A Triaxial Accelerometer System for Air Density Measurements.
Abstract
The report describes an operational system which was designed to determine upper air density, temperature, and pressure in the altitude range from 40 km to at least 140 km. A triaxial accelerometer was developed to be used in a 10-inch falling sphere. It enables measurements to be made of the drag acceleration experienced by the sphere as it falls through the earth's atmosphere. The accelerometer has a cavity which contains a reference mass. Drag acceleration causes the mass to be displaced from the center of the cavity. Capacitance sensors in the cavity walls monitor the displacement of the reference mass. The three axial components of displacement are converted to calibrated voltages for transmission to a recording station. Displacement versus time may be used to determine drag acceleration and related atmospheric parameters. The operation of the system is discussed, and the details of the accelerometer and the supporting electronic circuitry are given. Calibration and testing procedures are also presented. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0749881
Entities
People
- Clay D. Westlund
- Roscoe H. Woolley
- Russell L. Smith
Organizations
- University of Utah