Geological Compass with Rotatable Lid for Strike and Dip Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional geological compasses are cumbersome and prone to errors due to complex measurement processes, especially when measuring strike and dip of planes, trend and plunge of lines, and directional bearings, often requiring multiple steps and orientations, which can lead to inaccuracies, especially on uneven surfaces or near-vertical features.
Innovation Solution
A novel magnetic compass design featuring a unique North orientation, a rotatable lid that can pivot around both major and minor axes, an external protractor dial for measuring plunge, and an electronic display for displaying magnetic bearings and inclinations, allowing for single-configuration measurements of strike, dip, trend, and plunge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional geological compasses are used with complex measurement processes, then multiple measurement steps and orientations are required, but this leads to measurement errors and inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions (strike, dip, trend, plunge) into a single compass orientation. The lid can rotate around both major and minor axes, allowing the user to measure all four parameters without changing the compass orientation, thereby merging multiple measurement steps into one unified process
Solution Approach 2:
The compass is designed with universal functionality to measure strike, dip, trend, and plunge using a single orientation. The rotatable lid mechanism enables the same device configuration to serve multiple measurement purposes simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate measurement procedures for different geological parameters
2Reliability
If traditional compasses require multiple steps and orientations for measurement, then comprehensive data can be collected, but this increases measurement time and opportunity for errors
Solution Approach 1:
The compass is pre-configured with a rotatable lid mechanism that allows all necessary measurements to be taken from a single orientation. The user prepares the device in advance by setting the lid to the correct angle, eliminating the need for time-consuming reorientations during the measurement process
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple measurement operations are merged into a single compass positioning action. By allowing the lid to rotate around both major and minor axes, the device enables simultaneous measurement of strike, dip, trend, and plunge without requiring sequential steps, thereby reducing both time and error opportunities
3Measurement precision
If traditional compasses are used on uneven surfaces or near-vertical features, then measurements can be attempted, but accuracy deteriorates due to complex orientations required
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed to be dynamically rotatable around both major and minor axes, allowing it to adapt to various surface conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the user to maintain accurate measurements on uneven surfaces or near-vertical features by simply rotating the lid to the appropriate angle rather than reorienting the entire compass
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The new compass design simplifies geological measurements, reducing errors and improving usability by enabling intuitive, accurate, and efficient data collection with fewer steps, even on challenging surfaces, and allowing for direct contact and sighting methods with a single orientation.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic needle, a perimeter divided into quadrants (NW, NE, SE, SW) or azimuth (0-360 degrees), a bull's-eye level to ensure accurate compass readings
Implementation Method 2
an inclinometer mechanism with a protractor dial and inclinometer level to measure angles in the vertical plane
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and methodology for measuring strike and dip of a plane, trend and plunge of a line, directional bearing in the horizontal plane, and angle of inclination in the vertical plane. More specifically, the present invention relates to a compass adapted to measure geological features using single compass configurations for each type of measurement. The compass includes a base, a hinge assembly rotatably interconnected to the base, and a lid rotatably interconnected to the hinge assembly. The lid is operable to rotate around both a major axis and a minor axis of the compass. A sight tube is positioned in a hollow bore of the hinge assembly and is operable to sight directional bearings.