US3919685A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Seismic data acquisition system and method
Assignee: AMF GEO SPACE Corp A CORP OF TEXAS
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Filing: 1973-11-26
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1993-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A controlled gain amplification system adapted for use in a seismic data acquisition system including controllable input and output gates, a plurality of cascaded operational amplifiers, a vernier amplifier having several selectable predetermined gains for amplifying analog signals received from any one of the cascaded operational amplifiers to produce an output analog signal having an amplitude within a predetermined amplitude range, a reset amplifier for clamping the cascaded operational amplifier outputs to a stabilizing voltage level removing spurious signals from the output analog signal, a comparator and a control means for controlling in response to the comparator the transmission of the analog signal between the components forming the controlled gain amplifier, concurrently selecting the gain of the vernier amplifier and enabling the reset amplifier to clamp the each operational amplifier output to a selected voltage level is shown.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry K Haill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:57
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03G; H03G3/00; H03G3/20; H03G3/30; H03G3/3005; H03G3/3026; G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/24; G01V1/245
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
450 words
A controlled gain amplification system for producing an output signal within a predetermined amplitude range in response to input signals having amplitudes which vary over a known amplitude range greater and less than the predetermined amplitude range comprising input gating means; means for applying input signals to said input gating means; a plurality of operational amplifiers each having an input, an output and a preselected gain, said operational amplifiers being electrically connected in series circuit relationship with the input of the first operational amplifier in the series circuit relationship connected to the input gating means and being adapted to receive the input signals therefrom, each of said operational amplifier having at its output an amplified signal, the amplitude of which is determined by the amplitude of the signal applied to the input thereof times the preselected gain thereof; output gating means electrically connected to the output of each operational amplifier for controlling the transmission of the amplified signal therefrom to at least one of a common output terminal and the input of the next series connected operational amplifiers; a vernier amplifier having an input, an output and a plurality of selectable predetermined gains, the input of the vernier amplifier being electrically connected to the common output terminal and adapted to have an amplified signal from any one of the series connected operational amplifiers applied thereto by the output gating means as an input signal to the vernier amplifier and for producing an output signal therefrom having an amplitude within the predetermined amplitude range; a reset amplifier having an input and an output with feedback network connected thereacross and the output electrically connected to said output gating means for selectively clamping and driving the output of each operational amplifier to a stabilizing voltage level determined by reset amplifier gains; a comparator having a reference input and a signal input with the signal input electrically connected to the output of the vernier amplifier; and control means electrically connected to the vernier amplifier and to the comparator for enabling the input gating means and the output gating means for transmitting an amplified signal between the operational amplifiers and the common output terminal in response to a difference signal generated by the comparator from the reference signal and the output signal from the vernier amplifier and for controllably setting the gain of the vernier amplifier at one of the predetermined gains to produce an output signal therefrom within the predetermined amplitude range, the control means being adapted to enable the output gating means to selectively clamp at least one of the outputs from the operational amplifiers at the stabilizing voltage source removing spurious signals from the clamped operational amplifier output and common output terminal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
450 words
A controlled gain amplification system for producing an output signal within a predetermined amplitude range in response to input signals having amplitudes which vary over a known amplitude range greater and less than the predetermined amplitude range comprising input gating means; means for applying input signals to said input gating means; a plurality of operational amplifiers each having an input, an output and a preselected gain, said operational amplifiers being electrically connected in series circuit relationship with the input of the first operational amplifier in the series circuit relationship connected to the input gating means and being adapted to receive the input signals therefrom, each of said operational amplifier having at its output an amplified signal, the amplitude of which is determined by the amplitude of the signal applied to the input thereof times the preselected gain thereof; output gating means electrically connected to the output of each operational amplifier for controlling the transmission of the amplified signal therefrom to at least one of a common output terminal and the input of the next series connected operational amplifiers; a vernier amplifier having an input, an output and a plurality of selectable predetermined gains, the input of the vernier amplifier being electrically connected to the common output terminal and adapted to have an amplified signal from any one of the series connected operational amplifiers applied thereto by the output gating means as an input signal to the vernier amplifier and for producing an output signal therefrom having an amplitude within the predetermined amplitude range; a reset amplifier having an input and an output with feedback network connected thereacross and the output electrically connected to said output gating means for selectively clamping and driving the output of each operational amplifier to a stabilizing voltage level determined by reset amplifier gains; a comparator having a reference input and a signal input with the signal input electrically connected to the output of the vernier amplifier; and control means electrically connected to the vernier amplifier and to the comparator for enabling the input gating means and the output gating means for transmitting an amplified signal between the operational amplifiers and the common output terminal in response to a difference signal generated by the comparator from the reference signal and the output signal from the vernier amplifier and for controllably setting the gain of the vernier amplifier at one of the predetermined gains to produce an output signal therefrom within the predetermined amplitude range, the control means being adapted to enable the output gating means to selectively clamp at least one of the outputs from the operational amplifiers at the stabilizing voltage source removing spurious signals from the clamped operational amplifier output and common output terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The controlled gain amplification system of claim 1 wherein there are four series connected operational amplifiers wherein the gain of the first series connected operational amplifier is 20 and the gain of each of the other operational amplifier is 24.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The controlled gain amplification system of claim 2 wherein the vernier amplifier selectable predetermined gains are 20, 21, 22, 23.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The contRolled gain amplification system of claim 3 wherein the reset amplifier gain is 20.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The controlled gain amplification system of claim 3 wherein the reference voltage to the comparator is one of a positive reference voltage or a negative reference voltage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The controlled gain amplification system of claim 5 wherein said reference voltage level is reduced by a predetermined voltage differential when the amplitude of the amplified signals exceeds a threshold voltage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
285 words
A seismic data acquisition system comprising in combination means for detecting seismic energy in the earth and producing a plurality of analog signals in response thereto, said analog signals each having an amplitude and frequency within a known amplitude and frequency range; means operatively coupled to the detecting means for multiplexing the analog signals; a controlled gain amplifier operatively coupled to said multiplexing means for receiving and amplifying the analog signal applied thereto from said multiplexing means with a selected amplification obtained from a plurality of series connected operational amplifiers to produce an output analog signal having an amplitude within a predetermined amplitude range, said controlled gain amplifier having a reset amplifier having an input and an output; a feedback network electrically connected across the input and output of said reset amplifier; and means electrically connected between the output of the reset amplifier and each of the operational amplifiers for clamping prior to the controlled gain amplifier receiving an analog signal, each of the operational amplifiers to the voltage level determined by the gain of the reset amplifier to remove spurious signals therefrom eliminating spurious signals from said output analog signal; means operatively connected to the controlled gain amplifier for converting the output analog signal to a digital data signal representing the seismic information in the output analog signal; means operatively connected to the controlled gain amplifier for generating a digital control signal representing the amplification of the analog signal by the controlled gain amplifier; and means operatively connected to the analog to digital converting means and to the digital control signal generating means for storing the digital data signals and the digital control signals as the acquired seismic data derived from the seismic energy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
285 words
A seismic data acquisition system comprising in combination means for detecting seismic energy in the earth and producing a plurality of analog signals in response thereto, said analog signals each having an amplitude and frequency within a known amplitude and frequency range; means operatively coupled to the detecting means for multiplexing the analog signals; a controlled gain amplifier operatively coupled to said multiplexing means for receiving and amplifying the analog signal applied thereto from said multiplexing means with a selected amplification obtained from a plurality of series connected operational amplifiers to produce an output analog signal having an amplitude within a predetermined amplitude range, said controlled gain amplifier having a reset amplifier having an input and an output; a feedback network electrically connected across the input and output of said reset amplifier; and means electrically connected between the output of the reset amplifier and each of the operational amplifiers for clamping prior to the controlled gain amplifier receiving an analog signal, each of the operational amplifiers to the voltage level determined by the gain of the reset amplifier to remove spurious signals therefrom eliminating spurious signals from said output analog signal; means operatively connected to the controlled gain amplifier for converting the output analog signal to a digital data signal representing the seismic information in the output analog signal; means operatively connected to the controlled gain amplifier for generating a digital control signal representing the amplification of the analog signal by the controlled gain amplifier; and means operatively connected to the analog to digital converting means and to the digital control signal generating means for storing the digital data signals and the digital control signals as the acquired seismic data derived from the seismic energy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
103 words
