Low energy source for seismic operation
AssigneeMapco, Inc.
InventorPhilip N. Martin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lightweight, mobile, low-energy seismic source comprises an industrial shotgun, having a solid projectile combined with a base structure to support the gun in a substantially vertical position, slightly above the surface of the earth. The muzzle velocity of the projectile is sufficiently high that it can provide up to 9,000 foot pounds of energy impacting on the earth, which is comparable to that of some of the larger weight drop machines. Wheels or carrying bars can be provided for manual transport of the source.
Claims14
A lightweight, mobile, low-energy seismic source, comprising;
- (a) a gun, comprising a barrel and a breech, adapted to hold a shell having a propellant and a solid projectile, and means to fire said shell;
- (b) base means to support said gun in a substantially vertical position slightly above the surface of the earth, the base comprising;
- (1) an annular means adapted to rest on the earth,
- (2) horizontal plate means supported coaxially above said annular means and having and opening therethrough;
- (3) means to support said gun vertically, with its barrel over said plate means opening, and the muzzle of said barrel being positioned a selected distance above the surface of the earth;
- whereby when said shell is detonated, said projectile will be ejected at high velocity from said barrel, downwardly through said opening in said base, to strike and penetrate the surface of the earth to generate a seismic wave.
A mobile seismic source comprising;
- a projectile firing gun;
- a portable base having an opening therethrough, said gun being mounted on said base for firing projectiles through said opening, said base adapted to rest on the earth's surface and providing a ground seal around said opening and providing means of intercepting and confining solid objects dislodged from the earth when a projectile is fired by said gun.
A method of seismic exploration in the earth, comprising:
- positioning a projectile firing device above and directed towards the surface of the earth;
- firing a projectile from the device tomimpact the earth's surface;
- and
- detecting the resulting seismic signal.
A method of seismic exploration in the earth, comprising:
- moving a wheel supported projectile firing device on the earth's surface to a selected location;
- firing a projectile from the device to impact the earth's surface at the selected location;
- and
- detecting the resulting seismic signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.