Marine vibrator
US6230840A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 16, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 15, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V1/38
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A marine vibrator has a hollow body formed of one shell or of two opposed shells defining an inner space therein with vibrator apparatus within the hollow body. At least one shell has a curved shape, and the shell can have a streamlined shape with relatively low hydrodynamic drag. Certain embodiments include one or more exterior control members to facilitate positioning of the vibrator in water. Other than their mating ends, when two shells are used the two shells may be different in shape and volume or they may be identical. In preferred two-shell embodiments, there is a flexible seal between and connecting the two opposed shells. In certain aspects the inner space is filled with gas. A vibrator apparatus in one aspect applies equal and opposite forces to the shells of a two-shell vibrator or to opposed sides of a single shell vibrator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.