Patent US3629798A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3629798A
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Method and system for refraction seismic exploration
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1969-05-08
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Granted: 1971-12-21
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Expires: 1989-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A first seismic disturbance is generated at a reference location and a first set of refraction signals from the seismic disturbance is detected at a plurality of receiver locations spaced a preselected distance from the reference location. A second seismic disturbance is generated at an incremental distance from the reference location, the incremental distance being small compared to the preselected distance. A second set of refraction signals from the second seismic disturbance is received at the receiver locations. The first and second sets of refraction signals are time-shifted relative to one another by a time interval dependent upon the incremental distance and particular refractor layer velocities. The time-shifted signals are then combined in order to enhance selected portions of the signals and to attenuate unwanted or interfering events and noise.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald W Rockwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A method for processing seismic refraction data comprising: a. generating a first seismic disturbance at a reference location, b. receiving a first set of refraction signals at receiver locations spaced a preselected distance from said reference location, c. generating a second seismic disturbance at an incremental distance from said reference location which is small compared to said preselected distance, said incremental distance being defined by the following: wherein: V1 the velocity characteristic of one of said subsurface areas, V2 the velocity characteristic of the second of said subsurface areas, and P the dominant period of the portion of the signals desired to be suppressed d. receiving at said receiver locations a second set of refraction signals which have traveled along generally the same subsurface paths as said first refraction signals, said first and second sets of refraction signals traveling through at least two common subsurface layers having different velocity characteristics, e. combining said signals for enhancement and suppression of selected portions of said signals by taking advantage of the time differences of said sets of signals resulting from said incremental distance and the apparent velocities of the selected portions of said signals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
192 words
A method for processing seismic refraction data comprising: a. generating a first seismic disturbance at a reference location, b. receiving a first set of refraction signals at receiver locations spaced a preselected distance from said reference location, c. generating a second seismic disturbance at an incremental distance from said reference location which is small compared to said preselected distance, said incremental distance being defined by the following: wherein: V1 the velocity characteristic of one of said subsurface areas, V2 the velocity characteristic of the second of said subsurface areas, and P the dominant period of the portion of the signals desired to be suppressed d. receiving at said receiver locations a second set of refraction signals which have traveled along generally the same subsurface paths as said first refraction signals, said first and second sets of refraction signals traveling through at least two common subsurface layers having different velocity characteristics, e. combining said signals for enhancement and suppression of selected portions of said signals by taking advantage of the time differences of said sets of signals resulting from said incremental distance and the apparent velocities of the selected portions of said signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The seismic exploration method of claim 1 and further comprising: time shifting said first and second sets of refraction signals relative to one another by a time interval dependent upon said incremental distance and apparent velocities.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The seismic exploration method of claim 1 and further comprising: generating additional seismic disturbances at said incremental distance from said second seismic disturbance, receiving at said reference receiver locations additional sets of refraction signals, time shifting said additional refraction signals by time intervals dependent upon said incremental distance, and combining said time-shifted signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said incremental distance is horizontally disposed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The seismic exploration method of claim 1 wherein said incremental distance is vertically disposed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The seismic exploration method of claim 1 and further comprising: filtering said first and second sets of refraction signals prior to combining said signals for additional enhancement of a selected portion of said signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The seismic exploration method of claim 1 wherein said second seismic disturbance is generated at a horizontal incremental distance from said reference location away from said receiver locations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The seismic exploration method of claim 1 wherein said second seismic disturbance is generated at a horizontal incremental distance from said reference location toward said receiver locations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
201 words
A seismic exploration system comprising: detector means for receiving a first set of refraction seismic signals generated from a first location and for receiving a second set of refraction signals generated from a second location, said first and second locations being spaced apart by a distance such that refraction signals traveling through subsurface layers having different velocity characteristics will be time-delayed by different time intervals, said first and second sets of refraction seismic signals traveling along subsurface paths having at least two different velocity characteristics and it is desired to introduce a specific relative time delay in an unwanted event in each of said seismic refraction recordings such that after processing by time-shifting and combining said signals maximum attenuation of the unwanted event results, the distance between said first and second locations required to produce this time delay being defined by: wherein Delta x distance between said first and second locations, V1 velocity characteristics of one of the subsurface areas, V2 the velocity characteristics of the second subsurface area, and P the dominant period of the unwanted event, and means for processing said signals for enhancement of a selected portion of said signals due to the time delays in said signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
201 words
A seismic exploration system comprising: detector means for receiving a first set of refraction seismic signals generated from a first location and for receiving a second set of refraction signals generated from a second location, said first and second locations being spaced apart by a distance such that refraction signals traveling through subsurface layers having different velocity characteristics will be time-delayed by different time intervals, said first and second sets of refraction seismic signals traveling along subsurface paths having at least two different velocity characteristics and it is desired to introduce a specific relative time delay in an unwanted event in each of said seismic refraction recordings such that after processing by time-shifting and combining said signals maximum attenuation of the unwanted event results, the distance between said first and second locations required to produce this time delay being defined by: wherein Delta x distance between said first and second locations, V1 velocity characteristics of one of the subsurface areas, V2 the velocity characteristics of the second subsurface area, and P the dominant period of the unwanted event, and means for processing said signals for enhancement of a selected portion of said signals due to the time delays in said signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The seismic exploration system of claim 9 wherein said distance between said first and second locations is small compared to the distance between said detector means and said first location.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The seismic exploration system of claim 9 and further comprising: means for time shifting said first and second sets of refraction signals by a time interval approximately equal to the distance between said first and second locations divided by the velocity of said refraction signals through said subsurface layers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The seismic exploration system of claim 9 wherein said sets of signals are summed for enhancement of a selected portion of said signals.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
187 words
A system for processing seismic refraction data comprising: a. means located at a reference location for generating a first seismic disturbance, b. detector means spaced a preselected distance from said reference location for receiving a first set of refraction signals which travel through subsurface layers of generally consistent velocity characteristics, c. means for generating a second seismic disturbance at an incremental distance from said reference location which is small compared to said preselected distance, said detector means receiving a second set of refraction signals which have traveled through generally the same subsurface paths as said first refraction siGnals, said incremental distance being defined by the following: wherein V1 the velocity characteristic of one of said subsurface areas, V2 the velocity characteristic of the second of said subsurface areas, and P the dominant period of the portion of the signals desired to be suppressed, d. means for time-shifting said first and second sets of refraction signals relative to one another by a time interval dependent upon said incremental distance and layer velocities, and e. means for combining said time-shifted signals to enhance a selected portion of said signals.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
187 words
A system for processing seismic refraction data comprising: a. means located at a reference location for generating a first seismic disturbance, b. detector means spaced a preselected distance from said reference location for receiving a first set of refraction signals which travel through subsurface layers of generally consistent velocity characteristics, c. means for generating a second seismic disturbance at an incremental distance from said reference location which is small compared to said preselected distance, said detector means receiving a second set of refraction signals which have traveled through generally the same subsurface paths as said first refraction siGnals, said incremental distance being defined by the following: wherein V1 the velocity characteristic of one of said subsurface areas, V2 the velocity characteristic of the second of said subsurface areas, and P the dominant period of the portion of the signals desired to be suppressed, d. means for time-shifting said first and second sets of refraction signals relative to one another by a time interval dependent upon said incremental distance and layer velocities, and e. means for combining said time-shifted signals to enhance a selected portion of said signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system for processing seismic refraction data of claim 13 and further comprising: means for generating additional seismic disturbances each spaced said incremental distance from the last seismic disturbance location, said detector means receiving additional refraction signals from said additional seismic disturbances.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system for processing seismic refraction data of claim 13 wherein said means for generating said first and second seismic disturbances is spaced apart by a horizontal incremental distance.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of processing seismic refraction data of claim 13 wherein said means for generating said first and second seismic disturbances are vertically spaced apart by said incremental distance.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system for processing seismic refraction data of claim 13 and further comprising: means for optimal filtering of said first and second sets of refraction signals for selective enhancement of portions of said signals prior to combining of said signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system for processing seismic refraction data of claim 17 and further comprising: means for optimal time domain filtering of said refraction signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system for processing seismic refraction data of claim 17 and further comprising: means for optimal frequency domain filtering of said refraction signals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-20 | 1975-06-21 | 1975-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-06-21 | 1979-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-20 | 1983-06-21 | 1983-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |