US5265470A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tunnel effect measuring systems and particle detectors
Assignee: California Institute of Technology
•
Filing: 1991-04-15
•
Granted: 1993-11-30
•
Expires: 2011-04-15
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus for measuring gravitational and inertial forces, magnetic fields, or wave or radiant energy acting on an object or fluid in space provide an electric tunneling current through a gap between an electrode and that object or fluid in space and vary that gap with any selected one of such forces, magnetic fields, or wave or radiant energy acting on that object or fluid. These methods and apparatus sense a corresponding variation in an electric property of that gap and determine the latter force, magnetic fields, or wave or radiant energy in response to that corresponding variation, and thereby sense or measure such parameters as acceleration, position, particle mass, velocity, magnetic field strength, presence or direction, or wave or radiant energy intensity, presence or direction.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. Kaiser
- 👤 Steven B. Waltman
- 👤 Thomas W. Kenny
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/08; G01P15/0894; G01P15/125; G01P15/13; G01P15/131; G01P15/132; G01P15/133; G01P2015/0805; G01P2015/0822; G01P2015/0825; G01P2015/0828; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S977/00; Y10S977/84; Y10S977/849; Y10S977/852
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 98
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of determining a position of an object in space, comprising in combination the steps of: providing an electric tunneling current through a tunneling gap between an electrode and said object in space; determining a position of said object in space when providing said electric tunneling current through a tunneling gap between an electrode and said object in space; varying said gap with a force acting on said object by changing said object in position to induce a corresponding variation in an electrical property of said gap relating to said tunneling current; and determining the direction of said force relative to said object from said corresponding variation in said electrical property and thereby the changed position of said object in space.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of determining a position of an object in space, comprising in combination the steps of: providing an electric tunneling current through a tunneling gap between an electrode and said object in space; determining a position of said object in space when providing said electric tunneling current through a tunneling gap between an electrode and said object in space; varying said gap with a force acting on said object by changing said object in position to induce a corresponding variation in an electrical property of said gap relating to said tunneling current; and determining the direction of said force relative to said object from said corresponding variation in said electrical property and thereby the changed position of said object in space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 1, including in combination the steps of: providing a constant current source; and deriving said electric tunneling current from said constant current source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, including the steps of: determining said first position by observing a voltage provided by said source upon flow of current when said gap has a quiescent value; deriving a determination of said changed position from a change in that voltage; and restoring said gap to its quiescent value in response to that change in voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, including the steps of: providing a servo loop responding to a change in voltage caused by current from said source in response to each variation of said gap; restoring said gap with said servo loop in response to said change in voltage; and providing a servo loop output signal indicative of changes in position varying said gap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, including the step of: elastically suspending said object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, including the steps of: elastically suspending said object; and restoring said elastically suspended object in position in response to said variation in said electrical property.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said object is integral with an elastic beam restorable in position by a feedback signal upon deflection of said elastic beam; said elastic beam is deflected when changing said object in position to provide said variation in said electrical property; a feedback signal is derived from said variation in said electrical property; said deflected beam is restored in position with said derived feedback signal; and an output signal indicative of said change of said object in position is provided.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
108 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, including the steps of: integrating said object with an elastic beam; making said elastic beam deflectable by a feedback signal; deflecting said elastic beam when changing said object in position to provide said variation in said electrical property; providing a servo loop responding to a change in voltage caused by current from said source in response to the latter variation in said electrical property; deriving said feedback signal with said servo loop from said change in voltage; restoring said deflected beam in position with said derived feedback signal; and providing a servo loop output signal indicative of said change in position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said force is a gravitational force.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said force is an inertial force.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said force is provided by impacting particles on said object.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said force is provided by impacting wave energy on said object.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein: said wave energy is radiant energy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said force is provided by impacting acoustic energy on said object.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said force is a magnetic force.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 1, including in combination the steps of: providing a constant voltage source; and deriving said electric tunneling current from said constant voltage source.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, including the steps of: determining said first position by observing a voltage upon flow of current from said source when said gap has a quiescent value; deriving a determination of said changed position from a change in that voltage; and restoring said gap to its quiescent value in response to that change in voltage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, including the steps of: providing a servo loop responding to a change in voltage caused by current from said source in response to each variation of said gap; restoring said gap with said servo loop in response to said change in voltage; and providing a servo loop output signal indicative of changes in position varying said gap.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, including the step of: elastically suspending said object.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, including the steps of: elastically suspending said object; and restoring said elastically suspended object in position in response to said variation in said electrical property.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
87 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein: said object is integral with an elastic beam restorable in position by a feedback signal upon deflection of said elastic beam; said elastic beam is deflected when changing said object in position to provide said variation in said electrical property; a feedback signal is derived from said variation in said electrical property; said deflected beam is restored in position with said derived feedback signal; and an output signal indicative of said change of said object in position is provided.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
108 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, including the steps of: integrating said object with an elastic beam; making said elastic beam deflectable by a feedback signal; deflecting said elastic beam when changing said object in position to provide said variation in said electrical property; providing a servo loop responding to a change in voltage caused by current from said source in response to the latter variation in said electrical property; deriving said feedback signal with said servo loop from said change in voltage; restoring said deflected beam in position with said derived feedback signal; and providing a servo loop output signal indicative of said change in position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein: said force is a gravitational force.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein: said force is an inertial force.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein: said force is provided by impacting particles on said object.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein: said force is provided by impacting wave energy on said object.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 26, wherein: said wave energy is radiant energy.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein: said force is provided by impacting acoustic energy on said object.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein: said force is a magnetic force.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of determining a position of an object in space, comprising in combination the steps of: providing an elastic beam for suspending said object; making said elastic beam deflectable by an electrostatic feedback signal; providing a tunneling gap between a tunneling tip and an electrode; connecting one of said tunneling tip and said electrode to said elastic beam; providing an electric tunneling current through said tunneling gap between said tunneling tip and said electrode; determining a position of said object in space when providing said electric tunneling current; deflecting said elastic beam with a force acting on said object by changing said object in position to provide a corresponding variation in an electrical property of said gap relating to said tunneling current; providing a servo loop responding to said variation in said electrical property; deriving said electrostatic feedback signal from the servo loop; restoring said deflected beam in position with said derived electrostatic feedback signal; providing a servo loop output signal indicative of said force; and determining the direction of said force relative to said object from said corresponding variation in said electrical property and thereby the changed position of said object in space.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of determining a position of an object in space, comprising in combination the steps of: providing an elastic beam for suspending said object; making said elastic beam deflectable by an electrostatic feedback signal; providing a tunneling gap between a tunneling tip and an electrode; connecting one of said tunneling tip and said electrode to said elastic beam; providing an electric tunneling current through said tunneling gap between said tunneling tip and said electrode; determining a position of said object in space when providing said electric tunneling current; deflecting said elastic beam with a force acting on said object by changing said object in position to provide a corresponding variation in an electrical property of said gap relating to said tunneling current; providing a servo loop responding to said variation in said electrical property; deriving said electrostatic feedback signal from the servo loop; restoring said deflected beam in position with said derived electrostatic feedback signal; providing a servo loop output signal indicative of said force; and determining the direction of said force relative to said object from said corresponding variation in said electrical property and thereby the changed position of said object in space.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 30, wherein: said tunneling tip is provided on a second elastic beam.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 30, wherein: said elastic beam is composed of two elastic beam structures having said one of said tunneling tip and said electrode located therebetween.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 30, wherein: said beam is structured as a folded beam.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 30, wherein: said elastic beam is composed of a pair of folded beam structures having said one of said tunneling tip and said electrode located therebetween.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as claimed in claim 30, including the steps of: providing a constant current source for said electric tunneling current; responding with said servo loop to a change in voltage caused by current from said source in response to each variation of said gap; and effecting restoration of the position of said beam in response to said change in voltage.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as claimed in claim 30, including the steps of: providing a constant voltage source for said electric tunneling current; responding with said servo loop to a change in voltage caused by current from said source in response to each variation of said gap; and effecting restoration of the position of said beam in response to said change in voltage.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 30, wherein: said force is a gravitational force.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 30, wherein: said force is an inertial force.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 30, wherein: said force is provided by impacting particles on said object.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 30, wherein: said force is provided by impacting wave energy on said object.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 40, wherein: said wave energy is radiant energy.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 30, wherein: said force is provided by impacting acoustic energy on said object.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 30, wherein: said force is a magnetic force.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said force is a gravitational force.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said force is an inertial force.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said force is provided by impacting particles on said object.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said force is provided by impacting wave energy on said object.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 47, wherein: said wave energy is radiant energy.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said force is provided by impacting acoustic energy on said object.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said force is a magnetic force.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for determining a position of an object in space, comprising in combination: means for providing an electric tunneling current through a tunneling gap between an electrode and said object in space; means for determining a position of said object in space when providing said electric tunneling current through a tunneling gap between an electrode and said object in space; means for varying said gap with a force acting on said object by changing said object in position to induce a corresponding variation in an electrical property of said gap relating to said tunneling current; and means for determining the direction of said force relative to said object from said corresponding variation in said electrical property and thereby the changed position of said object in space.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for determining a position of an object in space, comprising in combination: means for providing an electric tunneling current through a tunneling gap between an electrode and said object in space; means for determining a position of said object in space when providing said electric tunneling current through a tunneling gap between an electrode and said object in space; means for varying said gap with a force acting on said object by changing said object in position to induce a corresponding variation in an electrical property of said gap relating to said tunneling current; and means for determining the direction of said force relative to said object from said corresponding variation in said electrical property and thereby the changed position of said object in space.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as in claim 51, wherein: said means for providing said electric tunneling current through said tunneling gap include a constant current source.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 52, wherein: said means for determining said first position include means for sensing a voltage provided by said source upon flow of current when said gap has a quiescent value, means for deriving a determination of said changed position from a change in that voltage, and means for restoring said gap to its quiescent value in response to that change in voltage.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 52, including: means including a servo loop responding to a change in voltage caused by current from said source in response to each variation of said gap; means connected to said servo loop for restoring said gap with said servo loop in response to said change in voltage; and means connected to said servo loop for providing a servo loop output signal indicative of changes in position varying said gap.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 52, wherein: said object is elastically suspended; and said apparatus includes means for restoring said elastically suspended object in position in response to said variation in said electrical property.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 52, wherein: said force is a gravitational force.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 52, wherein: said force is an inertial force.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 52, including: means for providing said force by impacting particles on said object.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 52, including: means for providing said force by impacting wave energy on said object.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 59, wherein: said wave energy is radiant energy.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 52, including: means for providing said force by impacting acoustic energy on said object.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 52, wherein: said force is a magnetic force.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 51, wherein: said force is a gravitational force.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 51, wherein: said force is an inertial force.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 51, including: means for providing said force by impacting particles on said object.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 51, including: means for providing said force by impacting wave energy on said object.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 66, wherein: said wave energy is radiant energy.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 51, including: means for providing said force by impacting acoustic energy on said object.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 51, wherein: said force is a magnetic force.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as in claim 51, wherein: said means for providing said electric tunneling current through said tunneling gap include a constant voltage source.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 70, wherein: said means for determining said first position include means for sensing a voltage provided by said source upon flow of current when said gap has a quiescent value, means for deriving a determination of said changed position from a change in that voltage, and means for restoring said gap to its quiescent value in response to that change in voltage.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 70, including: means including a servo loop responding to a change in voltage caused by current from said source in response to each variation of said gap; means connected to said servo loop for restoring said gap with said servo loop in response to said change in voltage; and means connected to said servo loop for providing a servo loop output signal indicative of changes in position varying said gap.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 70, wherein: means including a servo loop responding to a change in voltage caused by current from said source in response to each variation of said gap; means connected to said servo loop for restoring said gap with said servo loop in response to said change in voltage; and means connected to said servo loop for providing a servo loop output signal indicative of changes in position varying said gap.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 70, wherein: said force is a gravitational force.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 70, wherein: said force is an inertial force.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 70, including: means for providing said force by impacting particles on said object.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 70, including: means for providing said force by impacting wave energy on said object.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 77, wherein: said wave energy is radiant energy.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 70, including: means for providing said force by impacting acoustic energy on said object.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 70, wherein: said force is a magnetic force.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
234 words
Apparatus for determining a position of an object in space, comprising in combination: an elastic beam suspending said object; means for deflecting said elastic beam with an electrostatic feedback signal; a tunneling tip, an electrode, and a tunneling gap between said tunneling tip and said electrode, one of said tunneling tip and said electrode connected to said elastic beam; means for providing an electric tunneling current through said tunneling gap between said tunneling tip and said electrode; means for determining a position of said object in space when providing said electric tunneling current; means for deflecting said elastic beam with a force acting on said object by changing said object in position to provide a corresponding variation in an electrical property of said gap relating to said tunneling current; means including a servo loop responding to said variation in said electrical property; means for deriving said electrostatic feedback signal from the servo loop; means connected to said means for deriving said electrostatic feedback signal and to said means for deflecting said elastic beam, for restoring said deflected beam in position with said derived electrostatic feedback signal; means connected to said servo loop for providing a servo loop output signal indicative of said force; and means for determining the direction of said force relative to said object from said corresponding variation in said electrical property and thereby the changed position of said object in space.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
234 words
Apparatus for determining a position of an object in space, comprising in combination: an elastic beam suspending said object; means for deflecting said elastic beam with an electrostatic feedback signal; a tunneling tip, an electrode, and a tunneling gap between said tunneling tip and said electrode, one of said tunneling tip and said electrode connected to said elastic beam; means for providing an electric tunneling current through said tunneling gap between said tunneling tip and said electrode; means for determining a position of said object in space when providing said electric tunneling current; means for deflecting said elastic beam with a force acting on said object by changing said object in position to provide a corresponding variation in an electrical property of said gap relating to said tunneling current; means including a servo loop responding to said variation in said electrical property; means for deriving said electrostatic feedback signal from the servo loop; means connected to said means for deriving said electrostatic feedback signal and to said means for deflecting said elastic beam, for restoring said deflected beam in position with said derived electrostatic feedback signal; means connected to said servo loop for providing a servo loop output signal indicative of said force; and means for determining the direction of said force relative to said object from said corresponding variation in said electrical property and thereby the changed position of said object in space.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 81, including: a second elastic beam, said tunneling tip located on said second elastic beam.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 81, wherein: said elastic beam includes two elastic beam structures having said one of said tunneling tip and said electrode located therebetween.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as in claim 81, wherein: said beam is a folded beam.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as in claim 81, wherein: said elastic beam includes a pair of folded beam structures having said one of said tunneling tip and said electrode located therebetween.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 81, including: a constant current source for said electric tunneling current; said means including a servo loop include means for responding to a change in voltage caused by current from said source in response to each variation of said gap; and said means for restoring said deflected beam in position include means for effecting restoration of the position of said beam in response to said change in voltage.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 81, including: a constant voltage source for said electric tunneling current; a constant current source for said electric tunneling current; said means including a servo loop include means for responding to a change in voltage caused by current from said source in response to each variation of said gap; and said means for restoring said deflected beam in position include means for effecting restoration of the position of said beam in response to said change in voltage.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 81, wherein: said force is a gravitational force.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 81, wherein: said force is an inertial force.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 81, including: means for providing said force by impacting particles on said object.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 81, including: means for providing said force by impacting wave energy on said object.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 91, wherein: said wave energy is radiant energy.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 81, including: means for providing said force by impacting acoustic energy on said object.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 81, wherein: said force is a magnetic force.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-11-29 | 1997-05-31 | 1997-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-29 | 2001-05-31 | 2001-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-29 | 2005-05-31 | 2005-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |