Glenn S Sasagawa

US Patent:

20100153050, Jun 17, 2010

Filed:

Nov 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/617688

Inventors:

Mark A. Zumberge - San Diego CA, US
Glenn Sasagawa - Encinitas CA, US
Richard Zimmerman - San Diego CA, US
Jeff Ridgway - San Diego CA, US

International Classification:

G01V 7/00
G05D 1/00
B63G 8/00
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

702 92, 73382 R

Abstract:

Techniques and systems are disclosed for performing a gravity survey near the seafloor. In one aspect, a system includes an autonomous underwater vehicle that includes a sensor system holding area. The system includes a gravity sensor system to fit inside the sensor system holding area of the autonomous underwater vehicle. The gravity sensor system includes a motorized gimbal to provide a leveled sensor platform. Also, the gravity sensor system includes a gravimeter sensor mounted onto the motorized gimbal to measure gravity data. Further, the payload includes a motion sensor mounted onto the motorized gimbal to measure motion data associated with movements of the autonomous underwater vehicle.