Automatic solar compass

The most accurate method of finding the true north is through astronomical observations, for example, by observing the position of the sun. However, the procedure is complicated. The instantaneous position of the sun must be calculated from astronomical data for each instance of observation, and the...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author CHEN CHENGJUN JULIAN
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 20.04.2010
Subjects
GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS
HOROLOGY
MEASURING
MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS
MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL
MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES
NAVIGATION
OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS
OPTICS
PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
PHYSICS
SURVEYING
TESTING
TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
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Summary:The most accurate method of finding the true north is through astronomical observations, for example, by observing the position of the sun. However, the procedure is complicated. The instantaneous position of the sun must be calculated from astronomical data for each instance of observation, and the operator must wait for the predetermined time to come. Elaborate manual adjustments are required. The present invention discloses an automatic solar compass comprising a cylindrical omni-directional lens, a detection means, and a servomechanism. It is as easy to use as the magnetic compass, but much more accurate and reliable than the magnetic compass.
Bibliography:Application Number: US20070840500