A measurement vehicle includes a geophysical sensor. One or more operational sensors are configured to detect operational data related to operation of the measurement vehicle. A driving system is configured to move the measurement vehicle in a travel direction relative to a measurement point. A controller is configured to receive information from the geophysical sensor and the operational sensors, and to control the driving system based on the information.

A measurement vehicle includes a geophysical sensor. One or more operational sensors are configured to detect operational data related to operation of the measurement vehicle. A driving system is configured to move the measurement vehicle in a travel direction relative to a measurement point. A controller is configured to receive information from the geophysical sensor and the operational sensors, and to control the driving system based on the information.

The present disclosure provides a method of processing gravity gradient data indicative of an output generated by an airborne gravity gradiometer that is moving along a flight path over a terrain. The method comprises the step of providing the gravity gradient data. The gravity gradient data comprising gravity gradient data elements that are associated with respective flight path segments of the airborne gravity gradiometer. Further, the method comprises providing terrain data indicative of a topography and a density or a density distribution of the terrain above a datum that is below the surface of the terrain over which the airborne gravity gradiometer is moved. The method also comprises providing information concerning the flight path of the airborne gravity gradiometer in three dimensions. In addition, the method comprises calculating the gravity gradient response of the terrain using the provided terrain data and the provided information concerning the flight path. The gravity gradient terrain response data is calculated for a plurality of locations of the gravity gradiometer along at least some of the flight path segment. In addition, the method comprises correcting the gravity gradient data by forming a difference between the calculated gravity gradient terrain response of the terrain topography and the gravity gradient data.

The present disclosure provides a method of processing gravity gradient data indicative of an output generated by an airborne gravity gradiometer that is moving along a flight path over a terrain. The method comprises the step of providing the gravity gradient data. The gravity gradient data comprising gravity gradient data elements that are associated with respective flight path segments of the airborne gravity gradiometer. Further, the method comprises providing terrain data indicative of a topography and a density or a density distribution of the terrain above a datum that is below the surface of the terrain over which the airborne gravity gradiometer is moved. The method also comprises providing information concerning the flight path of the airborne gravity gradiometer in three dimensions. In addition, the method comprises calculating the gravity gradient response of the terrain using the provided terrain data and the provided information concerning the flight path. The gravity gradient terrain response data is calculated for a plurality of locations of the gravity gradiometer along at least some of the flight path segment. In addition, the method comprises correcting the gravity gradient data by forming a difference between the calculated gravity gradient terrain response of the terrain topography and the gravity gradient data.

A non-contacting spherical air bearing-based stable platform for use by a gravity gradiometer instrument (GGI) is provided by attaching a spherical ball-shaped bearing to a rotational stage of the GGI and integrating a concave spherical cup in the linear stage and mounting base assembly of the GGI which is fixedly attached to a host vehicle or platform. The spherical cup supports the spherical ball-shaped bearing on a thin cushion of air provided by a source of compressed air or gas at the concave surface of the spherical cup. The spherical ball-shaped bearing is supported, providing three degrees of rotational freedom of motion without the need for slip rings, flex capsules, races, or mechanical bearings, thereby reducing or eliminating gradient disturbance signals owing to parasitic torques and jitter in the output of the accelerometers of the GGI.

A non-contacting spherical air bearing-based stable platform for use by a gravity gradiometer instrument (GGI) is provided by attaching a spherical ball-shaped bearing to a rotational stage of the GGI and integrating a concave spherical cup in the linear stage and mounting base assembly of the GGI which is fixedly attached to a host vehicle or platform. The spherical cup supports the spherical ball-shaped bearing on a thin cushion of air provided by a source of compressed air or gas at the concave surface of the spherical cup. The spherical ball-shaped bearing is supported, providing three degrees of rotational freedom of motion without the need for slip rings, flex capsules, races, or mechanical bearings, thereby reducing or eliminating gradient disturbance signals owing to parasitic torques and jitter in the output of the accelerometers of the GGI.

An airborne gravity-based transducer is disclosed as two embodiments with similar physical structures but different operating principles. The first design includes a particle acting as an active interface characterized by internal vibrations relating to its de Broglie wave, a resonant cavity for trapping the particle, and a phonon-wave source wherein the de Broglie and phonon waves interact over a junction area. In the second design, mechanical displacements between the transducer elements can be monitored through electromechanical transduction. Both designs include a power source and a biasing circuit for producing an electrical current across the junction, and a sensing system for measuring voltage. Both designs are capable of cancelling slowly-varying gravitational acceleration due to dynamic interaction in motion with the gravitational field and responding to small-scale gravity anomalies. Furthermore, a number of cascade design configurations based on the basic design are also disclosed in order to enhance the transducer performance. The transducer can be utilized in hydrocarbon exploration to provide information on areas conducive to fluid entrapment in the sedimentary column.

An airborne gravity-based transducer is disclosed as two embodiments with similar physical structures but different operating principles. The first design includes a particle acting as an active interface characterized by internal vibrations relating to its de Broglie wave, a resonant cavity for trapping the particle, and a phonon-wave source wherein the de Broglie and phonon waves interact over a junction area. In the second design, mechanical displacements between the transducer elements can be monitored through electromechanical transduction. Both designs include a power source and a biasing circuit for producing an electrical current across the junction, and a sensing system for measuring voltage. Both designs are capable of cancelling slowly-varying gravitational acceleration due to dynamic interaction in motion with the gravitational field and responding to small-scale gravity anomalies. Furthermore, a number of cascade design configurations based on the basic design are also disclosed in order to enhance the transducer performance. The transducer can be utilized in hydrocarbon exploration to provide information on areas conducive to fluid entrapment in the sedimentary column.

The disclosure provides a diamagnetically stabilized magnetically levitated gravimeter and related method that allows measurements of relative gravity in a simple, low power consumption device based on a magnetic levitation principle using permanent magnets instead of using a mechanical spring. The gravimeter uses magnetic forces to balance a float magnet against the force of gravity, allowing for accurate measurements. The gravimeter includes a float magnet that floats between two diamagnetic materials, such as diamagnetic plates, without a need for external energy input due to the interaction between the magnetic forces of the float magnet lifted by the lift magnet but stabilized between upper and lower diamagnetic materials. The gravimeter is less sensitive to drift in response to stresses than a mechanical spring, have a lower temperature sensitivity, and lower energy and power requirements to take similarly reliable gravity measurements, which in turn simplify deployment and prolong operational lifetime.

A rotational gravity gradiometer includes a first member, a second member, a drive member and a motor. The first member is disposed above the second member orthogonal to and centered with respect to the second member. The first member includes support arms extending from the center of the first member. The second member includes a second pair of support arms extending from a center point of the second member. A mass unit is attached at a distal end of the respective first member and second member. A sensor element is attached between each mass unit a connection point of the opposite member for sensing movement of the mass unit. The drive member is coupled to the motor to drive the first member and the second member rotationally. The respective sensor elements generate a signal in response to deflection of the support arm induced by an external mass.