Seismic signal generating apparatus

Claim 2

A seismic signal generating apparatus comprising: a vehicle including a rearwardly extending bed; a ram-supporting framework pivotally mounted on the bed for pivotation about a horizontal axis; a ram reciprocably mounted in the framework for vertical reciprocation in one position of the framework; a plurality of catapult tension springs connected between the framework and the upper end of the ram for forcibly reciprocating the ram from an elevated status in which the catapult springs are tensioned, to a lowered, impacting position in which the springs are tensioned to a lesser degree; and a pair of superimposed metallic striker plates positioned directly below the ram upon the ground.

Claim 3

A seismic signal generating apparatus comprising: supporting means; an elongated catapult ram having an upper end and a lower end and mounted on said supporting means for pivotation about a horizontal axis from a vertically extending position to an inclined position; hydraulic piston and cylinder means including vertically extensible pistons cooperating with the upper end of the ram for elevating the ram; a pair of superimposed steel plates positioned below said ram when the ram is in its elevated position and adapted to be impacted by said ram when said ram is reciprocated downwardly; and a plurality of tension springs connected between the upper end of said ram and said supporting means for resiliently opposing the elevation of said ram by said pistons as said springs are tensioned and resiliently opposing rebound of said ram after said ram has impacted upon said superimposed steel plates.

Claim 4

A seismic signal generating apparatus comprising: supporting means; an elongated catapult ram having an upper end and a lower end and mounted on said supporting means for pivotation about a horizontal axis from a vertically extending position to an inclined position; hydraulic piston and cylinder means including vertically extensible pistons cooperating with the upper end of the ram for elevating the ram; a pair of superimposed steel plates positioned below said ram when the ram is in its elevated position and adapted to be impacted by said ram when said ram is reciprocated downwardly; and a plurality of tension springs connected between the upper end of said ram and said supporting means for resiliently opposing the elevation of said ram by said pistons as said springs are tensioned and resiliently opposing rebound of said ram after said ram has impacted upon said superimposed steel plates.

Claim 5

A seismic signal generating apparatus as defined in claim 2 and further characterized as including latching means for releasably latching said ram in its vertically extending position.

Claim 6

A seismic signal generating apparatus as defined in claim 2 and further characterized as including cradle means for receiving and supporting said ram in its inclined position.

Claim 7

A seismic signal generating apparatus comprising: a vehicle including a rearwardly extending bed; a ram-supporting framework pivotally mounted on the bed for pivotation about a horizontal axis; a ram reciprocably mounted in the framework for vertical reciprocation in one position of the framework, said ram-supporting framework comprising: a horizontally extending base plate having an opening therethrough through which said ram reciprocably extends; a pair of spaced, vertically extending side plates connected at their lower ends to said base plate and positioned on opposite sides of said ram; track channels secured to said side plates and positioned on opposite sides of said ram for guiding said ram during its reciprocating movement; and a plurality of catapult tension springs connected between the framework and the upper end of the ram for forcibly reciprocating the ram from an elevated status in which the catapult springs are tensioned, to a lowered, impacting position in which the springs are tensioned to a lesser degree.

Claim 8

A seismic signal generating apparatus comprising: a vehicle including a rearwardly extending bed; a ram-supporting framework pivotally mounted on the bed for pivotation about a horizontal axis; a ram reciprocably mounted in the framework for vertical reciprocation in one position of the framework, said ram-supporting framework comprising: a horizontally extending base plate having an opening therethrough through which said ram reciprocably extends; a pair of spaced, vertically extending side plates connected at their lower ends to said base plate and positioned on opposite sides of said ram; track channels secured to said side plates and positioned on opposite sides of said ram for guiding said ram during its reciprocating movement; and a plurality of catapult tension springs connected between the framework and the upper end of the ram for forcibly reciprocating the ram from an elevated status in which the catapult springs are tensioned, to a lowered, impacting position in which the springs are tensioned to a lesser degree.

Claim 9

A seismic signal generating apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said framework is further characterized as including a semi-cylindrical rear shield plate interconnecting opposed edges of said vertically extending side plates and secured at its lower end to said base plate, and shielding the rear side of said ram; and wherein said seismic signal generating apparatus is further characterized as including: an upper spring anchoring plate having one end of each of said tension springs connected thereto; a centrally flaring hub secured to the upper end of said ram and to one side of said upper spring anchoring plate; and a pair of tracking rods secured to opposite sides of said ram and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said ram, said tracking rods slidably registering with said track channels.

Claim 10

A seismic signal generating apparatus as defined in claim 6 and further characterized as including a cradle assembly mounted on said bed forward of said ram-supporting framework and including: an upwardly extending A-frame; and a pair of horizontally spaced plates secured to the upper end of said A-frame and spaced to receive and support said one side of said upper spring anchoring plate when said framework is pivoted about said horizontal axis to a position in which said ram is inclined to the horizontal.

Claim 11

A seismic signal generating apparatus as defined in claim 7 and further characterized as including a ram latching subassembly for releasably latching the ram in an elevated status.

Claim 12

A seismic signal generating apparatus as defined in claim 8 and further characterized as including means for hydraulically elevating the ram against the tension of said catapult tension springs preparatory to reciprocating said ram downwardly to generate a seismic signal.

Claim 13

A seismic signal generating apparatus as defined in claim 9 and further characterized as including a pair of superimposed metallic striker plates of circular, disk shaped configuration positioned directly below the ram upon the ground for impacting thereupon by the ram when the ram is reciprocated downwardly by said tension springs.

Claim 14

A seismic signal generating apparatus as defined in claim 10 and further characterized as including outrigger means disposed beneath said bed at the rear end thereof and operative to selectively elevate the rear end of sand vehicle.

Claim 15

A seismic signal generting apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said outrigger means comprises a pair of hydraulic outrigger subassemblies positioned on opposite sides of said vehicle beneath the rear end portion of the bed and each including: an outwardly and downwardly projecting leg having its inner and upper end pivotally connected to the underside of the bed for pivotation about a horizontal axis; a support shoe secured to the outer, lower end of the leg; and a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly connected to the leg for pivoting the leg upwardly and downwardly.

Claim 16

A seismic signal generating apparatus as defined in claim 12 and further characterized as including a ram latching subassembly for releasably latching the ram in an elevated status.

Claim 17

A seismic signal generating apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said ram latching subassembly comprises: a hydraulic cylinder; a latching block; a supporting plate supporting said hydraulic cylinder and extending under said latching block; wheels rollably supporting said latching block on said supporting plate; and a piston rod extensible from said hydraulic cylinder and connected to said latching block for rolling said latching block on said supporting plate and into latching engagement with said ram upon actuation of said cylinder.

Claim 18

A seismic signal generating apparatus comprising: a vehicle including a rearwardly extending bed; a ram-supporting framework pivotally mounted on the bed for pivotation about a horizontal axis; a ram reciprocably mounted in the framework for vertical reciprocation in one position of the framework; a plurality of catapult tension springs connected between the framework and the upper end of the ram for forcibly reciprocating the ram from an elevated status in which the catapult springs are tensioned, to a lowered, impacting position in which the springs are tensioned to a lesser degree; a ram latching subassembly for releasably latching the ram in an elevated status, said ram latching subassembly comprising: a hydraulic cylinder; a latching block; a supporting plate supporting said hydraulic cylinder and extending under said latching block; wheels rollably supporting said latching block on said supporting plate; and a piston rod extensible from said hydraulic cylinder and connected to said latching block for rolling said latching block on said supporting plate and into latching engagement with said ram upon actuation of said cylinder.

Claim 19

A seismic signal generating apparatus comprising: a vehicle including a rearwardly extending bed; a ram-supporting framework pivotally mounted on the bed for pivotation about a horizontal axis; a ram reciprocably mounted in the framework for vertical reciprocation in one position of the framework; a plurality of catapult tension springs connected between the framework and the upper end of the ram for forcibly reciprocating the ram from an elevated status in which the catapult springs are tensioned, to a lowered, impacting position in which the springs are tensioned to a lesser degree; a ram latching subassembly for releasably latching the ram in an elevated status, said ram latching subassembly comprising: a hydraulic cylinder; a latching block; a supporting plate supporting said hydraulic cylinder and extending under said latching block; wheels rollably supporting said latching block on said supporting plate; and a piston rod extensible from said hydraulic cylinder and connected to said latching block for rolling said latching block on said supporting plate and into latching engagement with said ram upon actuation of said cylinder.

Claim 20

A seismic signal generating apparatus comprising: a vehicle including a rearwardly extending bed; a ram-supporting framework pivotally mounted on the bed for pivotation about a horizontal axis; a ram reciprocably mounted in the framework for vertical reciprocation in one position of the framework; a plurality of catapult tension springs connected between the framework and the upper end of the ram for forcibly reciprocating the ram from an elevated status in which the catapult springs are tensioned, to a lowered, impacting position in which the springs are tensioned to a lesser degree; outrigger means disposed beneath said bed at the rear end thereof and operative to selectively elevate the rear end of said vehicle, said outrigger means comprising a pair of hydraulic outrigger subassemblies positioned on opposite sides of said vehicle beneath the rear end portion of the bed and each including: an outwardly and downwardly projecting leg having its inner and upper end pivotally connected to the under side of the bed for pivotation about a horizontal axis; a support shoe secured to the outer, lower end of the leg; and a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly connected to the leg for pivoting the leg upwardly and downwardly.

Claim 21

A seismic signal generating apparatus comprising: a vehicle including a rearwardly extending bed; a ram-supporting framework pivotally mounted on the bed for pivotation about a horizontal axis; a ram reciprocably mounted in the framework for vertical reciprocation in one position of the framework; a plurality of catapult tension springs connected between the framework and the upper end of the ram for forcibly reciprocating the ram from an elevated status in which the catapult springs are tensioned, to a lowered, impacting position in which the springs are tensioned to a lesser degree; outrigger means disposed beneath said bed at the rear end thereof and operative to selectively elevate the rear end of said vehicle, said outrigger means comprising a pair of hydraulic outrigger subassemblies positioned on opposite sides of said vehicle beneath the rear end portion of the bed and each including: an outwardly and downwardly projecting leg having its inner and upper end pivotally connected to the under side of the bed for pivotation about a horizontal axis; a support shoe secured to the outer, lower end of the leg; and a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly connected to the leg for pivoting the leg upwardly and downwardly.

Claim 22

A seismic signal generating apparatus comprising: a generally horizontally extending supporting structure; a ram-supporting framework pivotally mounted on the supporting structure for pivotation about a horizontal axis; a ram reciprocably mounted on the framework for vertical reciprocation in one position of the framework; a plurality of catapult tension springs connected between the framework and the upper end of the ram for forcibly reciprocating the ram from an elevated status in which the catapult springs are tensioned, to a lowered, impacting position in which the springs are tensioned to a lesser degree; and a pair of superimposed metallic striker plates positioned directly below the ram upon the ground.

Claim 23

A seismic signal generating apparatus comprising: a generally horizontally extending supporting structure; a ram-supporting framework pivotally mounted on the supporting structure for pivotation about a horizontal axis; a ram reciprocably mounted on the framework for vertical reciprocation in one position of the framework; a plurality of catapult tension springs connected between the framework and the upper end of the ram for forcibly reciprocating the ram from an elevated status in which the catapult springs are tensioned, to a lowered, impacting position in which the springs are tensioned to a lesser degree; and a pair of superimposed metallic striker plates positioned directly below the ram upon the ground.

Claim 24

A seismic signal generating apparatus comprising: a vehicle including a rearwardly extending bed; a ram-supporting framework mounted on the bed and including: a horizontally extending base plate having an opening therethrough through which said ram reciprocably extends; a pair of spaced, vertically extending side plates connected at their lower ends to said base plate and positioned on opposite sides of said ram; track channels secured to said side plates and positioned on opposite sides of said ram for guiding said ram during its reciprocating movement; a ram reciprocably mounted in the framework for vertical reciprocation in one position of the framework; and a plurality of catapult tension springs connected between the horizontally extending base plate and the upper end of the ram for forcibly reciprocating the ram from an elevated status in which the catapult springs are tensioned, to a lowered, impacting position in which the springs are tensioned to a lesser degree.

Claim 25

A seismic signal generating apparatus comprising: a vehicle including a rearwardly extending bed; a ram-supporting framework mounted on the bed and including: a horizontally extending base plate having an opening therethrough through which said ram reciprocably extends; a pair of spaced, vertically extending side plates connected at their lower ends to said base plate and positioned on opposite sides of said ram; track channels secured to said side plates and positioned on opposite sides of said ram for guiding said ram during its reciprocating movement; a ram reciprocably mounted in the framework for vertical reciprocation in one position of the framework; and a plurality of catapult tension springs connected between the horizontally extending base plate and the upper end of the ram for forcibly reciprocating the ram from an elevated status in which the catapult springs are tensioned, to a lowered, impacting position in which the springs are tensioned to a lesser degree.

Claim 26

A seismic signal generating apparatus comprising: supporting means; an elongated catapult ram having an upper end and a lower end and reciprocably mounted on said supporting means; hydraulic piston and cylinder means including vertically extensible pistons cooperating with the upper end of the ram for elevating the ram in relation to the supporting means; metal plate means positioned below said ram when the ram is in its elevated position and adapted to be impacted by said ram when said ram is reciprocated downwardly; a plurality of tension springs connected between the upper end of said ram and said supporting means for resiliently opposing the elevation of said ram by said pistons as said springs are tensioned, and resiliently opposing rebound of said ram after said ram has impacted upon said steel plate means by the retention of residual tension in said tension springs at the time of impact; a ram latching subassembly for releasably latching the ram in an elevated status preparatory to catapulting the ram against the steel plate means by the use of said tension springs, and after said extensible pistons are inactivated in their elevating cooperation with the upper end of the ram, said ram latching subassembly including: a latching block adapted to latchingly engage said ram upon movement of said latching block; and a hydraulic cylinder for actuating said latching block to engage and disengage said latching block from said ram.

Claim 27

A seismic signal generating apparatus comprising: supporting means; an elongated catapult ram having an upper end and a lower end and reciprocably mounted on said supporting means; hydraulic piston and cylinder means including vertically extensible pistons cooperating with the upper end of the ram for elevating the ram in relation to the supporting means; metal plate means positioned below said ram when the ram is in its elevated position and adapted to be impacted by said ram when said ram is reciprocated downwardly; a plurality of tension springs connected between the upper end of said ram and said supporting means for resiliently opposing the elevation of said ram by said pistons as said springs are tensioned, and resiliently opposing rebound of said ram after said ram has impacted upon said steel plate means by the retention of residual tension in said tension springs at the time of impact; a ram latching subassembly for releasably latching the ram in an elevated status preparatory to catapulting the ram against the steel plate means by the use of said tension springs, and after said extensible pistons are inactivated in their elevating cooperation with the upper end of the ram, said ram latching subassembly including: a latching block adapted to latchingly engage said ram upon movement of said latching block; and a hydraulic cylinder for actuating said latching block to engage and disengage said latching block from said ram.