Patent ID: 6841994
Filing Date: 2005-01-11
Classification: G01V

Abstract:
1. A magnetic anomaly sensing system, comprising: a plurality of triaxial magnetometer (TM) sensors with each of said TM sensors having X,Y,Z magnetic sensing axes, said plurality of said TM sensors arranged in a three-dimensional array with respective ones of said X,Y,Z magnetic sensing axes being mutually parallel to one another in said three-dimensional array; said three-dimensional array defining a geometry that (i) collinearly aligns at least three of said plurality of TM sensors in a spaced-apart fashion along an axis to form a plurality of single-axis gradiometers along one of said X,Y,Z magnetic sensing axes, and (ii) positions at least four of said plurality of TM sensors in a spaced-apart fashion in a planar array that is perpendicular to said axis; and processing means coupled to each of said plurality of TM sensors for generating (i) partial gradient contractions for each of said single-axis gradiometers, and (ii) partial gradient contractions, and complete gradient tensors and corresponding complete gradient contractions for gradiometers formed by said planar array, in order to provide data that can be used to (a) align said axis of said three-dimensional array with a magnetic target, and (b) once said axis is aligned with said magnetic target, uniquely determine (i) distance to said magnetic target, (ii) position of said magnetic target relative to said three-dimensional array, and (iii) a magnetic dipole moment of said magnetic target.