Method and apparatus for measuring gravitational acceleration utilizing a high temperature superconducting bearing

Patent · 31 December 1999

OSTI ID:873053

Hull, John R ^[1]

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1. Downers Grove, IL

Gravitational acceleration is measured in all spatial dimensions with improved sensitivity by utilizing a high temperature superconducting (HTS) gravimeter. The HTS gravimeter is comprised of a permanent magnet suspended in a spaced relationship from a high temperature superconductor, and a cantilever having a mass at its free end is connected to the permanent magnet at its fixed end. The permanent magnet and superconductor combine to form a bearing platform with extremely low frictional losses, and the rotational displacement of the mass is measured to determine gravitational acceleration. Employing a high temperature superconductor component has the significant advantage of having an operating temperature at or below 77K, whereby cooling may be accomplished with liquid nitrogen.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 6079267
• OSTI ID: 873053
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/73/74/310/
77k
acceleration
accomplished
advantage
apparatus
bearing
below
cantilever
combine
component
comprised
connected
cooling
determine
dimensions
displacement
employing
extremely
fixed
form
free
frictional
gravimeter
gravitational
gravitational acceleration
improved
improved sensitivity
liquid
liquid nitrogen
losses
magnet
mass
measured
measuring
method
nitrogen
operating
operating temperature
permanent
permanent magnet
platform
relationship
rotational
rotational displacement
sensitivity
significant
significant advantage
spaced
spaced relation
spaced relationship
spatial
superconducting
superconducting bearing
superconductor
superconductor component
suspended
temperature
temperature superconducting
temperature superconductor
utilizing
whereby