Location Device with a Gravity Measuring Device
A location device has a gravity measurement instrument in communication with a database which has the locations relative to time of an astronomical object. The location device also has a timepiece indicating the time which may be used to determine the location of the astronomical object.
In many instances the location of an object may be critical to the success of a project. Many locating systems such as Global Positioning Systems have been implemented to assist in the location of objects.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,224 which is herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains, discloses a Global Positioning system used in applications involving radiosondes, sonobuoys, and other objects. The GPS data is processed in a data processing workstation where the position and velocity of a sensor, at the time the data was sampled, is computed. A data buffer in the sensor is periodically refreshed, and the workstation periodically computes the new position and velocity of the sensor.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,161 which is herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains, discloses GPS satellite ranging signals at one of a plurality of vehicles/aircraft/automobiles that are computer processed to continuously determine the one's kinematic tracking position on a pathway with centimeter accuracy.
These types of systems have been useful in the locating of certain objects. However, these types of systems generally depend on satellite communication to function appropriately. In places where satellite communication may be impeded alternatives may be useful.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA location device has a gravity measurement instrument in communication with a database which has the locations according to time of an astronomical object. The location device also has a timepiece indicating the time which may be used to determine the location of the astronomical object.
The location device may measure the gravitational force of least two astronomical objects creating two vector directions. Between these two vector directions an angle is formed that may be used in finding the position of the location device.
In another aspect of the invention a method comprising the steps of providing a gravity measurement instrument at a position within the universe may be used to locate the position of the gravity measurement instrument. The gravity measurement instrument may be in communication with a database that comprises the locations of at least two astronomical objects. Each astronomical object may provide a gravitational force on the gravity measurement device, creating a gravitational field. The method may further comprise measuring the gravitational field of the gravity measurement instrument; and calculating the position of the gravity measurement instrument from the gravitational field by determining a vector direction of the gravitational force from each astronomical object. Generally, a gravitometer is used in the measurement of gravitational forces. Types of gravitometer may include a zero length spring, a Lacoste gravitometer, a relative gravitometer, an absolute gravitometer, a superconducting gravitometer, or a combination thereof. Generally, the gravity measurement instrument comprises a quartz material, metallic material, elastomeric material, plastic material, or a combination thereof.
The location device may be placed in various places such as caves, cities, jungles, a plane, a submergible machine, a space shuttle, or beneath the surface of an astronomical object. In some embodiments, the location device may be used as an alternative to the commonly used GPS such as in cases where the communication between the location device and GPS satellite is blocked, or in other embodiments it may be used as a primary locating device. The location device may also be placed on a plane, a submergible machine, a space shuttle, a person, or on or in the surface of an astronomical object. The location device may be of particular importance in downhole operations such as mining and drilling operations. The location device may be deployed within a tool string or on a mining machine. The location device may further be placed within a housing that may protect it from harsh conditions. It may be of importance that the gravity measurement instrument be stationary relative to the astronomical object upon which it is positioned. Astronomical objects that may create a gravitational force on the gravity measurement instrument may include the Earth, the sun, the moon, a comet, a star, or a combination thereof. The database may comprise the locations of the astronomical objects which may be previously known or predictable. The astronomical object may move relative to the gravity measurement instrument. The gravity measurement instrument may be able to measure the gravitational forces as the astronomical object moves. The various gravitational forces and locations of the astronomical object at various positions may be recorded to the database.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the gravity measuring device may be part of an array of gravity measuring devices which may also be used to aid in determining a size, a boundary, a volume and/or a density of an astronomical object in part or in whole, such as mineral accumulations or hydrocarbon deposits. In some embodiments, tides or other local effects may be determine through the use of multiple gravity measuring devices.
Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
Claims
1. A location device, comprising;
- a gravity measurement instrument in communication with a database;
- the database comprising the locations relative to time of an astronomical object; and
- a timepiece for indicating the time which may be used to determine the location of the astronomical object.
2. The location device of claim 1, wherein the location device measures the gravitational force of at least two astronomical objects.
3. The location device of claim 1, wherein the location device measures an angle created by the two gravitational vectors.
4. The location device of claim 3, wherein the angle locates the position of the gravity measurement device.
5. The location device of claim 1, wherein the timepiece is a clock, a digital time system, a watch, or a combination thereof.
6. A method for locating the position of an object, comprising the steps of;
- providing a gravity measurement instrument at a position within the universe;
- knowing a position of at least two astronomical objects which each provide a gravitational force on the gravity measurement device;
- measuring a gravitational field of the gravity measurement instrument; and
- calculating the position of the gravity measurement instrument from the gravitational field by determining a vector direction of the gravitational force from each astronomical object.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the gravity measurement instrument is a gravitometer, zero length spring, a Lacoste gravimeter, an absolute gravimeter, a superconducting gravimeter, or a combination thereof.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the location device is placed in caves, cities, jungles, a plane, a submergible machine, a space shuttle, satellite, or beneath the surface of an astronomical object.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the location device is placed on a plane, a submergible object, a space shuttle, a person, or on the surface of the astronomical object.
10. The method of claim 6, wherein the location device is deployed downhole in a tool string.
11. The method of claim 6, wherein the location device is placed within or on a mining machine.
12. The method of claim 6, wherein the location device comprises quartz, metallic, elastomeric, plastic or a combination thereof.
13. The method of claim 6, wherein the location device is stationary relative to the astronomical object upon which it is positioned.
14. The method of claim 6, wherein the astronomical object is the Earth, the moon, a comet, the sun, stars, or a combination thereof.
15. The method of claim 6, wherein the movement of the astronomical object is known or predictable.
16. The method of claim 6, wherein a gravitational force from a third astronomical object is measured by the gravity measurement instrument.
17. The method of claim 6, wherein the gravity measurement instrument is able to determine the gravitational force of the astronomical object as it moves.
18. The method of claim 6, wherein the location of the gravity measurement instrument is recorded to the database at various points in a process.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the gravity measuring device in is communication with a second gravity measuring device.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the gravity measuring device is downhole one of the astronomical objects and incorporated in a tool string and the second gravity measuring device is on a surface of the astronomical object.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 3, 2007
Publication Date: Jan 8, 2009
Inventors: David R. Hall (Provo, UT), David Lundgreen (Provo, UT), Christopher Durrand (Pleasant Grove, UT), Mark A. Schwartz (West Valley City, UT)
Application Number: 11/772,907
International Classification: G01C 21/00 (20060101); G01V 7/00 (20060101); E21B 47/09 (20060101);