# US 2014/0151036 A1 · Distributed Clamps For A Downhole Seismic Source > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0151036 A1 - Document ID: US20140151036A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/125,931 - Filed: 2012-06-15 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-06-15 - Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Inventors: James Minto; Bruce P. Marion - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151036A1 ## CPC - E21B 47/14: using acoustic waves - G01V 1/40: specially adapted for well-logging - G01V 1/44: using generators and receivers in the same well (G01V1/52 takes precedence) - G01V 2210/1429: Subsurface, e.g. in borehole or below weathering layer or mud line - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - G01V: GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS (means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons A63B29/02) ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to increasing the output power of a clamped seismic or acoustic source disposed in a wellbore without damaging the borehole/casing/cement. One or more sources are provided and carried on a conveyance mechanism. The conveyance mechanism may be a wireline, a coiled tubing, or a drill pipe. The one or more sources are run into and/or out of the wellbore and temporarily disposed at various locations within the wellbore. The one or more sources are temporarily clamped to the wellbore at the various locations using distributed clamping, and a source signal is generated by the distributed clamped source. The distributed clamping device may have multiple clamping mechanisms along an increased length of the source or a continuous clamping mechanism along an increased length of the source. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method to increase the output power of a clamped seismic or acoustic source disposed in a wellbore without damaging the borehole/casing/cement, comprising: providing one or more sources carried on a conveyance mechanism; running the one or more sources into and/or out of the wellbore; applying distributed clamping to clamp the one or more sources to the wellbore; and generating a source signal using the distributed clamped source. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the conveyance mechanism includes a wireline, a coiled tubing, or a drill pipe. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the wellbore is open, cased and cemented, or partially cased and cemented and partially open. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the applying distributed clamping comprises increasing the area of a clamp that is in contact with the wellbore. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the applying distributed clamping comprises increasing the length of the source. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the applying distributed clamping comprises providing multiple clamping mechanisms along an increased length of the source. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the applying distributed clamping comprises providing a continuous clamping mechanism along an increased length of the source. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the clamping comprises using one of a mechanical clamp, a magnetic clamp, or one or more inflatable elements. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more sources comprises two or more sources directed along two or more orthogonal axes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising limiting the active length of the source based on the wavelength of the signal to be produced. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising using a variable source length for each operating frequency. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising using a modular source having one or more modules. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising selecting a module in the modular source for driving based upon a desired operating frequency and a desired active source length for that frequency. ### Claim 14 A seismic or acoustic measurement apparatus, comprising: one or more seismic or acoustic sources carried on a conveyance mechanism and disposed in a wellbore; one or more seismic receivers; and a distributed clamping device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the conveyance mechanism is a wireline, a coiled tubing, or a drill pipe. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one or more sources comprise at least two sources that are directional along different axes. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the distributed clamping device comprises a mechanical clamp, a magnetic clamp, or one or more inflatable elements. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the distributed clamping device has an increased clamping area in contact with the wellbore. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the distributed clamping device has an increased source length. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the distributed clamping device has multiple clamping mechanisms along an increased length of the source or has a continuous clamping mechanism along an increased length of the source. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the distributed clamping device is of variable length. ### Claim 22 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the source comprises one or more modules.