Survey apparatus, method employing angular accelerometer
First Claim
1. In the method of determining azimuth, and employing an angular accelerometer, the steps that include(a) rotating the accelerometer about a first axis while the accelerometer is carried on a body which is itself rotating about a second axis, and(b) detecting the acceleration output of the accelerometer which is caused by said rotation about the second axis.
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Abstract
A method of determining azimuth involves use of an angular accelerometer, and includes:
(a) rotating the accelerometer about a first axis while the accelerometer is carried on a body which is itself rotating about a second axis, and
(b) detecting the accelerometer output of the accelerometer which is caused by said rotation.
The accelerometer may for example be rotated in a bore hole in the earth, with the first axis extending in the direction of the hole.
39 Citations
28 Claims
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1. In the method of determining azimuth, and employing an angular accelerometer, the steps that include
(a) rotating the accelerometer about a first axis while the accelerometer is carried on a body which is itself rotating about a second axis, and (b) detecting the acceleration output of the accelerometer which is caused by said rotation about the second axis.
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12. In apparatus for determining azimuth, the combination comprising
(a) an angular accelerometer and drive means for rotating said accelerometer about a first axis, (b) said accelerometer and drive means being rotated about a second axis, and (c) means for detecting the accelerometer output caused by said rotation about the second axis.
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26. In apparatus for determining azimuth, the combination comprising
(a) an angular accelerometer and drive means for rotating said accelerometer about a first axis, (b) said accelerometer and drive means being rotated about a second axis, and (c) means for detecting the accelerometer output caused by said rotation about said second axis, (d) there being a housing for said accelerometer and drive means, said housing sized to be traveled lengthwise in a bore hole, the drive means comprising a motor, (e) there also being circuitry operatively connected with the motor and housing to produce an output signal indicating azimuthal orientation of the rotating accelerometer relative to the housing, whereby said signal may be processed to determine azimuth orientation of the housing relative to the earth'"'"'s spin axis.
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28. In apparatus for determining azimuth, the combination comprising
(a) an angle reference device and means for rotating same about a first axis, (b) said device being rotated about a second axis, (c) means for detecting the output of said device caused by said rotation about the second axis, (d) and a drill stem having a drill tool proximate the lower end of the stem, said device located proximate the drill tool.
Specification