US4942557A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Marine seismic system
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
•
Filing: 1983-05-18
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Granted: 1990-07-17
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Expires: 2003-05-18
Abstract
Abstract A method of marine seismic exploration of the strata beneath a body of water comprising the steps of generating a compressional wave in the body of water and sensing the converted shear waves reflected from the strata.
Inventors
- 👤 Aaron J. Seriff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:27
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/38; G01V1/3808
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of marine seismic exploration of the earth strata beneath a body of water, said method comprising the steps of: generating in said body of water downwardly travelling compressional waves and sensing at the interface between said body of water and earth strata upwardly travelling reflected shear waves that have been converted at said earth strata from said downwardly travelling compressional waves.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of marine seismic exploration of the earth strata beneath a body of water, said method comprising the steps of: generating in said body of water downwardly travelling compressional waves and sensing at the interface between said body of water and earth strata upwardly travelling reflected shear waves that have been converted at said earth strata from said downwardly travelling compressional waves.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensing step comprises positioning a plurality of seismic transducers, which are adapted to detect shear waves, on the seafloor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claim 2, wherein said positioning step comprises positioning a marine cable containing said plurality of seismic transducers on the seafloor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as recited in claim 3, wherein said sensing step further comprises waiting at least a predetermined period of time after positioning the marine cable before generating the compressional wave.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 4, wherein said compressional wave generating step comprises injecting a predetermined quantity of compressed gas into the body of water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as recited in claim 2, wherein said sensing step further comprises waiting at least a predetermined period of time after positioning the plurality of seismic transducers before generating the compressional wave.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 2, wherein said positioning step comprises positioning each seismic transducer individually at a predetermined location on the seafloor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said compressional wave generating step comprises injecting a predetermined quantity of compressed gas into the body of water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as recited in claim 3, wherein said step of positioning said marine cable on the seafloor is performed by a first vessel and said step of generating a compressional wave is performed by a second vessel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as recited in claim 9, wherein said step of generating a compressional wave comprises generating a plurality of compressional waves along a line that is parallel to the cable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 10, wherein said step of generating a compressional wave comprises injecting a predetermined quantity of compressed gas into the body of water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3212600A
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US4038631A
Cited
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Cited
US4219096A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-07-16 | 1994-01-15 | 1994-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-16 | 1998-01-15 | 1998-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-16 | 2002-01-15 | 2002-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |