Gravity gradiometer
US7562461B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 7, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jul 21, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 11, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/217
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a gravity gradiometer for measuring components of the gravity gradient tensor. The gravity gradiometer comprises at least one sensor mass for movement in response to a gravity gradient. The gravity gradiometer also comprises a pivotal coupling enabling the movement of the at least one sensor mass about an axis. Further, the gravity gradiometer comprises a plurality of capacitors. Each capacitor has first and second capacitor elements positioned opposite each other so that a gap is defined between respective first and second capacitor elements. The capacitors are arranged so that movement of the at least one sensor mass results in a change in the gap between respective first and second capacitor elements. At least one of the capacitor elements has at least two separate capacitor portions arranged so that separate voltages can be applied to the capacitor portions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.