US4047591A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air gun monitoring and synchronizing method and apparatus
Assignee: Western Atlas International Inc
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Filing: 1975-04-03
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Granted: 1977-09-13
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Expires: 1995-04-03
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an improved air gun construction which lends itself to use with a plurality or array of similarly improved air guns which enables easy synchronization and timing of such array of air guns relative to one another. The synchronization and timing is achieved by controlling and monitoring the movement of the shuttle in the air gun. Various sensors are used such as an electrical coil having a constant current flowing therein which produces a flux pattern which is modified when the shuttle is accelerated, thereby inducing a voltage in said coil which is processed by appropriate processing circuitry. Another embodiment employs a magnetic sensor which includes a permanent magnet and coil wrapped therearound; the permanent magnet produces a flux pattern which is altered when the shuttle is accelerated and comes into proximity to the sensing end of said permanent magnet, thereby inducing a voltage in the coil which is then processed in appropriate processing circuitry. The processing circuitry associated with both embodiments generates a timing signal for each air gun which provides accurate phasing of each of the air guns to thereby fire such guns at a predetermined time. The timing signals from each of the air guns are used in conjunction with additional signals to accurately indicate auto fire and no fire conditions of the air guns.
Inventors
- 👤 Phillip W. Ward
- 👤 Robert C. Donald, Jr.
- 👤 Arthur E. Leerskov, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:51
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41B; F41B11/00; F41B11/70; F41B11/71; F41B11/50; F41B11/57; G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/02; G01V1/04; G01V1/133; G01V1/137
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
In a method for controlling the time of firing of an air gun actuated through subjecting a shuttle to gas pressure to thereby accelerate said shuttle and release compressed gas stored in said gun, the improvement comprising monitoring movement of said shuttle when accelerated by use of a sensor responsive to variation in a field caused by such movement which variation produces a signal indicative of such movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
In a method for controlling the time of firing of an air gun actuated through subjecting a shuttle to gas pressure to thereby accelerate said shuttle and release compressed gas stored in said gun, the improvement comprising monitoring movement of said shuttle when accelerated by use of a sensor responsive to variation in a field caused by such movement which variation produces a signal indicative of such movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of monitoring includes varying the flux lines to produce a signal in a sensing coil when said shuttle is accelerated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said flux lines are produced by generating a constant current through said coil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said flux lines are produced by a magnet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
In a method for controlling the time of firing of an air gun actuated through subjecting a shuttle to gas pressure to thereby accelerate said shuttle and abruptly open an exhaust port to release compressed gas stored in said gun the improvement comprising the steps of: monitoring movement of said shuttle when accelerated by use of a sensor responsive to variation in a field caused by such movement which variation produces a signal indicative of such movement, and sensing in an electrical circuit the signal produced when said shuttle is moved.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
91 words
In a method for controlling the time of firing of an air gun actuated through subjecting a shuttle to gas pressure to thereby accelerate said shuttle and abruptly open an exhaust port to release compressed gas stored in said gun the improvement comprising the steps of: monitoring movement of said shuttle when accelerated by use of a sensor responsive to variation in a field caused by such movement which variation produces a signal indicative of such movement, and sensing in an electrical circuit the signal produced when said shuttle is moved.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5 wherein a predetermined parameter of said signal is monitored.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said predetermined parameter is the amplitude level of said signal and further comprising the step of generating a timing signal when said amplitude level is reached.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for controlling the time of firing of a plurality of air guns, each actuated through subjecting a shuttle to gas pressure to thereby accelerate each of said shuttles to release compressed gas from said guns, comprising the steps of: monitoring movement of each of said shuttles when accelerated by use of a sensor responsive to variation in a field caused by such movement which variation produces a signal indicative of such movement, sensing in an electrical circuit associated with each air gun the signals produced when said shuttles are accelerated, and phasing each of said signals to occur at a predetermined time to thereby insure firing each of said air guns accurately.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for controlling the time of firing of a plurality of air guns, each actuated through subjecting a shuttle to gas pressure to thereby accelerate each of said shuttles to release compressed gas from said guns, comprising the steps of: monitoring movement of each of said shuttles when accelerated by use of a sensor responsive to variation in a field caused by such movement which variation produces a signal indicative of such movement, sensing in an electrical circuit associated with each air gun the signals produced when said shuttles are accelerated, and phasing each of said signals to occur at a predetermined time to thereby insure firing each of said air guns accurately.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said step of phasing includes generating timing signals for each of said air guns when predetermined levels are reached in each of the sensed signals, and aligning each of the timing signals to occur at a predetermined time to thereby insure firing each of the air guns accurately.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said timing signals are aligned to occur substantially simultaneously.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said timing signals occur at predetermined intervals relative to one another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of utilizing each of said timing signals to produce a no fire or auto fire condition of each of said air guns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
An improved air gun for accurately controlling the firing thereof, comprising: a shuttle which is accelerated from a first position to a second position when said gun is fired, and electrical circuit means responsive to variation in a field caused by such acceleration to produce a signal representative of said acceleration.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
An improved air gun for accurately controlling the firing thereof, comprising: a shuttle which is accelerated from a first position to a second position when said gun is fired, and electrical circuit means responsive to variation in a field caused by such acceleration to produce a signal representative of said acceleration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A gun according to claim 13 wherein said circuit means includes a sensing coil.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A gun according to claim 14 wherein a constant current source is electrically connected to said coil to produce flux in said coil.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A gun according to claim 14 wherein a permanent magnet is within said coil to produce the flux.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
An air gun according to claim 13 further comprising timing circuit means electrically connected to said electrical circuit means to produce a timing signal when a predetermined parameter of said sensed signal is obtained.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
An air gun according to claim 17 wherein said predetermined parameter is the amplitude level of said sensed signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
An air gun according to claim 17 further comprising: monitoring circuit means coupled to said timing circuit for generating an auto fire or no fire condition of said gun.
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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) | 1980-09-12 | 1981-03-14 | 1981-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-12 | 1985-03-14 | 1985-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-12 | 1989-03-14 | 1989-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |