About

BGGS is the developer and producer of longstanding, proofed sea gravimeters. We are located in Überlingen/Germany at the Lake of Constance (Bodensee) which is linked to a long tradition in gravimeter technology. This is the brief history of German gravimeter technology and its evolution, with particular focus on marine application:

Already in the 1930s German company Askania Werke AG in Berlin, under the lead of Anton Graf, developed a spring-mass measurement system for measuring gravity (Schwere) called GS (Geophysik Schwere). Until the 1960s Askania presented several improved versions (GS1 – GS15)

History

1938

Prof. Anton Graf (Technical University of Munich) develops a sea gravimeter for Askania. First trials are conducted on the Lake Starnberg. Askania starts the series production of this gravimeter called GSS2 (Geophysik Schwere See). German company Anschütz therefore developed and delivers a gyro-stabilised platform

1962

Askania develops land gravimeter GS14 (Geophysik Schwere)

1968

Askania starts the development of the small(er) sea gravimeter GSS3 (Geophysik Schwere See)

1970/71

Askania is bought by Siemens

1974

German company BGT (Bodenseewerk Geräte-Technik) buys the division of geophysics formerly owned by Askania from Siemens. BGT founds the affiliated company Bodenseewerk Geo System (BGS) which is now in charge of the sea gravimeter GSS2, the land gravimeter GS14 and the development documents for the small sea gravimeter GSS3

1974ff

BGT develops the GSS3 to series production, now named GSS30. Further, the gyro-stabilised platform KT30 (Kreisel-Tisch) is developed. The resulting gravimeter system is called KSS30

1984

BGT develops the gyro-stabilised platform KT31 based on a worldwide available French aviation gyro from Singer Kearfott and new, self-developed microprocessor controlled electronics. The sensor’s name is updated to GSS31. Respectively, the updated gravimeter system is called KSS31

1999

BGT is sold to German company DIEHL. BGS is sold to German company SICK. The division of geophysics with its gravimeter business is continued by the spin-off Bodensee Gravitymeter Geo-System (BGGS) in course of a management buyout. BGGS continues production and service for KSS30 and KSS31 systems

2011

BGGS develops a more compact and state of the art gyro-stabilised platform to be used with the proven gravity sensor GSS31 which is modernized to GSS32. The resulting gravimeter system is called KSS32. To distinguish between land-, airborne- and marine applications, the resulting sea gravimeter system is called KSS32M

up to today

KSS32(M) with its modern electronics, programmabale logic and PC-software based evaluation, monitoring and data acquisition is constantly maintained and updated. Firmware and software updates are available to all customers

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