Patent US3929206A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3929206A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Servo hydraulic transducer and method of operation
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1973-04-30
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1993-04-30
Abstract
Abstract An improved servo hydraulic transducer and method of operating is disclosed. The transducer includes a vibrator and hydraulic lifts connected to an improved hydraulic system. The hydraulic system includes a pump pumping hydraulic fluid at a rate between the maximum average and minimum average from a source thereof into a manifold and high pressure system for a frequency sweep of the vibrator. The high pressure system supplies the hydraulic fluid required by the vibrator in addition to that supplied by the pump during the low frequencies of the sweep, and stores under pressure hydraulic fluid excessive to the vibrator requirements during the high frequencies of the sweep and slack time between sweeps. The hydraulic lifts include a chain and sprocket arrangement for each lift interconnected by a synchronization shaft. An unequal force on one of the hydraulic lifts produces through its chain and sprocket arrangement a moment on the synchronization shaft which is transferred through the chain and sprocket arrangement of the other lift to equalize the bearing force between the hydraulic lifts.
Inventors
- 👤 John W Bedenbender
- 👤 Gilbert H Kelly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/02; G01V1/04; G01V1/09; G01V1/143; G01V1/155
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
A transportable hydraulic seismic transducer comprising: a. a transport means for transporting hydraulic seismic transducer; b. a vibrator means attached to the transport means, for producing mechanical vibrations; c. a pad rigidly secured to the vibrator for generating acoustical energy in the earth responsively to the vibrations of the vibrator; and d. a hydraulic system means operatively connected to the vibrator means for vibrating the vibrator to produce varying frequencies through a given frequency range for a sweep, including (i) a source of hydraulic fluid, (ii) pump means connected to the source of hydraulic fluid for pumping continuously throughout the sweep hydraulic fluid from the source at a volume rate less than the maximum average volume required for the vibrator to produce the varying frequencies of the sweep; (iii) a power source connected to the pump for driving the pump; (iv) a high pressure accumulator coupled to the pump means for storing hydraulic fluid under pressure between sweeps and during the period of the sweep at which the pump volume exceeds the requirements of the vibrator means; (v) manifold means coupled to the pump means and high pressure accumulator for alternately introducing hydraulic fluid into and withdrawing hydraulic fluid from the vibrator means; and (vi) a control means connected to the manifold means for controlling the amount of hydraulic fluid introduced into the vibrator whereby the vibrator is activated to produce the varying frequencies of the sweep.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
A transportable hydraulic seismic transducer comprising: a. a transport means for transporting hydraulic seismic transducer; b. a vibrator means attached to the transport means, for producing mechanical vibrations; c. a pad rigidly secured to the vibrator for generating acoustical energy in the earth responsively to the vibrations of the vibrator; and d. a hydraulic system means operatively connected to the vibrator means for vibrating the vibrator to produce varying frequencies through a given frequency range for a sweep, including (i) a source of hydraulic fluid, (ii) pump means connected to the source of hydraulic fluid for pumping continuously throughout the sweep hydraulic fluid from the source at a volume rate less than the maximum average volume required for the vibrator to produce the varying frequencies of the sweep; (iii) a power source connected to the pump for driving the pump; (iv) a high pressure accumulator coupled to the pump means for storing hydraulic fluid under pressure between sweeps and during the period of the sweep at which the pump volume exceeds the requirements of the vibrator means; (v) manifold means coupled to the pump means and high pressure accumulator for alternately introducing hydraulic fluid into and withdrawing hydraulic fluid from the vibrator means; and (vi) a control means connected to the manifold means for controlling the amount of hydraulic fluid introduced into the vibrator whereby the vibrator is activated to produce the varying frequencies of the sweep.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
196 words
A transportable hydraulic seismic transducer comprising: a. a transport means for transporting a hydraulic seismic vibrator to a seismic source location; b. a vibrator means for producing mechanical vibrations mounted upon said transport means; c. a pad rigidly secured to the vibrator for generating acoustical energy in the earth responsively to the vibrations of the vibrator; and d. a hydraulic system means operatively connected to the vibrating means for vibrating the vibrator to produce varying frequencies of a given frequency range of a sweep including: (i) a hydraulic fluid pumping means connected to the vibrator manifold for supplying the manifold with hydraulic fluid continuously throughout the sweep at a volume rate less than the maximum average volume required for the vibrator to produce the varying frequencies of the sweep; (ii) pressurized storage means coupled to the manifold for storing hydraulic fluid under pressure between sweeps and during the period of the sweep the volume supplied the manifold exceeds the vibrator means requirements; and (iii) a control means connected to the manifold means for controlling the amount of hydraulic fluid introduced and removed from the vibrator means whereby the vibrator is activated to produce the varying frequencies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
196 words
A transportable hydraulic seismic transducer comprising: a. a transport means for transporting a hydraulic seismic vibrator to a seismic source location; b. a vibrator means for producing mechanical vibrations mounted upon said transport means; c. a pad rigidly secured to the vibrator for generating acoustical energy in the earth responsively to the vibrations of the vibrator; and d. a hydraulic system means operatively connected to the vibrating means for vibrating the vibrator to produce varying frequencies of a given frequency range of a sweep including: (i) a hydraulic fluid pumping means connected to the vibrator manifold for supplying the manifold with hydraulic fluid continuously throughout the sweep at a volume rate less than the maximum average volume required for the vibrator to produce the varying frequencies of the sweep; (ii) pressurized storage means coupled to the manifold for storing hydraulic fluid under pressure between sweeps and during the period of the sweep the volume supplied the manifold exceeds the vibrator means requirements; and (iii) a control means connected to the manifold means for controlling the amount of hydraulic fluid introduced and removed from the vibrator means whereby the vibrator is activated to produce the varying frequencies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
278 words
A transportable seismic transducer comprising: a. a transport means for transporting a hydraulic seismic vibrator; b. a vibrator means for producing varying frequencies through a given frequency range of a sweep, said vibrator means carried by said transporting means; c. a pad rigidly secured to the vibrator means for generating acoustical energy into the earth responsively to the vibration frequencies of the vibrator; d. a pair of lift columns mounted upon the pad and slidingly secured to the transport means in positions to extend substantially vertically on opposite sides of the transport means; and e. hydraulic means carried by the transport means for actuating the lift columns and vibrator means for selectively raising and lowering the columns relative to the truck and for raising and lowering the transporting means as to the lift columns and for activating the vibrator means to produce varying frequencies of a given frequency range of a sweep, said hydraulic means including; (i) means for supplying hydraulic fluid to a manifold for the lift columns and vibrator means at a volume rate between the maximum average and minimum average volume required for the vibrator to produce the varying frequencies of the sweep; (ii) selective means connected to the manifold for introducing selectively hydraulic fluid into lift cylinders of the lift columns and into the vibrator means; (iii) a pressurized storage container coupled to the manifold for storing hydraulic fluid under pressure during the slack time between sweeps and during the period of the sweep the pump volume exceeds the vibrator means requirements; and f. a controller means connected to the selector means of the manifold into the hydraulic lift cylinders and to the vibrator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
278 words
A transportable seismic transducer comprising: a. a transport means for transporting a hydraulic seismic vibrator; b. a vibrator means for producing varying frequencies through a given frequency range of a sweep, said vibrator means carried by said transporting means; c. a pad rigidly secured to the vibrator means for generating acoustical energy into the earth responsively to the vibration frequencies of the vibrator; d. a pair of lift columns mounted upon the pad and slidingly secured to the transport means in positions to extend substantially vertically on opposite sides of the transport means; and e. hydraulic means carried by the transport means for actuating the lift columns and vibrator means for selectively raising and lowering the columns relative to the truck and for raising and lowering the transporting means as to the lift columns and for activating the vibrator means to produce varying frequencies of a given frequency range of a sweep, said hydraulic means including; (i) means for supplying hydraulic fluid to a manifold for the lift columns and vibrator means at a volume rate between the maximum average and minimum average volume required for the vibrator to produce the varying frequencies of the sweep; (ii) selective means connected to the manifold for introducing selectively hydraulic fluid into lift cylinders of the lift columns and into the vibrator means; (iii) a pressurized storage container coupled to the manifold for storing hydraulic fluid under pressure during the slack time between sweeps and during the period of the sweep the pump volume exceeds the vibrator means requirements; and f. a controller means connected to the selector means of the manifold into the hydraulic lift cylinders and to the vibrator.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
307 words
A method for operating a transportable hydraulic seismic transducer comprising: a. transporting a hydraulic seismic vIbrator to a marked location for a seismic source; b. actuating a prime pump to fill the low pressure side of a hydraulic system and raise the pressure therein to a selected pressure; c. activating a charge pump while deactivating the prime pump to fill the hydraulic system; d. activating a main pump to supply at a constant volume rate a manifold and high pressure accumulator with hydraulic fluid until a selected pressure is developed in the manifold and the high pressure accumulator on the high pressure side of the hydraulic system; e. actuating a valve on the manifold to introduce hydraulic fluid into lift cylinders to lower a vibrator pad into contact with the earth and then raise the truck from the ground to supply a hold down force on the vibrator pad; f. actuating a controller means coupled to a torque motor of a servo valve to supply hydraulic fluid to the vibrator for producing varying frequencies through a given frequency range of a sweep, said high pressure accumulator and main pump providing required hydraulic fluid through the manifold to the cylinder during the low frequency operation of the vibrator and said pump supplying fluid through the manifold to the vibrator for producing the high frequency vibrations of the sweep and to the high pressure accumulator to recharge the hydraulic fluid portion and to pressurize the pressure portion of the accumulator for repeated sweep operations of the vibrator; and g. actuating the valve for the lift cylinders to permit the transporting means to be lowered to the ground and to permit fluid to flow into the lift column cylinders to raise the vibrator pad from the earth in preparation for movement of the portable vibrator to a new source location.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
307 words
A method for operating a transportable hydraulic seismic transducer comprising: a. transporting a hydraulic seismic vIbrator to a marked location for a seismic source; b. actuating a prime pump to fill the low pressure side of a hydraulic system and raise the pressure therein to a selected pressure; c. activating a charge pump while deactivating the prime pump to fill the hydraulic system; d. activating a main pump to supply at a constant volume rate a manifold and high pressure accumulator with hydraulic fluid until a selected pressure is developed in the manifold and the high pressure accumulator on the high pressure side of the hydraulic system; e. actuating a valve on the manifold to introduce hydraulic fluid into lift cylinders to lower a vibrator pad into contact with the earth and then raise the truck from the ground to supply a hold down force on the vibrator pad; f. actuating a controller means coupled to a torque motor of a servo valve to supply hydraulic fluid to the vibrator for producing varying frequencies through a given frequency range of a sweep, said high pressure accumulator and main pump providing required hydraulic fluid through the manifold to the cylinder during the low frequency operation of the vibrator and said pump supplying fluid through the manifold to the vibrator for producing the high frequency vibrations of the sweep and to the high pressure accumulator to recharge the hydraulic fluid portion and to pressurize the pressure portion of the accumulator for repeated sweep operations of the vibrator; and g. actuating the valve for the lift cylinders to permit the transporting means to be lowered to the ground and to permit fluid to flow into the lift column cylinders to raise the vibrator pad from the earth in preparation for movement of the portable vibrator to a new source location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
197 words
A transportable hydraulic seismic transducer comprising: a. a transport means for transporting a seismic vibrator to a seismic source location; b. a vibrator means attached to the transport means; c. a pad rigidily secured to the vibrator means for generating acoustical energy into the earth responsive to the vibration frequencies of the vibrator means; d. column means connected to the pad and slidingly secured to the transport means in position to extend substantially vertically on opposite sides of the transport means; e. a means carried by the transport means and connected to the lift columns for raising and lowering the lift columns relative to the transport means and for raising and lowering the transport means as to the lift columns; f. a synchronizing means interconnecting the lift columns and transport means for synchronizing the raising and lowering of the lift columns and for equalizing work between the lift columns comprising a synchronizing shaft rotatably attached to the frame of the transport means, and a synchronizing shaft drive means coupled to the lift columns and synchronizing shaft operatively responsive to movement of the lift columns to synchronize their movements and to equalize the work of said lift columns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
197 words
A transportable hydraulic seismic transducer comprising: a. a transport means for transporting a seismic vibrator to a seismic source location; b. a vibrator means attached to the transport means; c. a pad rigidily secured to the vibrator means for generating acoustical energy into the earth responsive to the vibration frequencies of the vibrator means; d. column means connected to the pad and slidingly secured to the transport means in position to extend substantially vertically on opposite sides of the transport means; e. a means carried by the transport means and connected to the lift columns for raising and lowering the lift columns relative to the transport means and for raising and lowering the transport means as to the lift columns; f. a synchronizing means interconnecting the lift columns and transport means for synchronizing the raising and lowering of the lift columns and for equalizing work between the lift columns comprising a synchronizing shaft rotatably attached to the frame of the transport means, and a synchronizing shaft drive means coupled to the lift columns and synchronizing shaft operatively responsive to movement of the lift columns to synchronize their movements and to equalize the work of said lift columns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
A transportable seismic transducer according to claim 5, wherein said synchronizing shaft drive means comprises: sprockets mounted adjacent each end of the synchronizing shaft, and link chains having links engaging the teeth of the sprockets and ends attached adjacent upper and lower ends of the lift columns whereby the raising and lowering of the lift columns result in a corresponding movement in the chains and a driving force on the synchronizing shaft sprockets to impart a lift synchronizing moment on the synchronizing shaft and a work equalizing force on the lift columns.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
A transportable seismic transducer according to claim 6, wherein one of said chains includes a switch actuating means, and a lift columns control switch supported by the transport means in the path of the switch actuating means carried by the chain whereby the lift columns control switch is manipulated by the switch actuator means to control movement of the lift columns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A transportable hydraulic seiSmic transducer according to claim 5 further comprising a plurality of limit switches and switch activating means coupled to the synchronizing shaft for selectively actuating the switches to control movement of the lift columns.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
245 words
A transportable hydraulic seismic transducer comprising: a. a transport means for transporting a hydraulic seismic vibrator to a seismic source location; b. a vibrator means for producing mechanical vibrations mounted upon said transport means; c. a pad rigidly secured to the vibrator for generating acoustical energy in an elastic media responsively to the vibrations of the vibrator; and d. a hydraulic system means operatively connected to the vibrating means for vibrating the vibrator to produce varying frequencies of a given range of a sweep including: i. a hydraulic fluid pumping means connected to the vibrator manifold for supplying the manifold with hydraulic fluid at a volume rate required for the vibrator to produce the varying frequencies of the sweep; ii. a pressurized storage means coupled to the manifold of the vibrator including a high pressure transfer barrier accumulator system having a hydraulic fluid containing portion and a gas pressurized portion, said fluid portion and pressurized portion being responsive to the hydraulic fluid pumping means and vibrator requirements for alternately receiving hydraulic fluid from the manifold under increasing pressure of the pressurized portion and forcing hydraulic fluid from the fluid containing portion into the manifold to maintain the volume of hydraulic fluid required by the vibrator during a sweep; and iii. a control means connected to the manifold means for controlling the amount of hydraulic fluid introduced and removed from the vibrator means whereby the vibrator is activated to produce the varying frequencies of the sweep.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
245 words
A transportable hydraulic seismic transducer comprising: a. a transport means for transporting a hydraulic seismic vibrator to a seismic source location; b. a vibrator means for producing mechanical vibrations mounted upon said transport means; c. a pad rigidly secured to the vibrator for generating acoustical energy in an elastic media responsively to the vibrations of the vibrator; and d. a hydraulic system means operatively connected to the vibrating means for vibrating the vibrator to produce varying frequencies of a given range of a sweep including: i. a hydraulic fluid pumping means connected to the vibrator manifold for supplying the manifold with hydraulic fluid at a volume rate required for the vibrator to produce the varying frequencies of the sweep; ii. a pressurized storage means coupled to the manifold of the vibrator including a high pressure transfer barrier accumulator system having a hydraulic fluid containing portion and a gas pressurized portion, said fluid portion and pressurized portion being responsive to the hydraulic fluid pumping means and vibrator requirements for alternately receiving hydraulic fluid from the manifold under increasing pressure of the pressurized portion and forcing hydraulic fluid from the fluid containing portion into the manifold to maintain the volume of hydraulic fluid required by the vibrator during a sweep; and iii. a control means connected to the manifold means for controlling the amount of hydraulic fluid introduced and removed from the vibrator means whereby the vibrator is activated to produce the varying frequencies of the sweep.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
75 words
A transportable hydraulic seismic transducer according to claim 9, wherein said means for supplying hydraulic fluid to the manifold of a vibrator comprises a source of hydraulic fluid, pump means connected to the hydraulic fluid source for pumping hydraulic fluid from the source at a volume rate between the maximum average and minimum average volume required for the vibrator to produce the varying frequencies of the sweep, and a power source connected to the pump.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for operating a transportable hydraulic seismic transducer comprising: a. selectively introducing hydraulic fluid into hydraulic lift cylinders attached to a transport means to lower a vibrator pad into contact with the earth and lift the transport means to supply a hold down force on the pad; b. activating a pump for pumping hydraulic fluid at a volume rate less than the maximum average volume required by a seismic vibrator to produce a series of varying frequencies within a given frequency range of a sweep into a manifold and a high pressure accumulator or a hydraulic system for a seismic vibrator, said pumping of hydraulic fluid continuing throughout the sweep; and c. actuating a servo control mechanism to selectively introduce hydraulic fluid from the manifold into the vibrator for vibrating the pad with said high pressure accumulator supplying the additional volume of hydraulic fluid required by the hydraulic system of the vibrator during one portion of the sweep and storing under pressure the hydraulic fluid excessive to vibrator requirements during another portion of the sweep.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for operating a transportable hydraulic seismic transducer comprising: a. selectively introducing hydraulic fluid into hydraulic lift cylinders attached to a transport means to lower a vibrator pad into contact with the earth and lift the transport means to supply a hold down force on the pad; b. activating a pump for pumping hydraulic fluid at a volume rate less than the maximum average volume required by a seismic vibrator to produce a series of varying frequencies within a given frequency range of a sweep into a manifold and a high pressure accumulator or a hydraulic system for a seismic vibrator, said pumping of hydraulic fluid continuing throughout the sweep; and c. actuating a servo control mechanism to selectively introduce hydraulic fluid from the manifold into the vibrator for vibrating the pad with said high pressure accumulator supplying the additional volume of hydraulic fluid required by the hydraulic system of the vibrator during one portion of the sweep and storing under pressure the hydraulic fluid excessive to vibrator requirements during another portion of the sweep.
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) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |