Compressed gas seismic energy generator

Claim 2

In a compressed gas type of seismic energy generator, in combination with a high pressure chamber for containing an energy pulse charge a piston for closing one end of said chamber, and an auxiliary chamber for holding high pressure gas to apply a greater force to said piston, while it contains the energy pulse charge, the improvement comprising means for instantaneously discharging said energy pulse charge without creating substantial secondary bubble pulse generation, said means for discharging said energy pulse comprising outlet port means connected to said high-pressure chamber and having a large ratio of lateral-to-longitudinal dimensions for forming a sharp-edged discharge pattern, an auxiliary piston, and means associated with said auxiliary piston for actuating said first-named piston to hold and release said energy pulse charge.

Claim 3

In a seismic generator according to claim 1, said discharging means also comprising: exhaust chamber means connected to said auxiliary chamber when said auxiliary piston is in the released position, and check valve means for preventing fluid flow-back from the exterior of said generator into said exhaust chamber means.

Claim 4

The invention according to claim 2, wherein said exhaust chamber means has a volume at least equal to the volume of said auxiliary chamber.

Claim 5

The invention according to claim 2, further comprising: a control chamber for holding high-pressure gas to apply a greater force to said auxiliary piston when it is holding said auxiliary chamber closed, and valve means for alternatively connecting a high-pressure gas line to said control chamber or shutting off said high-pressure gas line while simultaneously connecting said control chamber to exhaust.

Claim 6

The invention according to claim 4, wherein said exhaust chamber means has a volume at least equal to the volume of said auxiliary chamber.

Claim 7

The invention according to claim 2, wherein said auxiliary piston is constructed of relatively light material.

Claim 8

The invention according to claim 3, wherein said auxiliary piston is constructed of a relative-ly light material.

Claim 9

The invention according to claim 5, wherein saId auxiliary piston is constructed of a relative-ly light material.

Claim 10

A seismc energy generator adapted for use in a body of water conprising in combination, a first chamber for containing a charge of high-pressure gas, a first piston for closing an end wall of said first chamber, a relatively small cross-section area passage for charging said first chamber, a discharge port located at said piston end wall of said first chamber, said discharge port having a flattened cross-sectional area with a ratio of major-to-minor axes exceeding three to one, an auxiliary chamber located at the other end of said first piston, said auxiliary chamber having an effective area in contact with said first piston greater than the area of said end wall, means for filling said auxiliary chamber with said high-pressure gas, and auxiliary piston means for closing said auxiliary chamber when in one position, and for connecting said auxiliary chamber to an exhaust chamber when in another position.

Claim 11

A seismc energy generator adapted for use in a body of water conprising in combination, a first chamber for containing a charge of high-pressure gas, a first piston for closing an end wall of said first chamber, a relatively small cross-section area passage for charging said first chamber, a discharge port located at said piston end wall of said first chamber, said discharge port having a flattened cross-sectional area with a ratio of major-to-minor axes exceeding three to one, an auxiliary chamber located at the other end of said first piston, said auxiliary chamber having an effective area in contact with said first piston greater than the area of said end wall, means for filling said auxiliary chamber with said high-pressure gas, and auxiliary piston means for closing said auxiliary chamber when in one position, and for connecting said auxiliary chamber to an exhaust chamber when in another position.

Claim 12

A seismic energy generator according to claim 9, wherein said exhaust chamber has a volume at least equal to the volume of said auxiliary chamber.

Claim 13

A seismic energy generator according to claim 10, further comprising: check valve means for preventing entry of water into said exhaust chamber.

Claim 14

A seismic energy generator according to claim 11, further comprising: a restricted passage for permitting filling of said auxiliary chamber with said high-pressure gas after said auxiliary piston has closed said auxiliary chamber, and three-way valve means for controlling acutation of said auxiliary piston means from one position to the other.

Claim 15

A seismic energy generator according to claim 12, wherein said auxiliary piston means is constructed of a relatively light material, and said three-way valve means comprises a solenoid-actuated plunger for alternatively connecting said high-pressure gas to one side of said auxiliary piston means or cutting off said high-pressure gas, and connecting said one side of auxiliary piston means to exhaust.

Claim 16

A seismic energy generator adapted for use in a body of water, comprising in combination a first chamber for containing a predetermined volume charge of high-pressure gas, a first floating piston, means for mounting said first piston for longitudinal movement from one position for closing an end wall of said first chamber to another position, a relatively small cross-section area passage for charging said first chamber, a plurality of discharge ports located at said piston end wall and connected to said first chamber when said first piston is in said other position, said ports being narrow slits with a circumferential-to-axis ratio of at least three to one, an auxiliary chamber located at the other end of said first floating piston, the effective area of said floating piston at said auxiliary chamber end being greater than the effective area at said first chamber end, means for filling said auxiliary chamber with said high-pressure gas including a restricted passage, an auxiliary floating piston constructed of a relatively light metal, means for mounting said auxiliary piston for longitudinal movement from one position for closing said auxiliary chamber to another position, a plurality of exhaust chambers adjacent to said auxiliary piston and connected to said auxiliary chamber when said auxiliary piston is in said other position, said exhaust chambers having a total volume greater than the volume of said auxiliary chamber, a plurality of check valves for preventing entry of water into said exhaust chambers, a solenoid-actuated three-way valve, and means for connecting said valve to alternatively control application of said high-pressure gas to one side of said auxiliary piston or cutting offsaid application off said connecting said one side of the auxiliary piston to exhaust.

Claim 17

A seismic energy generator adapted for use in a body of water, comprising in combination a first chamber for containing a predetermined volume charge of high-pressure gas, a first floating piston, means for mounting said first piston for longitudinal movement from one position for closing an end wall of said first chamber to another position, a relatively small cross-section area passage for charging said first chamber, a plurality of discharge ports located at said piston end wall and connected to said first chamber when said first piston is in said other position, said ports being narrow slits with a circumferential-to-axis ratio of at least three to one, an auxiliary chamber located at the other end of said first floating piston, the effective area of said floating piston at said auxiliary chamber end being greater than the effective area at said first chamber end, means for filling said auxiliary chamber with said high-pressure gas including a restricted passage, an auxiliary floating piston constructed of a relatively light metal, means for mounting said auxiliary piston for longitudinal movement from one position for closing said auxiliary chamber to another position, a plurality of exhaust chambers adjacent to said auxiliary piston and connected to said auxiliary chamber when said auxiliary piston is in said other position, said exhaust chambers having a total volume greater than the volume of said auxiliary chamber, a plurality of check valves for preventing entry of water into said exhaust chambers, a solenoid-actuated three-way valve, and means for connecting said valve to alternatively control application of said high-pressure gas to one side of said auxiliary piston or cutting offsaid application off said connecting said one side of the auxiliary piston to exhaust.