US3658149A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oval-flexing seismic source
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1968-09-18
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Granted: 1972-04-25
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Expires: 1988-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A seismic source wherein an explosive gas mixture is detonated within a closed chamber having a flexible wall in contact with a body of liquid. When the gas mixture is detonated, the flexible wall expands and displaces the adjacent liquid. Subsequently, before the flexible wall collapses, the chamber is opened to an exhaust conduit, and after a time delay the chamber is opened to a vacuum source. The vacuum completes the scavenging of the chamber, and it is then ready for the next cycle.
Inventors
- 👤 William J Neal
- 👤 Jacob C Richardson
- 👤 Thomas F Vining
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/02; G01V1/104; G01V1/108
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A seismic source comprising: a closed chamber having flexible walls; a conduit means, said conduit means communicating with said closed chamber to introduce an explosive gas mixture therein; a detonating means, said detonating means being disposed to ignite the gas mixture in said closed chamber; evacuation means, said evacuation means communicating with said chamber to exhaust the detonation products from said chamber, the evacuation means including a conduit for venting the major part of the detonation products to atmosphere and vacuum means for scavaging the remainder of the detonation products; a flow control means, said flow control means being disposed to control the flow through said evacuation means; and control means, said control means being operably coupled to said flow control means to open said flow control means to evacuate said chamber after the gas is detonated and close said flow control means at least as soon as substantially all of the chamber''s volume is refilled with said explosive gas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A seismic source comprising: a closed chamber having flexible walls; a conduit means, said conduit means communicating with said closed chamber to introduce an explosive gas mixture therein; a detonating means, said detonating means being disposed to ignite the gas mixture in said closed chamber; evacuation means, said evacuation means communicating with said chamber to exhaust the detonation products from said chamber, the evacuation means including a conduit for venting the major part of the detonation products to atmosphere and vacuum means for scavaging the remainder of the detonation products; a flow control means, said flow control means being disposed to control the flow through said evacuation means; and control means, said control means being operably coupled to said flow control means to open said flow control means to evacuate said chamber after the gas is detonated and close said flow control means at least as soon as substantially all of the chamber''s volume is refilled with said explosive gas.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for producing seismic impulses comprising: supplying an explosive gas mixture to a closed chamber having a flexible wall in contact with a body of water; detonating the explosive gas mixture within the chamber; after the outward flexing of the chamber wall has displaced the adjacent water, opening the chamber into a conduit; before the completion of the inward flexing of the chamber wall in response to the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid, opening the conduit into an evacuated container; supplying additional explosive gas mixture and closing the chamber at least as soon as substantially all of its volume is ocCupied by the explosive gas mixture; and closing the evacuated container and conduit before detonating the gas in the chamber.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for producing seismic impulses comprising: supplying an explosive gas mixture to a closed chamber having a flexible wall in contact with a body of water; detonating the explosive gas mixture within the chamber; after the outward flexing of the chamber wall has displaced the adjacent water, opening the chamber into a conduit; before the completion of the inward flexing of the chamber wall in response to the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid, opening the conduit into an evacuated container; supplying additional explosive gas mixture and closing the chamber at least as soon as substantially all of its volume is ocCupied by the explosive gas mixture; and closing the evacuated container and conduit before detonating the gas in the chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
221 words
A seismic source comprising: a closed chamber having flexible walls; a conduit means, said conduit means communicating with said closed chamber to introduce an explosive gas mixture therein; a detonating means, said detonating means being disposed to ignite the gas mixture in said closed chamber; an evacuation conduit, said evacuation conduit communicating with said chamber to exhaust the detonation products from said chamber; a flow control means, said flow control means being disposed to control the flow through said evacuation conduit; control means, said control means being operably coupled to said flow control means to open said flow control means to evacuate said chamber after the gas is detonated and close said flow control means at least as soon as substantially all of the chamber''s volume is refilled with said explosive gas; an exhaust conduit, said exhaust conduit communicating with said chamber and the atmosphere; a second flow control means, said second flow control means being disposed to control flow through said exhaust conduit; a second control means, said second control means being operably coupled to said second flow control means to open said second flow control means in response to the arrival of the pressure wave created by the detonation of the gas mixture and close it before the flexible wall of the chamber has expanded to its maximum size.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
221 words
A seismic source comprising: a closed chamber having flexible walls; a conduit means, said conduit means communicating with said closed chamber to introduce an explosive gas mixture therein; a detonating means, said detonating means being disposed to ignite the gas mixture in said closed chamber; an evacuation conduit, said evacuation conduit communicating with said chamber to exhaust the detonation products from said chamber; a flow control means, said flow control means being disposed to control the flow through said evacuation conduit; control means, said control means being operably coupled to said flow control means to open said flow control means to evacuate said chamber after the gas is detonated and close said flow control means at least as soon as substantially all of the chamber''s volume is refilled with said explosive gas; an exhaust conduit, said exhaust conduit communicating with said chamber and the atmosphere; a second flow control means, said second flow control means being disposed to control flow through said exhaust conduit; a second control means, said second control means being operably coupled to said second flow control means to open said second flow control means in response to the arrival of the pressure wave created by the detonation of the gas mixture and close it before the flexible wall of the chamber has expanded to its maximum size.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The seismic source of claim 1 wherein said chamber is an elongated chamber and said conduit means communicates with one end and said evacuation conduit communicates with the other end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
190 words
A seismic source comprising: a closed elongated chamber having flexible walls; a conduit means, said conduit means communicating with one end of said closed chamber to introduce an explosive gas mixture therein; a detonating means, said detonating means being disposed to ignite the gas mixture in said closed chamber; an evacuation conduit, said evacuation conduit communicating with the other end of said chamber to exhaust the detonation products from said chamber; a flow control means, said flow control means being disposed to control the flow through said evacuation conduit; and control means, said control means being operably coupled to said flow control means to open said flow control means to evacuate said chamber after the gas is detonated and close said flow control means at least as soon as substantially all of the chamber''s volume is refilled with said explosive gas, said control means comprising a power valve disposed to be operated by the arrival of the pressure wave created by the detonation of the explosive gas, and a vacuum valve said power valve being operably coupled to said vacuum valve to open said vacuum valve after a time delay.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
190 words
A seismic source comprising: a closed elongated chamber having flexible walls; a conduit means, said conduit means communicating with one end of said closed chamber to introduce an explosive gas mixture therein; a detonating means, said detonating means being disposed to ignite the gas mixture in said closed chamber; an evacuation conduit, said evacuation conduit communicating with the other end of said chamber to exhaust the detonation products from said chamber; a flow control means, said flow control means being disposed to control the flow through said evacuation conduit; and control means, said control means being operably coupled to said flow control means to open said flow control means to evacuate said chamber after the gas is detonated and close said flow control means at least as soon as substantially all of the chamber''s volume is refilled with said explosive gas, said control means comprising a power valve disposed to be operated by the arrival of the pressure wave created by the detonation of the explosive gas, and a vacuum valve said power valve being operably coupled to said vacuum valve to open said vacuum valve after a time delay.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a gas exploder seismic waVe source including a closed chamber having flexible walls, means to supply an explosive mixture to said chamber, means to detonate said explosive mixture, thereby producing gaseous detonation products, and means to vent the detonation products to atmosphere, the improvements comprising: vacuum operated exhaust means including an evacuated conduit coupled to said chamber to further exhaust said detonation products from said chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a gas exploder seismic waVe source including a closed chamber having flexible walls, means to supply an explosive mixture to said chamber, means to detonate said explosive mixture, thereby producing gaseous detonation products, and means to vent the detonation products to atmosphere, the improvements comprising: vacuum operated exhaust means including an evacuated conduit coupled to said chamber to further exhaust said detonation products from said chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
In a gas exploder seismic wave source including a closed chamber having flexible walls, means to supply an explosive mixture to said chamber and means to detonate said explosive mixture, thereby producing gaseous detonation products, the improvements comprising: vacuum operated exhause means coupled to said chamber to exhaust said detonation products from said chamber, said exhaust means including an evacuated container coupled to a vacuum source and a pressure responsive valve interposed between said chamber and said evacuated container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
79 words
In a gas exploder seismic wave source including a closed chamber having flexible walls, means to supply an explosive mixture to said chamber and means to detonate said explosive mixture, thereby producing gaseous detonation products, the improvements comprising: vacuum operated exhause means coupled to said chamber to exhaust said detonation products from said chamber, said exhaust means including an evacuated container coupled to a vacuum source and a pressure responsive valve interposed between said chamber and said evacuated container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
74 words
In a gas exploder seismic wave source inclUding a closed chamber having flexible walls, means to supply an explosive mixture to said chamber and means to detonate said explosive mixture, thereby producing gaseous detonation products, the improvements comprising: exhaust means coupled to said chamber to exhaust the major part of said detonation products from said chamber, and scavaging means including a vacuum conduit for removing the remainder of the detonation products from the chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
74 words
In a gas exploder seismic wave source inclUding a closed chamber having flexible walls, means to supply an explosive mixture to said chamber and means to detonate said explosive mixture, thereby producing gaseous detonation products, the improvements comprising: exhaust means coupled to said chamber to exhaust the major part of said detonation products from said chamber, and scavaging means including a vacuum conduit for removing the remainder of the detonation products from the chamber.
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) | 1975-04-25 | 1975-10-25 | 1976-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-25 | 1979-10-25 | 1980-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-25 | 1983-10-25 | 1984-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |