Patent ID: 6898970
Filing Date: 2005-05-31
Classification: G01V

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for measurement of acceleration and changes in inertia in a low-gravity, low-magnetic field environment, comprising: an enclosure defining a cavity, said enclosure being comprised of a diamagnetic material; a mass disposed in said cavity such that it is subject to diamagnetic forces from said enclosure, said mass being comprised of a magnetic material and assuming a quiescent position when not undergoing acceleration or changes in inertia; a first mass displacement detector configured to detect movement of said mass from said quiescent position during periods of acceleration or changes in inertia, said mass displacement detector outputting a first axis displacement measurement relative to the instantaneous amount of displacement of the mass along a first axis; a displacement calculator configured to receive said first axis displacement measurement, to determine a magnitude of displacement in said first axis based upon a known mass value of said mass, and to output said magnitude of displacement value; a time reference; and a position, speed and acceleration calculator configured to determine a net displacement of a vehicle with reference to an initial velocity and initial position based upon said magnitude of displacement value and a time value from said time reference.