Ball inclinometer
US4587741A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 27, 1983 |
| Grant date | May 13, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 27, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C9/06
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An inclinometer includes a toroidal race containing a spherical ball free to move therein under the influence of gravity. Signal source and collector electrode assemblies are provided on opposite sides of the toroidal race, and the ball functions to capacitively couple signals on the source electrode to the collector electrode. In one embodiment the source electrode is shaped so that the amplitude of coupling varies with ball position in the race so that the signal on the collector electrode is indicative of ball position. In other embodiments the source electrode is continuous and symmetrical, and signals applied thereto are selected such that a property of the signal coupled to the collector electrode, such as signal phase, varies in accordance with ball position in the race. Three such inclinometers can be combined in a borehold sensor for drilling applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.