Location Device with a Gravity Measuring Device

• US 20100299102A1
• Filed: 07/29/2010
• Published: 11/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Schwartz, Mark A., Hall, David R., Lundgreen, David, Durrand, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 8,140,259 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/150
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/022 of the borehole, e.g. using geomagnetism
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/02 by astronomical means G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/10 by using measurements of speed or acceleration G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 7/00 Measuring gravitational fields or waves; Gravimetric prospecting or detecting

Abstract

A location device has a gravity measurement instrument in communication with a database which has the locations relative to time of an astronomical object. The location device also has a timepiece indicating the time which may be used to determine the location of the astronomical object.

Claims

1. A location device, comprising;

a gravity measurement instrument in communication with a database;

the database comprising the locations relative to time of an astronomical object; and

a timepiece for indicating the time which may be used to determine the location of the astronomical object.

2. The location device of claim 1, wherein the location device measures the gravitational force of at least two astronomical objects.

3. The location device of claim 1, wherein the location device measures an angle created by the two gravitational vectors.

4. The location device of claim 3, wherein the angle locates the position of the gravity measurement device.

5. The location device of claim 1, wherein the timepiece is a clock, a digital time system, a watch, or a combination thereof.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the gravity measuring device in is communication with a second gravity measuring device.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the gravity measuring device is downhole one of the astronomical objects and incorporated in a tool string and the second gravity measuring device is on a surface of the astronomical object.

6. A method for locating the position of an object, comprising the steps of;

providing a gravity measurement instrument at a position within the universe;

knowing a position of at least two astronomical objects which each provide a gravitational force on the gravity measurement device;

measuring a gravitational field of the gravity measurement instrument; and

calculating the position of the gravity measurement instrument from the gravitational field by determining a vector direction of the gravitational force from each astronomical object.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the gravity measurement instrument is a gravitometer, zero length spring, a Lacoste gravimeter, an absolute gravimeter, a superconducting gravimeter, or a combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the location device is placed in caves, cities, jungles, a plane, a submergible machine, a space shuttle, satellite, or beneath the surface of an astronomical object.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the location device is placed on a plane, a submergible object, a space shuttle, a person, or on the surface of the astronomical object.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the location device is deployed downhole in a tool string.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the location device is placed within or on a mining machine.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the location device comprises quartz, metallic, elastomeric, plastic or a combination thereof.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein the location device is stationary relative to the astronomical object upon which it is positioned.

14. The method of claim 6, wherein the astronomical object is the Earth, the moon, a comet, the sun, stars, or a combination thereof.

15. The method of claim 6, wherein the movement of the astronomical object is known or predictable.

16. The method of claim 6, wherein a gravitational force from a third astronomical object is measured by the gravity measurement instrument.

17. The method of claim 6, wherein the gravity measurement instrument is able to determine the gravitational force of the astronomical object as it moves.

18. The method of claim 6, wherein the location of the gravity measurement instrument is recorded to the database at various points in a process.