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University of Washington

Paul M Mockett

Richard H Levy

David Forbush

A multichannel transmission line connector assembly consists of a plug detachably connected to a receptacle. The plug has multiple sockets and the receptacle has multiple pins for electrical connection to associated sockets. The pin and socket coupling units are used to carry power, control, and data signals. The connector assembly also includes a conductive ground signal plate which is dedicated to carrying the ground signal. The plate extends along, and preferably encompasses, the pin and socket units. In this manner, the conductive ground signal plate serves a dual function of carrying the ground signal and operating as a protective sheath to prevent undesired signal interference. The connector assembly is well suited for transmission lines carrying high frequency signals.

Multichannel transmission line connector assembly

A plurality of detectors (12) are disposed within a bore hole (14) for ascertaining the frequency and trajectory of high energy muons which penetrate through the earth. This information is converted by data processor (42) into an integrated density value of the earth for incremental angular lines of sight extending through spaced apart elevations along the detectors (12). The data processor (42) uses a tomographic analysis process to combine together all of these integrated density values for all of the elevations of interest to calculate the densities of discrete spatial volumes composing the underground region being investigated. Detectors (12) produce electrical signals indicative of the trajectory of the passing muon. The signals are recorded by time-to-digital convertor ('TDC') units (30). If the signals appear to have possibly originated from a high energy muon, a microprocessor (38) retrieves the information collected by TDC units (30) and transmits it to a data logger (40) located at the earth's surface. The data processor (42) then utilizes tomographic analysis to make the localized density determinations discussed above.

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Paul M Mockett