Patent · US Expired

Acoustic energy system for marine operations

US6076630A · kind A · utility

32Cited by
7References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 4, 1999
Grant dateJun 20, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 4, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01V1/38
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A marine seismic source for generating acoustic source energy. A housing has a continuous exterior perimeter which is moveable to displace water. Movement of the housing can be accomplished by providing alternating convex and concave exterior surfaces connected with inflection points. The composite shape provides movement inwardly or outwardly, and can be moved with different types of actuators. Piezoelectric elements can be activated to move the housing surfaces and to change the internal housing volume. The resulting pressure pulse provides acoustic source energy useful for the evaluation of subterranean geologic formations and for other purposes.

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