US3896898A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High frequency seismic source using compressed air
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1973-06-06
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Granted: 1975-07-29
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Expires: 1993-06-06
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a seismic source using compressed gas such as air as the source of energy. The compressed gas is stored in a reservoir and is quickly released into a multiplicity of elongated conduits extending from the reservoir to beneath the surface of a liquid medium such as the ocean. The exhausts or open ends of the tubes are arranged in an areal pattern. The diameter of the tubes preferably is between 0.5 and 5.0 centimeters and the length of the tubes or conduits is between 0.5 and 5.0 meters. Preferably, the tubes are of the same length so that the compressed air is released into the liquid medium concomitantly from all of the conduits.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Andrew Kirby
- 👤 Joseph Frank Bayhi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/02; G01V1/133; G01V1/137
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A system for producing seismic energy in a liquid medium including means for compressing gas in a reservoir to a high pressure and valve means for quickly releasing the gas from the reservoir into said liquid medium, the improvement comprising a plurality of elongated conduit means of substantially equal length connected to a common valve means for conducting pressurized gas from said common valve means into said liquid medium and wherein the inner diameters of the plurality of conduit means are of a plurality of different magnitudes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A system for producing seismic energy in a liquid medium including means for compressing gas in a reservoir to a high pressure and valve means for quickly releasing the gas from the reservoir into said liquid medium, the improvement comprising a plurality of elongated conduit means of substantially equal length connected to a common valve means for conducting pressurized gas from said common valve means into said liquid medium and wherein the inner diameters of the plurality of conduit means are of a plurality of different magnitudes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inner diameters of the conduit means are between 0.5 and 5.0 centimeters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the exhaust ends of said conduit means are areally disposed beneath the surface of the liquid medium.
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) | 1978-07-28 | 1979-01-27 | 1979-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-28 | 1983-01-27 | 1983-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-28 | 1987-01-27 | 1987-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |