US4435981A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Airborne gravity surveying
Assignee: Carson Services Inc
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Filing: 1981-10-09
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Granted: 1984-03-13
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Expires: 2001-10-09
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus are disclosed for airborne gravity surveying in which the airborne vehicle is stabilized with respect to speed, direction of heading and altitude, and in which the gravity meter has adequate sensitivity and signals that are recorded at a high sample rate on a magnetic tape, in which the aircraft position is computed using a multi-range navigation system that is located geodetically.
Inventors
- 👤 Franklin D. Carson
- 👤 William R. Gumert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V7/00; G01V7/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
Apparatus for airborne gravity surveying which comprises an airborne vehicle, means on said vehicle for controlling the flight of said vehicle along a preplotted path at a preselected level responding to vertical movement, including means to move the vehicle vertically without changing its pitch, said controlling means comprising a plurality of altimeters for determining the preselected level for correction of the path of the vehicle and providing signals for recording on a tape, said controlling means comprising navigating means providing signals for recording on a tape for indicating deviation of the flight of the vehicle from the preplotted path vertically and horizontally and for correction of the path of the vehicle, signal means including gravity meter and magnetic means providing signals for recording on a tape, means for digitalizing the signals from said gravity meter means at a predetermined sample rate and at a high order of sensitivity, recording means including a tape for recording signals from said altimeter means, said navigation means, said signal means and said digitalizing means, and computer means for indicating the departure of the vehicle from the preplotted path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
Apparatus for airborne gravity surveying which comprises an airborne vehicle, means on said vehicle for controlling the flight of said vehicle along a preplotted path at a preselected level responding to vertical movement, including means to move the vehicle vertically without changing its pitch, said controlling means comprising a plurality of altimeters for determining the preselected level for correction of the path of the vehicle and providing signals for recording on a tape, said controlling means comprising navigating means providing signals for recording on a tape for indicating deviation of the flight of the vehicle from the preplotted path vertically and horizontally and for correction of the path of the vehicle, signal means including gravity meter and magnetic means providing signals for recording on a tape, means for digitalizing the signals from said gravity meter means at a predetermined sample rate and at a high order of sensitivity, recording means including a tape for recording signals from said altimeter means, said navigation means, said signal means and said digitalizing means, and computer means for indicating the departure of the vehicle from the preplotted path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus for airborne gravity surveying as defined in claim 1 in which said airborne vehicle is a helicopter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus for airborne gravity surveying as defined in claim 2 in which the blades of the helicopter are precisely tracked and aligned for smoothness of flight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus for airborne gravity surveying as defined in claim 1 in which said plurality of altimeters includes at least one pressure sensitive altimeter, and an altimeter operating upon wave propagation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus for airborne gravity surveying as defined in claim 4 in which one of said altimeters is a radar altimeter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus for airborne gravity surveying as defined in claim 4 in which one of said altimeters is a laser altimeter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus for airborne gravity surveying as defined in claim 4 in which a probe is provided for the pressure sensitive altimeter located so as to be subject only to static air pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus for airborne gravity surveying as defined in claim 1 in which the analog data is recorded at a sensitivity of the order of 0.0001 volts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus for airborne gravity surveying as defined in claim 1 in which the recording means is effective for recording digitalized signals at intervals of the order of one second.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus for airborne gravity surveying as defined in claim 1 in which the navigating means is a line of sight electronic distance measuring device and at least three ranges are measured within a predetermined time interval.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus for airborne gravity surveying as defined in claim 1 in which said preplotted path has precise geodetic members thereon derived from Navy transit satellite locations in the translocation mode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus for airborne gravity surveying as defined in claim 1 in which the navigating means employs satellite radio emission interferometric means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus for airborne gravity surveying as defined in claim 1 in which said gravity meter provides signals at a predetermined rate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus for airborne gravity surveying as defined in claim 13 in which at least two bidirectional narrow range pressure transducers are mounted within said chamber to which air is supplied by a probe located so as to be subject only to static air pressure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus for airborne gravity surveying as defined in claim 1 in which the gravity meter is capable of being stabilized in a short period of time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus for airborne gravity surveying as defined in claim 1 in which a protected environmental chamber is provided within which the gravity meter is enclosed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus for airborne gravity surveying as defined in claim 1 in which magnetic and gravity data are simultaneously recorded on a tape.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-03-13 | 1987-09-12 | 1988-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-13 | 1991-09-12 | 1992-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-13 | 1995-09-12 | 1996-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |