# US 2014/0196976 A1 · Method of optimizing seismic vibrator output force > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196976 A1 - Document ID: US20140196976A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/154,331 - Filed: 2014-01-14 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-14 - Assignees: Inova Ltd. - Applicants: Inova, Ltd. - Inventors: Thomas F. Phillips, III; Russ Jay Ewert - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196976A1 ## CPC - G01V 1/003: {Seismic data acquisition in general, e.g. survey design (G01V1/3808, G01V1/42 take precedence)} - G01V 1/0475: {for controlling "Ground Force"} - G01V 1/09: Transporting arrangements, e.g. on vehicles (G01V1/38 takes precedence) - G01V 1/04: Details - G01V 1/145: by deforming or displacing surfaces {, e.g. by mechanically driven vibroseis™} - 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 A method of controlling a seismic vehicle may include estimating at least one orientation parameter for the seismic vehicle and controlling at least one operating parameter in view of the estimated orientation parameter(s). In non-limiting arrangements, the control may relate to re-positioning the seismic vehicle, adjusting value of a hold-down force or target drive force, and/or updating a seismic data acquisition database. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of controlling a seismic vehicle, comprising: determining a range of values for at least one orientation parameter for the seismic vehicle; positioning the seismic vehicle at a location in a geographical area of interest; measuring the at least one orientation parameter of the seismic vehicle; and imparting seismic energy into a subsurface formation using the seismic vehicle only if the measured at least one orientation parameter is within the determined range of values for the at least one orientation parameter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning the seismic vehicle until the seismic vehicle has measured at least one orientation parameter within the determined range of values for the at least one orientation parameter. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one orientation parameter is one of: (i) tilt, (ii) roll, (iii) azimuth, and (iv) articulated joint offset. ### Claim 4 A method of controlling a seismic vehicle, comprising: positioning the seismic vehicle at a location in a geographical area of interest; measuring at least one orientation parameter of the seismic vehicle; and selecting a value of a hold-down force based on the measured at least one orientation parameter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, further comprising: determining a baseline hold-down force for the seismic vehicle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the value of the hold-down force is one of: (i) a baseline hold-down force, and (ii) a preset hold-down force lower than the baseline hold-down force. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, further comprising calculating the value of the hold-down force using a controller, wherein the controller uses the least one measured orientation parameter to calculate the hold-down force value. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, further comprising reducing a target driving force if the hold down force is below a preset value. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising generating the hold-down force using a hydraulic source; and controlling the hydraulic source with the controller. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one orientation parameter is one of: (i) tilt, (ii) roll, (iii) azimuth, and (iv) articulated joint offset. ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, further comprising: transmitting seismic vehicle information from the seismic vehicle to a control center, wherein the seismic vehicle information includes at least one of: (i) at least one orientation parameter, and (ii) the selected value of the hold-down force; updating a seismic data acquisition database at the control center using the transmitted seismic vehicle information. ### Claim 12 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, further comprising: transmitting from a control center to the seismic vehicle information to the seismic vehicle to an instruction to adjust at least one of: (i) the hold down force, and (ii) a target driving force. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the controller further uses an effective weight of the seismic vehicle to calculate the hold-down force. ### Claim 14 A method of performing a seismic survey, comprising: imparting seismic energy into a subsurface formation using a seismic vehicle; detecting seismic signals using at least one sensor, wherein the seismic signals are reflections of the imparted seismic energy; and characterizing the surface or subsurface formation using the detected seismic signals and at least one of: (i) an orientation parameter associated with the seismic vehicle, and (ii) a hold-down force applied by the seismic vehicle while the seismic energy was imparted.