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:
May. 13, 1986
Filed:
Sep. 27, 1983
Louis H Rorden, Los Altos, CA (US);
Edward C Fraser, Cupertino, CA (US);
Develco, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Abstract
An inclinometer includes a toroidal race containing a spherical ball free to move therein under the influence of gravity. Signal source and collector electrode assemblies are provided on opposite sides of the toroidal race, and the ball functions to capacitively couple signals on the source electrode to the collector electrode. In one embodiment the source electrode is shaped so that the amplitude of coupling varies with ball position in the race so that the signal on the collector electrode is indicative of ball position. In other embodiments the source electrode is continuous and symmetrical, and signals applied thereto are selected such that a property of the signal coupled to the collector electrode, such as signal phase, varies in accordance with ball position in the race. Three such inclinometers can be combined in a borehold sensor for drilling applications.