Abstract: A gravity measuring instrument comprises a housing, a float, and proximity sensing means between the housing and the float. The housing defines a vertically oriented elongated chamber for containing a liquid. The chamber has an upper end and a lower end. The float is elongated and is positioned in the chamber. The float has an upper end and a lower end. A liquid partly fills the chamber and the float is positioned for free floating movement in the liquid in response to gravity variations. A proximity target is on the lower end of the elongated float and a proximity sensor is supported in immovable relation with the housing beneath the lower end of the elongated float. The sensor provides electrical signals representative of distance between the proximity sensor and proximity target. The design avoids large, upwardly facing, horizontal surfaces on the elongated float to reduce the possibility of erroneous gravity readings due to the accumulation of fluid droplets or dust on such surfaces.

Abstract: A gravity measuring instrument comprises a housing, a float, and proximity sensing means between the housing and the float. The housing defines a vertically oriented elongated chamber for containing a liquid. The chamber has an upper end and a lower end. The float is elongated and is positioned in the chamber. The float has an upper end and a lower end. A liquid partly fills the chamber and the float is positioned for free floating movement in the liquid in response to gravity variations. A proximity target is on the lower end of the elongated float and a proximity sensor is supported in immovable relation with the housing beneath the lower end of the elongated float. The sensor provides electrical signals representative of distance between the proximity sensor and proximity target. The design avoids large, upwardly facing, horizontal surfaces on the elongated float to reduce the possibility of erroneous gravity readings due to the accumulation of fluid droplets or dust on such surfaces.

Abstract: A method for preventing bedsores is disclosed which includes rocking the patient slowly at a rocking cycle period in the range of 1 to 120 minutes. Preferably, the entire bed is rocked using a hydraulic system characterized by synchronous motion of the master cylinders and the slave cylinders at the desired rocking cycle period. A pump is disclosed characterized by 4 master cylinders for conducting the rocking. The system constitutes an attachment for a bed such as hospital bed.

Abstract: An affinity type gravity measurement instrument which is composed of material such as wood having a coefficient of thermal expansion. Within an internal cavity defined within the housing is disposed a quantity of liquid and a float partially submerged in the liquid. The liquid and float have low coefficients of thermal expansion. The housing defines an internal temperature compensation cavity receiving liquid upon expansion thereof to thus minimize change in the height of the liquid column and thus change in the position of the float and target response to temperature change. A stem of the float extends through an opening at the upper portion of the housing and supports a target, the position of which is sensed by an eddy current, laser or radar proximity sensor, developing signals which are processed for digital readout and computer processed for mapping.

Abstract: Gravity measuring apparatus is disclosed. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, an apparatus utilizing a balanced container floating in a liquid rises and falls according to variations in gravity. Such variations in position are coupled to a measuring apparatus. In one embodiment, a horizontal beam pivotally mounted at one end and connected to the float as its center and nearly balanced about the pivot support at one end is deflected as the float rises and falls. Movement thereof is connected to a multiplier which enlarges the movement by some scale factor convenient to the circumstances in the range of 100 to about 1,000 to form an enlarged deflection of the multiplier adjacent to a motorized recorder, thereby forming a usable output indicia.

Abstract: For use in a gravity meter, an improved gravity sensor is disclosed which, in the preferred and illustrated embodiment, balances on an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to the vertical component of gravity, thereby enabling the arm on the apparatus to respond to horizontally resolved components of gravity.