US3983957A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for creating seismic waves in the earth
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-01-06
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Granted: 1976-10-05
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Expires: 1995-01-06
Abstract
Abstract A mass positioned above the earth and having downward extensions, which may include wheels, resting on the earth. One or more closed chambers having two parts vertically reciprocable with respect to each other, one part pressing on the earth, the other part fastened to the underside of the mass. Means to inject pressurized fluid into the chamber to expand the chamber and to lift the mass above the earth, and means to modulate the fluid pressure in the chamber to generate seismic waves in the earth, and means alternately to apply a subatmospheric pressure to the chamber, to collapse the chamber and lift said one part above the earth.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel Silverman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:01
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/02; G01V1/143; G01V1/155; G01V1/04; G01V1/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A system for creating a train of seismic waves in the earth, comprising; a. a mass having extension means resting on the earth and supporting said mass in a position above the earth; b. at least one expandable chamber comprising at least two parts reciprocable vertically with respect to each other; c. a first part supported by the earth; d. a second part attached to said mass; e. means to inject pressurized fluid into said chamber at a selected superatmospheric pressure; whereby said chamber will expand vertically, said first part will press on the earth, and said second part will lift said mass above the earth; and f. means to modulate the pressure of said pressurized fluid to form a train of pulses of pressurized fluid in to said chamber; whereby said mass will act as a reaction mass and said first part will impart a train of pressure pulses on the earth and generate a train of seismic waves in the earth.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A system for creating a train of seismic waves in the earth, comprising; a. a mass having extension means resting on the earth and supporting said mass in a position above the earth; b. at least one expandable chamber comprising at least two parts reciprocable vertically with respect to each other; c. a first part supported by the earth; d. a second part attached to said mass; e. means to inject pressurized fluid into said chamber at a selected superatmospheric pressure; whereby said chamber will expand vertically, said first part will press on the earth, and said second part will lift said mass above the earth; and f. means to modulate the pressure of said pressurized fluid to form a train of pulses of pressurized fluid in to said chamber; whereby said mass will act as a reaction mass and said first part will impart a train of pressure pulses on the earth and generate a train of seismic waves in the earth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system as in claim 1 including means alternately to apply a subatmospheric fluid pressure to said at least one chamber, whereby said chamber will be deflated, said mass will be lowered until said extension means rest on the earth, and said first part will be lifted above the earth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system as in claim 2 in which said extension means of said mass comprise a plurality of wheels, such that when said chamber is inflated, said wheels will be above the earth, and when said chamber is deflated said wheels will rest on the earth, and said first part of said chamber will be lifted above the earth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system as in claim 1 in which said at least one chamber comprises a cylinder with a piston and piston rod reciprocably sealed therein, either said cylinder or said piston rod comprising the first part, and said piston rod or said cylinder comprising the second part.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as in claim 1 in which said at least one chamber comprises a closed flexible bag.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system as in claim 5 in which the closed end of said bag is said first part and rests on the earth, and the open end is sealed to a plate means which comprises said second part.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system as in claim 1 including a plurality of expandable chambers, a first part of each adapted to press on the earth, the second part of each attached to said mass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as in claim 7 in which said train of pulses or pressurized fluid flows into each of said chambers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system as in claim 7 in which a constant pressure of pressurized fluid of selected value is applied to at least one of said chambers, and a train of pulses of pressurized fluid flows into at least another one of said chambers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as in claim 7 in which said plurality of chambers are placed in a two dimensional horizontal array.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system as in claim 7 including separate pressurized fluid storage means and separate modulation means connected to each of a plurality of said chambers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system as in claim 1 in which said means to modulate the pressure of said pressurized fluid comprises a source of pressurized fluid of high pressure, a receiver of pressurized fluid of low pressure and means to successively connect said chamber to said source of high pressure and to said receiver of low pressure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system as in claim 1 in which said means to modulate said pressure of said pressurized fluid comprises a source of pressurized fluid of high pressure, a controllable fluid leak, connected to said chamber and means to repetitively connect and remove said chamber to and from said source of a high pressure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system as in claim 12 in which said fluid is a gas and said receiver of pressurized fluid of low pressure is the atmosphere.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system as in claim 1 in which said pressurized fluid comprises a gas.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system as in claim 1 including a base plate attached to said first part, and positioned between said first part and the earth, whereby when said first part is lifted said base plate will be lifted above the earth.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system as in claim 1 in which said at least one expandable closed chamber is a double chamber comprises comprising two closed expandable chambers, one inside the other, the inner chamber of smaller volume than the outer chamber, a constant fluid pressure applied to one chamber and a pulsating fluid pressure applied to the other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system as in claim 17 in which one chamber is filled with fluid at a high constant pressure P H while the other chamber is filled with a fluid at a pulsating pressure of peak value P L , where P L < P H .
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as in claim 18 in which the chamber of pressure P H is filled with liquid and the other chamber is filled with gas.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system as in claim 19 in which the inner chamber is filled with liquid and the outer chamber is filled with gas.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
200 words
A system for creating a train of seismic waves in the earth, comprising: a. a mass having extension means resting on the earth and supporting said mass in a position above the earth; b. at least two expandable chambers, each comprising at least two parts reciprocable vertically with respect to each other; c. a first part of a first chamber supported by the earth; d. a second part of said first chamber attached to a first part of said second chamber; e. a second part of said chamber attached to said mass; f. means to inject pressurized fluid into both of said chambers at selected superatmospheric pressures; whereby said chambers will expand vertically, said first part of said first chamber will press on the earth, and said second part of said second chamber will lift said mass above the earth; and g. means to modulate the pressure of at least one of said pressurized fluids to form a train of pulses of pressurized fluid into said chamber; whereby said mass will act as a reaction mass and said first part will impart a train of pressure pulses on the earth and generate a train of seismic waves in the earth.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
200 words
A system for creating a train of seismic waves in the earth, comprising: a. a mass having extension means resting on the earth and supporting said mass in a position above the earth; b. at least two expandable chambers, each comprising at least two parts reciprocable vertically with respect to each other; c. a first part of a first chamber supported by the earth; d. a second part of said first chamber attached to a first part of said second chamber; e. a second part of said chamber attached to said mass; f. means to inject pressurized fluid into both of said chambers at selected superatmospheric pressures; whereby said chambers will expand vertically, said first part of said first chamber will press on the earth, and said second part of said second chamber will lift said mass above the earth; and g. means to modulate the pressure of at least one of said pressurized fluids to form a train of pulses of pressurized fluid into said chamber; whereby said mass will act as a reaction mass and said first part will impart a train of pressure pulses on the earth and generate a train of seismic waves in the earth.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system as in claim 21 including means alternately to apply a subatmospheric fluid pressure to at least one of said two chambers, whereby said chamber will be deflated, said mass will be lowered until said extension means rests on the earth and said first part of said first chamber is lifted above the earth.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as in claim 22 in which said subatmospheric pressure is applied to both of said chambers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as in claim 21 in which one chamber is filled with fluid at a first high constant pressure, while the other chamber is filled with a fluid at a second high pulsating pressure.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as in claim 24 in which the chamber having the first pressure is filled with liquid, and the other chamber is filled with gas.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as in claim 25 in which said chamber is filled with liquid and said first chamber is filled with gas.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
239 words
A system for creating a train of seismic waves in the earth comprising: a. a mass having extension means resting on the earth and supporting said mass in a position above the earth; b. at least one expandable chamber comprising at least two parts, a piston and a cylinder reciprocable vertically with respect to each other; c. a first part supported by the earth; d. a second part attached to said mass; e. means to inject pressurized fluid into said cylinder on the top side of said piston at a first selected superatmospheric pressure; whereby said chamber will expand vertically, said first part will press on the earth, and said second part will lift said mass above the earth; and f. means to apply a second superatmospheric pressure of said pressurized fluid sequentially to opposite sides of said piston on a selected ratio of time above to time below said piston; whereby said mass will act as a reaction mass and said first part will impart a train of pressure pulses on the earth and generate a train of seismic waves in the earth; and g. including means alternately to apply a constant superatmospheric fluid pressure to said cylinder below said piston and to reduce the pressure above said piston to atmospheric pressure; whereby said mass will be lowered until said extension means rest on the earth and said first part of said chamber is lifted above the earth.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
239 words
A system for creating a train of seismic waves in the earth comprising: a. a mass having extension means resting on the earth and supporting said mass in a position above the earth; b. at least one expandable chamber comprising at least two parts, a piston and a cylinder reciprocable vertically with respect to each other; c. a first part supported by the earth; d. a second part attached to said mass; e. means to inject pressurized fluid into said cylinder on the top side of said piston at a first selected superatmospheric pressure; whereby said chamber will expand vertically, said first part will press on the earth, and said second part will lift said mass above the earth; and f. means to apply a second superatmospheric pressure of said pressurized fluid sequentially to opposite sides of said piston on a selected ratio of time above to time below said piston; whereby said mass will act as a reaction mass and said first part will impart a train of pressure pulses on the earth and generate a train of seismic waves in the earth; and g. including means alternately to apply a constant superatmospheric fluid pressure to said cylinder below said piston and to reduce the pressure above said piston to atmospheric pressure; whereby said mass will be lowered until said extension means rest on the earth and said first part of said chamber is lifted above the earth.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as in claim 17 in which said double chambers comprise pistons in cylinders.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system as in claim 17 in which said double chambers comprise flexible bags.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system as in claim 17 including means alternately to apply a subatmospheric pressure to at least one of said two chambers, whereby said at least one chamber will be deflated, said mass will be lowered until said extension means rest on the earth, and said first part is lifted above the earth.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as in claim 17 including means alternately to apply a subatmospheric pressure to both of said chambers.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system as in claim 17 including a plurality of double chambers.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
209 words
In a seismic prospecting system, including a mass having extension means resting on the earth and supporting said mass in a position above the earth, at least one vertically expandable chamber comprising at least two parts reciprocable vertically with respect to each other, a first part supported on the earth and a second part attached to said mass, the method of generating seismic waves in the earth, comprising: a. injecting into said chamber a pressurized fluid at a selected superatmospheric pressure, thereby expanding vertically said chamber, one part of said chamber pressing on the surface of the earth, the second part pressing upwardly on said mass, and lifting at least part of said mass above the ground; b. modulating the pressure of said pressurized fluid to form a train of pulses of force of said first part onto the earth, generating a corresponding train of seismic waves in the earth; c. stopping the modulation of said pressure of said pressurized fluid; d. lowering the pressure of said pressurized fluid, thus reducing the expansion of said chamber, and permitting said mass to be lowered to its position on the ground; and e. applying a subatmospheric pressure to said chamber, thereby lifting said first part of said chamber off the ground.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
209 words
In a seismic prospecting system, including a mass having extension means resting on the earth and supporting said mass in a position above the earth, at least one vertically expandable chamber comprising at least two parts reciprocable vertically with respect to each other, a first part supported on the earth and a second part attached to said mass, the method of generating seismic waves in the earth, comprising: a. injecting into said chamber a pressurized fluid at a selected superatmospheric pressure, thereby expanding vertically said chamber, one part of said chamber pressing on the surface of the earth, the second part pressing upwardly on said mass, and lifting at least part of said mass above the ground; b. modulating the pressure of said pressurized fluid to form a train of pulses of force of said first part onto the earth, generating a corresponding train of seismic waves in the earth; c. stopping the modulation of said pressure of said pressurized fluid; d. lowering the pressure of said pressurized fluid, thus reducing the expansion of said chamber, and permitting said mass to be lowered to its position on the ground; and e. applying a subatmospheric pressure to said chamber, thereby lifting said first part of said chamber off the ground.
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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) | 1979-10-05 | 1980-04-05 | 1980-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-05 | 1984-04-05 | 1984-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-05 | 1988-04-05 | 1988-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |