High accuracy accelerometer
First Claim
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1. Apparatus comprising, in combination:
- (a) a pendulous mass including a proofmass;
(b) means for varying the center of gravity of said proofmass as said apparatus is accelerated; and
(c) means for measuring the torque of said proofmass.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for measuring acceleration and/or gravity are disclosed. At least one auxiliary mass is provided which, in cooperation with apparatus in accordance with the invention, is alternately engaged to and disengaged from the proofmass of an accelerometer to provide two distinct torque values, each value including a pendulosity-modulated component and an unmodulated component from which a value of acceleration and/or gravity may be extracted that is essentially free from bias uncertainty.
16 Citations
15 Claims
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1. Apparatus comprising, in combination:
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(a) a pendulous mass including a proofmass; (b) means for varying the center of gravity of said proofmass as said apparatus is accelerated; and (c) means for measuring the torque of said proofmass. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for measuring the acceleration of a body accurately comprising the steps of:
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(a) mounting apparatus including a pendulous mass to said body; (b) varying the center of gravity of said mass between two preselected values as said body is accelerated; and (c) measuring the torque values of said apparatus corresponding to said two preselected values of center of gravity as said body is accelerated;
then(d) determining the difference between said two torque values, and (e) applying a predetermined scale factor to said difference. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for measuring gravity accurately comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an apparatus including a pendulous mass;
then(b) attaching said apparatus to a body;
then(c) tilting said body in a gravitational field; and (d) varying the center of gravity of said mass between two preselected values when said body is tilted so as to provide torque values of opposite polarity; and (e) measuring the torque values corresponding to said two centers of gravity of said mass;
then(f) determining the difference between said two torque values; and (g) applying a predetermined scale factor to said difference.
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11. A method for measuring gravity accurately comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a measurement apparatus including a pendulous mass; (b) tilting said apparatus; and (c) varying the center of gravity of said mass between two preselected values; and (d) measuring the torque values of said apparatus corresponding to said two preselected values of center of gravity;
then(e) determing the difference between said two torque values; and (f) applying a predetermined scale factor to said difference. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification