The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 10, 2018
Filed:
Oct. 21, 2015
The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc., Cambridge, MA (US);
James Alan Bickford, Winchester, MA (US);
Jonathan Jay Bernstein, Medfield, MA (US);
Marc Steven Weinberg, Needham, MA (US);
Amy Elizabeth Duwel, Cambridge, MA (US);
Richard David Elliott, III, North Reading, MA (US);
Ronald Edmund Gagnon, Jr., North Grafton, MA (US);
Joseph Michael Kinast, Cambridge, MA (US);
John Joseph LeBlanc, North Andover, MA (US);
Thomas Francis Marinis, Jr., Haverhill, MA (US);
Michael Joseph Tomaino-Iannucci, Somerville, MA (US);
William Joseph Trinkle, Jr., Arlington, MA (US);
THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC., Cambridge, MA (US);
Abstract
An ultra-low noise sensor for magnetic fields comprises a mechanically resonant structure having a magnetized proof mass. The displacement of the proof mass due to a magnetic field provides a high resolution and highly amplified measurement of magnetic field fluctuations near the resonance frequency. A flux modulator may be used with the resonant structure to amplify magnetic fluctuations in a non-resonant frequency band. The resonant structure, combined with a high resolution readout device and a frequency-compensating numerical processor, can amplify magnetic fluctuations in a broad range of frequencies. A solenoid coil surrounding the resonant structure may be used to null the quasi-static earth's magnetic field and thereby increase the dynamic range of the sensor. Cryogenically cooling the resonant structure can improve the resolution of the sensor. A magnetometer that embodies features of the present invention is miniaturized and has improved amplification and resolution at room temperature.