EP0111265A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Solid state compass
Assignee: Ion Geophysical Corp
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Filing: 1983-12-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A solid state compass having a pair of flux gates orthogonally disposed on a gimballed platform and coupled by a single pair of conductors to an electronic subsystem which include a current source for energizing the respective flux gates and a detection and control circuit to provide control of flux gate energization and to detect signals derived from each flux gate and from which compass heading is derived.
Inventors
- 👤 John T. Fowler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C17/00; G01C17/02; G01C17/28; G01C17/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
A solid state magnetic compass comprising: a platform having a plurality of flux gates in mutually orthogonal disposition; means for maintaining the platform in a substantially horizontal orientation; means for sequentially energizing each flux gate; and means for detecting signals from each flux gate representative of compass orientation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
A solid state magnetic compass comprising: a platform having a plurality of flux gates in mutually orthogonal disposition; means for maintaining the platform in a substantially horizontal orientation; means for sequentially energizing each flux gate; and means for detecting signals from each flux gate representative of compass orientation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The magnetic compass of claim 1 wherein the platform includes a pair of conductive bearings by which control signals and power are applied to the flux gates and by which flux gate signals are provided to external circuitry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The magnetic compass of claim 2 wherein the control signals and power are applied over a single two-wire path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The magnetic compass of claim 1 wherein each flux gate is energized sequentially with a signal of one polarity and opposite polarity in a cyclic manner to provide an output in which the error terms are effectively cancelled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
5 . The magnetic compass of claim 1 wherein the platform has a relatively high resonent frequency and relatively low response to spurious oscillation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The magnetic compass of claim 1 wherein the platform includes a first flux gate and a second flux gate supported on the platform and in orthogonal disposition to one another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The magnetic compass of claim 6 wherein each of the flux gates includes a cylindrical coil having an opening therethrough in which is disposed a saturable magnetic core.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The magnetic compass of claim 7 wherein each of the flux gates are arranged at 45° to the pivot axis of the platform.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The magnetic compass of claim 7 wherein said means for sequentially energizing each flux gate includes means for applying a signal of one polarity to the flux gate coil and means for applying a signal of opposite polarity to the flux gate coil
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The magnetic compass of claim 4 wherein the platform includes three flux gates supported on the platform and in mutually orthogonal disposition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
A solid state magnetic compass comprising: a pair of flux gates supported in mutually orthogonal disposition; means for maintaining the flux gates in a substantially horizontal orientation; means for energizing each flux gate sequentially with a signal of one polarity and opposite polarity in a. cyclic manner to provide an output in which the error terms are effectively cancelled; and means for detecting signals from each flux gate from which compass orientation can be derived.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
75 words
A solid state magnetic compass comprising: a pair of flux gates supported in mutually orthogonal disposition; means for maintaining the flux gates in a substantially horizontal orientation; means for energizing each flux gate sequentially with a signal of one polarity and opposite polarity in a. cyclic manner to provide an output in which the error terms are effectively cancelled; and means for detecting signals from each flux gate from which compass orientation can be derived.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
82 words
A solid state magnetic compass comprising: a support having first and second flux gates in mutually orthogonal disposition; circuit means on said support for alternate selection of each flux gate; means for maintaining the support in a substantially horizontal orientation; means external to said support for providing signals to the circuit means and to the flux gates to cause sequential energization of each flux gate; and means external to said support for detecting signals from each flux gate representative of compass orientation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
A solid state magnetic compass comprising: a support having first and second flux gates in mutually orthogonal disposition; circuit means on said support for alternate selection of each flux gate; means for maintaining the support in a substantially horizontal orientation; means external to said support for providing signals to the circuit means and to the flux gates to cause sequential energization of each flux gate; and means external to said support for detecting signals from each flux gate representative of compass orientation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The magnetic compass of claim 12 wherein the circuit means includes switch means coupled to each of the flux gates; and a control circuit operative to control operation of the switch means to cause selective connection of each flux gate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The magnetic compass of claim 13 wherein the switch means comprise solid state switches and wherein the control circuit comprises a date circuit operative to alternately actuate the solid state switches.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2383461A
Cited
US4267640A
Cited
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