Seismic pneumatic energy source with bubble eliminator and signal oscillation attenuator

Claim 2

For a seismic energy source means for generating an initial desired acoustical signal pulse, an attenuator of subsequent signal pulsation or oscillation comprising, a. first chamber means having a cylindrical flexible wall means overlying an inner cylindrical fixed wall means for forming an annular chamber around said inner cylindrical fixed wall means for receiving expanding gas from said seismic energy source means for being inflated, and b. second chamber means having a cylindrical fixed wall means integral with said inner cylindrical fixed wall means of said first chamber means for receiving said expanding gas from said first chamber means for attenuating subsequent signal pulsation or oscillation.

Claim 3

An attenuator as recited in claim 1 wherein, a. said first and second chamber means are responsive to said flexible wall means for attenuating subsequent signal pulsation following said initial acoustical signal pulse.

Claim 4

An attenuator as recited in claim 1 when operated underwater wherein, a. said first and second chamber means are responsive to said flexible wall means for preventing a free oscillating, pulsating bubble to form in the water by containing all of the expelled gas from the seismic energy source means.

Claim 5

An attenuator as recited in claim 1 wherein, a. said first chamber means is responsive to said expanding gas from said seismic energy source means for radiating the initial desired acoustical signal pulse, and b. both said interconnected chamber means being responsive to the flow of the expanding gas therethrough for attenuating subsequent signal pulsation.

Claim 6

An attenuator as recited in claim 1 wherein, a. said seismic energy source means is an air gun for generating the initial desired acoustical signal pulse.

Claim 7

An attenuator as recited in claim 1 wherein, a. said first chamber means comprises an annulus around at least a portion of said seismic energy source means.

Claim 8

An attenuator as recited in claim 1 wherein, a. said second chamber means has a vent passage to the atmosphere for lowering the air pressure in both chambers to approach atmospheric pressure for additional attenuation of the initial signal pulsation or oscillation.

Claim 9

An attenuator as recited in claim 1 wherein, a. said second chamber means comprises an elongated cylindrical portion, and b. said first chamber means comprises an annular chamber around said cylindrical portion, and c. passage means interconnecting said two chamber means.

Claim 10

An attenuator as recited in claim 1 wherein, a. said first chamber means has a passage in an aft wall thereof for expelling the expanding gas rearwardly to a substantial portion of the second chamber means.

Claim 11

An attenuator as recited in claim 1 wherein, a. said first chamber means inner cylindrical fixed wall means being opposite to said cylindrical flexible wall means, and b. a passage in said inner cylindrical fixed wall means for expelling the expanding gas from said first chamber means to said second chamber means.

Claim 12

An attenuator of signal pulsation for a seismic pneumatic air gun for generating an initial desired acoustical signal pulse comprising, a. an annular chamber having an outer cylindrical flexible wall connected to said air gun and an inner cylindrical fixed wall connected to the air gun for forming an annular chamber around said inner cylindrical fixed wall for receiving expanding air from said air gun for being inflated, b. a second chamber having a cylindrical fixed wall integral with said inner cylindrical fixed wall of said first chamber and having a forward portion and an aft portion, and c. passage means interconnecting said two chambers for permitting the expanding air to pass from said first chamber into said second chamber for attenuating subsequent signal pulsation following said initial acoustical signal pulse generated by the air gun.

Claim 13

An attenuator of signal pulsation for a seismic pneumatic air gun for generating an initial desired acoustical signal pulse comprising, a. an annular chamber having an outer cylindrical flexible wall connected to said air gun and an inner cylindrical fixed wall connected to the air gun for forming an annular chamber around said inner cylindrical fixed wall for receiving expanding air from said air gun for being inflated, b. a second chamber having a cylindrical fixed wall integral with said inner cylindrical fixed wall of said first chamber and having a forward portion and an aft portion, and c. passage means interconnecting said two chambers for permitting the expanding air to pass from said first chamber into said second chamber for attenuating subsequent signal pulsation following said initial acoustical signal pulse generated by the air gun.

Claim 14

An attenuator as recited in claim 11 wherein, a. said passage means comprises a plurality of openings between said two chambers to ensure easy passage of expanding air therebetween.

Claim 15

An attenuator as recited in claim 11 wherein, a. said passage means is responsive to the expanding air from said first chamber for passing air therefrom into said second chamber aft portion whence the air passes to said second chamber forward portion for attenuating subsequent signal pulsation.

Claim 16

An attenuation as recited in claim 11, wherein, a. said passage means is responsive to the expanding air from said first chamber for passing air therefrom into said second chamber forward portion whence the air passes to said second chamber aft portion for attenuating subsequent signal pulsation.

Claim 17

An attenuator as recited in claim 11 wherein, a. said first chamber has a passage in an aft wall thereof for expelling the expanding air aft to said second chamber aft portion.

Claim 18

An attenuator as recited in claim 11 wherein, a. a plurality of passages are formed between said first chamber inner cylindrical fixed wall and said second chamber forward portion for expelling the expanding air from said first chamber to said second chamber.

Claim 19

An attenuator as recited in claim 11 wherein, a. said second chamber has a vent passage to the atmosphere for lowering the air pressure in both chambers towards atmospheric pressure.

Claim 20

An energy source means comprising, a. an energy source for generating an initial desired acoustical signal pulse, b. first chamber means having a flexible wall means overlying an inner fixed wall means for forming an annular chamber around said fixed wall means for receiving expanding gas from said energy source for being inflated, and c. second chamber means having a fixed wall means integral with said first chamber means inner fixed wall means for receiving said expanding gas from said first chamber means for attenuating subsequent signal secondary oscillation.

Claim 21

An energy source means comprising, a. an energy source for generating an initial desired acoustical signal pulse, b. first chamber means having a flexible wall means overlying an inner fixed wall means for forming an annular chamber around said fixed wall means for receiving expanding gas from said energy source for being inflated, and c. second chamber means having a fixed wall means integral with said first chamber means inner fixed wall means for receiving said expanding gas from said first chamber means for attenuating subsequent signal secondary oscillation.

Claim 22

An energy source means as recited in claim 18 wherein, a. said second chamber means has a vent passage to the atmosphere for lowering the gas pressure in the chamber means to approach atmospheric pressure.