Method and apparatus for controlling the acoustic output of an airgun
US7321527B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 2, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jan 22, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V1/137
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device including a housing defining a first chamber and a port formed through the housing. A shuttle flange moveably positioned within the first chamber. The shuttle flange moves during a gas-release cycle between i) a closed position blocking the port, and ii) an open position exposing an exit area of the port through which a compressed gas is discharged. A method for generating a seismic pressure pulse in water includes the steps of, confining a compressed gas within a chamber having a port, creating an exit area through the port by moving a shuttle along the length of the port during a gas-release cycle, pre-releasing a charge of the compressed gas through the exit area to create a pre-released bubble, choking the exit area, and producing a primary pressure pulse by releasing a main charge of compressed gas through the exit area.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.