Use of External Driver to Energize a Seismic Source

An apparatus comprising:

• a seismic source comprising an internal cavity configured to contain a volume of a fluid;
• an external driver, wherein the external driver and the seismic source are coupled to permit fluid communication between the external driver and the internal cavity of the seismic source, wherein the external driver is configured to create a pressure wave that drives the seismic source and a fluid resonance;
• wherein the seismic source comprises a pair of base plates that are secured together to provide the internal cavity between the base plates;
• and
• a fluid reservoir, wherein the fluid reservoir and the external driver are coupled to permit fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the external driver.

A marine survey system comprising:

• a survey vessel;
• and
• an apparatus towable behind the vessel, wherein the apparatus comprises
• a seismic source comprising an internal cavity configured to contain a volume of a fluid;
• wherein the seismic source is a bender, and wherein the seismic source comprises a pair of base plates that are positioned to provide the internal cavity between the base plates;
• an external driver, wherein the external driver and the seismic source are coupled to permit fluid communication between the external driver and the internal cavity of the seismic source, wherein the external driver is configured to generate a pressure wave that drives the seismic source and a fluid resonance that assists the external driver;
• and
• a fluid reservoir, wherein the fluid reservoir and the external driver are coupled to permit fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the external driver.

A method comprising:

• actuating an external driver to create a pressure wave in a fluid;
• resonating a fluid to assist the external driver in creation of the pressure wave;
• wherein, the pressure wave travels from the external driver to an internal cavity of seismic source and in turn generates acoustic energy;
• and
• adjusting at least one dimension of a conduit system, wherein the conduit system couples the external driver to the seismic source and the conduit system couples the fluid reservoir to the external driver.