U.S. patent application number 11/772907 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-08 for location device with a gravity measuring device.
Invention is credited to Christopher Durrand, David R. Hall, David Lundgreen, Mark A. Schwartz.
Application Number | 20090012741 11/772907 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40222129 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090012741 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hall; David R. ; et
al. |
January 8, 2009 |
Location Device with a Gravity Measuring Device
Abstract
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.
Inventors: |
Hall; David R.; (Provo,
UT) ; Lundgreen; David; (Provo, UT) ; Durrand;
Christopher; (Pleasant Grove, UT) ; Schwartz; Mark
A.; (West Valley City, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TYSON J. WILDE;NOVATEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
2185 SOUTH LARSEN PARKWAY
PROVO
UT
84606
US
|
Family ID: |
40222129 |
Appl. No.: |
11/772907 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
702/150 ;
73/152.54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01V 7/00 20130101; G01C
21/02 20130101; G01C 21/10 20130101; E21B 47/022 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
702/150 ;
73/152.54 |
International
Class: |
G01C 21/00 20060101
G01C021/00; G01V 7/00 20060101 G01V007/00; E21B 47/09 20060101
E21B047/09 |
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.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 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.
[0002] 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.
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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 INVENTION
[0005] A 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an orthogonal diagram of a derrick attached to a
tool string comprising a location device.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-section of a drill bit comprising a
location device.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of a drill bit comprising another
embodiment of a location device.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an orthogonal diagram of derrick attached to a
tool string comprising a location device.
[0014] FIG. 5 is an orthogonal diagram of derrick attached to a
tool string comprising a location device.
[0015] FIG. 6 is an orthogonal diagram of derrick attached to a
tool string comprising a location device.
[0016] FIG. 7 is an orthogonal diagram of derrick attached to a
tool string comprising a location device.
[0017] FIG. 8 is an orthogonal diagram of a location device
positioned within an under ground enclosure.
[0018] FIG. 9 is an orthogonal diagram of a location device with
more than two vector directions.
[0019] FIG. 10 is an orthogonal diagram of a location device
located on a mining machine.
[0020] FIG. 11 is an orthogonal diagram of a location device
located within an aircraft.
[0021] FIG. 12 is an orthogonal diagram of a location device
located within a submergible machine.
[0022] FIG. 13 is an orthogonal diagram of a location device on a
person.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a diagram of an embodiment of a method for
locating the position of the gravity measuring device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENT
[0024] FIG. 1 is an orthogonal diagram of a derrick 100 attached to
a tool string 101 comprising a location device 103. In FIG. 1 the
location device 103 is placed downhole in the tool string 101
beneath the surface of the Earth and may continue downhole as the
tool string 101 proceeds. An astronomical object 102 may create a
sufficient gravitational force that may be sensed by the location
device 103 and may create a vector direction 105 toward the
astronomical object 102. The astronomical object 102 may be the
Earth, the moon, a comet, the sun, stars, or a combination thereof
as long as its position and mass are accurately known. A second
vector direction may be generated from an astronomical object, such
as a planet, upon which the location device 103 is placed. FIG. 1
shows one vector direction 105 generated by the moon and another
vector direction 105 generated by the Earth upon which the location
device is placed. With at least two vector directions 105 an angle
106 between the vectors 105 may be measured and may aid in locating
the device 103. Multiple location points may be taken and recorded
as the location device proceeds downhole. The inclination,
rotation, and direction of the tool string may also be taken into
account by the location device. Measurements, such as those taken
from instruments such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers,
or other inclination and direction instrumentation may add data
which may be used to help determine the location of the location
device. In some embodiments, a second gravity measuring device 150
may be located uphole on the earth's surface which may be in
communication with the downhole gravity measuring device and may be
used to determine changes in gravity readings at the surface. These
changes may be compared to the readings taken downhole to determine
if an uphole or downhole anomaly is affecting the gravity measuring
device. The gravity measuring devices may be in communication with
each other through tool string telemetry systems such as wired
pipe, mud pulse, radio wave, or short hop. In a preferred
embodiment, a telemetry system such as the one described in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,670,880, which is herein incorporated by reference for
all that it discloses, may be incorporated with the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are cross-sectional diagrams of a drill
bit 200 comprising a location device 103 in communication with a
database 201. In some embodiments the database may be located
uphole. The drill bit 200 comprises a body 202 intermediate a shank
203 and a working surface 204. The location device 103 may be
placed in a housing and in the drill bit 200 or farther up the tool
string. The location device 103 may also be in communication with a
timepiece 290 that may indicate the location time of an
astrological object, and may be located uphole or downhole. The
database 201 may comprise the locations relative to time of an
astronomical object. The location device 103 may comprise a gravity
measurement instrument 205 such as a relative gravimeter similar to
the one shown in FIG. 2. The gravimeter in FIG. 2 is a weight on a
spring, and by measuring the amount by which the weight stretches
the spring, local gravity may be measured. It is believed that by
knowing the direction of the gravitational forces on the location
device 103 one may calculate an angle 106 between the vector
directions from which a location of the device 103 may be
derived.
[0026] FIGS. 4-7 are orthogonal diagrams of a derrick 100 attached
to a tool string 101 comprising a location device 103. In FIGS. 4-7
the location device 103 is stationary relative to the Earth upon
which it is positioned. Another astronomical object 102 that may
create a vector direction 105 may move relative to the location
device 103. As the astronomical object 102 moves relative to the
location device 103 it may continue to exert a gravitational force
on the location device 103. This gravitational force may be
continuously measured by the location device 103 as the
astronomical object 102 moves. FIGS. 4-7 shows a constant vector
direction 105 toward the center of the Earth while the other vector
direction 105 generated by the moon moves with the moon throughout
FIGS. 4-7. The location device 103 may be in communication with the
database that may record this data. Knowledge of this data is
believed to be important in downhole applications due to the
unpredictability of the location of a drill bit during the drilling
process. It is also believed that by knowing the location of the
drill bit it may aid in locating substances such as oil, natural
gas, coal methane, hydrocarbons, minerals, or a combination
thereof. Other applications may arise where the location device 103
is placed on astronomical bodies such as the moon. As the location
device is stationary relative to the moon the gravitational force
of another astronomical object such as the Earth may be measured as
it moves relative to the location device 103, which may be useful
for drilling or exploration applications on the moon.
[0027] FIG. 8 is an orthogonal diagram of a location device 103
situated within an underground enclosure, such as a cave. The
location device 103 may be able to sense the gravitational forces
that may create the vector directions 105 through a formation. The
formation may be rock, limestone, mud, concrete, or a combination
thereof. An angle 106 is formed by the two vector directions 105
and may be used to locate the device 103.
[0028] FIG. 9 is an orthogonal diagram of a location device 103.
The location device 103 may measure the force of gravity from more
than two astronomical objects 102 creating more than two vector
directions 105. FIG. 9 shows three vector directions caused by
three astronomical objects. The astronomical objects 102 may be the
Earth, the moon, a comet, the sun, stars, or a combination
thereof.
[0029] FIG. 10 is an orthogonal diagram of a location device 103 on
a mining machine 1001. The location device 103 may be placed in or
on the mining machine 1001. The location device may travel with the
mining machine and may take periodic or occasional readings while
the mining machine is stopped to find its location. The location
device 103 may be able to sense the gravitational forces of
astronomical objects during the mining process creating at least
two vector directions 105. An angle 106 is formed by at least two
vector directions 105 which may aid in locating the mining machine
1001.
[0030] FIG. 11 is an orthogonal diagram of an airplane 1100
comprising a location device 103. The location device 103 may be
able to sense the gravitational pull and vector direction 105 of at
least two astronomical objects 102. As the plane 1100 moves the
location device 103 may be in communication with a database that
comprises the location of an astrological object 102. In such
embodiments, the gravity measurement device will take into account
the movement of the airplane. Accelerometers, gyroscopes,
magnetometers, may be used to take into account the movement of the
airplane. In some embodiments, the altitude may also be taken into
account.
[0031] FIG. 12 is an orthogonal diagram of a submergible object
1201 comprising a location device 103. The location device 103 may
be able to sense the gravitational force while submerged in a
liquid 1202 of at least two astronomical objects 102. The
submergible object may be a submarine, a mine, a fish trap, a SCUBA
diver, a scientific instrument or combinations thereof. In some
embodiments, a depth may be used in conjunction with the gravity
measuring device to help determine the location.
[0032] FIG. 13 is an orthogonal diagram of a person possessing a
location device 103. The location device 103 may be in wireless
communication with a database. The database may comprise the
location of an astronomical object 102 relative to time. The
location device 103 may be in the form of a handheld device.
[0033] FIG. 14 is a method 1400 of locating the position of an
object. The method 1400 comprises a step 1401 providing a gravity
measurement instrument at a position within the universe. The
method 1400 further comprises a step 1402 of knowing a position of
at least two astronomical objects which each provide a
gravitational force on the gravity measurement device. The method
1400 further comprises a step 1403 of measuring a gravitational
field of the gravity measurement device. The method 1400 further
comprises a step 1404 of 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. In some embodiments, the method may comprise
an additional step of including other information, such as
information from another gravity measuring device or another
sensor, as necessary to determine the location.
[0034] 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.
* * * * *