In a message dated 13/11/02, meredithlamb@............. writes:

> Sean-Thomas Morrisseys vertical seismo created a lot of interest ~ a few 
> years ago of course. I think it also had a lot of confusion along the line 
> of the exact electronics components used and its adjustments involved for 
> various reasons..... their was a long line of emails with corrections 
> thereafter that kind of left me and perhaps others in the lurch so too 
> 

Hi Meredith, 

       The circuitry seemed to me to be 'all there', eventually, but the 
details were spread out over several diagrams and there were, as you say, 
some corrections. An important one concerned an error in the spreadsheet 
calculation of the feedback components. There were also developments and 
additional design details with the foil hinges, the spring suspension and the 
mass trimming. You had to know how to disassemble and reassemble the 
miniature transformers, without destroying them.  

> It was a rather involved circuitry I think. You may even have changed 
> components that would be of interest also. Its perhaps prudent to say that 
> these corrected documents (however assembled) are invaluable to those 
> wishing to try a duplication.  I've little electronics background myself, 
> 

       I think that it looked more complicated than it was. And you had to 
design / layout and make your own PCBs, which can be a major obstacle for 
many.
 
> U.S. Patent; 
> but as of recent date, I've seen nothing suggesting such. Its also possible 
> that the STM 
> website display with the mechanics and circuitry itself prior to any Patent 
> application could have placed the entire unit in a "public domain" category 
> 

       This would be in line with the regulations regarding Patents. You 
normally have to have made an application before any publication or public 
disclosure. An additional difficulty here, would be that the individual 
techniques were not new, it was the constructional materials, design, layout 
and the way that things were put together which were novel / successful.
 
 Regardless, its "still" 
> likely the best broadband vertical design around for its 
> cheapest home building approach..... As I recall, one or two people were 
> considering other sensor / amplifier methods outside of the original 
> design, but I've no idea of how that went. 

       Agreed, but there are several sensor approaches which can be 
successful. To my mind, there is a distinct shortage of amateur 'off the 
shelf' sensor designs capable of giving near professional resolution and 
stability. There is only one LVDT kit sensor available with a PCB, to my 
knowledge, which can give about 7 nano metres resolution at 10 Hz over +/-6 
mm, with a max range of +/-12 mm.

       Regards,

       Chris Chapman
In a message dated 13/11/02, meredithlamb@............. writes:



Sean-Thomas Morrisseys vertical seismo created a lot of interest ~ a few years ago of course. I think it also had a lot of confusion along the line of the exact electronics components used and its adjustments involved for various reasons..... their was a long line of emails with corrections thereafter that kind of left me and perhaps others in the lurch so too speak. 



Hi Meredith, 



       The circuitry seemed to me to be 'all there', eventually, but the details were spread out over several diagrams and there were, as you say, some corrections. An important one concerned an error in the spreadsheet calculation of the feedback components. There were also developments and additional design details with the foil hinges, the spring suspension and the mass trimming. You had to know how to disassemble and reassemble the miniature transformers, without destroying them.  



It was a rather involved circuitry I think. You may even have changed components that would be of interest also. Its perhaps prudent to say that these corrected documents (however assembled) are invaluable to those wishing to try a duplication.  I've little electronics background myself, and I'd guess most individuals are in the same rough class. 



       I think that it looked more complicated than it was. And you had to design / layout and make your own PCBs, which can be a major obstacle for many.

 

I think St. Louis University "was" thinking of trying to get a 
U.S. Patent; but as of recent date, I've seen nothing suggesting such. Its also possible that the STM 

website display with the mechanics and circuitry itself prior to any Patent application could have placed the entire unit in a "public domain" category which in itself prevents any Patent granting success. 



       This would be in line with the regulations regarding Patents. You normally have to have made an application before any publication or public disclosure. An additional difficulty here, would be that the individual techniques were not new, it was the constructional materials, design, layout and the way that things were put together which were novel / successful.

 

 Regardless, its "still" 

likely the best broadband vertical design around for its 

cheapest home building approach..... As I recall, one or two people were considering other sensor / amplifier methods outside of the original design, but I've no idea of how that went. 




       Agreed, but there are several sensor approaches which can be successful. To my mind, there is a distinct shortage of amateur 'off the shelf' sensor designs capable of giving near professional resolution and stability. There is only one LVDT kit sensor available with a PCB, to my knowledge, which can give about 7 nano metres resolution at 10 Hz over +/-6 mm, with a max range of +/-12 mm.



       Regards,



       Chris Chapman