AU7179591A - Connector for trailing instrumentation - Google Patents

Description

"Connector for Trailing Instrumentation"

THIS INVENTION relates to a connector for trailing measuring or sensing instrumentation behind a prime mover such as a motor vehicle, aeroplane or boat.

The invention has particular utility in remote sensing such as geophysical or spectral surveying including by magnetic, radiometric, and electromagnetic means; and reflectance, photographic or radar surveying of relatively large data sets over land or ocean areas . Such surveying can be detailed surveying, utilising line spacing of metres; or regional surveying, utilising line spacing of hundreds of metres. . In addition, the surveying can be of a reconnaisance type where even larger line spacings or random line spacings such as along roads and fence lines are adopted. The present invention can also have utility in remote positioning.

In previous types of surveying operations, the measuring or sensing instrumentation is usually connected directly to the prime mover traversing over or on top of the particular area being surveyed. This type of surveying, however, has inherent faults in that extrinsic effects of the prime mover such as vibration, noise, electromagnetic effects or the like can affect the accuracy and authenticity of the resultant signal measured or sensed by the particular instrumentation leading to the unreliability of results concluded from such signals.

Alternatively, other types of surveying have included the positioning of the measuring or sensing instrumentation remotely from the prime mover, but in a manner in which the spatial disposition or orientation of the instrumentation can not be made sufficiently independent of the spatial disposition and orientation of the prime mover itself. Furthermore, the remote positioning of the instrumentation is often extended transversely of the prime mover making it difficult and sometimes near impossible to manoeuvre the prime mover to avoid obstacles whilst maintaining accurate tracking of instrumentation over the targeted area being surveyed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide for an improved connector for trailing measuring or sensing instrumentation behind the prime mover to avoid or mitigate some or all of the aforementioned difficulties associated with previous types of surveying.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector for trailing measuring or sensing instrumentation behind a prime mover for surveying purposes comprising: a laterally flexible length of rigid or semi-rigid material, and a carrier disposed at one end of said length for mounting measuring or sensing instrumentation thereto, the other end of said length being adapted for attachment to a prime mover; wherein said carrier has mounting means for mounting said instrumentation in a prescribed spatial orientation with respect to the surrounding environment, and said length is of sufficient longitudinal extent to distally space said instrumentation from said prime mover so that certain extrinsic affects of said prime mover do not materially affect the measuring or sensing of said instrumentation during passage of said prime mover over the surveyed area.

Preferably, said length comprises a series of universally articulated rigid sections or alternatively a single continuous semi-rigid section. Preferably, said connector is particularly adapted severally for groundborne, airborne or waterborne passage ^' thereof with said prime mover.

Preferably, said rigid sections each comprise a buggy having a pair of transversely spaced wheels and a longitudinally extending boom provided with complementary components of a releaseable connector respectively connected at opposite ends of said boom for sequentially attaching one rigid section to another, the posterior rigid section of said connector being provided with said carrier and the anterior rigid section being provided with said other end of the connector at the anterior of the boom thereof.

Preferably, said carrier comprises a rigid framework connected between said wheels at an elevated position with respect thereto so that said mounting means is equidistantly disposed between said wheels and marginally forward thereof.

Preferably, said mounting means comprises an elongated tubular housing within which said instrumentation may be suspendedly and dampingly disposed, and universal connector means for supportedly and pivotally mounting said housing in a substantially upright manner to said carrier.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mounting means for mounting measuring or sensing instrumentation in a prescribed spacial orientation with respect to a connector for trailing said instrumentation behind a prime mover, comprising an elongated tubular housing within which said instrumentation may be suspendedly and dampingly disposed, and universal connector means for supportedly and pivotally mounting said housing in a substantially upright manner with respect to said connector such that the spacial relationship and orientation of said instrumentation is maintained substantially constant with respect to the surrounding environment.

Preferably said mounting means is provided with means for support.

Preferably said means for support includes at least one pair of wheels.

The invention will be better understood in the light of the following description of several embodiments. The description of the embodiments is made with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: -

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general arrangement of the connector attached to a prime mover for groundborne passage in accordance with the first embodiment;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the connector and prime mover in accordance with the first embodiment but arranged rectilinearly;

Figure 3 is a side view of figure 2;

Figure 4 is a more detailed schematic diagram of a plan view of the connector in accordance with the first embodiment; Figure 5 is a side view of figure 4 showing the connector attached to the posterior of a prime mover;

Figure 6 is plan view of the carriage of the buggy in accordance with the first embodiment;

Figure 7 is an end view of figure 6;

Figure 8 is a side view of figure 7;

Figure 9 is a detailed schematic diagram showing the mounting means and sensor arrangement in accordance with the first embodiment in ' more detail;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary plan view of the mounting of the tubular housing to the universal connector in accordance with the first embodiment;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along section 11-11 of figure 10;

Figure 12 is a conceptual diagram showing the six different modes of vibration in accordance with the first embodiment;

Figure 13 is a similar view to figure 1, but in accordance with the second embodiment;

Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the connector and prime mover in accordance with the third embodiment; Figure 15 is a similar fragmentary view of figure 14 but in accordance with the fourth embodiment;

Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the connector and prime mover in accordance with the fifth embodiment; and

Figure 17 is a similar fragmentary view of figure 16 but in accordance with the sixth embodiment.

The first embodiment is directed towards a connector and mounting means thereof for trailing measuring or sensing instrumentation behind a groundborne prime mover, wherein the connector is of an articulated form.

As shown at figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, the connector 11 comprises a laterally flexible length of rigid material in the form of a series of universally articulated rigid sections 13 and a carrier 15. The rigid sections 13 are connected sequentially in a rectilinear manner so as to allow articulated movement of one section relative to an adjacent section and are arranged to trail behind a prime mover in the form of a motor vehicle 17 by the anterior end of the anterior section 13a being attached to the rear of the vehicle 17 and the carrier 15 being mounted proximate to the posterior end of the posterior section 13b.

Each rigid section 13 comprises a buggy 19 having a pair of transversely spaced wheels 21, and a longitudinally extending boom 23 which has fitted thereto at opposite ends the complementary components of a releaseable connector 25. The buggy 19 comprises a rigid framework having a generally triangular shaped, horizontally disposed platform 19a and a pair of pendently disposed wheel support members 19b to which the wheels 21 are rotatably mounted so that the platform 19a is disposed at an elevated location with respect to the ground. The apex of the platform 19a is disposed anteriorly of the buggy and is provided with a boom clamp 27 for slidably receiving the boom 23 for variable positioning of the same relative to the buggy along its length. The sides of the platform 19a extend out laterally, either side of the buggy an equal distance to transversely space the wheels either side of the boom 23 and thereby facilitate balancing the same. The buggy is constructed from lightweight material to minimise the load upon the prime mover and to facilitate traversing of the same through relatively harsh terrain.

The boom 23 is fixedly connected to the buggy by means of the boom clamp 27 at an intermediate position along the boom and can be adjusted longitudinally relative to the buggy 19 so as to optimise balancing of the connector and spacing and tracking of the buggies between successive sections 13.

The releaseable connector 25 is in the form of a flexible snap joint which provides for universal pivoting of one boom to the other, thereby providing articulation and hence lateral movement of one boom to the next in any direction transverse to the boom, and so accommodating relative independent movement of one section to the next whilst maintaining relatively faithful tracking of the connector with respect to the prime mover vehicle 17. The flexible snap joint 25 is provided with a quick connect and release mechanism to facilitate rapid assembly and disassembly of the connector for usage and stowage purposes respectively when required.

The carrier 15 is an adaptation of the triangular platform 19a of the buggy 19 provided on the posterior section 13b of the connector, whereby the platform 19a is modified to support the mounting means 29 for the purposes of mounting the measuring or sensing instrumentation 31 in a prescribed spacial orientation with respect to the ground.

As shown at figures 4, 5 and 9, the carrier comprises the triangular platform 19a having a pair of cross members fixedly disposed to and extending between the opposing sides of the platform so as to be positioned relatively transversely of the longitudinal extent of the buggy. The cross members 33 are spaced apart to provide a space centrally of the platform through which part of the mounting means 29 may extend.

The mounting means 29 essentially comprises an elongated tubular housing 35 and a universal connector means 37. The connector means 37 is of annular configuration and is fixedly mounted to the cross members 33 so as to situate the central aperture thereof in the space between the cross members of a point intersecting with the longitudinal axis of the buggy.

As shown at figures 9, 10 and 11, the connector means 37 comprises a series of holes 39 contained within an annular foam outer casing 41 which surmounts a circular base plate 43 fixedly connected at opposite sides thereof to the cross members 33. The top of the connector means 37 adjacent to the central aperture thereof forms a socket particularly shaped to accommodate the underside of a mounting flange 45 fixedly mounted to the circumference of the tubular housing 35. Consequently, the mounting flange is suspended above the platform 19b by the outer casing 41 to provide a cushion which absorbs and dampens axial and transverse movement of the flange 45 relative to the bugg whilst simultaneously allowing relative universal pivoting of the flange 45 within the confines of the connector means 37. The holes 39 enable flexibility of the connected means 57 to be controlled.

