Patent · US Active

Gravity gradiometer

US8033170B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
50References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 16, 2009
Grant dateOct 11, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 16, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01V7/005
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of tuning properties of a gravity gradiometer for measuring components of the gravity gradient tensor. The gravity gradiometer comprises a pair of first and second transversely arranged sensor masses that are arranged for movement about an axis and relative to each other in response to a gravity gradient. The gravity gradiometer further comprises first and second capacitors for sensing and influencing the movement of the first and second sensor masses. The method comprising applying a bias voltage to at least one of the capacitors for generating an electrostatic force which acts on one of the sensor masses and thereby influences the movement of that sensor mass.

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