WO2011120087A1 - Gravity gradiometer with correction of external disturbance - Google Patents
Gravity gradiometer with correction of external disturbance Download PDFInfo
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- WO2011120087A1 WO2011120087A1 PCT/AU2011/000361 AU2011000361W WO2011120087A1 WO 2011120087 A1 WO2011120087 A1 WO 2011120087A1 AU 2011000361 W AU2011000361 W AU 2011000361W WO 2011120087 A1 WO2011120087 A1 WO 2011120087A1
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- Prior art keywords
- disturbance
- gravity gradiometer
- external
- component
- gravity
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
- G01V7/00—Measuring gravitational fields or waves; Gravimetric prospecting or detecting
- G01V7/16—Measuring gravitational fields or waves; Gravimetric prospecting or detecting specially adapted for use on moving platforms, e.g. ship, aircraft
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a gravity gradiometer and to components for high precision measurement instruments.
- Gravimeters are used in geological exploration to measure the first derivatives of the earth's gravitational field. Whilst some advances have been made in developing
- gravimeters which can measure the first derivatives of the earth's gravitational field because of the difficulty in distinguishing spatial variations of the field from temporal fluctuations of accelerations of a moving vehicle, these measurements can usually be made to sufficient precision for useful exploration only with land-based stationary instruments.
- Gravity gradiometers are used to measure the second derivative of the gravitational field and use a sensor which is required to measure the differences between gravitational forces down to one part in 10 12 of normal gravity.
- the gravity gradiometer typically has at least one sensor • in the form of sensor mass which is pivotally mounted for movement in response to the gravity gradient.
- International publication WO 90/07131 discloses such a gravity gradiometer.
- Gravity gradiometers of that type are typically mounted in an aircraft and carried by the aircraft while making measurements. Consequently, the gravity gradiometer moves with movements of the aeroplane, which creates accelerations of the gradiometer. If the accelerations are not compensated for, they are detected by the gravity gradiometer and will produce noise or swamp a signal component that is associated with the actual the gravity gradient which is to be detected by the gravity gradiometer .
- the gravity gradiometer disclosed in International publication WO 90/07131 includes two sensor masses which are orthogonally positioned and arranged to move about a common axis.
- the sensor masses are suspended by pivots and can oscillate in planes that are orthogonal to the common axis.
- For measurement of the gravity gradient the
- the signal is
- the present invention provides method of detecting a change in gravity gradient using a gravity gradiometer, the gravity gradiometer comprising a detector for
- the gravity gradiometer further comprising a sensor for generating a disturbance signal in response to an external disturbance, the method comprising the steps of :
- the gravity gradiometer typically comprises a large number of portions that are moveable relative to each other.
- the output signal of the gravity gradiometer may be a signal that is indicative if the gravity gradient.
- Embodiments of the present invention enable correction of the output of the gravity gradiometer for the external disturbance in a relatively accurate manner.
- the response parameter typically is dependent on a mechanical responsiveness of the component to the external disturbance .
- the gravity gradiometer may comprise a support structure that supports the detector and that is arranged to attenuate an impact of the external disturbance on the detector and wherein the component is a part of the detector.
- the method may comprise correcting the output signal by applying a correction force, the correction force being correlated with the external disturbance, wherein the correction force reduces an impact of the external disturbance and the output signal is then numerically corrected for at least a portion of a remaining impact of the external disturbance on the output signal.
- the component may include the detector of the gravity gradiometer and the step of analysing if the component of the gravity gradiometer experiences a force that is correlated with the external force may comprise receiving a detector signal that includes the gravity gradient signal and analysing if that signal is correlated with the detected external force.
- the method may comprise calculating the response parameter numerically using a mathematical model that represents a mechanical
- the sensor for generating a disturbance signal is one of a plurality of sensors for generating disturbance signals and the method may comprise detecting a plurality of the disturbance signals in response to the external disturbance wherein each sensor is arranged to detect at least one of: a force associated with a rotation about one of three orthogonal axes and a force associated with a motion along one of three orthogonal axes.
- the disturbance may also be an electromagnetic disturbance and the sensor for generating a disturbance signal may generate a signal in response to the electromagnetic disturbance.
- the method typically is operated by a feed- forward control arrangement for reducing transmission of the external disturbance to the component of the gravity gradiometer.
- the gravity gradiometer typically comprises a support structure and a pivot that couples the detector including the component to the support structure wherein the response parameter is dependent on an equivalent spring constant of the pivot .
- Figure 1 is a schematic view of a gravity gradiometer according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first mount forming part of a mounting of the gravity gradiometer of according to the specific embodiment of the present invention
- Figure 3 is perspective view of a second mount of the mounting according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 4 is a perspective view from underneath the mount shown in Figure 3;
- Figure 5 is a view of the assembled structure
- Figure 6 is a perspective view showing assembled components of the gravity gradiometer according to another specific embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 7 is a plan view of a bar according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 8 is a diagram showing actuator control according to a specific embodiment of the present
- Figure 9 is a perspective view of components of a gravity gradiometer according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 10 is a perspective view of a first mount of a mounting according to another specific embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 11 is a perspective view of part of the mounting of Figure 10 to illustrate the location and extent of the flexural web of the first mount;
- Figure 12 is a perspective view of the mounting of Figure 10 from beneath;
- Figure 13 is a perspective view of the mounting of Figure 10 including a second mount of the second embodiment
- Figure 14 is a perspective view of a second mount component
- Figure 15 is a perspective view of the second mount component of Figure 14 from above;
- Figure 16 is a perspective view of assembled components of the gravity gradiometer according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 17 is a plan view of a housing portion for supporting a bar according to a further embodiment of the invention.
- Figure 18 shows a component of the gravity gradiometer according to an embodiment of the present invention
- Figure 19 (a) - (f) is a view of transducer elements according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 20 is a view similar to Figure 18 but showing one of the transducers elements of Figure 19 in place;
- Figure 21 is a diagram to assist explanation of the circuits of Figures 22;
- Figure 22 is a circuit diagram relating to a specific embodiment of the invention.
- Figure 23 is a frequency tuning circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 24 to 26 show circuitry according to embodiments of the present invention
- Figure 27 is a cross -sectional perspective view through an actuator according to a specific embodiment of the invention.
- Figure 28 (a) and (b) shows components of the gravity gradiometer according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 29 and 30 show block diagrams
- Figure 1 is a schematic view of a gravity gradiometer 1 according to a specific embodiment of the present
- the gravity gradiometer 1 is arranged for vertical positioning relative to a ground plane.
- the gravity gradiometer has in this embodiment two substantially identical sensor masses which are pivotally mounted on a mounting so that they can oscillate relative to th£ mounting.
- the sensor masses with mounting are rotated about the z-axis and .with an angular frequency that approximately equals half the resonance frequency of sensor masses.
- a gravity gradient will result in a force on the sensor masses which will then oscillate relative to the mounting during that rotation.
- Components of the gravity gradient tensor can be determined from the oscillating movement of the sensor masses.
- the gravity gradiometer shown in Figure 1 comprises a housing 2 which is. connected to mount ' 3 for connection to an external platform (not shown) .
- the external platform is arranged for rotation of the housing 2 at a suitable ' angular frequency about the z-axis. Further, the external platform is arranged for adjusting the housing 2 about three orthogonal axes .
- a first mount 10 is now described.
- the first mount 10 forms a part of rotatable mounting 5 which is shown in Figure 5.
- the mount 10 comprises a base 12 and an upstanding peripheral wall 14.
- the peripheral wall 14 has a plurality of cut-outs .16. .
- the base 12 supports a hub 18.
- Figures 3 and 4 show a second mount 20 which comprises a peripheral wall 22 and a top wall 24.
- the peripheral wall 22 has four lugs 13 for supporting the mounting 5 in the housing 2.
- the top wall 24 and the peripheral wall 22 define an opening 28.
- the second mount 20 is mounted on the first mount 10 by locating the hub 18 into the opening 28 and the lugs 13 through respective cut-outs 16 as is shown in Figure 5.
- the first mount 10 is joined to the second mount 20.
- the flexure web 31 is formed in the first mount 10 so that a primary mount portion of the mount 10 can pivot about a flexure web 31 relative to a secondary mount portion of the mount 10. This will be described in more detail with reference to the second embodiment shown in Figures 10 to 16.
- the mounting 5 mounts the sensor 40 (which will be described in more detail hereinafter and which is
- rotational stabilisation about the x-and y-axis is provided by the external platform.
- FIG 6 shows sensor 40 mounted on the mounting.
- the sensor 40 is an Orthogonal Quadruple Responder - OQR sensor formed of a first mass and a second mass in the form of a first bar 41 and a second bar 42 (not shown in Figure 6) orthogonal to the bar 41 and which is of the same shape as the bar 41.
- the bar 41 is formed in a first housing portion 45 and the bar 42 is formed in a second housing portion 47.
- the bar 41 and the second housing portion 45 is the same as bar 42 and the second housing portion 47 except that one is rotated 90° with respect to the other so that the bars are orthogonal. Hence only the first housing portion 45 will be described.
- the first housing portion 45 has an end wall 51 and a peripheral side wall 52a.
- the end wall 51 is connected to rim 75 ( Figures 2 and 5) of the wall 14 of the first mount 10 by screws or the like (not shown) .
- the bar 41 is formed by a cut 57 in the wall 51 except for a second flexure web 59 which joins the bar 41 to the wall 51.
- the second flexure 59 web is shown enlarged in the top view of the bar 41 in Figure 7.
- the bar 41 is able to pivot relative to the first housing portion 45 in response to changes in the gravitational field.
- the bar 42 is mounted in the same way as mentioned above and also can pivot relative to the second housing portion 47 in response to changes in the gravitational field about a third flexure web.
- the second housing portion 47 is connected to base 12 ( Figure 2) of the first mount 10.
- the bar 41 and the first housing portion 45 together with the second flexure web 59 are an integral monolithic structure .
- Transducers 71 are provided for measuring the movement of the bars and for producing output signals indicative of the amount of movement and therefore of the measurement of the differences in the gravitational field sensed by the bars .
- FIG 8 is a schematic block diagram showing actuator control to stabilise the gradiometer by rotating the mounting 5 about the z-axis.
- a controller 50 which may be a computer, microprocessor or the like outputs signals to actuators 53 and 54, which are arranged to rotate the mounting 5 about the z-axis.
- Each actuator is positioned stationary relative to lugs 13 and coupled to the first mount 10 so that the actuator can effect a rotation by a small angle of the mount 10 with other components relative to the lugs 13 (and other components that are stationary relative to the lugs 13) .
- Each actuator provides a linear movement and is positioned so that the linear movement is translated into a small rotation of the mount 10. The actuators will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 27.
- the position of the mounting 5 is monitored so that appropriate feedback can be provided to the controller 50 and the appropriate control signals provided to the actuators to rotate the support 10 about the z-axis as is required to stabilise the support during movement through the air either within or towed behind an aircraft.
- accelerometers which are similar in shape to the bars 41 and 42 but the shape is adjusted for zero quadruple moment.
- the linear accelerometers are simple pendulous devices with a single micro pivot acting as the flexural hinge .
- Figure 9 is a cut away view of components of the gravity gradiometer ready for mounting in the housing 1 which in turn is to be mounted in the external platform 2.
- the transducers 71 measure the angle of displacement of the bars 41 and 42 and control circuitry (not shown) is configured to measure the difference between them.
- the transducers 71 are constant charge capacitors, which will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 22.
- Figures 10 to 15 show a second embodiment in which like parts indicate like components to those previously described.
- the first mount 10 has cut-outs 80 which effectively form slots for receiving lugs (not shown) which are connected to the mount 10 in the cut-outs 80 and also to the second mount 20 shown in Figures 15 and 16.
- the lugs are separate components so that they can be made smaller, and more easily, made than being cut with the second mount section 20.
- a cut 87 is made to define the part 18a of the hub 18.
- the cut 87 then extends radially inwardly at 88 and then around central section 18c as shown by cut
- the cut 101 then enters into the central section 18c along cut lines 18d and 18e to define a core 18f.
- the core 18f is connected to the central section 18c by the flexural web 31 which is an uncut part between the cut lines 18e and 18d.
- the part 10a therefore forms a primary mount portion of the mount 10 which is separated from a secondary mount portion 10a of the mount 10 except for where the portion 18a joins the portion 10a by the flexural web 31.
- the part 18a effectively forms an axle to allow for rotation of the part 18a relative to the part 10a in the z direction about the flexure web 31.
- the cut line 88 tapers outwardly from the upper end shown in Figure 11 to the lower end and the core 18c tapers outwardly in corresponding shape.
- the first mount 10 is octagonal in shape rather than round, as in the previous embodiment.
- Figure 14 shows a component of the second mount 20 for mounting in the first mount 10. As is best shown in
- the second mount 20 has cut-outs 120 which register with the cut-outs 80 for receiving lugs (not shown).
- the lugs can bolt to the second mount 20 by bolts which pass through the lugs and into bolt holes 121.
- the lugs (not shown) are mounted to the mount 20 before the mount 20 is. secured to the first mount 10.
- top wall 24 is provided with a central hole 137 and two attachment holes 138a.
- Three smaller holes 139a are provided to facilitate pushing of the first housing portion 45 off the part 18a if disassembly is required.
- flexure web 31 allows movement of the housing portions 45 and 47 about the z-axis.
- FIG. 16 shows main body 61 of the housing 1 and
- Figure 17. is a plan view of the first housing portion 45 according to a still further embodiment " of the invention. As is apparent from Figure 17, the first housing portion 45 is circular rather than octagonal, as is the case with the embodiment of Figure 6.
- the first housing portion 45 supports bar 41 in the same manner as described via flexure web 59 which is located at the centre of mass of the bar 41.
- the bar 41 is of chevron shape, although the chevron shape is slightly different to that in the earlier embodiments and has a more rounded edge 41e opposite flexure web 59 and a trough-shaped wall section 41f, 41g and 4lh adjacent the flexure web 59.
- the ends of the bar 41 have screw- threaded bores 300 which receive screw-threaded members 301 which may be in the form of plugs such as grub screws or the like.
- the bores 300 register with holes 302 in the peripheral wall 52a ' of the first housing portion 45.
- the holes 302 enable access to the plugs 301 by a screwdriver or other tool so that the plugs 301 can be screwed into and out of the bore 300 to adjust their position in the bore to balance the mass 41 so the centre of gravity is at the flexure web 59.
- the bores 300 are a 45° angle to the horizontal and vertical.
- the two bores (302 shown in Figure 17) are at right angles with respect to one another.
- FIG 17 also shows openings 305 for receiving a portion of the transducers 71 for monitoring the movement of the bar 41 and producing signals in response to the movement.
- each transducer 71 is in the form of a constant charge capacitor.
- One capacitor plate typically is mounted to the bar 41 and another capacitor plate is stationary relative to the bar 41 so that a gap is defined between the capacitor plates. Movement of the bar changes the gap which in turn changes a voltage across the constant charge capacitor.
- Figure 18 is a more detailed view of part of the housing portion of Figure 17 showing the openings 305. As can be seen from Figure 18, the openings 305 have shoulders 401 which form grooves 402.
- Figure 19 (a) to (f) show portions of the constant charge capacitor transducers 71.
- the transducer shown in Figure 19 (a) comprises two electrodes.
- a first electrode is in this embodiment provided by a surface of the sensor bars 41 or 42, which are at ground potential, and a second electrode is shown in Figure 19 (a) (plate 408 a).
- Figure 19 (b) shows the second capacitor electrode which comprises two separate capacitor elements 408b and 407b which are not in electrical contact. Again, the first electrode is provided by the sensor bars 41 or 42, which y
- the capacitor element 408b surrounds the capacitor element 407b. This arrangement is used for- generating a "virtual capacitor", which will be described below with reference to Figure 22.
- Figure 19 (c) and (d) show alternatives to the embodiment shown in Figure 19 (b) and the shown second electrodes comprise adjacent elements 408c, 407c and 408d and 407d respectively.
- Figures 19 .(e) and (f ) show capacitor elements according to further embodiments of the present invention.
- the second electrode comprises three capacitor elements 408e, 407e, 407f and 408f, 407g and 407h, respectively, and this arrangement is also used for generating a "virtual capacitor which will be described below.
- the capacitor plates may have any other suitable cross -sectional shape.
- Figure 20 shows the location of the capacitor elements 407b and 408b in the opening 305 and opposite a corresponding second capacitor plate 411.
- the capacitor elements 407b and 408b are provided in the form of metallic foils that are positioned on insulating body 409.
- the plate 411 is metallic and positioned on the bar 41.
- plate 411 provides one capacitor element that opposes capacitor elements 407 b and 408 b.
- the bar 41 may be of relatively low electrical conductivity or may be electrically insulating.
- bar 41 is provided in the form of a metallic material of sufficiently high electrical conductivity, the bar 41 itself may also provide a capacitor element and a portion of the bar 41 may directly oppose the capacitor elements
- Figure 21 is a diagram of the bars 41 and 42 showing them in their "in use" configuration.
- the transducers which are located in the openings 305 are shown by reference numbers 71a to 71e.
- transducers 71 are arranged adjacent the ends of the bar 41.
- the second housing portion 47 also has four transducers arranged adjacent the bar 42.
- eight transducers 71 are provided in the gradiometer.
- each, of the transducers 71a to 71e is a constant charge capacitor and comprises a first capacitor electrode.
- Each of the transducers 71a to 71e has a second capacitor electrode that is positioned opposite a respective first capacitor electrode and fixed in position relative to the housing portions.
- the first capacitor electrode is in this embodiment provided by a surface the sensor bars'41 or 42.
- each transducer 71a - 71e may have a second electrode of the type as shown in Figure 19.
- Oscillating movement of the sensor masses 41 and 42 results in a movement of the first capacitor electrodes (surfaces of the sensor bars 41 or 42) relative to the second capacitor electrodes. That movement changes the gaps between respective first and second capacitor electrodes and results in a voltage change across the constant charge capacitor transducers 71a to 71e.
- transducers are of the type as shown in Figure 19 (b) to 20 (d) , then separate component transducers are formed between the first electrode and each capacitor element of the second electrode, such as 407b and 408b.
- Figure 22 shows the transducer circuitry for the component transducers formed between the first plate and one of the two elements and an analogous circuitry
- transducers formed between the first electrode and the other capacitor elements If the transducers are of the type as shown in Figure 19 (e) and 19 (f ) , then separate component transducers are . formed between the first electrode and each of the three capacitor elements, such as 408e, 408e and 407f. In this case, Figure 22 shows the transducer circuitry for the component transducers formed between the first electrode and one of the three elements and two analogous
- circuitries (labeled accordingly) are used for the component transducers formed between the first plate and the other capacitor elements.
- Each constant charge capacitor component transducer 71a to 71e has a separate bias voltage by a respective bias voltage source V Ba p Y applied to it.
- Figure 22 shows
- capacitor elements are surfaces of the sensor bars 41 and 42, which are in this embodiment electrically conductive and connected to ground potential.
- transducers 71a to 71e are chosen so that the electrical signals generated by all transducers are combined with the same polarity if the sensor masses 41 and 42 oscillate in opposite directions. Such oscillation in opposite
- the combined electrical signal is directed to a low noise amplifier which will be described in the context of Figure 23. -
- the transducer circuitry 360 shown in Figure 22 also comprises locking capacitors C Sa p Y which are arranged so that the applied bias voltages VB O PY cannot reach the lower noise amplifier.
- the locking capacitors 362a to 362e typically have a capacitance that is larger, than 10 times, or even larger than 100 times that of the respective constant charge capacitor component transducers 71a to 71e.
- the transducer circuitry 360 comprises resistors RB O PY 363a to 363e. These resistors typically have a very high resistance, such as 1GQ or more, and are arranged for substantially preventing flow of charges and thereby providing for the component transducers 71a to 71e to operate as constant charge capacitors .
- each transducer 71a to 71e can also function as an.
- the circuitry 360 shown in Figure 22 is sufficient.
- the transducers are of the type as shown in Figures 19 (b) to 19(d) and comprise two component transducers .
- two circuitries 360 are used, one for the component transducers formed between the first electrodes and one of the capacitor elements, and the other for the component transducers formed between the first electrodes and the other capacitor elements. This is schematically indicated in Figure 25.
- a first circuitry 360 is used for measurement purposes (differential mode, "DM") and a second circuitry 360 is sed to provide feedback for external rotational motion correction (common mode, "CM”), which will be described below with reference to Figures 28 and 29.
- circuitries 360 may also be connected so that "virtual capacitors" are formed. This will be described below in more detail and is schematically indicated in Figure 24.
- the transducers are of the type as shown in Figures 19 (e) or 19 (f) and comprise three component transducers. In this case three circuitries 360 are used. This is
- circuitry 360 are used for measurement purposes and arranged so that "virtual capacitors" are formed.
- a third circuitry 360 is used to provide feedback for external rotational motion correction.
- the resonance frequencies of the sensor masses 41 and 42 depend on the square of the electrostatic forces and therefore the square of the applied bias voltage.
- the resonance frequencies may be tuned using a mechanical test set up in which external forces are applied to the sensor masses 41 and 42. If the resonance frequencies are not identical, the bias voltages can be ⁇ adjusted until the resonance frequencies are identical.
- the sensitivities of the transducer capacitors for sensing the movement of the sensor masses is linearly dependent on the electrostatic forces and thereby linearly dependent on the applied bias voltages. Consequently, it is possible to tune both the resonance frequencies and the
- Figure 23 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a low noise amplifier according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.
- the low noise amplifier circuitry 366 is used to amplify the electrical signal generated by the transducer circuit 360 and to provide active feedback to control properties of the transducers and sensor masses 41 and 42.
- the amplifier circuit 366 simulates an impedance Z L and an ohmic component of Z L provides active damping of resonant electrical signals generated by the constant charge capacitor component transducers 71a to 71e described above.
- the active damping reduces the Q- factor of the resonance and thereby increases the bandwidth within which the resonance can be generated. That electrical damping results in mechanical damping by generating electrostatic damping forces at the constant . charge capacitor component transducers 71a - 71e.
- the active damping is adjusted so that the gravity gradiometer has a bandwidth of the order of 1 Hz and the Q- factor of the active damping is close to 0,5.
- the impedance also has an imaginary component, which is dependent on a simulated capacitance C L in parallel with the simulated resistor R L .
- the imaginary component actively controls the resonance frequency of the sensor masses 41 and 42 via the constant charge capacitor transducers 71a - 71e by simulating a change of the "stiffness" of the pivotal coupling of the sensor masses 41 and 42 and thereby fine-tunes the resonance frequency of the sensor masses 41 and 42.
- the transducer circuit 360 is arranged so that resonant oscillations in which the sensor masses 41 and 42 oscillate in opposite directions result in an additive electrical signal.
- the simulated capacitance C L of the simulated impedance Z L allows fine tuning of the resonance and thereby further helps distinguishing that resonance oscillation from other common mode oscillations in which the sensor masses 41 and 42 oscillate in the same direction.
- the amplifier circuit 366 provides "cold damping" , which introduces very little thermal noise. Passive damping, such as damping using a
- capacitors 71a - 71e may combine sensing and actuator functions.
- the amplifier circuit 366 provides an active feedback loop between sensing and actuator functions and provides electronic feedback control of mechanical
- the amplifier circuit 366 comprises an input 368 and an output 369'. Further, the amplifier circuit 366 comprises a low-noise j-FET differential amplifier 370 and impedances Zl, Z2 and Z3.
- the low noise amplifier 370 has two input terminals 371 and 372 and the impedance Zi is connected between the output terminal 369 and the low noise
- the impedance Z 2 is connected between the output terminal 369 and the low noise amplifier input 372.
- the impedance Z 3 is connected between the terminal 372 and a common ground terminal 373.
- the amplifier circuit 366 simulates the impedance Z L with Z L . ⁇ (eq.l)
- S v is the spectral density of amplifier's voltage noise and the term Si is the spectral density of
- the amplifier 370 has a noise temperature
- ⁇ is the radius of the gyration of the sensor masses 41 and 42 and Q act the effective Q-factor associated with the. active damping
- M is the mass of the senor masses 41 and 42 and f D is the resonance frequency.
- S r is dependent on the noise of the amplifier and not on the physical temperature of the amplifier circuit, which allows "cold damping" and control of other mechanical properties without introducing significant thermal noise at normal operation temperatures such as at room
- the component transducers 71a, 71b, 71g and '71h are also used to form angular accelerometers for measuring the angular movement of the mounting 5 so that feedback signals can be provided to compensate for that angular movement .
- Figure 27 shows an actuator for receiving the control signals to adjust the mounting in response to angular movement of the mounting 5.
- the actuator shown in Figures 27 is also schematically shown in Figure 8 by reference to numerals 53 and 54.
- the actuators are the same and Figure 28 will be described with reference to the actuator 54.
- the actuator 54 comprises in this embodiment a permanent NdFeB.
- magnet 410 magnet 410
- soft iron core 411 magnet 410
- non-magnetic spacer 4.12 aluminium, delrin
- mumetal or permalloy housing 413 voice coil assembly 414
- hollow rod 428 and a tube 430 that forms part of the housing 413 and in which the hollow rod 428 is rotatably mounted.
- the voice coil assembly. 414 is mounted onto rod 430 and the permanent magnet 410 and the soft iron core 411 are provided with internal bores through which the rod 430 penetrates so that the rod 430 with voice coil assembly
- the voice coil assembly 414 can move axially relative to the iron core 311 and the magnet 410. Electrical connections for the voice coil assembly 414 are fed through the hollow rod 430. As described above, one or both of the bars 41 and 42 can also be used as an angular accelerometer to provide a measure of angular movement of the mounting 5 so that appropriate feedback signals can be generated to
- FIGs 28 (a) and (b) show schematic plan and cross- sectional view of the gravity gradiometer 1.
- the gravity gradiometer 1 comprises a housing 2 that is rotated by. an external mounting about a z-axis.
- the external mounting comprises an inner stage 500 and an intermediate stage 502 and an outer stage 504.
- the housing 2 is mounted so that it is rotated with the inner stage 500 by z-drive 508 with bearings.
- the z-drive provides continuous rotation at a very stable speed.
- the rotational frequency is in this embodiment ' selectable between 0 and 20 Hz.
- the ' intermediate stage 502 including the inner stage 500 is rotable about the x-axis by x-drive 510, which includes bearings and the outer stage 504 is rotable with the intermediate stage 502 about the y-axis by y-axis drive 512 which also include suitable bearings.
- the outer stage with y-axis drive is mounted on springs 516 in a support frame 518.
- the external mount 3 includes an IMU (inertial measurement unit), which contains gyroscopes, accelerometers, GPS receivers and a computer.
- the IMU is not ⁇ shown in Figure 28 (a) or (b) .
- the IMU measures rotation about the x- , y- and z- axis and is coupled to drives in a feedback loop. This will be described below in more detail with reference to Figure 29.
- the external mounting is arranged to gyro-stabilize the housing 2 about the x-,y- and z-axis with a gain factor of approximately 100 DC and a bandwidth of 20 Hz. This is achieved using the above-described 3-axis "gimbal" bearing arrangement with direct drive torque motors (508, 510 and 512) .
- FIG. 29 shows a block diagram 600 that illustrates how the common mode signal, generated within the housing 2 ("internal platform"), is used for rotational z-axis correction of the external support structure (“external platform” ) .
- Each gimbal consists of three main components, namely a frame, a part supported by the frame via a bearing and an actuator which applies a torque (force) to this part.
- Each gimbal has two independent inputs , namely motion applied to the frame and a force applied directly to the part suspended by the frame. It has only one output, namely the angular position of the supported part and this responds differently to the two inputs .
- Equation 3 may be written as
- block 602 "Response to motion" represents K e and block 604 "Response to force” represents H e .
- the sensor 606 for the external platform is the I U, which contains gyroscopes,
- a signal (usually digital) which measures the angular position and angular rate of the supported part of the innermost gimbal. This signal is used in the controller 608 (also usually digital) to implement the feedback.
- the internal platform may be represented in an analogous manner where blocks 612 and 614 labelled “response to motion” and “response to force” respectively, both
- the gravity gradiometer 1 is arranged so that rotation about the z-axis is
- the input signal for controlling the motion is provided by the IMU 606 and directed to the controller 608.
- the IMU 606 may only have limited accuracy at the higher
- an angular acceleration derived from the above-described "Common Mode” signal from the internal transducers 71 is used for fine-tuning.
- This same signal is also used inside the internal platform in a feedback loop to stabilise the instrument against appli.ed angular acceleration (via actuator 54) .
- the specification for this internal feedback system is stringent and to ease this requirement, some of the burden is transferred to the external platform in that manner.
- the IMU may also be used in a feed- forward configuration.
- Figure 30 shows a block diagram 650 that illustrates stabilisation (no rotation) about the x-and y- axis, which is performed exclusively by the external platform. All elements of Figure 30 were already described above and function in an analogous manner to inhibit rotation about the x- and y- axes.
- the external disturbance forces and the equivalent forces as experienced by a component if the gravity gradiometer are related to each other by the above mentioned respective constants Ke , which in this embodiment are determined as follows.
- the gravity gradiometer 1 is initially exposed to an external force and an equivalent disturbance force is then measured for. example by one of the IMUs.
- the constant Ke is determined from the ratio of the external force and the measured equivalent force.
- the constants K e are determined using a mathematical model that models a mechanical responsiveness of the component to the external force.
- the motion of the gravity gradiometer 1 is corrected for components of an external disturbance force in three orthogonal directions and for rotation about three orthogonal axes. Consequently, the motion of the gravity gradiometer 1 is corrected for 6 degrees of freedom.
- the gravity gradiometer 1 comprises a plurality of sensors (such as the IMUs and the transducer sensors 71 ) and is arranged so that motions for each one of the 6 degrees of freedom are detected. For each degree of freedom it is initially investigated if the respective component of the applied external force causes an
- the external disturbance is a mechanical disturbance.
- the external disturbance may be an electrodynamic disturbance and the gravity gradiometer may comprise a disturbance sensor that generates an electrical signal in response to a detected electromagnetic
- the output can be corrected for influences of external disturbance forces in the following manner.
- components of equivalent external disturbance forces are measured by sensors of the gravity gradiometer.
- Actuators such as actuator 610 or the transducer sensors 71, may be used to counteract the detected components of the equivalent external disturbance force .
- Such correction forces may only partially correct for the equivalent external forces or correction forces may not be applied. In this case the components of the external disturbance forces are
- the output of the gravity gradiometer is then numerically corrected for the external disturbance force using the previously determined respective constants Kei .
- the gravity gradiometer may also be arranged so that the motion of the gravity gradiometer 1 is corrected for 6 degrees of freedom (rotation about three orthogonal axes and translation along three
- the transducers may not necessarily be provided in the form of constant charge capacitors, but may be provided in the form of any othe suitable type of capacitor including those that do not allow simulation of a virtual capacitor.
- the amplifier circuitry 366 shown in Figure 24 is only one embodiment and a variety of variations from the described embodiment are possible.
- the gravity gradiometer may be arranged for measuring other components of the gravity gradient, in which case the gravity gradiometer would not be arranged for operation in the described orientation.
- the gravity gradiometer may be arranged to measure the r yz and (r 22 -r yy ) or r xz and (r zz -ryy) of the gravity gradient.
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
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Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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CA2794375A CA2794375A1 (en) | 2010-03-29 | 2011-03-29 | Gravity gradiometer with correction of external disturbance |
US13/638,220 US20130055808A1 (en) | 2010-03-29 | 2011-03-29 | Gravity gradiometer with correction of external disturbance |
AU2011235600A AU2011235600B2 (en) | 2010-03-29 | 2011-03-29 | Gravity gradiometer with correction of external disturbance |
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AU2010901356 | 2010-03-29 | ||
AU2010901356A AU2010901356A0 (en) | 2010-03-29 | A method of correcting an output of a gravity gradiometer |
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WO2011120087A1 true WO2011120087A1 (en) | 2011-10-06 |
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PCT/AU2011/000361 WO2011120087A1 (en) | 2010-03-29 | 2011-03-29 | Gravity gradiometer with correction of external disturbance |
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AU (1) | AU2011235600B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2794375A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2011120087A1 (en) |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20020092350A1 (en) * | 2000-11-28 | 2002-07-18 | Business Arts Inc. | Gravity gradiometry |
US20080115376A1 (en) * | 2006-11-22 | 2008-05-22 | Technological Resources Pty-Limited | Gravity Gradiometer |
-
2011
- 2011-03-29 AU AU2011235600A patent/AU2011235600B2/en active Active
- 2011-03-29 WO PCT/AU2011/000361 patent/WO2011120087A1/en active Application Filing
- 2011-03-29 CA CA2794375A patent/CA2794375A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20020092350A1 (en) * | 2000-11-28 | 2002-07-18 | Business Arts Inc. | Gravity gradiometry |
US20080115376A1 (en) * | 2006-11-22 | 2008-05-22 | Technological Resources Pty-Limited | Gravity Gradiometer |
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AU2011235600B2 (en) | 2014-09-25 |
AU2011235600A1 (en) | 2012-10-11 |
CA2794375A1 (en) | 2011-10-06 |
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