Compass systems
US4590679A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 1983 |
| Grant date | May 27, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C17/30
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A drive circuit applies an oscillating signal to the drive coil of the fluxgate thereby generating output pulses from the detection coils of the fluxgate, which pulses have an area proportional to the magnetic flux through that coil. The output pulses are integrated sequentially by an integrator. The output may be used directly to obtain the orientation of the fluxgate, and hence of a vessel in which the fluxgate is mounted but it is preferable on the grounds of accuracy and speed of response to apply a predetermined number of pulses from each detection coil, apply a constant signal to the integrator and measure the times between the application of that constant signal and the integrator output attaining a predetermined value. This may be measured digitally giving a more accurate measurement of the fluxgate orientation. Suitable error elimination means may be provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.