# US 2014/0151147 A1 · Method and apparatus for measuring seismic parameters of a seismic vibrator

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- Number: US 2014/0151147 A1
- Document ID: US20140151147A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/237,638
- Filed: 2012-08-07
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2011-08-09
- Assignees: Shell Oil Company
- Inventors: Robert Martindale Lupton; William Eric Westwood
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151147A1

## CPC

- G01V 1/16: Receiving elements for seismic signals; Arrangements or adaptations of receiving elements
- G01H 9/004: {using fibre optic sensors (light guides per se G02B6/00, acousto-optical devices specially adapted for gating or modulating in optical wave guides G02F1/125)}
- G01V 1/0475: {for controlling "Ground Force"}
- G01V 8/16: using optical fibres
- G01B 11/16: for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. optical strain gauge
- G01V 1/226: {Optoseismic systems}
- G01V: GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS (means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons A63B29/02)
- G01H: MEASUREMENT OF MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OR ULTRASONIC, SONIC OR INFRASONIC WAVES
- G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS

## Abstract

Apparatus and techniques for measuring seismic parameters, such as ground force, of a seismic vibrator used for generating seismic signals through a geological formation are provided. The seismic vibrator has a base plate positionable adjacent a ground surface of the geological formation. A sensor pad may be provided with an optical cable positionable between the base plate of the seismic vibrator and the ground surface of the geological formation, a laser for passing a light through the optical cable, and a detector for detecting disturbances in the laser light whereby a ground force applied to the ground surface may be determined.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sensor pad for measuring seismic parameters of a seismic vibrator, the seismic vibrator for generating seismic waves through a geological formation, the seismic vibrator having a base plate positionable adjacent a ground surface of the geological formation, the sensor pad comprising:
an optical cable positionable between the base plate of the seismic vibrator and the ground surface of the geological formation;
a laser for passing a light through the optical cable; and
a detector for detecting disturbances in the light whereby a ground force of the seismic vibrator may be determined.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The sensor pad of claim 1, wherein the optical cable is distributed over at least a portion of the base plate.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The sensor pad of claim 1, further comprising a protective layer positionable about the optical cable.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The sensor pad of claim 3, wherein the protective layer is selected from the group consisting of neoprene molded about the optical cable, a mat, a pad wafer, an adhesive layer, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The sensor pad of claim 1, further comprising a securing agent between the cable and the base plate.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The sensor pad of claim 1, wherein the optical cable is one of a single mode fiber optic cable, a multi-mode fiber optic cable, a microelectromechanical optical cable, a distributed optical cable and combinations thereof.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The sensor pad of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The sensor pad of claim 1, wherein the seismic parameter is one of a ground force, a stress, a strain, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 9

A method for measuring seismic parameters, comprising:
positioning a seismic pad on a base plate of a seismic vibrator, the seismic pad comprising an optical cable, a laser, and a detector;
positioning the seismic pad of the base plate adjacent a ground surface of a geological formation;
generating seismic waves through the geological formation with the seismic vibrator;
passing a light from the laser through the optical cable; and
determining a ground force of the seismic vibrator by detecting disturbances in the light.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a protective layer about the optical cable.