The seismic data acquisition system of claim 7 further comprising digital signal control means for transferring said digital data signals and said digital control signals from said digital to analog converting means and said control means; floating point processing means electrically connected to said digital signal control means to receive said digital data signals and said digital information signals; and computing means including a central processor and memory means electrically connected to said digital signal control means, said floating point processing means and said storing means for retrieving, processing and controlling transferring of the digital data signals and the digital control signals therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The seismic data acquisition system of claim 8 further comprising input/output terminal means electrically connected to said digital control means and said computing means for enabling an operator to enter data and control information thereto and to receive the same therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The seismic data acquisition system of claim 9 further comprising printing means electrically connected to said digital signal control means and said computing means to produce graphic indicia representing said digital data signals and digital control signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
The seismic data acquisition system of claim 10 further comprising
Claim 14
Independent Claim
392 words
The method of acquiring seismic data comprising the steps of detecting seismic energy in the earth and producing in response thereto a plurality of analog signals eAch having an amplitude which is within a known amplitude range; multiplexing said analog signals; and gating said multiplexed analog signal to a controlled gain amplifier capable of amplifying the analog signal with a programmable amplification to produce an output analog signal having an amplitude within a predetermined amplitude range which is less than said known amplitude range; amplifying said analog signal with at least a first of a plurality of series connected operational amplifiers to produce an amplified analog signal; controlling transmission of the amplified analog signal within the controlled gain amplifier with an output gating means to one of the operational amplifier next in said series circuit relationship and to a vernier amplifier having a plurality of predetermined gains and capable of being set at one of said predetermined gains by a control signal; comparing the amplified analog signal from each operational amplifier prior to transmission thereof with a reference signal to produce the control signal to program the amplification required to produce an output analog signal having an amplitude within the predetermined range; enabling the output gating means with the control signal to control transmission of the amplified analog signal to said one of the next operational amplifier in said series circuit relationship and said vernier amplifier; setting the gain of said vernier amplifier at one of said predetermined gains in response to said control signal to produce an output analog signal therefrom amplified by at least one of the operational amplifiers and having an amplitude within the predetermined amplitude range; clamping each operational amplifier in a predetermined sequence, prior to the controlled gain amplifier receiving an analog signal, with the output gating means to a reset amplifier having a feedback network for removing spurious signals from the clamped operational amplifier; converting the output analog signal to a digital data signal representing the seismic information in the output analog signal; generating a digital control signal representing the programmed amplification of the analog signal by the controlled gain amplifier in producing the output analog signal having an amplitude within said predetermined amplitude range; and storing the digital data signals and the digital control signals as the acquired seismic data derived from the seismic energy.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
392 words
The method of acquiring seismic data comprising the steps of detecting seismic energy in the earth and producing in response thereto a plurality of analog signals eAch having an amplitude which is within a known amplitude range; multiplexing said analog signals; and gating said multiplexed analog signal to a controlled gain amplifier capable of amplifying the analog signal with a programmable amplification to produce an output analog signal having an amplitude within a predetermined amplitude range which is less than said known amplitude range; amplifying said analog signal with at least a first of a plurality of series connected operational amplifiers to produce an amplified analog signal; controlling transmission of the amplified analog signal within the controlled gain amplifier with an output gating means to one of the operational amplifier next in said series circuit relationship and to a vernier amplifier having a plurality of predetermined gains and capable of being set at one of said predetermined gains by a control signal; comparing the amplified analog signal from each operational amplifier prior to transmission thereof with a reference signal to produce the control signal to program the amplification required to produce an output analog signal having an amplitude within the predetermined range; enabling the output gating means with the control signal to control transmission of the amplified analog signal to said one of the next operational amplifier in said series circuit relationship and said vernier amplifier; setting the gain of said vernier amplifier at one of said predetermined gains in response to said control signal to produce an output analog signal therefrom amplified by at least one of the operational amplifiers and having an amplitude within the predetermined amplitude range; clamping each operational amplifier in a predetermined sequence, prior to the controlled gain amplifier receiving an analog signal, with the output gating means to a reset amplifier having a feedback network for removing spurious signals from the clamped operational amplifier; converting the output analog signal to a digital data signal representing the seismic information in the output analog signal; generating a digital control signal representing the programmed amplification of the analog signal by the controlled gain amplifier in producing the output analog signal having an amplitude within said predetermined amplitude range; and storing the digital data signals and the digital control signals as the acquired seismic data derived from the seismic energy.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of processing the digital data signals and the digital control signals with a floating point processor; and producing a graphic indicia of the processed digital data signals and the digital control signals derived from the seismic data representing the detected seismic energy in the earth.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of directly receiving detected analog signals as reference signals; and processing and storing said reference analog signals as digital data signals together with digital control signals.
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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 |