Seismic source for use while submerged in a liquid medium

Claim 2

A seismic wave energy source for use while submerged in a liquid medium comprising: a supporting structure, an expansible elastic member supported by and disposed upon at least a portion of the supporting structure to define an expansible chamber therewith, means for discharging gases from said structure, first means comprising an elongated conduit extending into said supporting structure for introducing explosive fluid through the conduit into said chamber, and second means for detonating the explosive fluid in said elongated conduit to produce a high-velocity explosive front therethrough and means for automatically removing liquid condensate from said expansible chamber during the operating cycle thereof.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the length-to-diameter ratio of the elongated conduit is between 75 to 1 and 300 to 1.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first means further comprises a chamber housing for receiving said explosive fluid, said elongated conduit being arranged to provide fluid communication between the interior of said chamber housing and said expansible chamber, and wherein said second means includes a spark ignition device extending into said chamber housing for igniting explosive fluid therein.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for removing liquid condensate from said expansible chamber comprises means for permitting liquid passage from the chamber and preventing liquid passage into the chamber.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said supporting structure includes a plurality of elongated, parallel, spaced-apart tubular members arranged in a closed curvilinear path and bell-shaped means connected to one end of the tubular means to direct water into said tubular members and closure means connecting together the tubular members at the end thereof opposite the bell-shaped members to prevent ingress of water into the space defined by said tubular members and said inflatable member, said closure member comprising a plate between the tubular members and a bell-shaped member connected to the plate and extending outwardly from the tubular members and away from the bell-shaped member, and wherein the means for automatically removing liquid condensate includes a venturi pump within the bell-shaped member, hydraulically connected to the interior of the enclosure, and a line extending through one of said tubular members to said venturi pump for conducting a high-pressure liquid stream to said pump for actuating said pump and removing liquid from the interior of said enclosure.

Claim 7

In a seismic wave energy source for use while submerged in a liquid medium comprising a support structure having a towing end and a trailing end, an Expansible elastic member supported by and disposed upon at least a portion of the supporting structure to define an expansible chamber therewith, means for introducing an explosive fluid into the chamber and means for detonating the explosive fluid, the improvement comprising pump means for removing liquid condensate from said enclosure.

Claim 8

In a seismic wave energy source for use while submerged in a liquid medium comprising a support structure having a towing end and a trailing end, an Expansible elastic member supported by and disposed upon at least a portion of the supporting structure to define an expansible chamber therewith, means for introducing an explosive fluid into the chamber and means for detonating the explosive fluid, the improvement comprising pump means for removing liquid condensate from said enclosure.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for removing liquid condensate is a venturi pump, and wherein a line extends from said pump to a remote location for conducting a high-pressure liquid stream to said pump for actuating said pump.

Claim 10

In a seismic wave energy source for use while submerged in a liquid medium comprising a support structure having a towing end and a trailing end, an expansible elastic member supported by and disposed upon at least a portion of the supporting structure to define an expansible chamber therewith, means for introducing an explosive fluid into the chamber, and means for detonating the explosive fluid, the improvement comprising: means for automatically removing liquid condensate from said chamber during the operating cycle of the energy source.

Claim 11

In a seismic wave energy source for use while submerged in a liquid medium comprising a support structure having a towing end and a trailing end, an expansible elastic member supported by and disposed upon at least a portion of the supporting structure to define an expansible chamber therewith, means for introducing an explosive fluid into the chamber, and means for detonating the explosive fluid, the improvement comprising: means for automatically removing liquid condensate from said chamber during the operating cycle of the energy source.

Claim 12

In a seismic wave energy source for use while submerged in a liquid medium comprising a support structure, an expansible elastic member supported by and disposed upon at least a portion of the supporting structure to define an expansible chamber therewith, means for introducing an explosive fluid into the chamber, and means for detonating the explosive fluid, the improvement comprising: means for automatically removing liquid condensate from said chamber during the operating cycle of the energy source.

Claim 13

In a seismic wave energy source for use while submerged in a liquid medium comprising a support structure, an expansible elastic member supported by and disposed upon at least a portion of the supporting structure to define an expansible chamber therewith, means for introducing an explosive fluid into the chamber, and means for detonating the explosive fluid, the improvement comprising: means for automatically removing liquid condensate from said chamber during the operating cycle of the energy source.