Data processing: measuring – calibrating – or testing – Measurement system in a specific environment – Earth science
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-25
2001-03-06
McElheny, Jr., Donald E. (Department: 2862)
Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing
Measurement system in a specific environment
Earth science
C702S017000, C367S070000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199016
ABSTRACT:
2.0 BACKGROUND
In recent times, there is more and more a need for new, more accurate methods of geologic measurements, especially when the traditional methods of geophysical exploration are not accurate enough for given tasks. This is because different kinds of noises are naturally present at the area of measurement, which sometimes make it impossible to use the methods of the background art. These noises or disturbances have either a technical, industrial, or geological origin, for example: high levels of vibration, electromagnetic noises, and disturbances in the environment as well as noises of a geological character. Because these noises greatly interfere with geologic exploration in certain environments, there is a need for nonstandard techniques or technologies, which, if they do not completely solve these problems, allow for the solution of a much larger percentage of these problems.
3.0 SUMMARY
3.1 Opening
It is, therefore, the main object of the invention to provide a method which uses techniques and makes use of natural effects never before used. Considering such parameters as speed of measurement, efficiency, quantity of information obtained, accuracy, and cost, none of the methods of the background art can compare with the Resonance Acoustical Profiling (RAP) System and methods thereof.
The RAP system and method provides for the efficient solution of tasks in the areas of:
Search and exploration geology
Engineering geology and ecology
Glaciology
The mining industry
The RAP method possesses the following advantages:
Portable equipment (Its mass, with included power supply, is less than 6 kilograms.)
Fast measurement (the measurement cycle on location is less than one minute)
Provides for the study of geological sections to a depth of up to 300 m with a resolution of not less than 2.5% of that depth. For example, at a depth of 10 m, the Analog to digital conversion device can “see” objects which are as small as 25 cm.
The software performs:
Quality control of field measurements
Data analyses
Display of results of research on the computer screen in the form of color-shadow sections, reflecting the character of non-uniformity of structure of the studied geological environment. The results can be output in any user preferable form.
3.2 Contents
The RAP Equipment complex consists of a notebook computer in which resides a Fourier analysis program, an analog to digital conversion device, an external sensor, and an external 12 volt battery. The analog to digital conversion device is connected to the serial port of the notebook computer. The analog to digital conversion device consists of a signal amplifier, a power supply, and an A/D (Analog/Digital) converter which has been modified by replacing its quartz component with a frequency generator. The A/D converter which Applicant obtained and modified is the EZ-Kit Lite #2181 from Analog Devices Inc. The EZ-KIT Lite Reference Manual describes both the hardware and software of the A/D converter and is incorporated by reference. A description of the A/D Converter is incorporated by reference. An external sensor is attached by a cable to the input of the signal amplifier. A 12 volt power supply powers the signal amplifier, the modified A/D converter, and the notebook computer. In use, the external sensor is placed on the ground at the first location at which it is desired to take a reading. The ground is then lightly tapped in the near vicinity of the sensor either with one's finger or a hammer. This tap amplifies the naturally occurring vibrations of the various layers under the ground. These complex acoustical signal patterns can be measured by the RAP System. (As will be mentioned later, neither a tap with a hammer or with one's finger is needed. The RAP equipment can sense layer resonation even without such a tap.) The sensor picks up these complex acoustical signals from the resonating layers, passes them on to the signal amplifier which in turn amplifies these signals and passes them on to the modified A/D converter. The modified A/D converter converts these acoustical signals from analog form to digital form and passes them on to the serial port of the notebook computer which in turn creates a file of these digital signals. The sensor is then moved to the next location at which it is desired to take a reading, and the process is repeated until sufficient samples have been taken. The complex digital signal samples are then processed by a Fourier Analysis Program in the notebook computer, which resolves these complex signal patterns received from the various resonating layers of the earth into simple frequencies which are then used to create a profile of subsurface resonating layers.
The above features are objects of this invention. Yet further objects are as follows:
An object of the instant invention is to provide a Resonance Acoustical Profiling System that is simple in construction, strong and sturdy, lightweight, and easy to use.
A further object is to provide a Resonance Acoustical Profiling System that is economical in cost to manufacture and use.
A still further object is to provide a Resonance Acoustical Profiling System which requires a much lighter impact to be applied to the earth's surface than the impact required with the background art devices.
Still another object is to provide a Resonance Acoustical Profiling System which can be used in areas of high congestion and high levels of environmental noise.
A further object is to provide a Resonance Acoustical Profiling System which has a high level of accuracy and reliability.
Yet another object is to provide a Resonance Acoustical Profiling System which is small enough and light enough to be carried in a briefcase.
Still another object is to provide a Resonance Acoustical Profiling System which can resolve the complex signal patterns received from underground resonating layers into simple patterns which can then be used to construct a profile of those resonating layers.
These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings and will be otherwise apparent to those skilled in the art.
For the purpose of illustration of this invention, a preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that this is for the purpose of example only and that the invention is not limited thereto.
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Environmental Investigations Corporation
Fitzpatrick Michael D.
McElheny Jr. Donald E.
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