Seismic vibration source

US4148375A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Warren L. Dowler · Sierra Madre, US
• Giulio Varsi · Pasadena, US
• Lien C. Yang · Tustin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 22, 1977
• Grant date: Apr 10, 1979
• Expiry date: Aug 22, 1997

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01V1/133
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A system for vibrating the earth in a location where seismic mapping is to take place, including forming a relatively shallow hole in the earth such as a hole 10 feet deep, placing a solid propellant in the hole, sealing a portion of the hole above the solid propellant with a device that can rapidly open and close to allow a repeatedly interrupted escape of gas, and igniting the propellant so that high pressure gas is created which escapes in pulses to vibrate the earth.