As previously described, the tubular housing 35 incorporates the mounting flange 45, circumferentially disposed at a location intermediate the ends of the housing coincident with the centre of gravity of the housing.

As shown at figure 9 of the drawings, the housing 35 suspendedly supports and houses the instrumentation 31 therein which, in the present embodiment is in the form of a magnetometer sensor 47 which surmounts a magnetometer pole 49 coaxially disposed within the housing 35. The upper end of the housing 35 is capped with a guide head 51 formed of PVC material and provided with a central aperture lined with foam rubber guide washers to circumscribe the extension of the pole 49 therethrough. The lower end of the housing 35 is closed with an end cap 53 which locates a counter balance 55 on its innerface within the housing to align the center of gravity of the housing with the exact axial location of the mounting flange 45.

The lower portion of the pole 49 is centrally disposed in coaxial alignment with the housing by the provision of a pair of rubber diaphragms 57 positioned at axially spaced locations along the housing, the lower diaphragm 57a being disposed proximate to the lower end of the magnetometer pole 49 and the upper diaphragm 57b being disposed proximate to the upper end of the housing 35. The diaphragms 57 are formed of closed cell foam rubber to absorb vibratory transverse movement of the magnetometer pole and permit free axial movement of the pole therethrough. The middle diaphragms 57c are provided with a plurality of equidistantly positioned apertures transversely positioned around the centre aperture thereof to allow corresponding shock cords 59 to pass therethrough for suspending the magnetometer pole 49 within the housing 35. The shock cords 59 are in the form of elongate resilient cords which are attached at their lower end at corresponding transverse locations to the magnetometer pole intermediate the diaphragms 57 and at their upper ends at corresponding transverse locations along the inner surface of the housing intermediate the upper diaphragm 57b and the guide head 51. Consequently, the shock cords 59 are adapted to absorb axial vibratory movement of the housing with respect to the magnetometer pole thereby maintaining the sensor orientation.

The particular arrangement of the carrier has a number of advantages which will now be described with regard to figure 12. As shown at figure 12, when trailing instrumentation behind a prime mover, there are six modes of vibration which can be imparted to the sensor, three translational modes identified by the orthogonal axes X, Y and Z, and three rotational modes, providing discrete rotation about each of the orthogonal axes X, Y and Z.

Importantly, the tubular housing 35 is arranged to dispose the measuring or sensing instrumentation 31 in a generally upright relationship with respect to the ground or surrounding environment. Such an orientation of the housing provides a high moment of inertia to damp out rotation about the Y and X axes, such rotation being attributable to buggy role and pitch. Rotation about the Z axis is less damped than in the case of the former, but by use of the connector described herein is minimal, being attributable only to buggy turning. Translational vibration along the X axis is transmitted through the centre of gravity, effectively nullifying the same, and translational vibration along the Y axis is minimal, being related to the rotation about the X axis, both of these being lightly damped. Substantially all of the foregoing damping is achieved by the use of the conical foam suspension provided by the universal connector means 37.

The final component, i.e. translational vibration along the Z axis, is damped by the shock absorbed mounting of the magnetometer pole within the housing 35.

Consequently, the resultant effect of the carrier arrangement is that the sensor head 47 essentially remains stationary with respect to the ground, there being no lateral support required for the sensor head due to the balancing achieved by the mounting means.

The principal advantages of the described form of connector include the following: -

1. The instrumentation can be caused to track the prime mover or be steered by the prime mover in a predictable manner;

2. The effects of the prime mover and the effects of the prime mover's passage through any physical medium are essentially removed or at least attenuated with respect to the signals being measured, sensed or detected by the instrumentation;

3. The spatial relationship between the instrumentation and the prime mover is predictable and similarly the spatial orientation of the instrumentation with the respect to the ground can be accurately determined;

4. The instrumentation is allowed to trail or be steered closer to the targeted field or effect which is being measured or sensed with safety compared with sensors directly mounted to the prime mover itself;

5. The tracking path of the instrumentation can be controlled with the object of avoiding collision with obstacles.

In general terms, the connector of the present invention enables more faithful tracking characteristics of instrumentation and hence greater positional predicability of the instrumentation behind the prime mover while removing the instrumentation from unwanted environments. Compared with simple boom constructions which move outside of the survey path, the connector can be adjusted to confine its motion within the path of the prime mover, thus eliminating the possibility of collision with hostile objects.

In an alternative form (not shown) the buggy 19 can be supported by two pairs of wheels. This can be particularly useful where the measuring instrumentation being employed has to be mounted at an elevated position, giving the apparatus a high centre of gravity, as the configuration of the buggy 19 with four wheels offers greater stability.

The second embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment except that the laterally flexible length of the connector 11 is formed of a single continuous semi¬ rigid section 61 as shown at figure 13 of the drawings which is supported at regularly spaced intervals by buggies 19 identical with those described in the first embodiment.

The semi-rigid material 61 is effectively substituted for the rigid boom elements 23 of the first embodiment so that lateral flexible movement is achieved along the length of the member 61 as opposed to articulation of discreet sections at the terminal ends of the booms of the first embodiment. Thus, more faithful tracking of the prime mover can be achieved by the use of the connector of the present embodiment than is the case in the preceding embodiment.

It should be noted that in order to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the connector, the semi-rigid length of material 61 can be divided up into discrete sections serially connected by appropriate snap lock connectors similar to that provided in the previous embodiment.

The third embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment except that the connector 11 is adapted for airborne passage wherein the prime mover is in the form of an aircraft such as an aeroplane 63 as shown at figure 14 of the drawings. In this arrangement, the connector is in the form of an articulated length of material 65 which is suspended and trailed from beneath the aeroplane 63 and has attached at the distal end thereof a carrier for housing the relevant instrumentation for measuring or sensing purposes.

In the case of the airborne conveyance of the connector and instrumentation, obviously the provision of wheeled buggies is obsolete and to facilitate passage of the instrumentation through the air, the carrier 67 is configured to adopt the form of an aerodynamic shell.

The fourth embodiment is substantially identical to the third embodiment except that a continuous length of semi¬ rigid material 69 is used for the length of the connector 11 as opposed to articulated sections.

The fifth embodiment is substantially similar to the first and third embodiments except that the prime mover is adapted for waterborne conveyance of the connector 11 and instrumentation, such as a boat 71 as shown at figure 16 of the drawings. Accordingly, the length of the connector comprises articulated sections of rigid material 73 and the carrier 75 is particularly adapted to suit conveyance through the water or on the surface of the water and thus is in the form of a suitably hydrodynamically shaped shell.

The sixth embodiment is substantially similar to the previous embodiment except that it adapts a continuous length of semi-rigid material 77 as shown at figure 17 of the drawings for the length of the connector 11 as adopted in the second and fourth embodiments.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments hereindescribed and that modifications and variations from the invention in accordance with commonly known engineering practice in the field of the invention may be provided without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (11)

THE CLAIMS defining the invention are as follows: -

1. A connector for trailing measuring or sensing instrumentation behind a prime mover for surveying purposes comprising: a laterally flexible length of rigid or semi-rigid material, and a carrier disposed at one end of said length for mounting measuring or sensing instrumentation thereto, the other end of said length being adapted for attachment to a prime mover; wherein said carrier has mounting means for mounting said instrumentation in a prescribed spatial orientation with respect to the surrounding environment, and said length is of sufficient longitudinal extent to distally space said instrumentation from said prime mover so that certain extrinsic affects of said prime mover do not materially affect the measuring or sensing of said instrumentation during passage of said prime mover over the surveyed area.

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said length comprises a series of universally articulated rigid sections or alternatively a single continuous semi-rigid section.

3. A connector as claimed in claim 2 wherein said rigid sections each comprise a buggy having a pair of transversely spaced wheels and a longitudinally extending boom provided with complementary components of a releaseable connector respectively connected at opposite ends of said boom for sequentially attaching one rigid section to another, the posterior rigid section of said connector being provided with said carrier and the anterior rigid section being provided with said other end of the connector at the anterior of the boom thereof.

4. A connector as claimed in claim 3 wherein said carrier comprises a rigid framework connected between said wheels at an elevated position with respect thereto so that said mounting means is equidistantly disposed between said wheels and marginally forward thereof.

5. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said mounting means comprises an elongated tubular housing within which said instrumentation may be suspendedly and dampingly disposed, and universal connector means for supportedly and pivotally mounting said housing in a substantially upright manner to said carrier.

6. A connector as claimed in claim 1 or 2, being particularly adapted severally for groundborne, airborne or waterborne passage thereof with said prime mover.

7. A mounting means for mounting measuring or sensing instrumentation in a prescribed spacial orientation with respect to a connector for trailing said instrumentation behind a prime mover, comprising an elongated tubular housing within which said instrumentation may be suspendedly and dampingly disposed, and universal connector means for supportedly and pivotally mounting said housing in a substantially upright manner with respect to said connector such that the spacial relationship and orientation of said instrumentation is maintained substantially constant with respect to the surrounding environment.

8. A mounting means as claimed in claim 7 wherein said instrumentation is supported on a carrier and said carrier is provided with means for support.

9. A mounting means as claimed in claim 8 wherein said means for support includes at least one pair of wheels.

10. A connector as substantially described herein.

11. A mounting means as substantially described herein.