USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Bruce R Hood

John F Scarzello

John J Holmes

Gradiometers are encompassingly disposed, relative to an object of interest, in a configuration generally describing a closed prolate spheroidal shape, and the measurements taken by the gradiometers are mathematically processed. The gradiometric measurements are defined as directional derivatives which exist in equations involving directional derivatives and prolate spheroidal multipole moments of said entity. The prolate spheroidal multipole moments are thereby calculated, and these prolate spheroidal multipole moment values are extrapolated to ascertain the magnetic fields (equivalently expressed, the magnetic signatures) associated with the object and inwardly delimited by the prolate spheroid. The practitioner can optimize such distribution numerically, orientationally and/or positionally by using the equations involving directional derivatives and prolate spheroidal multipole moments. Extraneous magnetic field effects (e.g., applied fields, earth fields) are inherently excluded, thus obviating the object's removal from an electromagnetic test facility.

Growing community of inventors

Arnold, MD, United States of America

Bruce R Hood