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.

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.

A level gauge includes a housing, a vertical member, and a perpendicular member. The housing includes a bottom wall and a side wall. A surface of the side wall includes a first scale. The bottom wall and the side wall enclose a receiving cavity. The vertical member is arranged in the receiving cavity and includes an axis maintained in a vertical orientation in a natural state. A center of gravity of the perpendicular member is arranged on top of the vertical member. A plane of the perpendicular member is maintained perpendicular to the axis of the vertical member. When the bottom wall is placed on a gauging surface, an inclination angle and inclination direction of the gauging surface are obtained simultaneously.

Provided are apparatus and methods for generating a representation of a physical environment, comprising: a mobile sensor platform (MSP) including sensors that output sensor signals relating to parameters such as range, gravity, direction of the Earth's magnetic field, and angular velocity. The MSP is adapted to be moved through the environment. The sensor signals are processed and observations of axes in the environment are generated for a sequence of time steps, the orientation of the MSP is estimated for each of the time steps, observed axes are identified at each orientation, and similar axes are associated. The orientations, the axes in the environment, and the directions of gravity and the Earth's magnetic field are linked such that each observation is predicted based on the estimates of the orientations. An estimate of the orientations is optimized and an output of the representation of the physical environment is generated based on the optimized orientation estimates. The output may be an axis map, a visual representation, and/or a data set. In one embodiment the output device may produce an output comprising a stereonet.

Provided are apparatus and methods for generating a representation of a physical environment, comprising: a mobile sensor platform (MSP) including sensors that output sensor signals relating to parameters such as range, gravity, direction of the Earth's magnetic field, and angular velocity. The MSP is adapted to be moved through the environment. The sensor signals are processed and observations of axes in the environment are generated for a sequence of time steps, the orientation of the MSP is estimated for each of the time steps, observed axes are identified at each orientation, and similar axes are associated. The orientations, the axes in the environment, and the directions of gravity and the Earth's magnetic field are linked such that each observation is predicted based on the estimates of the orientations. An estimate of the orientations is optimized and an output of the representation of the physical environment is generated based on the optimized orientation estimates. The output may be an axis map, a visual representation, and/or a data set. In one embodiment the output device may produce an output comprising a stereonet.

A level gauge includes a housing, a vertical member, and a perpendicular member. The housing includes a bottom wall and a side wall. A surface of the side wall includes a first scale. The bottom wall and the side wall enclose a receiving cavity. The vertical member is arranged in the receiving cavity and includes an axis maintained in a vertical orientation in a natural state. A center of gravity of the perpendicular member is arranged on top of the vertical member. A plane of the perpendicular member is maintained perpendicular to the axis of the vertical member. When the bottom wall is placed on a gauging surface, an inclination angle and inclination direction of the gauging surface are obtained simultaneously.

A level gauge includes a housing, a vertical member, and a perpendicular member. The housing includes a bottom wall and a side wall. A surface of the side wall includes a first scale. The bottom wall and the side wall enclose a receiving cavity. The vertical member is arranged in the receiving cavity and includes an axis maintained in a vertical orientation in a natural state. A center of gravity of the perpendicular member is arranged on top of the vertical member. A plane of the perpendicular member is maintained perpendicular to the axis of the vertical member. When the bottom wall is placed on a gauging surface, an inclination angle and inclination direction of the gauging surface are obtained simultaneously.

Provided are apparatus and methods for generating a representation of a physical environment, comprising: a mobile sensor platform (MSP) including sensors that output sensor signals relating to parameters such as range, gravity, direction of the Earth's magnetic field, and angular velocity. The MSP is adapted to be moved through the environment. The sensor signals are processed and observations of axes in the environment are generated for a sequence of time steps, the orientation of the MSP is estimated for each of the time steps, observed axes are identified at each orientation, and similar axes are associated. The orientations, the axes in the environment, and the directions of gravity and the Earth's magnetic field are linked such that each observation is predicted based on the estimates of the orientations. An estimate of the orientations is optimized and an output of the representation of the physical environment is generated based on the optimized orientation estimates. The output may be an axis map, a visual representation, and/or a data set. In one embodiment the output device may produce an output comprising a stereonet.

A clinometer including a base plate and a compass which is mounted on the base plate and can measure a strike and a dip angle. The compass includes a first case which is rotationally provided on the base plate so as to move a strike scale indicated on the rim of the compass to a certain position and a second case which is provided in the first case, and which is fixed on the base plate so as to fix a dip scale indicated on the rim of the compass at a certain position.

A clinometer including a base plate and a compass which is mounted on the base plate and can measure a strike and a dip angle. The compass includes a first case which is rotationally provided on the base plate so as to move a strike scale indicated on the rim of the compass to a certain position and a second case which is provided in the first case, and which is fixed on the base plate so as to fix a dip scale indicated on the rim of the compass at a certain position.