Gravitational gradiometer
US8714010B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 25, 2009 |
| Grant date | May 6, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V7/005
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus for the measurement of quasi-static gravity gradients comprising: a flexible ribbon held under tension at both ends; sensing means arranged to detect the transverse displacement of the ribbon from an undisturbed position due to the gravitational field acting on said ribbon and to generate a signal representing the displacement; and output means coupled to said sensing means and responsive to said displacement signal to generate an output signal which is a function of the gravitational gradient tensor of the gravitational field; wherein the ribbon has a non-uniform rigidity profile and/or mass profile along its length such that, in use, the displacement response of the ribbon due to the gravitational gradient of the gravitational field is enhanced and/or the displacement response of the ribbon due to the absolute gravitational acceleration of the gravitational field is suppressed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.