Apparatus and method for measuring mass in a microgravity environment
US6756548B2 · kind B2 · utility
1Cited by
16References
22Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 6, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 11, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01G3/16
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method of measuring the mass of a test specimen located in a microgravity environment. The test specimen is attached to the free end of a cantilevered spring for joint vibration. The natural frequency of vibration of the spring and specimen are measured. The spring constant is calculated and compared with known masses having the same frequency and spring constant. When a match is found, the mass of the test specimen is known.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.