System and method for investigating sub-surface features of a rock formation using compressional acoustic sources
US9453926B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 2011 |
| Grant date | Sep 27, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG10K15/02
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method for investigating rock formations outside a borehole are provided. The method includes generating a first compressional acoustic wave at a first frequency by a first acoustic source; and generating a second compressional acoustic wave at a second frequency by a second acoustic source. The first and the second acoustic sources are arranged within a localized area of the borehole. The first and the second acoustic waves intersect in an intersection volume outside the borehole. The method further includes receiving a third shear acoustic wave at a third frequency, the third shear acoustic wave returning to the borehole due to a non-linear mixing process in a non-linear mixing zone within the intersection volume at a receiver arranged in the borehole. The third frequency is equal to a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.