Gas exploder apparatus with suction release

Claim 2

In an apparatus for propagating a seismic wave at the surface of the earth by the explosion of a combustible mixture in a chamber having a rigid bottom and a rigid top resiliently fastened together to permit limited vertical movement therebetween, the improvement of resilient releasing means on said bottom for forming an expansible air space between said releasing means and said rigid bottom as the apparatus is removed from a semi-liquid surface.

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said releasing means comprises a resilient jacket attached to said rigid bottom and extending beneath said rigid bottom, said rigid bottom moving to enlarge the air space during vertical movement as the apparatus is removed from a semi-liquid surface.

Claim 4

Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said resilient jacket is formed of polyurethane.

Claim 5

Apparatus for propagating a seismic wave including means defining a closed chamber having a rigid bottom and rigid top including at least a portion telescoping into said bottom and forming a joint between said top and bottom at their sides having clearances therebetween; a resilient sealing ring disposed between said top and bottom on the inner side of said joint positioned against the clearances thereof to seal said chamber; fastening means for attaching said bottom to said top and permitting vertical movement between said bottom and said top including means for limiting said movement; means for charging said chamBer with an explosive gas; means for igniting said explosive gas within said chamber; means for exhausting said chamber; and resilient releasing means attached to said rigid bottom for forming an expansible air space between said releasing means and said rigid bottom as the apparatus is removed from a semi-liquid surface.

Claim 6

Apparatus for propagating a seismic wave including means defining a closed chamber having a rigid bottom and rigid top including at least a portion telescoping into said bottom and forming a joint between said top and bottom at their sides having clearances therebetween; a resilient sealing ring disposed between said top and bottom on the inner side of said joint positioned against the clearances thereof to seal said chamber; fastening means for attaching said bottom to said top and permitting vertical movement between said bottom and said top including means for limiting said movement; means for charging said chamBer with an explosive gas; means for igniting said explosive gas within said chamber; means for exhausting said chamber; and resilient releasing means attached to said rigid bottom for forming an expansible air space between said releasing means and said rigid bottom as the apparatus is removed from a semi-liquid surface.

Claim 7

Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said releasing means comprises a resilient jacket attached to said rigid bottom, said rigid bottom moving to enlarge the air space during vertical movement as the apparatus is removed from a semi-liquid surface.

Claim 8

Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which said resilient jacket is formed of polyurethane.

Claim 9

Apparatus for propagating a seismic wave including means defining a closed chamber having a rigid bottom and rigid top including at least a portion telescoping into said bottom and forming a joint between said top and bottom at their sides having clearances therebetween; a resilient sealing ring disposed between said top and bottom on the inner side of said joint positioned against the clearances thereof to seal said chamber; a first annular member secured to said bottom outwardly of the top and extending above the top; a second annular member secured to and extending above said top; said first and second annular members being arranged to slidingly and sealingly engage each other above said top and to form therebetween an air cushion; means for supplying air to said air cushion; resilient releasing means secured to the junction of the bottom and the first annular member and extending downwardly alongside and under the bottom to define an extensible air space, said bottom moving to enlarge said air space during vertical movement of the apparatus is removed from a semi-liquid medium, gas charging means including conduit means providing external communication to said chamber adapted to provide a combustible mixture in said chamber, ignition means for the combustible mixture, and exhaust means including means defining an opening in said top adapted to provide external communication from the atmosphere to said chamber and normally closed valve means positioned in said opening to close said communication therethrough and operable upon a predetermined increase in pressure in said chamber to open thereby communicating said chamber with the exterior of said device.

Claim 10

Apparatus for propagating a seismic wave including means defining a closed chamber having a rigid bottom and rigid top including at least a portion telescoping into said bottom and forming a joint between said top and bottom at their sides having clearances therebetween; a resilient sealing ring disposed between said top and bottom on the inner side of said joint positioned against the clearances thereof to seal said chamber; a first annular member secured to said bottom outwardly of the top and extending above the top; a second annular member secured to and extending above said top; said first and second annular members being arranged to slidingly and sealingly engage each other above said top and to form therebetween an air cushion; means for supplying air to said air cushion; resilient releasing means secured to the junction of the bottom and the first annular member and extending downwardly alongside and under the bottom to define an extensible air space, said bottom moving to enlarge said air space during vertical movement of the apparatus is removed from a semi-liquid medium, gas charging means including conduit means providing external communication to said chamber adapted to provide a combustible mixture in said chamber, ignition means for the combustible mixture, and exhaust means including means defining an opening in said top adapted to provide external communication from the atmosphere to said chamber and normally closed valve means positioned in said opening to close said communication therethrough and operable upon a predetermined increase in pressure in said chamber to open thereby communicating said chamber with the exterior of said device.