Noel Donald Zinn

Title: The Innovations of Noel Donald Zinn

Introduction

Noel Donald Zinn is a notable inventor based in Missouri City, TX. He has made significant contributions to the field of acoustic detection and sensor technology. With a total of 3 patents to his name, Zinn's work has advanced the methods used for verifying the location of detectors and sensors.

Latest Patents

Zinn's latest patents include a "Method for verifying the location of an array of detectors." This innovative approach involves fitting a high-order polynomial regression curve to a global set of first-arrival pick times. The method accounts for the nominal ranges between multiple acoustic sources with known geodetic coordinates and a variety of acoustic detectors with imperfectly known coordinates. The polynomial is applied to the pick times to provide pick time distances while removing the vertical velocity gradient. The known source coordinates, nominal detector coordinates, and pick time distances are combined to create a quadratic surface, which models the lateral velocity gradient. This allows for iterative updates of the imperfectly-known detector positions using the Helmert blocking technique.

Another significant patent is the "Method for verifying the location of an array of sensors." Similar to his previous work, this method also utilizes a high-order polynomial regression curve fitted to first arrival times. The polynomial is chosen to minimize the variance of the parameters about the regression curve. This quasi-velocity function is used to iteratively optimize the best estimate of the ranges between each detector and every source station. Ultimately, the best estimate of the detector position is derived through multi-lateration using the computed ranges.

Career Highlights

Noel Donald Zinn is currently associated with Western Atlas International, Inc., where he continues to innovate in the field of acoustic detection. His work has been instrumental in enhancing the accuracy and reliability of sensor technologies.

Collaborations

Zinn has collaborated with notable colleagues such as John P. Norton and Phillip J. Rapatz. Their combined expertise has contributed to the advancement of their projects and innovations.

Conclusion

Noel Donald Zinn's contributions to the field of acoustic detection and sensor technology are noteworthy. His innovative methods for verifying the location of detectors and sensors have paved the way for advancements in this area. His work continues to influence the industry and inspire future innovations.