Abstract A vibratory source of seismic energy comprises a base plate for contacting the earth driven by a hydraulically actuated piston connected to the base plate by a connecting rod. The piston cylinder has connected thereto a reaction mass of sufficient weight to remain substantially motionless when the piston is driving the base plate. The cylinder is aligned on the base plate by a structure including an annular flange extending into an annular bearing in the base plate, and an air spring for normally suspending the moveable bearing above the bottom of the annular bearing. A plurality of approximately vertically extending posts are connected to the base plate by air springs at one end of the posts. The other ends of the posts are connected to a ball joint housing means. A vertically extending shaft having a ball at one end for extending into the ball joint housing is provided for the purpose of lifting the vibrator and for applying vertical forces to the plate for holding the plate against the ground during vibratory movement thereof.
Apparatus for producing vibratory seismic energy in the earth, comprising: an earth coupling plate; means for imparting vibratory motion to said plate including power piston means, power cylinder means for said piston, and connecting rod means connecting said piston to said plate; annular sleeve bearing means in said plate surrounding said rod means; annular movable bearing means around said rod means connected to said cylinder means and extending into said annular sleeve bearing means; and elastic means of low compliance connected to said plate and to said cylinder means or said movable bearing means for supporting said cylinder means on said plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus for producing vibratory seismic energy in the earth, comprising: an earth coupling plate; means for imparting vibratory motion to said plate including power piston means, power cylinder means for said piston, and connecting rod means connecting said piston to said plate; annular sleeve bearing means in said plate surrounding said rod means; annular movable bearing means around said rod means connected to said cylinder means and extending into said annular sleeve bearing means; and elastic means of low compliance connected to said plate and to said cylinder means or said movable bearing means for supporting said cylinder means on said plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elastic means comprises air spring means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including: a pluralIty of upwardly extending posts, each connected at one end to said plate; ball joint housing means connected to the other end of each of said upwardly extending posts; upwardly extending shaft means terminating in a ball at its lower end for fitting into said ball joint housing means; and annular bearing means surrounding said shaft means for positioning said shaft means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said upwardly extending posts are connected to said plate by elastic means having low compliance to reduce vibration of said posts upon vibration of said plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said elastic means are air spring means.