US4148375A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seismic vibration source
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1977-08-22
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Granted: 1979-04-10
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Expires: 1997-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A system for vibrating the earth in a location where seismic mapping is to take place, including forming a relatively shallow hole in the earth such as a hole 10 feet deep, placing a solid propellant in the hole, sealing a portion of the hole above the solid propellant with a device that can rapidly open and close to allow a repeatedly interrupted escape of gas, and igniting the propellant so that high pressure gas is created which escapes in pulses to vibrate the earth.
Inventors
- 👤 Warren L. Dowler
- 👤 Giulio Varsi
- 👤 Lien C. Yang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/02; G01V1/133
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for creating vibrations in the earth, comprising: forming a hole in the ground; generating large quantities of gas in said hole and allowing the gas to press directly against the walls of the hole; and rapidly closing and opening the upper end of said hole, to thereby decrease the force of the gas on the hole walls in pulses.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for creating vibrations in the earth, comprising: forming a hole in the ground; generating large quantities of gas in said hole and allowing the gas to press directly against the walls of the hole; and rapidly closing and opening the upper end of said hole, to thereby decrease the force of the gas on the hole walls in pulses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method described in claim 1 wherein: said step of generating gas includes placing a quantity of an igniteable gas-generating chemical in said hole and igniting all of it.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for creating vibrations in the earth, comprising: forming a hole in the ground; generating large quantities of gas in said hole; and rapidly closing and opening the upper end of said hole to generate vibrations, including anchoring a cover over said hole, said cover having an aperture communicating with said hole, and positioning a resiliently-supported closing member closely over said aperture so it can vibrate against and away from the wall of the aperture.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for creating vibrations in the earth, comprising: forming a hole in the ground; generating large quantities of gas in said hole; and rapidly closing and opening the upper end of said hole to generate vibrations, including anchoring a cover over said hole, said cover having an aperture communicating with said hole, and positioning a resiliently-supported closing member closely over said aperture so it can vibrate against and away from the wall of the aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method described in claim 3 wherein: said step of closing and opening includes positioning a tube in the ground with upwardly-angled blades that can dig into the walls of the hole when the tube is pressed up; and positioning a movable closing member over the top of the tube to alternately open and close the top of the tube.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for creating vibrations in the earth, comprising: forming a hole in the ground; generating large quantities of gas in said hole; rapidly closing and opening the upper end of said hole, to thereby generate vibrations; and positioning a geophone at a location on the earth which is a distance from said hole; said step of rapidly closing and opening including opening said hole at a frequency dependent on the frequency of vibrations sensed by said geophone.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for creating vibrations in the earth, comprising: forming a hole in the ground; generating large quantities of gas in said hole; rapidly closing and opening the upper end of said hole, to thereby generate vibrations; and positioning a geophone at a location on the earth which is a distance from said hole; said step of rapidly closing and opening including opening said hole at a frequency dependent on the frequency of vibrations sensed by said geophone.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for creating vibrations in the earth, comprising: forming a hole in the ground; generating large quantities of gas in said hole; rapidly closing and opening the upper end of said hole; and sensing the pressure of gas in said hole; said step of closing and opening including opening said hole at a frequency dependent on the gas pressure in said hole.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for creating vibrations in the earth, comprising: forming a hole in the ground; generating large quantities of gas in said hole; rapidly closing and opening the upper end of said hole; and sensing the pressure of gas in said hole; said step of closing and opening including opening said hole at a frequency dependent on the gas pressure in said hole.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus for creating seismic vibrations in the region of a hole in the ground, comprising: gas generating means for generating gas at high pressure in said hole; and means for sealing said hole and for rapidly opening and closing said hole to permit the escape of gas in pulses, including a base with an aperture communicating with the hole in the ground, a sealing member which can substantially seal the aperture in said base, and an arm having one end attached to said base and the other end attached to said member and holding said member over said apertue in the base.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus for creating seismic vibrations in the region of a hole in the ground, comprising: gas generating means for generating gas at high pressure in said hole; and means for sealing said hole and for rapidly opening and closing said hole to permit the escape of gas in pulses, including a base with an aperture communicating with the hole in the ground, a sealing member which can substantially seal the aperture in said base, and an arm having one end attached to said base and the other end attached to said member and holding said member over said apertue in the base.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus for creating seismic vibrations in the region of a hole in the ground, comprising: gas generating means for generating gas at high pressure in said hole; means for sealing said hole and for rapidly opening and closing said hole to permit the escape of gas in pulses; and a pressure transducer located in said hole, and means responsive to said transducer for controlling said sealing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus for creating seismic vibrations in the region of a hole in the ground, comprising: gas generating means for generating gas at high pressure in said hole; means for sealing said hole and for rapidly opening and closing said hole to permit the escape of gas in pulses; and a pressure transducer located in said hole, and means responsive to said transducer for controlling said sealing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus for creating seismic vibrations in the region of a hole in the ground, comprising: gas generating means for generating gas at high pressure in said hole; means for sealing said hole and for rapidly opening and closing said hole to permit the escape of gas in pulses; and a geophone located a distance from said hole, and means responsive to said geophone for controlling said sealing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus for creating seismic vibrations in the region of a hole in the ground, comprising: gas generating means for generating gas at high pressure in said hole; means for sealing said hole and for rapidly opening and closing said hole to permit the escape of gas in pulses; and a geophone located a distance from said hole, and means responsive to said geophone for controlling said sealing means.
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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) | 1982-04-09 | 1982-10-09 | 1983-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-09 | 1986-10-09 | 1987-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-09 | 1990-10-09 | 1991-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |