US4121464A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for geophysical prospecting by measurement of earth tides
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-10-19
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Granted: 1978-10-24
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Expires: 1997-10-19
Abstract
Abstract To locate potentially hydrocarbon-bearing subsurface formations, tiltmeters measure the time of arrival and the apparent direction of a lunar-induced earth tide at an array of points on the earth's surface. The measurements are combined to determine the shape of the tidal wave in a region of interest. The shape is indicative of subsurface viscosity in the region. Subsurface formations having an abnormally low viscosity are considered potentially hydrocarbon bearing.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen R. Geiger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of locating potentially hydrocarbon-bearing subsurface formations comprising the steps of: measuring the time of arrival and apparent direction of tidal wave movements of the earth's surface at each of a plurality of points; and combining the time and direction measurements to establish the wave shape in the region of interest, said wave shape being indicative of the subsurface viscosity in said region.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of locating potentially hydrocarbon-bearing subsurface formations comprising the steps of: measuring the time of arrival and apparent direction of tidal wave movements of the earth's surface at each of a plurality of points; and combining the time and direction measurements to establish the wave shape in the region of interest, said wave shape being indicative of the subsurface viscosity in said region.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of locating potentially hydrocarbon-bearing subsurface formations using tiltmeters to measure the rise and fall of the earth's surface due to the gravitational pull of the moon, said method comprising the steps of: detecting the rise and fall of the earth's surface at each of a plurality of points by means of the tiltmeters to establish the time of arrival and apparent direction of an earth tidal wave at each of the points; combining the time and direction mesurements to establish the tidal wave shape in a region of interest, said wave shape being indicative of the viscosity in the region.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of locating potentially hydrocarbon-bearing subsurface formations using tiltmeters to measure the rise and fall of the earth's surface due to the gravitational pull of the moon, said method comprising the steps of: detecting the rise and fall of the earth's surface at each of a plurality of points by means of the tiltmeters to establish the time of arrival and apparent direction of an earth tidal wave at each of the points; combining the time and direction mesurements to establish the tidal wave shape in a region of interest, said wave shape being indicative of the viscosity in the region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as recited in claim 2 including the step of measuring the magnitude of the rise of the earth's surface to provide an indication of the subsurface depth of a formaton of interest.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claim 2 wherein the tiltmeter measurements are made along first and second axes at each of said plurality of points.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as recited in claim 4 including the step of measuring the magnitude of the rise of the earth's surface to provide an indication of the subsurface depth of a formation of having abnormal viscosity.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
9 words
A system for locating potentially hydrocarbon-bearing subsurface formations comprising:
Claim 9
Independent Claim
9 words
A system for locating potentially hydrocarbon-bearing subsurface formations comprising:
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
tiltmeter means for detecting the rise and fall of the earth's surface at each of a plurality of points to establish the time of arrival and apparent direction of an earth tidal wave at each of the points; means for combining the tiltmeter measurements to establish the shape and dynamic changes in a region of interest, the wave shape providing an indication of the subsurface viscosity in the region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
tiltmeter means for detecting the rise and fall of the earth's surface at each of a plurality of points to establish the time of arrival and apparent direction of an earth tidal wave at each of the points; means for combining the tiltmeter measurements to establish the shape and dynamic changes in a region of interest, the wave shape providing an indication of the subsurface viscosity in the region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as recited in claim 6 wherein said tiltmeter means comprises an array of tiltmeters arranged in a predetermined, known pattern over a region of interest.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as recited in claim 7 wherein each of said tiltmeters also measures the magnitude of the rise in the earth's surface at each of the plurality of points to provide an indication of the subsurface depth of a formation of abnormal viscosity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as recited in claim 6 wherein said tiltmeter means is capable of detecting the rise and fall of the earth's surface along each of two orthogonal axes at each of the plurality of points.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as recited in claim 9 wherein said tiltmeter means comprises an array of tiltmeters arranged in a predetermined known pattern over a region of interest.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as recited in claim 10 wherein each of said tiltmeters also measures the magnitude of the rise in the earth's surface at each of the plurality of points to provide an indication of the subsurface depth of a formation of abnormal viscosity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as recited in claim 6 wherein said tiltmeter means also measures the magnitude of the rise in the earth's surface at each of the plurality of points to provide an indication of the subsurface depth of a formation of abnormal viscosity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1314888A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-10-23 | 1982-04-24 | 1982-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-23 | 1986-04-24 | 1986-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-23 | 1990-04-24 | 1990-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |