gravity by transferring aligned mode energy between suspension points of the pendulums to establish equal arcs of oscillation of the pendulums and by sensing oscillation characteristics to establish an accurate gravity value including a correction factor which depends on the arc of oscillation, while absorbing adverse mode energy.
Claims35
A gravimeter for measuring a value of gravity, comprising:
- a first pendulum connected at a first suspension point to oscillate about the first suspension point in a first arc of oscillation under the influence of gravity and oscillation energy applied to the first pendulum;
- a first sensor associated with the first pendulum to sense a characteristic of oscillation of the first pendulum in the first arc of oscillation;
- a second pendulum connected at a second suspension point to oscillate about the second suspension point in a second arc of oscillation under the influence of gravity and oscillation energy applied to the second pendulum;
- a second sensor associated with the second pendulum to sense a characteristic of oscillation of the second pendulum in the second arc of oscillation;
- and wherein:
- the first and second suspension points are separated from one another;
- the first and second pendulums oscillate in a common plane at a relative 180° phase difference with respect to one another;
- and further comprising:
- a transfer coupling connected to the first and second suspension points and operative to transfer aligned mode energy between the first and second suspension points, the aligned mode energy constituting a component of energy which is aligned directly between the first and second suspension points and which is effective at the first and second suspension points.
6 more elements
A gravimeter for measuring a value of gravity, comprising:
- a pendulum connected at a suspension point to oscillate about the suspension point in an arc of oscillation under the influence of gravity and oscillation energy applied to the pendulum;
- a sensor associated with the pendulum to sense a characteristic of oscillation of the pendulum in the arc of oscillation;
- an energy control motor connected to move the suspension point;
- and
- an energy feedback controller connected to the sensor and to the energy control motor to actuate the energy control motor to move the suspension point during oscillation of the pendulum and thereby change the amount of oscillation energy of the pendulum to establish and maintain a substantially constant arc of oscillation of the pendulum;
- and wherein:
- the sensed characteristic includes information sufficient to determine the value of gravity based on the substantially constant arc of oscillation of the pendulum.
4 more elements
A method of measuring a value of gravity, comprising:
- oscillating a first pendulum about a first suspension point in a first arc of oscillation under the influence of gravity and oscillation energy applied to the first pendulum;
- oscillating a second pendulum about a second suspension point in a second arc of oscillation under the influence of gravity and oscillation energy applied to the second pendulum, the second suspension point being separated from the first suspension point;
- oscillating the first and second pendulums at a relative 180° phase difference with respect to one another in a common plane;
- coupling the first and second suspension points to transfer aligned mode energy between the first and second suspension points, the aligned mode energy constituting a component of energy which is aligned directly between the first and second suspension points and which is effective at the first and second suspension points;
- and
- determining the value of gravity from a characteristic of oscillation of one of the first or second pendulums.
3 more elements
A method of measuring a value of gravity, comprising:
- oscillating a pendulum about a suspension point in an arc of oscillation under the influence of gravity and oscillation energy applied to the pendulum;
- sensing a characteristic of oscillation of the pendulum in the arc of oscillation;
- moving the suspension point during oscillation of the pendulum in relation to the sensed characteristic to change the amount of oscillation energy of the pendulum to establish and maintain a substantially constant arc of oscillation of the pendulum;
- and
- determining the value of gravity based on the substantially constant arc of oscillation of the pendulum.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.