Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for determining azimuth, pitch and roll

US5010653A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
30References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 20, 1989
Grant dateApr 30, 1991
Priority date—
Expiry dateOct 20, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01C17/38
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Apparatus and method for determining the azimuth (heading), pitch and roll which include a magnetometer-type sensor providing signals measured in three axes relative to a reference frame, and coil elements wound around the magnetometer which selectively impose specific magnetic fields about the sensor. Three axes field components of the magnetic field are measured from the sensor with and without the selective energization of the magnetic coils and stored, from which the azimuth, pitch and roll are calculated. Furthermore, quadrant correction is applied such that a unique reading is produced for all angles through 360.degree. of azimuth, pitch or roll.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.