Patents by Inventor Steven C. Beason

Steven C. Beason has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5189799
    Abstract: The laser goniometer is an apparatus which permits an operator to sight along a geologic feature and orient a collimated lamer beam to match the attitude of the feature directly. The horizontal orientation (strike) and the angle from horizontal (dip), are detected by rotary incremental encoders attached to the laser goniometer which provide a digital readout of the azimuth and tilt of the collimated laser beam. A microprocessor then translates the square wave signal encoder outputs into an ASCII signal for use by data recording equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
    Inventors: George M. Fairer, James M. Boernge, David W. Harris, DeWayne A. Campbell, Gene E. Tuttle, Mark H. McKeown, Steven C. Beason
  • Patent number: 5086568
    Abstract: The geological gyrocompass is an accurate, portable instrument useful for geologic mapping and surveying which employs an aircraft gyrocompass, strike reference bars, a pair of sights and leveling devices for horizontally leveling the instrument. A clinometer graduated in degrees indicates the dip of the surface being measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
    Inventors: Mark H. McKeown, Steven C. Beason
  • Patent number: 5078473
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention provides means for obtaining accurate, dependable, measurement of bearings and directions for geologic mapping in subterranean shafts, such as, for example, nuclear waste storage investigations. In operation, a laser beam is projected along a reference bearing. A pyramid is mounted such that the laser beam is parallel to the pyramid axis and can impinge on the apex of the pyramid thus splitting the beam several ways into several beams at right angles to each other and at right angles to the reference beam. The pyramid is also translatable and rotatable in a plane perpendicular to the reference beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
    Inventors: Mark H. McKeown, Steven C. Beason, George Fairer
  • Patent number: 4996547
    Abstract: The radial arm strike rail assembly is a system for measurement of bearings, directions, and stereophotography for geologic mapping, particularly where magnetic compasses are not appropriate. The radial arm, pivoting around a shaft axis, provides a reference direction determination for geologic mapping and bearing or direction determination. The centerable and levelable pedestal provide a base for the radial arm strike rail and the telescoping camera pedestal. The telescoping feature of the radial arm strike rail allows positioning the end of the rail for strike direction or bearing measurement with a goniometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
    Inventors: Mark H. McKeown, Steven C. Beason