Patent · US Expired

Repetitive detonation seismic surveying method and apparatus

US4026382A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
8References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 4, 1974
Grant dateMay 31, 1977
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 4, 1994

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S181/401
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

This invention describes an apparatus and method for generating seismic waves in the earth for seismic geophysical prospecting. It involves a slender pipe open at the lower end, which can be driven into the earth to a shallow depth. The upper end is closed. Means are provided for introducing oxygen and acetylene through a pair of control valves and check valves, for a selected period of time. The oxygen and acetylene are mixed in the pipe and flow downward through the pipe and through the perforations into the earth, and fill the voids and fissures in the shallow sediments. Means are provided in the top end of the pipe to detonate the gas mixture. The detonation wave travels down the pipe and eventually reaches the openings at the lower end, and detonates the gas in the pores and fissures of the earth. The resulting explosion opens up the fissures and provides a larger void space than was there before. The seismic waves generated by the explosion are detected in the normal manner by means of transducers, cables, amplifiers, recorders, etc. The pipe is pressed further into the ground as the result of the expansion of the void space, and the operation of filling the void space with c…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.