Seismic source for use under water
US4131178A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 1977 |
| Grant date | Dec 26, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V1/133
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A seismic source is described which drives one or more jets of high velocity water into an underwater environment and then abruptly terminates the jets. The momentum of the free jet columns generate vapor cavities in the water away from the housing of the source which cavities collapse coherently to generate the seismic signal. A piston and a valve sleeve are slidably mounted in a cylinder in the housing. The piston seals off a volume of gas on its rearward side. The forward side of the piston defines one surface of a chamber. The chamber receives high pressure water from an inlet. In its rearward position, the valve sleeve seals a set of jet apertures in the side of the cylinder. In its forward position the valve sleeve opens the apertures, exposing the chamber interior to the exterior underwater environment. With the valve sleeve in its rearward position with the apertures sealed, the high pressure water entering the chamber moves the piston to its rearward position and compresses the gas. The sleeve is hydraulically actuated upon command to abruptly open the jet apertures, enabling the piston to move forwardly under the pressure of the compressed gas, driving the water through t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.