Geophysical Receiver Coil Skeletal Frame and Pendulum Suspension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing geophysical surveying methods face challenges in maintaining the stability and orientation of receiver coils during airborne surveys, leading to inaccuracies in measuring electrical conductivity due to vibrations and variations in the ionosphere and surface terrain.

Innovation Solution

A multiple receiver coil system with a skeletal frame structure that maintains coils in a constant position relative to each other, using elastic suspension to mitigate vibrations and a tow assembly configuration that allows for stable orientation during flight, enabling accurate measurement of 3D vector magnitudes of audio-magnetic fields.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If receiver coils are suspended during airborne surveys, then the system can be deployed for large area surveys, but vibrations and variations in ionosphere and terrain cause instability and orientation changes leading to measurement inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployability for large area surveysVSAvoidaccuracy of electrical conductivity measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a dynamic suspension system with multiple pendulum-mounted receiver coils that can adapt their orientation to maintain stable positioning relative to the aircraft during flight. The pendulum mechanism allows the coils to naturally align with the direction of gravity, compensating for aircraft movements and maintaining measurement stability despite the airborne platform's motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A skeletal frame structure acts as an intermediary between the receiver coils and the aircraft, providing a rigid geometric reference that maintains constant spacing and orientation relationships between multiple coils. This frame serves as a stable reference system that isolates the measurement apparatus from direct aircraft vibrations and movements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple receiver coils are used to measure 3D vector magnitudes, then measurement accuracy is improved, but maintaining constant position and orientation of coils relative to each other becomes difficult due to vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of 3D vector magnitude measurementVSAvoidconstant position of coils relative to each other

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the measurement apparatus into multiple independent receiver coil assemblies, each mounted on its own pendulum suspension within the skeletal frame. This segmentation allows each coil to independently maintain its optimal orientation while the rigid frame preserves the geometric relationships between them, enabling accurate 3D vector measurements through multiple independent sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical state of coil mounting from rigid fixed positions to pendulum-suspended positions, allowing the coils to dynamically adjust their orientation parameters in response to vibrations and aircraft movements. This parameter change enables the coils to maintain stable relative positioning despite external disturbances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system provides improved signal-to-noise ratio and reduces errors caused by ionospheric and terrain variations, facilitating easier geological interpretation by detecting underground conductors with enhanced accuracy and simplifying instrumentation by eliminating the need for attitude sensors.

Implementation Method 1

Geophysical electromagnetic ("EM") prospecting techniques can be effective in determining the electrical conductivity of soils, rocks, and other bodies at and under the earth's surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a first and second plurality of elastic members elastically suspending the inner frame within the internal passageway so as to apply opposing forces in at least two directions biasing the inner frame into a centrally within the internal passageway

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8358135B2Multiple receiver coil system for geophysical prospecting

Publication Date: 2013.01.22 GEOTECH LTD

AI summary

A receiver coil tow assembly for geophysical prospecting, comprising: multiple receiver coils, each receiver coil being housed within a respective tubular outer frame section that defines a continuous passageway in which the receiver coil extends, the tubular outer frame sections being connected together to provide a skeletal frame maintaining the receiver coils in a substantially constant position relative to each other; and a tow cable connected to the skeletal frame for towing the frame to conduct a geophysical survey.