Patent · US Active

Superheterodyne seismic vibrator and method

US7907474B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
13References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 2, 2007
Grant dateMar 15, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 27, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01V2210/588
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A seismic energy source includes at least a first and a second acoustic radiator operatively coupled to a non-linear medium proximate an upper limit of formations in the Earth's subsurface. The first and second acoustic radiators are configured to convert electrical energy directly into acoustic energy. The source includes means for operating the first and the second acoustic radiator at respective first and second frequencies. The first and second frequencies are selected such that substantially no acoustic energy propagates through the non-linear medium. The first and the second frequencies are selected such that a difference therebetween is swept through a range of frequencies of seismic energy capable of propagating through the Earth's subsurface to at least one acoustic impedance boundary within the Earth's subsurface.

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