US3706225A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Directional inclinometer
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1970-10-22
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Granted: 1972-12-19
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Expires: 1990-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A device for indicating and recording data representative of direction and degree of inclination of a body or a line or of current direction and velocity by means of a tethered buoyant pendulum is provided. The device includes an outer sphere, one half of which is lined with concentric circles of various colors, and an inner hemispherical chassis which is adapted to float within the outer sphere on a thin layer of liquid between the spheres. The chassis carries photographic equipment and magnets, the former photographing arcs of the concentric circles to indicate current velocity and the latter aligning the chassis so that inclination and direction are indicated by the colors and positions of the arcs photographed.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul B Stimson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:02
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P5/00; G01P5/02; G01C; G01C9/00; G01C9/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A current meter adapted to detect and record a multiplicity of current velocity and direction indications comprising: a hollow sphere having means for exterior attachment to a tether at one pole and a plurality of individually distinguishable concentric lines on its interior surface about the opposite pole, said lines extending at least to the equator between said poles; a tether attached at one end to said sphere and at the other end to a mooring or a bottom weight; a small amount of liquid in said sphere and a hollow chassis means substantially hemispherical in shape disposed in said sphere and adapted to float on a thin film of said liquid; said chassis having means mounted therein for aligning it with the environmental magnetic field; a camera and lighting means for use therewith mounted on the planar surface of said chassis, said camera and said lighting means positioned on said chassis and directed so that a limited area of said sphere at the zenith of said chassis will be illuminated and photographed; and control and power means for operating said camera and energizing said lighting means, whereby drag of said sphere in a current causes inclination of said tether and said sphere, said chassis assuming a horizontal attitude and said camera photographing portions of the concentric lines indicating current velocity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
A current meter adapted to detect and record a multiplicity of current velocity and direction indications comprising: a hollow sphere having means for exterior attachment to a tether at one pole and a plurality of individually distinguishable concentric lines on its interior surface about the opposite pole, said lines extending at least to the equator between said poles; a tether attached at one end to said sphere and at the other end to a mooring or a bottom weight; a small amount of liquid in said sphere and a hollow chassis means substantially hemispherical in shape disposed in said sphere and adapted to float on a thin film of said liquid; said chassis having means mounted therein for aligning it with the environmental magnetic field; a camera and lighting means for use therewith mounted on the planar surface of said chassis, said camera and said lighting means positioned on said chassis and directed so that a limited area of said sphere at the zenith of said chassis will be illuminated and photographed; and control and power means for operating said camera and energizing said lighting means, whereby drag of said sphere in a current causes inclination of said tether and said sphere, said chassis assuming a horizontal attitude and said camera photographing portions of the concentric lines indicating current velocity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said concentric lines are distinguishable from one another by color alone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
The device as defined in claim 2 and further including a matrix positioned between the camera and the zenith for limiting the portions of said concentric lines which are viewed by said camera, said matrix being substantially square, said transverse axis skewed to the direction of film travel to facilitate the recording of a density of information on the order of 105 to 106 current readings in one sampling.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device as defined in claim 3 wherein the lens of the camera and the matrix are replaced by a plurality of optical fibers, said fibers having their outer ends disposed near the inner surface of said hollow sphere to receive a more distinct image to conduct to said camera.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1634934A
Cited
US3264869A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-19 | 1976-06-19 | 1976-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-19 | 1980-06-19 | 1980-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-19 | 1984-06-19 | 1984-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |