US3919684A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater seismic source and method
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1974-01-03
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1994-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A torpedo-shaped underwater seismic gun adapted to deliver an acoustic pulse to a submarine earth surface consists of an aft main body section and a separable forward nose section supported beneath a float in a submerged position in any desired offshore location. An axial connecting rod joins the nose section to a piston slidable within a sealed cylindrical bore extending partially along the main body section, both sections being free of external constraints on relative longitudinal movement thereof other than the resistance of the water. An air spring in the cylindrical bore behind the piston urges the main body section and the nose section together to form an interface between respective transverse external surfaces thereof. Ignition of an explosive gas mixture in front of the piston in the cylindrical bore drives the piston and the main body section in opposite directions to separate these two sections rapidly, thereby creating a low pressure bubble of condensable water vapor between the two external surfaces. Implosion of this bubble responsive to hydrostatic pressure generates a singular seismic pulse having a peak pressure on the order of 104 atmospheres.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale H Reed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/38; G01V1/02; G01V1/133; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A90/00; Y02A90/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
Apparatus for imparting a seismic pulse to a submarine surface of the earth comprising: a. a first and a second enclosed tubular member supported beneath the surface of a body of water in axially aligned adjacent end-to-end relation, each of said first and second tubular members having a sealed cylindrical bore therein; b. a pair of pistons slidably movable within said cylindrical bores respectively; c. a rod extending axially between said first and second tubular members and within said cylindrical bores to interconnect said pair of pistons; d. air spring means behind said pistons within said cylindrical bores adapted to urge said pistons relative to said cylindrical bores so as to bias said first and second tubular members together; and e. explosive gas means within said cylindrical bores in front of said pistons adapted to urge said first and second tubular member apart in opposition to said air spring means so as to rapidly separate the facing ends of said first and second tubular members and create a low pressure condensable vapor bubble therebetween in said body of water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
Apparatus for imparting a seismic pulse to a submarine surface of the earth comprising: a. a first and a second enclosed tubular member supported beneath the surface of a body of water in axially aligned adjacent end-to-end relation, each of said first and second tubular members having a sealed cylindrical bore therein; b. a pair of pistons slidably movable within said cylindrical bores respectively; c. a rod extending axially between said first and second tubular members and within said cylindrical bores to interconnect said pair of pistons; d. air spring means behind said pistons within said cylindrical bores adapted to urge said pistons relative to said cylindrical bores so as to bias said first and second tubular members together; and e. explosive gas means within said cylindrical bores in front of said pistons adapted to urge said first and second tubular member apart in opposition to said air spring means so as to rapidly separate the facing ends of said first and second tubular members and create a low pressure condensable vapor bubble therebetween in said body of water.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of imparting a seismic pulse to a submarine earth surface comprising the steps of: a. urging together in end-to-end relation two slidably interconnected tubular members submerged in a body of water so that an interface is established between two respective transverse facing surfaces thererof, each of said tubular members being provided respectively with a sealed cylindrical bore, a pair of pistons being mounted at the respective extremities of a rod extending axially between said cylindrical bores and adapted to move slidably within said respective bores, said step of urging said tubular members together cOmprising introducing air spring means behind each of said pistons within said respective cylindrical bores; and b. thereafter forcing said members explosively apart by igniting an explosive gas mixture in front of each of said pistons approximately simultaneously to rapidly separate said facing surfaces by a predetermined distance, thereby creating a cavitation bubble of condensable gas vapor in said body of water between said facing surfaces adapted to implode to yield said seismic pulse.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of imparting a seismic pulse to a submarine earth surface comprising the steps of: a. urging together in end-to-end relation two slidably interconnected tubular members submerged in a body of water so that an interface is established between two respective transverse facing surfaces thererof, each of said tubular members being provided respectively with a sealed cylindrical bore, a pair of pistons being mounted at the respective extremities of a rod extending axially between said cylindrical bores and adapted to move slidably within said respective bores, said step of urging said tubular members together cOmprising introducing air spring means behind each of said pistons within said respective cylindrical bores; and b. thereafter forcing said members explosively apart by igniting an explosive gas mixture in front of each of said pistons approximately simultaneously to rapidly separate said facing surfaces by a predetermined distance, thereby creating a cavitation bubble of condensable gas vapor in said body of water between said facing surfaces adapted to implode to yield said seismic pulse.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |