Electronic compass

Details Electronic compass Electronic compass

1997-10-06

1999-07-20

Bennett, G. Bradley

Geometrical instruments

Indicator of direction of force traversing natural media

Magnetic field responsive

324247, 324260, G01C 1730, G01R 3300

Patent

active

059242124

ABSTRACT:
An electronic compass includes at least two coil assemblies. Each coil assembly has a magnetic axis which is oriented at a known angle to that of the other coil. Each coil assembly has a pair of substantially identical coils having magnetic axes that are parallel in a reverse sense. The compass further includes an oscillator which oscillates at a frequency which is dependent upon the inductances of the coils. A current source causes current to flow in the coils and a switch alternately couples the current source to each of the coils of the coil assemblies. A processor analyzes the frequencies of oscillation of the oscillator when each of the coil assemblies is coupled to the current source in order to compute geographic orientation based upon the analysis.

REFERENCES:
patent: 2374166 (1945-04-01), Beach et al.
patent: 2475593 (1949-07-01), Craddock et al.
patent: 3396329 (1968-08-01), Salvi
patent: 3416072 (1968-12-01), Fussell et al.
patent: 3432751 (1969-03-01), Godby et al.
patent: 3435337 (1969-03-01), Inouye et al.
patent: 3461382 (1969-08-01), Anderson
patent: 3461387 (1969-08-01), Morris et al.
patent: 3490024 (1970-01-01), Sherrill et al.
patent: 3634946 (1972-01-01), Star
patent: 3644825 (1972-02-01), Davis, Jr. et al.
patent: 3768011 (1973-10-01), Swain
patent: 3903610 (1975-09-01), Heaviside et al.
patent: 3936949 (1976-02-01), Devaud
patent: 3952420 (1976-04-01), Benjamin et al.
patent: 4095348 (1978-06-01), Kramer
patent: 4179741 (1979-12-01), Rossani
patent: 4182987 (1980-01-01), Moeller
patent: 4241317 (1980-12-01), Breitling
patent: 4305034 (1981-12-01), Long et al.
patent: 4340861 (1982-07-01), Sparks
patent: 4402034 (1983-08-01), Parker et al.
patent: 4424631 (1984-01-01), Franks
patent: 4640016 (1987-02-01), Tanner et al.
patent: 4641094 (1987-02-01), Dalton, Jr.
patent: 4728888 (1988-03-01), Bauer et al.
patent: 4733181 (1988-03-01), Bauer
patent: 4851775 (1989-07-01), Kim et al.
patent: 5039945 (1991-08-01), Webb
patent: 5239264 (1993-08-01), Hawks
patent: 5255442 (1993-10-01), Schierbeek et al.
patent: 5440232 (1995-08-01), Scarzello et al.
patent: 5632092 (1997-05-01), Blank et al.
patent: 5661398 (1997-08-01), Sham et al.
patent: 5802727 (1998-09-01), Blank et al.
Allied Signal Advanced Materials Technical Bulletin Metflas.RTM. Magnetic Alloy 2705M (Colbalt-based), no date.
IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. Mag-20, No. 5, Sep. 1984.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Electronic compass does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Electronic compass, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electronic compass will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1312042