Seismic vibrator baseplate
AssigneeWesternGeco L.L.C.
InventorsWilliam A.C. Cannell, Malcolm Francis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
One example of a seismic vibrator system includes a baseplate having a bottom surface and a coupling mechanism, the coupling mechanism being operable to a deployed position; a hold-down mass connected to the baseplate; a lifting mechanism in operational connection with the hold-down mass and the baseplate to apply a selected hold-down weight to the baseplate; and a driving mechanism functionally connected to the baseplate to transmit seismic energy through the baseplate into a ground surface to which the baseplate is coupled, wherein the coupling mechanism is urged outward from the bottom surface and into physical contact with the ground surface when operated to the deployed position.
Claims20
A baseplate for a seismic vibrator, the baseplate comprising:
- a body having a substantially rigid bottom surface;
- and
- a coupling mechanism carried by the body, the coupling mechanism extendable from the bottom surface to a deployed position.
A method for promoting coupling between a vibrator baseplate and the ground surface for transmitting seismic energy into an earthen formation, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a seismic vibrator in a selected location on a ground surface, the seismic vibrator having a baseplate and a hold-down mass, the baseplate including a body having a bottom surface and a coupling mechanism;
- positioning the baseplate so that bottom surface physically contacts the ground surface;
- applying hold-down weight to the baseplate;
- actuating the coupling mechanism outward from the bottom surface toward the ground surface;
- and
- transmitting seismic energy through the baseplate to the earthen formation.
The seismic vibrator system, the system comprising:
- a baseplate having a bottom surface and a coupling mechanism, the coupling mechanism operable to a deployed position;
- a hold-down mass connected to the baseplate;
- a lifting mechanism in operational connection with the hold-down mass and the baseplate to apply a selected hold-down weight to the baseplate;
- and
- a driving mechanism functionally connected to the baseplate to transmit seismic energy through the baseplate into a ground surface to which the baseplate is coupled, wherein the coupling mechanism is urged outward from the bottom surface and into physical contact with the ground surface when operated to the deployed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.